Human chain to make Belsand sub-div open defecation free

Sitamarhi(Bihar), Sep 6 (PTI) In a bid to expresscommitment towards sanitation, citizens formed a 30 km longhuman chain in Belsand sub-division in Bihar’s Sitamarhidistrict today and took a pledge to make the sub-divisiondefecation free by October 2. As part of a display of community commitment, citizensof all 16 panchayats in two blocks of Belsand and Parsauni,participated to form the human chain with 30,000 participants. School children, Anganwadi workers, health workers,women from Self Help Groups and government officials joinedhands to fulfil the commitment. The programme was part of the Swach Bharat Abhiyan. Sheohar Lok Sabha member Rama Devi, Sitamarhi DistrictMagistrate Rajesh Roshan, besides officials of UNICEF, whichis providing technical assistance in toilet construction ineach household, participated in the event. Rama Devi said in her address that everybody has tocontribute for creation of a society sans open defecation. DMRajesh Roshan said sanitation was another big struggle afterfreedom movement. The DM said toilet construction formed part of ChiefMinister Nitish Kumar’s seven resolves, which the stategovernment has adopted as policy of governance. "Our aim is to make the entire Belsand sub-divisionopen defecation free by October 2," Roshan said. UNICEF sanitation expert Praveen said it would requirearound 24,000 toilets constructed in the next 25 days toachieve the target of making Belsand open defecation free. PTICORR SNSDKB