Kerala is facing a growing environmental crisis as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reports a sharp decline in river water quality across the state. According to the latest assessment, Kerala has 32 polluted river stretches, the second-highest number in India, highlighting the increasing impact of rapid urbanization and untreated sewage on the state's freshwater ecosystems.

The report, based on water quality data collected between 2020 and 2023, found that untreated sewage discharge and inadequate sanitation infrastructure have significantly degraded river health. Nearly half of the water samples tested were found to be contaminated with harmful bacteria, raising serious concerns about public health and environmental sustainability.

Kerala's Rivers Among India's Most Polluted, CPCB Report Raises Alarm

Countries where facilities of a single-household toilet connected to a septic or composite tank are not widely available are referred to as toiletless countries here. Here are the top 10 countries by percentage of population with the least access to toilets. 

Toiletless countries: Top 10 countries with least access to proper sanitation facilities

Ayaka Yoshida wanted to make menstrual products available in public restrooms. Instead, she received thousands of death threats. In a country where discussing periods is still taboo, is Japan ready for this conversation?

Japanese politician faces death threats over sanitary products push

'Water water everywhere yet not a drop to drink,' the words of this famous English poem have never sounded more true as the entire world is now staring at its biggest water crisis in decades. This as the world water day is now being observed today across the globe, the focus is on raising awareness about the importance of water and educating people about the need to conserve it.

World Water Day: Focusing on ensuring safe water and sanitation for all by 2030

Madagascar is experiencing its worst drought in four decades. Lack of access to food, water and proper sanitation has led to the rise of acute malnutrition cases in the country.

Madagascar drought sparks water shortage and starvation

Only about 58.2 per cent of the households in the rural and about 80.7 per cent in the urban areas had drinking water facilities within the household premises during July-December 2018, according to the findings of National Sample Survey (NSS).

These findings are part of the report titled 'Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Conditions in India'.

The National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation conducted the survey on drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and housing condition as a part of 76th round of NSS.

"The major source of drinking water was hand pump for the households in the rural areas and piped water into a dwelling in the urban areas," says the report.

"About 42.9 per cent of the households in the rural areas used hand pump as the principal source of drinking water and about 40.9 per cent of the households in the urban areas used piped water into the dwelling as the principal source of drinking water," adds the report.

According to the report, about 48.6 per cent of the households in the rural and about 57.5 per cent in the urban areas had exclusive access to the principal source of drinking water.

Whereas about 87.6 per cent of the households in the rural and about 90.9 per cent in the urban areas had sufficient drinking water throughout the year from the principal source.

Only 94.5 per cent of the households in the rural and about 97.4 per cent in the urban areas used 'improved source of drinking water'&nbsp;like bottled water, piped water into dwelling, piped water to yard or plot, piped water from neighbour, public tap or standpipe, tube well, hand pump, protected well, public tanker truck, private tanker truck, protected spring and rainwater collection.

About 51.4 per cent of the households in the rural and about 72.0 per cent in the urban areas used an improved source of drinking water, sufficiently available throughout the year located on the premises.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Only about 58.2 per cent of the households in the rural and about 80.7 per cent in the urban areas had drinking water facilities within the household premises during July-December 2018, according to the findings of National Sample Survey (NSS).

Only about 58.2 per cent of the households in the rural and about 80.7 per cent in the urban areas had drinking water facilities within the household premises during July-December 2018, according to the findings of National Sample Survey (NSS). These findings are part of the report titled 'Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Conditions in India'. The National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation conducted the survey on drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and housing condition as a part of 76th round of NSS. "The major source of drinking water was hand pump for the households in the rural areas and piped water into a dwelling in the urban areas," says the report. "About 42.9 per cent of the households in the rural areas used hand pump as the principal source of drinking water and about 40.9 per cent of the households in the urban areas used piped water into the dwelling as the principal source of drinking water," adds the report. According to the report, about 48.6 per cent of the households in the rural and about 57.5 per cent in the urban areas had exclusive access to the principal source of drinking water. Whereas about 87.6 per cent of the households in the rural and about 90.9 per cent in the urban areas had sufficient drinking water throughout the year from the principal source. Only 94.5 per cent of the households in the rural and about 97.4 per cent in the urban areas used 'improved source of drinking water' like bottled water, piped water into dwelling, piped water to yard or plot, piped water from neighbour, public tap or standpipe, tube well, hand pump, protected well, public tanker truck, private tanker truck, protected spring and rainwater collection. About 51.4 per cent of the households in the rural and about 72.0 per cent in the urban areas used an improved source of drinking water, sufficiently available throughout the year located on the premises.

