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NewsConclave 2014DAY 2 March 08, '14Gallery
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Conclave 2014: Jairam Ramesh, Uma Bharti, Shivraj Chouhan speak on need of toilets in India

Speaking at the session 'Salvation vs. Sanitation: Toilets Before Temples for a New India' on the second day of the 13th India Today Conclave on Saturday, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh said on International Women's Day, "in a country which has more than 60 per cent women defecate in the open, we have to make sanitation a national obsession."

Conclave 2014: Jairam Ramesh, Uma Bharti, Shivraj Chouhan speak on need of toilets in India
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Ramesh said, "Sikkim has become the first Indian open defecation-free state. Many districts in different states are now free from open defecation. We need to do more. In the next 10 years, we can be free from this vice."

Parveen Negi | Mail Today

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Conclave 2014: Jairam Ramesh, Uma Bharti, Shivraj Chouhan speak on need of toilets in India
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Speaking about his own government's efforts to eradicate the problem, Chouhan said, "We have launched a Maryada Abhiyan in MP where toilets are being built in every home."

Parveen Negi | Mail Today

Conclave 2014: Jairam Ramesh, Uma Bharti, Shivraj Chouhan speak on need of toilets in India
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On the issue of open defecation in rural development, Bharti said, "The problem is bigger in metro cities than villages. Construction workers working in these cities and their families have no access to clean toilets. This should be immediately looked into."

Parveen Negi | Mail Today

Conclave 2014: Jairam Ramesh, Uma Bharti, Shivraj Chouhan speak on need of toilets in India
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Jack Sim said religion can actually be used to create awareness about toilets. "I don't think there is conflict. Why don't we use temples, mosques and religious leaders to preach about cleanliness and give away prizes to top promoters?" he said.

Parveen Negi | Mail Today

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Conclave 2014: Jairam Ramesh, Uma Bharti, Shivraj Chouhan speak on need of toilets in India
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Senior BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh CM Uma Bharti said, "When Rameshji or Modiji said 'toilets before temples', neither meant to disrespect religion. It was for the practical need of the country. There is no conflict among politicians on this point."

Parveen Negi | Mail Today

Conclave 2014: Jairam Ramesh, Uma Bharti, Shivraj Chouhan speak on need of toilets in India
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Jack Sim, founder, Restroom Association Of Singapore and World Toilet Organisation, said, "My ambition is that toilet must be a normal subject one day. Because going to toilet is so enjoyable. Ask anybody here. In total, human beings spend three years of their life in toilet."

Parveen Negi | Mail Today

Conclave 2014: Jairam Ramesh, Uma Bharti, Shivraj Chouhan speak on need of toilets in India
7/7

Speaking at the session 'Salvation vs. Sanitation: Toilets Before Temples for a New India' on the second day of the 13th India Today Conclave on Saturday, Union minister Jairam Ramesh said on International Women's Day, "in a country which has more than 60 per cent women defecate in the open, we have to make sanitation a national obsession."

Parveen Negi | Mail Today

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