The city has received the title of Open Defecation (ODF) Free city in 2016, it is one such place where open defecation is still prevalent
Bad habits die hard! Somewhat similar is true for some occupants of around 1,100 housing units constructed with toilets as part of the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) housing scheme at Jivan Jyot Apartment in Odhav which comes under the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) East Zone.
Sources said though the city has received the title of Open Defecation (ODF) Free city in 2016, it is one such place where open defecation is still prevalent.
Though these units have individual toilets, some occupants are using open space, especially their terraces for defecation. Now, to keep them away from such a practice, AMC has planned to rope in Gayatri Parivar to perform a 'Hawan'.
It is on the lines of a practice to use wall tiles depicting gods to keep people from spitting tobacco. Earlier too, for behavioural change and motivate people to use toilets, former municipal commissioner D Thara had introduced a scheme 'Úse and Get' in which one was given a candy or Rs1 for using community toilet.
"There are around 6,000 people staying in the colony of different communities. Inspite several awareness programmes, they are not using toilets. People learn what religion preaches quickly! So, Gayatri Parivar is going to organise Hawan at that place," said a senior AMC official. "Either this Sunday or next Sunday, a Hawan will be organised with a holistic awareness campaign. People are using terrace to defecate inspite of several cleanliness awareness programmes. Hence, we have roped in Gayatri Parivar for this Hawan, asking people to use toilet," added the official.
Gaurang Jani, sociologist, said, "Our society believes religion solves everything. Such Hawan is only going to promote superstition.
For behavioural change, concrete steps and communication besides follow up is required." He added, "Hawan and religious gatherings can gather crowd but hardly change people's mindset."
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