58.2% of rural, 80.7% of urban households have drinking water facilities within their homes: National Sample Survey

China will need to spend 3 trillion yuan ($440 billion) over three years to improve village sanitation and clean up its heavily polluted rural environment, the official People's Daily reported on Saturday, citing government officials.

The funds would be required to meet state targets to build clean rural toilets, treat household waste, and construct village sewage treatment plants, said the Communist Party journal, citing An Xiaoning, an official with China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The state has allocated 7 billion yuan to promote China's rural "toilet revolution" this year, and another 3 billion yuan to spend on improving the living environment of villagers in western and central China, An said.

China's "war on pollution", now in its sixth year, has up to now focused primarily on improving air quality in industrialised cities along the east coast.

It has made little inroads so far in improving the rural environment, where large amounts of land and water have been contaminated as a result of negligible waste treatment infrastructure, the overuse of fertilisers and pesticides, and the construction of substandard backyard industrial plants.

The agricultural ministry vowed last year to take action to tackle rural pollution, promising to improve village infrastructure and the "bad habits" of rural residents. However, it conceded that there was still a considerable funding gap.

China is desperate to bring more of its scarce farmland back into use to maximise agricultural production, especially as the country continues to urbanise. It plans to make around 90% of its contaminated farmland fit for crops by the end of 2020.

China will need to spend 3 trillion yuan ($440 billion) over three years to improve village sanitation and clean up its heavily polluted rural environment, the official People's Daily reported on Saturday, citing government officials.

China will need to spend 3 trillion yuan ($440 billion) over three years to improve village sanitation and clean up its heavily polluted rural environment, the official People's Daily reported on Saturday, citing government officials. The funds would be required to meet state targets to build clean rural toilets, treat household waste, and construct village sewage treatment plants, said the Communist Party journal, citing An Xiaoning, an official with China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The state has allocated 7 billion yuan to promote China's rural "toilet revolution" this year, and another 3 billion yuan to spend on improving the living environment of villagers in western and central China, An said. China's "war on pollution", now in its sixth year, has up to now focused primarily on improving air quality in industrialised cities along the east coast. It has made little inroads so far in improving the rural environment, where large amounts of land and water have been contaminated as a result of negligible waste treatment infrastructure, the overuse of fertilisers and pesticides, and the construction of substandard backyard industrial plants. The agricultural ministry vowed last year to take action to tackle rural pollution, promising to improve village infrastructure and the "bad habits" of rural residents. However, it conceded that there was still a considerable funding gap. China is desperate to bring more of its scarce farmland back into use to maximise agricultural production, especially as the country continues to urbanise. It plans to make around 90% of its contaminated farmland fit for crops by the end of 2020.

China needs nearly $440 billion to clean up rural environment: Report

The Prayagraj Mela Authority on Saturday set one more Guinness World Record by undertaking massive sanitation works.

Two earlier records were about ‘handprint painting’ and ‘largest parade of buses.’ &nbsp;

&nbsp;A large number of people wearing masks and brooms in their hands descended on the streets and cleaning them, a rare sight in the holy city of India, famous for the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

The new record was created in view of the ongoing Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a nation-wide campaign in India for the period 2014 to 2019 that aims at cleaning streets, roads, and other infrastructures in cities, towns, and rural areas.

Only on Friday, the Prayagraj Mela Authority (PMA) had set a Guinness World Record for “most contribution to a handprint painting on the theme of ‘Jai Gange’ in eight hours.

