May 7, 2015
Bengal’s Nadia wins United Nations Public Service Award 2015 for ‘Nirmal Bangla’ project
The “Sabar Souchagar” (toilet for all) project in West Bengal’s Nadia district, framed under the state’s Nirmal Bangla Mission and aimed at promoting cleanliness and sanitation in rural Bengal, has been won the prestigious United Nations Public Service Award 2015.
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee announced the news of this path-breaking achievement of West Bengal during a Government programme at Namkhana in South 24 Parganas.
Apart from the UN, UK-based Loughborough University has also selected the project as “an inspiring district-level model for eliminating open defecation in India” and it would be felicitated at the 38th WEDC International Conference in London in July 2015.
On April 30, 2015, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a formal announcement of Nadia becoming the first Indian district to earn Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. Hooghly and Bardhaman are placed on second and third rank respectively.
The Chief Minister tweeted:
It is a matter of pride that our Nadia district has been declared as the First Place Winner for the 2015 United Nations Public Service Award
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 7, 2015
Nadia won the award in the category of ‘Improving the Delivery of Public Services’ for the initiative ‘Sabar Shouchagar’ — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 7, 2015
Nadia has become the winner of this global award through a tough competition with multiple entries from 187 countries
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 7, 2015
The Award will be handed over by the United Nations Secretary-General on 23rd June, 2015 in Medellin, Republic of Colombia — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 7, 2015
While there is much publicity & fanfare around Swachh Bharat Mission, Bengal is silently and with determination delivering development goals
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 7, 2015
I am overwhelmed to share this information with all of you. CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM NADIA AND MY MISSION NIRMAL BANGLA TEAM
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 7, 2015
