Harpic and News18's initiative 'Mission Swachhta Aur Paani' to mark World Health Day with a special event

'Mission Swachhta Aur Paani’ - the Sanitation for All campaign by Harpic and News18 is all set to mark World Health Day with an event on Friday.

The event aims to mobilise India for better sanitation and reinforce awareness on how hygiene and access to toilets form the backbone of a healthy society.

The World Health Organisation's (WHO) 'Health for All' initiative emphasises the importance of high-quality health services, skilled health workers, and policy-makers committed to investing in universal health coverage. ‘Mission Swachhta Aur Paani’ is based on these principles and advocates for inclusive sanitation, where everyone has access to clean toilets regardless of gender, ability, caste, or class.

The event will be a live telecast on CNN News18 and will feature Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya along with personalities such as Sania Mirza, Shilpa Shetty, and Kajal Aggarwal, who will talk about the importance of health and sanitation.

With this special event, ‘Mission Swachhta Aur Paani’ aims to raise awareness about the need for clean and accessible toilets, especially in the context of public health. The event also seeks to inspire individuals and communities to take action towards creating a healthy and hygienic society for all. 

Today, an average Indian think that good nutrition, washing hands and exercising is enough to lead a healthy life. However, cleaning and disinfecting toilets is critical and equally important to control the spread of toilet borne diseases. The initiative aims to drive this awareness and educate people about this. 

Avinash Kaul, Chief Executive Officer, Network18 and Managing Director, A + E Networks, TV18, said, “We’re incredibly inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s call for hygiene and his continued focus on safe drinking water and sanitation. With a legacy of undertaking socially responsible initiatives, Network18 has always sought to bring about substantial awareness and trigger action towards such causes. This World Health Day, we are focusing our efforts around educating people on how toilet hygiene has direct linkages with our overall health. Swachh Bharat is critical for Swasth Bharat.”

The sustained campaign by Network18 and Harpic was launched in 2019 and has achieved considerable success by bringing key water and sanitation issues to the fore and is now advocating for the biggest behavioural change throughout the country to ensure access to clean and safe toilets for all.

“On World Health Day, our special show will highlight the need for our collective resolve to ensure sanitation and showcase multiple interventions and their impact as part of this campaign undertaken by us,” added Kaul.

“As a responsible media organisation, Network18 recognises the importance of contributing to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the Swachh Bharat Mission. We believe that this Mission is vital in making India a healthier nation and are committed to supporting it in every possible way. There couldn't have been a better occasion than the World Health Day to advocate for the cause with this pivotal campaign that highlights the often underlooked aspects of toilet hygiene,” said Puneet Singhvi, CEO - Digital and President - Corporate Strategy at Network18 Media and Investments.

The campaign has been able to draw into its fold many social leaders from different walks of life, who have mobilised public opinion.

Ravi Bhatnagar, Director, External Affairs and Partnerships, Reckitt, South Asia, said, “We are happy to bring forth the conversation on the World health Day about the need and importance of clean and safe toilets for better health and well-being. The Mission Swachhta Aur Paani campaign has been educating masses on the importance of toilet etiquettes for hygiene and inclusive sanitation in India. Through this platform and our various interventions and partnerships, we aim to reach over 20 million people across the country with information and tools that can help drive behavioural change and generate awareness on the importance of proper toilet sanitation in one’s overall health for a healthier India.”

Saurabh Jain, Regional Marketing Director, South Asia - Hygiene, Reckitt, commented, “As a global leader in the toilet care category, Harpic upholds the highest standard of sanitation for consumers, by making quality hygiene and wellness products accessible to everyone. The link of clean toilets to good health is currently not known to everyone and our effort is to drive this awareness. We shall continue to make impactful interventions and we are thankful to all leaders from across diverse spectrum to contribute in our mission for a hygienic, healthy and happy India.”

The special show will see participation from celebrities, leaders and change makers from across the globe including Brajesh Pathak, Deputy CM, Uttar Pradesh; UP governor Anandiben Patel; Swachhta Heroes like - Padma Shri S Damodaran, Founder, Gramalaya, Padma Shri Usha Chaumar; celebrities like Shilpa Shetty, Sania Mirza, Kajal Aggarwal; experts like Jack Sim, Founder, World Toilet Organization; Dr. Surbhi Singh, Gynecologist; Prateek Trivedi of 'Bhaiyaji Kahin'; Saurabh Jain, Regional Marketing Director - Hygiene, Reckitt and many sanitation workers. 

The LIVE telecast of the Mission Swachhta Aur Paani program can be watched on CNN News18 from 12 pm till 2 pm on April 7, 2023. The digital stream can be accessed at www.news18.com/missionswachhtapaani.

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