Now, reel boost to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

LUCKNOW: In yet another boost to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the panchayati raj department here is going to screen motivational movies in rural parts of the district to make people aware about the importance of cleanliness. ‘Night chaupals’ to educate rural folks will also be held in villages as part of the first-ofits-kind drive.

The recent Akshay Kumarstarrer ‘Toilet – Ek Prem Katha’ tops the list of films shortlisted for the purpose. Others like ‘Trash Bin’, ‘Parinaam’, documentary on Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan, ‘Swacchata ek Sanskar’ are the few others that are likely to be screened under the drive.

Officials with the Panchayati Raj department said the initiative is expected to take off from next month. “Movies are perhaps the best medium of education. We are trying to replicate the same to spread the message of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ among the masses,” said an official with the department.

Officials said the department will also arrange for coloured projectors, screens and sound systems for the movie screening.

“Night chaupals and nukkad nataks based on cleanliness issues will be organised to educate the masses,” the officer said.

Though the list of villages to be covered in the first phase is yet to be prepared, officers said the villages shortlisted for Open Defecation Free (ODF) drive would be covered first.

“It’s a unique initiative. We are going to screen motivational movies for rural folks in order to highlight the advantages of the cleanliness mission and healthy living. We are going to hold ‘night chaupals’ to educate the masses,” said Prashant Sharma, chief development officer (CDO), Lucknow.