A part of ‘Paint My City’ initiative, the handprint community activity saw the participation of 7,664 people from all age groups.

The earlier record was held by Seoul in which 4,675 people had taken part.

On February 28, the PMA authorities had set the Guinness World Record for the “largest parade of buses.”

A total of 500 buses with the Kumbh Mela logo were used to make the record. The buses covered a stretch of 3.2 kilometres in the district.&nbsp;

The Prayagraj Mela Authority on Saturday set one more Guinness World Record by undertaking massive sanitation works. Two earlier records were about ‘handprint painting’ and ‘largest parade of buses.

The Prayagraj Mela Authority on Saturday set one more Guinness World Record by undertaking massive sanitation works. Two earlier records were about ‘handprint painting’ and ‘largest parade of buses.’ A large number of people wearing masks and brooms in their hands descended on the streets and cleaning them, a rare sight in the holy city of India, famous for the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. The new record was created in view of the ongoing Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a nation-wide campaign in India for the period 2014 to 2019 that aims at cleaning streets, roads, and other infrastructures in cities, towns, and rural areas. Only on Friday, the Prayagraj Mela Authority (PMA) had set a Guinness World Record for “most contribution to a handprint painting on the theme of ‘Jai Gange’ in eight hours. A part of ‘Paint My City’ initiative, the handprint community activity saw the participation of 7,664 people from all age groups. The earlier record was held by Seoul in which 4,675 people had taken part. On February 28, the PMA authorities had set the Guinness World Record for the “largest parade of buses.” A total of 500 buses with the Kumbh Mela logo were used to make the record. The buses covered a stretch of 3.2 kilometres in the district.

Kumbh Mela sets Guinness World Record by undertaking massive sanitation work

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-is-pulling-its-citizens-out-of-poverty-at-a-record-pace-pm-modi-in-mann-ki-baat-187307">Prime Minister Narendra Modi </a>Sunday said he hoped sanitation will be maintained along with reverence at Kumbh Mela in January, saying it will send a positive message far and wide.

In his monthly <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bapu-had-a-special-connection-with-south-africa-pm-in-last-mann-ki-baat-of-2018-187317">'Mann ki Baat' radio address</a>, last this year, he said this time much emphasis is being laid on cleanliness during Kumbh.&nbsp;

"If during the course of this event sanitation prevails along with reverence, then it will lead to a positive message reaching far and wide," the Prime Minister said.

He said, Kumbh Mela is also a huge medium of self-discovery, where every visitor experiences a unique feeling and learns to look at the worldly things from a spiritual perspective.&nbsp;

"This can be a huge learning experience especially for the youth," he felt.

The Kumbh Mela will commence from January 15 at Prayagraj.

The Mela draws lakhs of pilgrims over the course of approximately 55 auspicious days to bathe at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.

Referring to Republic Day celebrations, the PM said this time South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the chief guest as India also celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.&nbsp;

"Our revered Bapu and South Africa shared an unbreakable bond. It was South Africa, where Mohan (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi) transformed into the 'Mahatma'. It was in South Africa, where Mahatma Gandhi had started his first Satyagraha and stood rock steady in protest of apartheid," Modi said.&nbsp;

He also said that at times when government organisations are described as a 'regulators', Food Safety and Standard Authority of India has been working beyond this brief for public awareness and public education.&nbsp;

It has launched a campaign on promoting good eating or safe and healthy diet habits.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said he hoped sanitation will be maintained along with reverence at Kumbh Mela in January, saying it will send a positive message far and wide.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said he hoped sanitation will be maintained along with reverence at Kumbh Mela in January, saying it will send a positive message far and wide. In his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio address, last this year, he said this time much emphasis is being laid on cleanliness during Kumbh. "If during the course of this event sanitation prevails along with reverence, then it will lead to a positive message reaching far and wide," the Prime Minister said. He said, Kumbh Mela is also a huge medium of self-discovery, where every visitor experiences a unique feeling and learns to look at the worldly things from a spiritual perspective. "This can be a huge learning experience especially for the youth," he felt. The Kumbh Mela will commence from January 15 at Prayagraj. The Mela draws lakhs of pilgrims over the course of approximately 55 auspicious days to bathe at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Referring to Republic Day celebrations, the PM said this time South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the chief guest as India also celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. "Our revered Bapu and South Africa shared an unbreakable bond. It was South Africa, where Mohan (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi) transformed into the 'Mahatma'. It was in South Africa, where Mahatma Gandhi had started his first Satyagraha and stood rock steady in protest of apartheid," Modi said. He also said that at times when government organisations are described as a 'regulators', Food Safety and Standard Authority of India has been working beyond this brief for public awareness and public education. It has launched a campaign on promoting good eating or safe and healthy diet habits.

