State begins safe drinking water & sanitation campaign week

Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 20

NAGALAND Minister for Public Health Engineering, Noke Wangnao today official launched the National Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Awareness Week campaign during a formal function held in the state capital.
Addressing the gathering, Noke said the awareness programme is being launched because many villages have low awareness, pertaining to rural drinking water and sanitation – like safe handling of water, to use water only from safe water sources, to conserve water and also safe disposal of human excreta, importance of washing hands with soap and to keep their houses and surroundings clean.
The campaign aims to generate general mass awareness, especially targeting the people from the rural areas.He said that the Government of Nagaland, particularly PHE Department has made elaborate action plan for this week long campaign, both at state level and the eleven districts.
The Minister expressed hope that through this awareness campaign, the rural people in the state will be motivated to live a better and healthy life.Delivering a short speech, state’s Principal Secretary R Benchilo Thong stressed on the need for community participation to create better awareness on safe drinking water and hygienic sanitary habits.
He also maintained that women and girls should be made the ambassadors as they are ones involving in household activities.
Earlier, as part of the campaign students from St Mary’s School Kohima rallied from High School junction to New Secretariat holding placards sending messages and appeals to save water, stop pollution and also indulge in hygienic living to prolong life.Some of the slogans read: “Save water. Save Life”, “Stop pollution, Don’t Make the Water Sick”, “Save water, It will save you later”, “Saving water can save the world”, “Give a helping hand, to save water, sky and land”, “Be the solution to water pollution!”, “Wash your hands and drown the germs”, “Sanitation brings dignity, equality and safety”, “Sanitation is vital for good health” “Say no to open defecation”, “Wash hands with soap before meal and after defecation”.
Chaired by Director WSSO, PHED KG Sumi the programme commenced with Rev. Keviyiekielie Linyü saying the invocation while Chief Engineer PHED Kevisekho Kruse delivered the keynote address.Special song was presented by Ruokuovotuo Angami while short play on sanitation was performed by Dreamz Unlimited. Additional CE Phed, J. Walter Longchar tendered the vote of thanks.