Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 15: Global Hand-Washing Day was observed across the State.
Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Forest and Animal Husbandry, Abdul Majeed Padder, called for mass awareness regarding importance of hygiene and proper sanitation measures in rural areas. The Minister stated this at a function organized in connection with Global Hand-Washing (GHD) Day at DH Pora, Srinagar. Padder said GHD is a campaign to motivate and mobilize people around and promote hand-washing habits among them. The campaign is dedicated to raise awareness with regard to washing hands with soap as a key approach to disease prevention.
Minister said that the campaign was initiated to reduce childhood mortality rates related to respiratory and diarrhea diseases by introducing simple behavioral changes, such as washing hands with soap.
He said it is also a religious obligation to maintain cleanliness and a hygienic atmosphere in and around, adding that Global Hand-Washing Day provides an opportunity to increase awareness and importance about washing hands with soap in an effective manner to prevent spread of diseases and save lives.
On the occasion, Padder announced Rs 7.50 lakh from his CDF for Government Higher Secondary School for improving various facilities for students there. During the function, school students presented variety of programmes in connection with Global Hand-Washing Day. Later, the Minister gave away prizes among participating students in presence of Chief Education officer, SDM, officers from District Administration Kulgam, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Forest, Rural Development Department, etc.
J&K State Social Welfare Board observed the Global Hand-Washing Day at 694 Crèche Centers, across the State, where almost 17,500 children from economically poor families, in the age group of 0-6 years were told about simplicity and value of clean hands was demonstrated. These Crèche Centers are managed by Non Governmental Organizations and funded by the Central Social Welfare Board, through J&K State SW Board. During the awareness programme the young children and their mothers were explained about the benefits of hand-washing and were urged to continue the practice, before every meal and after using the toilet, so that it inculcates a habit of hygiene and cleanliness. Chairperson Social Welfare Board has appreciated all the NGOs that participated in this campaign.
Model Academy, prestigious school of MIER along with the Interact Club, today observed Global Hand-Washing Day at both its branches. The day started with a special assembly where students spoke on the importance of Hand-Washing. Aditya Mani a member of Interact Club stressed on the importance of personal hygiene and how keeping hands clean prevents a number of stomach problems like Diarrhea, Pneumonia etc. Further through role play students projected how germs and bacteria attack our body if hands are not washed properly. Hand-Washing is the most effective and cheap way to keep ourselves healthy and disease free. The members of Interact Club prepared slogans for spreading awareness regarding “Washing Hands” and discussed them in the junior wing. Further in the day the teachers of the Junior Wing narrated story titled “Bacteria and his friends” through which they highlighted how bacteria attack our body if personal hygiene and cleanliness is compromised.
Global Hand Washing Day was observed at BSF School, Paloura. A painting competition was organized on the occasion to spread awareness among the students. They successfully touched various issues related to and washing techniques highlighting its importance in day-to-day life. Students were motivated to bring soap papers regularly with them. Demonstrations of proper hand washing techniques were done to help students learn and practice simple rules of washing hands. Speaking on the occasion Principal, Dr SK Shukla threw light on the importance of the day.
Global Hand-Washing Day was observed in Government Higher Secondary School, Ghoumanahsan. About 400 students and prominent citizens participated and pledged to keep their individual and social hygiene in order to save themselves from diseases. JR Sharma, Principal of the school exhorted upon the students to keep their personal hygiene of paramount importance and save from common abdominal problems resulting from unhygienic conditions. RS Chib, senior BJP leader, Gandharv Singh, Som Nath, Rohni, Iqbal Qasim, Promila, Jyoti Jamwal, Anuradha, Anita, Sindhu, Tulsi and staff members were present on the occasion.
World Hand-Washing Day was observed at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Bakshi Nagar. A cleanliness drive was organized on the occasion and the students were sensitized by the importance of the Hand-Washing. Principal of the institution Rajni Kotwal in her speech highlighted the importance of the day.
A programme on the occasion of Global Hand-Washing Day was organized by District Education Department, Reasi, Rural Development and Social Welfare Departments at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Reasi. DDC Reasi Sushma Chauhan was the chief guest on the occasion and other dignitaries namely ADDC Bhawani Rakwal, CEO Reasi Vinod Soni, BDO Reasi Akshi Gupta and Principal of the institution PD Sharma were also present. While speaking, DDC focused on the importance of the day.
On the occasion of the Global Hand-washing Day, a programme was organised by the District Administration Udhampur at Tikri, in which the PRI members, teachers, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers and a large number of students were present. A day-long sensitization-cum-awareness programme was conducted by the District Panchayat Officer, Udhampur. District Development Commissioner Udhampur, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, who is also the Chairman, District Water and Sanitation Mission was the chief guest on the occasion, who while speaking stressed on inculcating the practice of hand washing as an innate habit among the children. DPO Sukriti Sharma and CMO Chander Prakash also highlighted the significance of hand washing in ensuring a better quality of life. The other officers present on the occasion include the ACD, PO ICDS, BDO Tikri, Xen of PHE, REW, PWD and PMGSY.
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