Bhopal: Thursday, November 7, 2024, Khedawada village, located in the Badnagar Tehsil of Ujjain District, Madhya Pradesh, has become a shining example for the entire district. The village panchayat launched a unique initiative to transform Khedawada into a clean and self-sustaining community, achieving the status of an ‘ODF Plus’ model village. Ujjain now has 726 ODF Plus model villages, where ongoing cleanliness and sustainability measures help create a clean, water-secure, and self-sufficient environment.
### Community Movement for Cleanliness
Cleanliness is ingrained as a daily habit rather than a one-time activity, with a village-wide campaign promoting community participation. Groups of children and women visit homes to educate residents on separating dry and wet waste, explaining that segregating waste makes disposal more efficient and environmentally friendly.
### Safe Drinking Water Initiative
To combat seasonal diseases, the panchayat installed an RO plant and a water tank to ensure access to safe drinking water. Any resident can obtain clean drinking water for an affordable fee of just ₹6 per month. This initiative has not only improved public health but also increased trust in the panchayat.
### Cleanliness Education in Schools
Local schools have incorporated cleanliness and environmental conservation into their curriculum using smart classes. Teachers regularly educate students on the importance of cleanliness, instilling these values in the younger generation.
### Waste Management and Employment Generation
The panchayat took a loan to purchase a garbage collection vehicle, enabling waste collection from each household. Organic waste is composted for use by local farmers, while non-organic waste is sold as scrap, providing funds to support sanitation workers’ wages. Every household is encouraged to keep a dustbin to prevent littering.
### Infrastructure for Cleanliness
The village has constructed CC roads, community sanitation complexes, and RCC drainage systems to facilitate easy rainwater drainage. At the end of each drain, soak pits prevent water accumulation and spillage on the roads.
### Security and Aesthetic Enhancement
For security, CCTV cameras are installed at intersections and government offices. Schools are equipped with CCTV, RO water systems, and separate restrooms for boys and girls. Children are taught proper hygiene practices like handwashing.
### Artistic Expression of Cleanliness
The village promotes cleanliness through art by repurposing waste materials into decorative items, enhancing the village’s aesthetic appeal and inspiring other panchayats to follow suit.
### Digital Self-Reliance
In alignment with Digital India, Khedawada is now a Wi-Fi-enabled zone. The village is connected to the internet, and CCTV cameras have been installed at key locations and government offices.
Khedawada stands as a symbol of an ideal village, showcasing how collective efforts can lead to a clean, water-secure, and self-reliant community. The village’s initiatives have set a model for other villages and panchayats, inspiring them to adopt similar practices.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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