The journey from ODF to ODF Plus Model has not been about ticking boxes, but about ensuring that households, schools, and anganwadi centres reflect the success of the rural water and sanitation missions.
Telangana has highest number of villages declared 'Open Defecation Free Plus', the 'plus' signifying sustained ODF status, solid and liquid waste management, and visual cleanliness.
Every year on 19 November, the UN celebrates World Toilet Day to create awareness about the 4.2 billion people who are living without ‘safely managed sanitation’.
A field survey conducted by Centre for Policy Research, University of Texas and UC Berkely tracked changes in open defecation in rural north India in the last five years.
Former IAS officer Parameswaran Iyer built 11 crore toilets all over India in 60 months. That's how PM Modi could declare rural India open-defecation free.
India’s competitiveness cannot be defended abroad if it is eroded at home. Short-term measures can provide a cushion, but without reforms, exporters will remain perpetually vulnerable.
According to the Niti Aayog quarter trade watch report launched Monday, India’s total trade in FY 2025 was at US$1.73 trillion—exports at US$823 billion & imports US$908 billion.
Amid continued concerns over cross-border terrorism, General Upendra Dwivedi further warned the neighbour that India will not show restraint if there is an Op Sindoor 2.0.
Pakistan’s army has been a rentier force available to a reasonable bidder. It has never come to the aid of any Muslims including Palestinians or the Gazans, except making noises here and there.
Ours is a country that is full of street garbage. Swatch Bharat is just another failed scheme of socialist India.