Rinku Kumari, from Nalanda District, Bihar, has brought about change not only in his village, but also in some 10 surrounding districts, leading them to become ODF (Open defecation free). Completing a mobilization activity in just two months, she led Jan Andolan and promoted the construction of baths in the villages.
How Rinku Kumari’s mission started?
For about a year of hard work involved in this mission. Rinku Kumari had been working around 4 a.m. to catch people defecating in the open air, educate them about its negative effects and contribute in her own way to Bihar’s dream matchmaker. Rinku Kumari educated people going door to door and explaining them the harm effects of open defecation, in the beginning of her mission she was not taken seriously and the other women in her village insisted to her that this matter will not be taken in to consideration by the village authorities, but she proved them wrong and continued educating people until the men and women in her village understood its importance and hence began the journey of her village transforming ODF.
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Establishment of Nigrani Samiti:
Rinku gradually formed her own Nigrani Samiti (oversight committee) that controls people to build toilets, use the in-house toilets. Rinku Kumari even went to schools and organized other public events to explain people how to use toilets and how it can benefit not only them, but the environment too. While elucidating the importance of adopting ODF in schools and to other women, she ensured to explain the girls and women about the privacy they required.
The status of the village in ODF (Open defecation free) and GP (Gram Panchayat) as well as the change in behavior of its inhabitants is due to Rinku’s passionate work and also served as a role model encouraging others to make every effort to build and use toilets.
Swachhagrahi Awardee Rinku Kumari
Due to her utmost efforts in accomplishing the mission by educating people all around her village, implementing ODF and numerous other hard works, Rinku Kumari received a Swachhagrahi award in 2018.
Her dedication is inspiring. Here is a clip in which demonstrates her hard work and efforts.
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