Hunsur: After much persuasion from the authorities, villagers of Manchabyanahalli, Gavadagere Hobli in the taluk built toilets as gift to women, instead of offering ‘Baagina’ to them on Gowri-Ganesha festival.

The authorities, who conducted a survey, found that 226 out of the 296 families living in the village didn’t have toilets. Later the Taluk Panchayat and Gram Panchayat officials came forward to build the toilets and the Gowri-Ganesha festival came in handy for them. The Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer (EO), Krishnakumar, after consulting the District Administration, came up with the slogan ‘Let toilets be built for Ganesha festival instead of offering Bagina.’

The authorities also began to sensitize the people through street plays and awareness campaigns.

EO Krishnakumar along with Biligere Gram Panchayat PDO Ramanna, held several rounds of meetings with the villagers and finally came up with a plan to construct toilets in the village.

Thanks to the efforts of the authorities, 196 toilets were built in the village in a week and these toilets were indeed a ‘Bagina gift’ to the women folk of the village.

Hunsur MLA H.P. Manjunath, who spoke after inaugurating the toilets, stressed on the need for every family to have a toilet. Explaining the importance of toilets in sanitation, the MLA said that the construction of toilets would not only end open defecation but also greatly help in fulfilling ‘Swachh Bharat’ Mission.

TP EO Krishnakumar said that although our country had made rapid strides in Science and Technology, the lack of toilets, especially in rural areas, was embarrassing for the country.

He warned those hesitating to construct toilets, of disconnecting power to their homes.

Actor Sanchari Vijay said that the construction of toilets was a Ganesha festival gift to the village. ZP Member Savitri Manju, Swachh Bharat Mission District Nodal Officer K.M. Shivakumaraswamy, Assistant Secretary Manoj Kumar, TP President Padmamma, actors Apsara, GP President Rathnamma Devaraj and others were present.