Hope sanitation prevails along with reverence: PM Modi on Kumbh Mela

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for investing the “political time and efforts” in issues like health and sanitation.

She said people start looking around at other things that need improvement when they begin to feel that their community is doing better.

“If you invest a dollar in sanitation solutions, the benefit will be four dollars in terms of health cost prevention, the (reduction in) number of visits you go to a doctor and in the medicines that you don’t have to buy,” Fore told PTI in an interview here.

She was in the city to attend an event organised jointly by the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Friday.

“The prime minister invested political time and effort and what it meant was people began picking up that story. They want to do it for Mahatma Gandhi, for their country and they felt pride in it,” she said in an apparent reference to “Swacch Bharat” Mission.

The flagship cleanliness drive, launched by the prime minister in 2014, aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of India’s cities, towns, and rural areas.

Modi had said the sanitation coverage in the country has increased from 38 per cent to nearly 80 per cent and asserted that the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ is playing a central role in creating a healthy India.

Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were recently awarded the UN’s “Champions of the Earth” award for their pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of cooperation on environmental action.

Fore said, “It (contribution to sanitation) doesn’t have an economic return but when you begin to feel that your community is doing better, it makes you look around at the other things that need improvement”.

“It makes one think that does he have clean water and the solutions for open defecation for all animals in their village, is there a community healthcare clinic, is there enough nutrition for children; not just latrines, what about lighted pathways for all of the girls going to schools. It makes you improve your world,” said the executive director.

When asked about UNICEF’s view on the child mortality rate (CMR) in India during the past decade, Fore said it has shown improvement.

“Since 1990s, when the numbers first began, there was a significant reduction in child mortality. Sanitation, clean India should bring numbers down further. What we don’t know yet is how much further they should bring them down. But it’s an exciting journey for India and we really are on the right path,” she said.

Fore feels that health is one of the challenges an emerging country like India could face in its journey towards a clean nation.

“Clean water brings health benefits in a way that many other national strategies cannot,” she said.

Fore said learning new skills is another challenge for a developing nation because many new industries are expected to flourish.

“(Another challenge is to) How to get more women in labour force…The number of women in formal labour force is going down. If only a third of total women in India are in formal employment, it is not high enough to get all of ideas and energy of India,” she said.

The executive director acknowledged malnutrition as another challenge.

“This is because if a young child does not get proper nutrition before the age of three and first thousand days, it could affect the development of her brain as well as body. It means they cannot be productive, it means the economy will not be doing so well,” she said, adding employment gets affected ultimately because malnutrition denies children an opportunity.

She further said public policy makes a difference in a developing economy.

“So if you begin to look at all these areas a country can look at, India says it wants to skill it youth and (wants to) have a digital future. That vision for future India is what UNICEF and generation unlimited is focused on,” she said.

Fore said if India gets it right for the age group of 10 and 24, it would mean that the country fares well in the decades to come.

“If this young population is not caught between those ages, then it is next to impossible for a country to do well. India’s outreach for these young people will be the tipping point for the developing country,” she said.

When asked if the UNICEF sees the flagship programmes of the prime minister sustaining in future, Fore said, “People want areas like nutrition, health, education, sanitation, water protection etc. irrespective of political climate or which party is in power.

“So it’s up to every community, every household to put a value in it. I believe in terms of sanitation that where there is a room there is a toilet (and) most families would want to keep that. The challenge is to maintain and professionalise it so that people learn to maintain and service it,” she said.

