What Does Open Defecation Free Mean In General And For India? / Is India Open Defecation Free?

Serving 140 crore people through Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan has been Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government's most important pillar of governance. There has been an overarching yet guaranteed delivery of basic necessities, significantly strengthening Maa Bharati's reputation. Additionally, throughout the last decade, under his visionary leadership, welfare has reached the last mile and empowered those at the end of the line to aspire to achieve their dreams and lead a life of dignity.
The development initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are not limited to piecemeal repairs, patronage and sloganeering associated with past regimes. Instead, the work is long-term, comprehensive, robust, and facilitates permanent upliftment.

One mission that resonates the most with such a noble endeavour to usher in a cleaner future in India is the Swachh Bharat Mission. Through this mission, the Modi government has pioneered a much-needed cleanliness conscience in the nation. On October 2, the birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission was launched to achieve universal sanitation and a nation free from open defecation.

Launched on October 2, 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM(G)] aims to provide all rural families with access to toilets by October 2, 2019, so that by then, all villages in the country will be Open Defecation Free (ODF). For all BPL households and identified APL households that lack toilets in their homes, SBM(G) provides an incentive of Rs. 12,000/-for the construction of Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs).

A city/ward can be notified/declared as an Open Defecation Free (ODF) city/ ODF ward if, at any point of the day, not a single person is found defecating in the open. Moreover, if at any point of the day, not a single person is found defecating and/or urinating in the open, and all community and public toilets are functional and well-maintained, is the condition that qualifies a city, ward, or work circle for ODF+ status. The ODF++ protocol adds that "faecal sludge/septage and sewage is safely managed and treated, with no discharging and/or dumping of untreated faecal sludge/septage and sewage in drains, water bodies or open areas.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) has focused on achieving open defecation-free (ODF) villages. The goal set forward by PM to eliminate open defecation nationwide by 2019 became a genuine grassroots movement, and the goals were met well ahead of schedule.

Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 was then launched in 2021 with the goal of making all Indian cities "water secure" and "garbage-free." With the goal of achieving garbage-free status for all cities through 100% source segregation, door-to-door collection, and scientific management of all waste fractions, including safe disposal in scientific landfills, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U) 2.0 was launched on October 1, 2021, for a period of five-year. Additionally, it aims to clean up all former dumpsites and turn them into green spaces.

The SBM-G program has been influential in improving the health and well-being of millions of people across the country. Until September 2023, 4 lakh + villages have declared themselves ODF Plus, a significant step towards achieving the SBM-G phase II goals by 2024-25.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands, D&N Haveli, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Tripura are the top-performing States/UTs that have attained 100% ODF Plus villages.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to this accomplishment as a first step toward "Sampoorna Swachhata," which entails observable cleanliness, effective waste management, and recycling of all trash with the goal of converting waste into riches. Till January 2024, out of 766 districts in the country, 729 districts have reported themselves as manual scavenging-free.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has skilfully weaved the 4Ps—people, political leadership, public spending, and partnerships—to ensure a smooth and timely implementation and an Open Defecation Free and Swach Bharat. The country has supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demand to make "Swachhata" a "Jan Andolan."