Kids’ musical bands impress tribals to build toilets

RAIPUR: Standing up against the practice of defecation in open, two separate bands of tribal children in Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh are going to each house to persuade people to build toilets - a first of its kind initiative dedicated to create awareness on Open Defecation Free (ODF) surrounding. Impressed with the unique initiative, ministry of drinking water and sanitation plans to replicate the model of these bands called 'Chauwa Toli' (children's band) and Jashpur Jhankar at other places.
Earlier, the campaign started with 70,000 students writing letters to their parents requesting them to build toilets, citing difficulties and risks such as snake bite and elephant threats while going into the forests to attend natures call.
Conceptualized by the new collector Dr Priyanka Shukla, who is also a doctor, the campaign explains the intricacies and benefits of ODF to tribal population which never believed in building toilets and had no idea of hygiene and safety attached to it. Excited with the responses when parents started building toilets at home, children showed interest in the campaign when district administration formed 'Chauwa toli' for them.
Children in groups visit each house in their vicinity after school or on a holiday to spread the message of ODF.
Little Laisa of Class I was apprehensive about going out to defecate during night. When she was taught about benefits of having toilet at home, she insisted upon her father to build one. Now, her clan that has never used a toilet before have one at home.
Shukla said that love for music among tribals plays a crucial role with these bands and the population feels instantly inspired. "Presently, 36 panchayats and 71 villages have become ODF while two more blocks would achieve its goal by August 15. We have targeted March 2017 to make entire district ODF. When children nag for something, parents usually follow it in their interest, hence, Chauwa toli has been a huge success," she said.
Jhankar band is a group of eight, including youths and government servants, who used to take time out from their schedule and perform street plays in their surrounding, while presenting the same during Loksuraj Abhiyan. Collector Dr Shukla took it to next level and the band now performs across the district as part of the campaign.
"Lakhon ka hum ghar hai banate, shauchalay kyu bhul hai jate, apni soch ko uncha uthaenge, swachch Bharat banaenge," are some lyrics composed by Gram Panchayat secretary Sandeep Sharma, who's also part of the band.
Speaking to TOI, Sandeep said, "We are trying to instil the idea of ODF among people via interesting songs. In spite of having toilets at few homes, people fill them up with wood or grass and continue going to forest to relieve themselves. The band has been spreading awareness to use toilets for past six months and people respond positively."
In a message by MDWS secretary Param Iyer wrote on social media, "I am impressed with Jashpur Jhankar musical band spreading the message of cleanliness, its leaders Sandeep and Priyanka." He showed interest for the band to travel to other places and replicate the campaign, but Dr Shukla said that the initiative should first make the district ODF after which it would participate at other places.