Hand Washing Day was observed recently with the message to spread the awareness among the people about its importance in maintaining good health and hygiene.

The Minister of State for Rural Development, Ms. Agatha Sangma took the lead as she administered pledge to the children and teachers at a function at Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Samalkha to work for the promotion of sanitation and hygiene by spreading the message of washing the hands properly using soap before and after meals and after defecation.

Presiding over the function, the minister stressed the need to ensure the availability of soap, enough water and hand washing facility on regular basis in all the schools and a well-maintained water and sanitation facility along with the emphasis on hygiene education in schools.

She also called upon the village community to support in promoting sanitation and hygiene with the emphasis on hand washing around the year so that health and well-being of all school-going children is ensured.

Several activities including skits on the importance of hand washing by school children and teachers, mid-day meals were organized on this occasion.

Another important attraction was the screening of a film on the importance of hand washing with a message from legendary Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

The focus Of Hand Washing Day this year is on teachers who have been oriented for this purpose to ensure that all children wash their hands with soap or with other cleaning material before they eat their mid-day meal.

Among those who addressed the schoolchildren and the teachers, include Mr. J.S. Mathur, Joint Secretary in the Department of Drinking Water Supply under the Union Ministry Of Rural Development, Ms. Lizene Burgers, Chief Water & Environmental Sanitation, UNICEF India, Mr. Kevin St. Louis, Deputy Representative UNICEF, and Senior Officials from Department of Education, GNCT.

The programme organized in the National Capital was in collaboration with the Department of Drinking Water Supply, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid-Day Meal Programme, GNeT Delhi and UNICEF.