NONGSTOIN: It was a proud moment for the women of West Khasi Hills and the district as a whole after Marshal Basaiawmoit received the Swachh Shakti award (Women’s Champion) from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The award was handed over to Basaiawmoit including twelve others from across the country in the presence of Uma Bharti, cabinet minister for drinking water and sanitation, union government of India and other dignitaries. The Prime Minister also lauded the efforts of the women including Basaiawmoit and all the other recipients.
A small farmer by profession, Basaiawmoit was born on November 4, 1986 into a poor family from Mawkhan village in West Khasi Hills.
Since the beginning of the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), she has actively participated in mobilizing her entire village by first constructing her own toilet as per the standards laid down in the TSC guidelines with proper commode and a pit.
This humble step encouraged others to accept the idea of having a toilet which later on became a movement in every other neighbouring village.
Basaiawmoit also helps in sustaining the toilets and was an active participant during the recently concluded Swachh Sundar Shauchalaya (SSS) campaign.
This prompted all the villages to follow her example which was one of the main factors which led to Mawkhan village becoming an Open Defecation Free (ODF) village.
Meanwhile, West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner T Lyngwa lauded the efforts of the District Swachh Bharat Mission in West Khasi Hills in bringing recognition to the district.