“It’s going to be on each one of us to keep those programmes going that we think benefit the health, education and nutrition in our communities,” she said.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is a United Nations agency headquartered in New York city that provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for investing the “political time and efforts” in issues like health and sanitation.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for investing the “political time and efforts” in issues like health and sanitation. She said people start looking around at other things that need improvement when they begin to feel that their community is doing better. “If you invest a dollar in sanitation solutions, the benefit will be four dollars in terms of health cost prevention, the (reduction in) number of visits you go to a doctor and in the medicines that you don’t have to buy,” Fore told PTI in an interview here. She was in the city to attend an event organised jointly by the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Friday. “The prime minister invested political time and effort and what it meant was people began picking up that story. They want to do it for Mahatma Gandhi, for their country and they felt pride in it,” she said in an apparent reference to “Swacch Bharat” Mission. The flagship cleanliness drive, launched by the prime minister in 2014, aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of India’s cities, towns, and rural areas. Modi had said the sanitation coverage in the country has increased from 38 per cent to nearly 80 per cent and asserted that the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ is playing a central role in creating a healthy India. Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were recently awarded the UN’s “Champions of the Earth” award for their pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of cooperation on environmental action. Fore said, “It (contribution to sanitation) doesn’t have an economic return but when you begin to feel that your community is doing better, it makes you look around at the other things that need improvement”. “It makes one think that does he have clean water and the solutions for open defecation for all animals in their village, is there a community healthcare clinic, is there enough nutrition for children; not just latrines, what about lighted pathways for all of the girls going to schools. It makes you improve your world,” said the executive director. When asked about UNICEF’s view on the child mortality rate (CMR) in India during the past decade, Fore said it has shown improvement. “Since 1990s, when the numbers first began, there was a significant reduction in child mortality. Sanitation, clean India should bring numbers down further. What we don’t know yet is how much further they should bring them down. But it’s an exciting journey for India and we really are on the right path,” she said. Fore feels that health is one of the challenges an emerging country like India could face in its journey towards a clean nation. “Clean water brings health benefits in a way that many other national strategies cannot,” she said. Fore said learning new skills is another challenge for a developing nation because many new industries are expected to flourish. “(Another challenge is to) How to get more women in labour force…The number of women in formal labour force is going down. If only a third of total women in India are in formal employment, it is not high enough to get all of ideas and energy of India,” she said. The executive director acknowledged malnutrition as another challenge. “This is because if a young child does not get proper nutrition before the age of three and first thousand days, it could affect the development of her brain as well as body. It means they cannot be productive, it means the economy will not be doing so well,” she said, adding employment gets affected ultimately because malnutrition denies children an opportunity. She further said public policy makes a difference in a developing economy. “So if you begin to look at all these areas a country can look at, India says it wants to skill it youth and (wants to) have a digital future. That vision for future India is what UNICEF and generation unlimited is focused on,” she said. Fore said if India gets it right for the age group of 10 and 24, it would mean that the country fares well in the decades to come. “If this young population is not caught between those ages, then it is next to impossible for a country to do well. India’s outreach for these young people will be the tipping point for the developing country,” she said. When asked if the UNICEF sees the flagship programmes of the prime minister sustaining in future, Fore said, “People want areas like nutrition, health, education, sanitation, water protection etc. irrespective of political climate or which party is in power. “So it’s up to every community, every household to put a value in it. I believe in terms of sanitation that where there is a room there is a toilet (and) most families would want to keep that. The challenge is to maintain and professionalise it so that people learn to maintain and service it,” she said. “It’s going to be on each one of us to keep those programmes going that we think benefit the health, education and nutrition in our communities,” she said. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is a United Nations agency headquartered in New York city that provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group.

UNICEF praises PM Modi for ‘investing’ political time in health, sanitation issues

More than a third of girls in South Asia miss school during their periods, often because they lack access to toilets or pads, and many receive no education about menstruation before reaching puberty, a study showed on Tuesday.

