Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Strength of we feelings, unity and collective responsibility. In an exemplary step towards Swachhata Abhiyan, villagers have came forward to keep the village atmosphere green and clean. Irrespective of age, all came together to set an example for others.
As per report, Diyapada, a small village of Nayagarh Block in Nayagarh district, has around hundred families and over a thousand people. The village atmosphere was very bad and uncleaned. Even outsiders had blamed the villagers for unhygienic surroundings. Diyapada faced several civic and hygiene challenges. Garbage was dumped on roadsides and near ponds, open defecation was common, and the village temple and cremation ground were surrounded by garbage.
The intellectual and educated mass came forward to unite the villagers and got success. They promised to clean every corner, street, and road of the village. Finally, irrespective of age, all joined in the cleanness drive and cleaned the village spontaneously.
In a significant move, the villagers held a meeting to make Diyapada clean, healthy, and addiction-free. The villagers also decided that one member from each house would work voluntarily for cleanliness and awareness drives. The campaign soon turned into a people’s movement and became a remarkable Step towards Swachhata Abhiyan.
The village head, Bibhuti Kumar Rath, led the campaign and began the cleanness journey to clean ponds and village surroundings. With his leadership, villagers continued to work together with great enthusiasm and unity.
To ensure long-term discipline, the villagers also implemented a strict penalty system. Anyone found defecating in the open, dumping garbage near ponds, or littering on roadsides will face a fine of ₹500. Similarly, those creating disturbances under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants will be fined ₹5,000. These self-imposed rules have not only improved hygiene but also restored peace and discipline in the village.
With a collective decision, the villagers made Diyapada a nisha-mukt (addiction-free) village. They strictly prohibited open defecation, imposed fines on violators, and made cleanliness mandatory for all households. The villagers achieved this remarkable transformation without any government financial assistance. The villagers also aim to continue the drive round the year and plan to induct school students in the campaign. Diyapada’s transformation story stands as an inspiring Step towards Swachhata Abhiyan, setting an example of unity, discipline, and collective effort to achieve the goal.
