Keekli Reporter, 7th April, 2017, Shimla
“Children wash hands before a meal”
The Department of Sociology and Social Work, Himachal Pradesh University, Summerhill, celebrated World Health Day with the children of Himachal University Model School, Summerhill. The day was observed by washing hands with soap before the children have their lunch in school. Around 70 children participated by washing hands with soap and water which influences the hygiene practices of children. This campaign was led by Prof. SS Chauhan, (Chairperson and Dean of Social Science).
He said that this attempt was made to mobilize the school children and through them the community, for adoption of hygiene practices, especially handwashing and use of toilets is an effort to fight preventable diseases. The students of Social Work Department actively participated in spreading the message of basic health and hygiene among school children. Nivesh Kumar, a student of social work, delivered a speech on the importance of washing hands with soap and water before eating and after defecation, use a toilet daily, clean up garbage, practice safe water handling, take baths, cut nails, etc.
Anupama Bharti (Assistant Professor) said that the World Health Day is celebrated by the people all across the world every year on 7th of April under the leadership of World Health Organisation to draw the mass people attention towards the importance of global health and this initiative would sensitize the local population.
Sonam Rohta (Assistant Professor) said that the children are the powerful agents of behavioral change and they take lessons they have learned at school back home to teach their parents, siblings and elders on good hygiene behaviours such as handwashing with soap.