The report by charity WaterAid and UNICEF found most countries in the region fell well short of the World Health Organization standard of one toilet for every 25 girls, making it difficult for students to attend school during their periods.

In one district in Nepal there was just one toilet for every 170 girls, it said.

“Girls have an irrevocable right to education, which is lost if they feel unable to attend lessons because of a lack of sanitary products or clean, private toilets at school,” said WaterAid Chief Executive Tim Wainwright.

“Governments simply need to ensure that every school has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.”

Education about menstruation is lacking across the region, the report said. In Sri Lanka, two-thirds of girls said they received no information before starting their periods.

That can be damaging in a region where taboos surrounding menstruation already exist, said Thérèse Mahon, the report’s co-author.

“Girls often turn to their mothers and teachers for support, but if they lack the confidence and information themselves, they may instead perpetuate taboos,” said Mahon, who is WaterAid’s regional program manager.

“A common perception is that periods are a dirty secret.”

Some South Asian cultures consider women to be impure during menstruation, when they are barred from religious shrines, subjected to dietary checks or forced to live in isolation.

They often face social discrimination, reproductive health problems and low self-esteem due to a lack of awareness about periods.

The topic is rarely discussed openly, and the silence burdens young girls by keeping them ignorant and subject to social exclusion, campaigners say.

Many end up suffering from infections and disease since they are not informed early enough about the physiological process and hygiene practices to follow.

Several South Asian nations have begun to add menstrual information in school curriculums but the report, launched ahead of World Menstrual Hygiene day on May 28, said there was still much to be done.

“Removing the stresses associated with menstruation can help girls and boys adjust and contribute better to the world around them,” UNICEF’s regional director Jean Gough told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Reporting by Annie Banerji @anniebanerji, Editing by Claire Cozens. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian issues, conflicts, land and property rights, modern slavery and human trafficking, gender equality, climate change and resilience. Visit news.trust.org to see more stories

The report by charity WaterAid and UNICEF found most countries in the region fell well short of the World Health Organization standard of one toilet for every 25 girls, making it difficult for students to attend school during their periods

More than a third of girls in South Asia miss school during their periods, often because they lack access to toilets or pads, and many receive no education about menstruation before reaching puberty, a study showed on Tuesday. The report by charity WaterAid and UNICEF found most countries in the region fell well short of the World Health Organization standard of one toilet for every 25 girls, making it difficult for students to attend school during their periods. In one district in Nepal there was just one toilet for every 170 girls, it said. “Girls have an irrevocable right to education, which is lost if they feel unable to attend lessons because of a lack of sanitary products or clean, private toilets at school,” said WaterAid Chief Executive Tim Wainwright. “Governments simply need to ensure that every school has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.” Education about menstruation is lacking across the region, the report said. In Sri Lanka, two-thirds of girls said they received no information before starting their periods. That can be damaging in a region where taboos surrounding menstruation already exist, said Thérèse Mahon, the report’s co-author. “Girls often turn to their mothers and teachers for support, but if they lack the confidence and information themselves, they may instead perpetuate taboos,” said Mahon, who is WaterAid’s regional program manager. “A common perception is that periods are a dirty secret.” Some South Asian cultures consider women to be impure during menstruation, when they are barred from religious shrines, subjected to dietary checks or forced to live in isolation. They often face social discrimination, reproductive health problems and low self-esteem due to a lack of awareness about periods. The topic is rarely discussed openly, and the silence burdens young girls by keeping them ignorant and subject to social exclusion, campaigners say. Many end up suffering from infections and disease since they are not informed early enough about the physiological process and hygiene practices to follow. Several South Asian nations have begun to add menstrual information in school curriculums but the report, launched ahead of World Menstrual Hygiene day on May 28, said there was still much to be done. “Removing the stresses associated with menstruation can help girls and boys adjust and contribute better to the world around them,” UNICEF’s regional director Jean Gough told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Reporting by Annie Banerji @anniebanerji, Editing by Claire Cozens. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian issues, conflicts, land and property rights, modern slavery and human trafficking, gender equality, climate change and resilience. Visit news.trust.org to see more stories

Third of girls in South Asia miss school during periods: Study

According to reports, Madhya Pradesh's Indore has been named the cleanest city in the country for the second time.

