Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

Veiled threat in Swachh drive: ‘Want to live with your wife, get a toilet first’

- Mukesh Mathrani

BARMER Inspired by actor Akshay Kumar’s recent block buster ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, the Barmer district administra­tion has come up with a new tagline — “If you want to live with your wife, have a toilet first” — to promote the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The film tells the real life story of a woman who leaves her husband days after the wedding when she finds out that his home doesn’t have a toilet.

Swachh authoritie­s

in Barmer have printed banners containing the message, which has been displayed at many places in the district. “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is based on the issue of cleanlines­s and creates awareness about open defecation.

It also tells people the women do not like defecating in the open and are speaking up on the issue,” said Madanlal Nehra, chief executive officer of Barmer Zila Parishad.

Nehra added that recently in Bhilwara a family court granted a woman divorce while ruling that having no toilet at home is cruelty to women. He said that the court also termed it as a “disgrace” to society. “Our aim is to spread awareness among the people on the issue,” he added.

The Barmer district administra­tion has recently arranged to show the movie to selected officials and public representa­tives of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.’ Now, the authoritie­s are planning to arrange a show of ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ at village and block levels.

The posters printed by the Barmer district administra­tion have a scene from the movie where Akshay is seen standing with his newly wedded wife, Bhumi Pednekar.

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? The poster which has been put up by the Swachh authoritie­s in Barmer.
HT PHOTO The poster which has been put up by the Swachh authoritie­s in Barmer.

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