Wash hands before meals: Aamir Khan

Union human resource development (HRD) minister Kapil Sibal wants actor Aamir Khan to convey this message to school children: Wash your hands before eating. Drink clean water and inculcate clean habits.

Upset that only 9% school students wash their hands before eating and that many do not maintain hygiene, Sibal plans to educate students about sanitation at schools, through innovative ways. Knowing that his word will not have the desired impact, Sibal has roped in the actor.

Khan will be the government’s brand ambassador to promote healthy and clean habits among children. The minister feels students will listen to their favourite actor more carefully, and he was not wrong in his assessment about Khan’s popularity.
At a launch function of the National School Sanitation Initiative, Khan was mobbed by about 1,000 fans seeking autographs.
The students broke past the security ring, and for a change neither the actor nor the minister cribbed about it.

Overwhelmed, Khan promised Sibal he will prepare campaign material to promote sanitation.

As per the plan, schools will have to set up health and wellness clubs. To begin with, the clubs will be set up in Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the HRD and urban development ministries. It is estimated that 17% of the urban population has no access to sanitation, while 50-80% of waste water is disposed off untreated.

However, before the minister forces such initiatives, he has to ensure schools are well-equipped on sanitation issues.

A recent report by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration indicated that 50% schools in 2008-09 do not have separate toilets for girls, a major reason for girls to drop out at the middle and senior levels; only 62% schools had common toilets, and drinking water was available in 86.75% schools. The study did not mention how many schools had soaps in toilets.