Since the Modi government came to power in 2014, the slogans of ‘Swachh Bharat‘ can be heard clear and loud across the nation. Few have gone an extra mile to fulfil the dream of a clean India, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It has been three years since he launched this mission of ‘Swacch Bharat‘ on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Oct 2. This initiative not only aims at attaining a clean India but also focuses on declaring India and open defecation free nation and this means providing proper sanitation facility to the citizens of India. Few have already achieved the goal and few are in the race, but many are lagging a lot.
Among the few to have taken an extra step in regards o provide better sanitation facilities, Bhopal has registered itself to be the first of its kind of city. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday, 2 October, inaugurated a toilet in the Mangalwara area in Bhopal, especially for the third gender.’
A senior BMC official providing the details said that the toilet was built at a cost of Rs 35 lakh and also has a change and makeup room for the transgender. Bhopal Mayor Alok Sharma claimed the toilet, constructed by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), was the first of its kind in the country. He also informed that different signs for men, women, handicapped and transgender people are emblazoned on the doors of the toilet.
During the inauguration ceremony, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that he will make sure that initiatives will be taken to create awareness regarding the government schemes, especially those related to sanitation among the third gender. He also said that he will soon host a third gender panchayat at his residence to address all the problems faced by the transgenders.
The Chief Minister added that the state government would provide an additional assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh to members of the community for constructing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. He accepted the fact that the transgender does not get the respect that they deserve and assured that his government will ensure equal rights for them.
“The third gender is yet to get the respect it deserves, my government will ensure equal rights for them,” he said.
Shivraj Singh also directed his party members to take strict actions against all the anti-social elements that damage the reputation of the third gender and are a hindrance in granting them equal rights.