This was part of the Gujarat government’s campaign to encourage people to build toilets and avoid defecating in the open. (Source: Express photo) This was part of the Gujarat government’s campaign to encourage people to build toilets and avoid defecating in the open. (Source: Express photo)

In a rather unique campaign against open defecation, Gujarat Panchayat Minister Jayanti Kavadiya on Wednesday was seen gifting rose to villagers

defecating in the open and requesting them not to do so in the future. This was part of the Gujarat government’s campaign to encourage people to build toilets and avoid defecating in the open.

Ahead of the second anniversary of Prime Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Campaign on October 2, India lags behind its stated aim to end open defecation by end of 2019. The Indian Express reported that so far just 141 of the total 4,041 cities and less than a sixth of the total 6.08 lakh villages have been declared as open defecation free (ODF).

In June, a total of 4800 villages in Gujarat have been declared as Open Defecation Free, according to the state’s Principal Secretary, Sanitation. The state has achieved a sanitation coverage of 73.75 per cent and 4800 villages in Gujarat have declared themselves as ODF, Ravi stated.

With inputs from Parimal Dabhi

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd