Page 18 - NIS English 16-31 August 2023

Cover Story Empowering Rural India

Swachh Bharat Mission: Diseases reduced
due to cleanliness, got dignity

Saparo Naya Sarai, a village adjacent to Ranchi in
Jharkhand, had a dirty pond which people used for
open defecation. But when toilets were built in all
the houses of this village under the Swachh Bharat
Mission, then people thought that the pond should
also be made clean. Then people together built a
park on its side and people started playing and
doing yoga there.

Sanitation coverage for rural households was 43.8%
in 2014 which increased to 100% in 2023. The World
Health Organization report states that the Swachh
Bharat Mission is capable of saving 3 lakh lives every
year from diarrhea and protein malnutrition. A UNICEF
report states that a family free from open defecation
can save Rs 50,000 per year by reducing medical
expenses.
11.5 constructed in 9 years.

crore toilets were

The annual socio- Food pollution
economic benefits of reduced by
sanitation were 2.16
727

times and ground
water pollution
dollar per household. reduced by 12.7 times.
3.31 lakh villages became ODF plus.

Solid waste management in 1.19
lakh villages and liquid waste
management facilities in 2.68
lakh villages.

In the last nine years, technology has not only Means of livelihood have been made available
aided in the development of rural infrastructure, through Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National
but internet consumption in rural areas has Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). Apart
increased in comparison to cities. The number of from this, more than nine crore women have been
Internet subscribers increased by 158 percent in empowered through self-help groups. During
urban areas and 200 percent in rural areas between Covid, the production of masks by self-help groups
2015 and 2021. was noteworthy. Rural women are participating
Multi-pronged efforts have been made through holistically in economic activities. According
various schemes to improve the villagers' to this fiscal year's Economic Survey, the rural
standard of living and increase their income. Female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) has

16 New India Samachar August 16-31, 2023