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Journalism of Courage
A community toilet in Santacruz (West) was adjudged the best such block in the city by Clean India Foundation,a private firm,which has been working for better sanitation facilities in the city since 2005. The foundation,which observed World Toilet Day Tuesday,gave away the first prize to Triratna Prerna mandal,which runs the community toilet block in Santacruz,followed by Ekvira Mitra mandal,Dharavi,and Azad Hind Welfare Committee,Govandi.
With 26 toilet seats,urinals,washroom for women and bathrooms,the toilet block in Santacruz is used by over 3,000 people on a daily basis. There are around 300 community toilet blocks in the city. Our team visited eight to 10 blocks,mostly in the slums, said Mohana Krishnan,a spokesperson from Clean India.
The selection was made on parameters that included maintenance,hygiene,odour levels,ventilation,security,caretaker at the block and facilities like hand-wash,water,bucket,sanitary napkin disposal and repair works. We also assessed the cleanliness levels in the approach area around the block. The jury checked if the block was well-lit and safe for women at night. Triratna met almost all the parameters, Krishnan said.
The initiative was to encourage communities to increase their sanitation levels. There is a lack of awareness among communities. Most of the times they do not know whom to approach or what practices are to be adopted to maintain a toilet. With this initiative,we aim to encourage people and get their fundamentals in place for healthy living, added Krishnan.
She said that the authorities should work in tandem with citizens and raise the awareness level as communities are willing to work towards improving sanitation levels in the city.
The organisation is also planning to come up with awards for the best-maintained government hospital and the best locality in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.
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