Sanitation and rural society-a socio-economic study in Khejuri, west

A country cannot achieve real development if majority of its people live in an unhealthy and unclear surroundings due to lack of access to safe water and sanitation. The Govt. of India launched Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) in April, 1999. TSC gives emphasis on information, education and communication (IEC) for demand generation of sanitation facilities, providing for stronger backup systems. It also lays emphasis on school sanitation and hygiene education. To give a fillip to the TSC, Govt. of India launched the Nirmal Gram Puraskar (NGP) in October, 2003. Khejuri-I Panchayat Samity played a significant role to motivate and make people conscious regarding different aspects and benefits of sanitation programme in order to improve the general quality of life in rural areas and got NGP from the Presidint of India in the year 2005. The study was conducted on the basis of 300 households in 6 Gram Panchayats. Respondents were selected on the basis of stratified random sampling. A well structured schedule was canvassed to them and interview method was adopted. From the study it is found that the incidences of water and sanitation related diseases have reduced considerably. Proper sanitation facilities in various schools and anganwadis centers provide hygiene education and awareness among children which ultimately reduced the infant mortality rate. It also helps to provide privacy and dignity among women in rural areas. But there are some obstacles and challenges.