The city stood first for cleanliness last year as well in a survey conducted by the government.&nbsp

The capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, stands second in the list chasing Indore Chandigarh follows at number three.

Housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday announced the results of a sanitation survey,&nbspSwachh Survekshan, conducted by the government.&nbsp

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Looking at the way citizens of big winning cities had turned Swachhata into a Jan Andolan, I am not surprised at the results. Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indore?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indore</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bhopal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bhopal</a> for a repeat performance at #1&2. Well done <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chandigarh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chandigarh</a> for coming in 3rd. 
Others will surely try & catch up next year. <a href="https://t.co/M8PMQRn1QI">pic.twitter.com/M8PMQRn1QI</a>
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardeepSPuri/status/996730612420698113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) was named the cleanest city among municipal bodies that have less than three lakh population. Mumbai emerged as the cleanest of all state capitals.

Vijayawada emerged as the cleanest city with more than one million population. Mysuru bagged the title for the cleanest city with a population less than one million but over three lakh.

.&nbsp

Housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday announced the results of a sanitation survey, Swachh Survekshan

According to reports, Madhya Pradesh's Indore has been named the cleanest city in the country for the second time. The city stood first for cleanliness last year as well in a survey conducted by the government. The capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, stands second in the list chasing Indore Chandigarh follows at number three. Housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday announced the results of a sanitation survey, Swachh Survekshan, conducted by the government. Looking at the way citizens of big winning cities had turned Swachhata into a Jan Andolan, I am not surprised at the results. Congratulations #Indore & #Bhopal for a repeat performance at #1&2. Well done #Chandigarh for coming in 3rd. Others will surely try & catch up next year. pic.twitter.com/M8PMQRn1QI — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) May 16, 2018 × New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) was named the cleanest city among municipal bodies that have less than three lakh population. Mumbai emerged as the cleanest of all state capitals. Vijayawada emerged as the cleanest city with more than one million population. Mysuru bagged the title for the cleanest city with a population less than one million but over three lakh. .

Swachh Bharat: Indore named cleanest city in India second year in a row

On the occasion of &#39;World Toilet Day&#39; on Sunday, Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi reiterated his stand on improving sanitation facilities across the country.&nbsp;

Modi posted a video clip on his Twitter handle to highlight the significance of having public toilets and abandoning the idea of &#39;open defecation&#39; across the country, stating that this could be the &#39;best gift that could be given to women.&#39;

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On World Toilet Day we reaffirm our commitment towards improving sanitation facilities across our nation. <a href="https://t.co/nteYOD6wND">pic.twitter.com/nteYOD6wND</a>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/932060104614035456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The prime minister also acknowledged the contributions of individuals and organizations taking steps towards creating more toilets in the country and appreciated the invaluable contribution towards the &#39;Swachh Bharat&#39; mission from every Indian on the occasion.&nbsp;

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I compliment all those individuals and organisations working towards building more toilets in various parts of India. Their invaluable contribution adds solid momentum to Swachh Bharat Mission.
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/932060597683863552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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At least one in every three toilets in the rural areas is considered unsafe, a sample survey on the technologies under the Swachh Bharat Mission has pointed out.

The prime minister also acknowledged the individuals and organizations taking steps towards creating more toilets in the country on the occasion

On the occasion of 'World Toilet Day' on Sunday, Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi reiterated his stand on improving sanitation facilities across the country. Modi posted a video clip on his Twitter handle to highlight the significance of having public toilets and abandoning the idea of 'open defecation' across the country, stating that this could be the 'best gift that could be given to women.' On World Toilet Day we reaffirm our commitment towards improving sanitation facilities across our nation. pic.twitter.com/nteYOD6wND — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 19, 2017 × The prime minister also acknowledged the contributions of individuals and organizations taking steps towards creating more toilets in the country and appreciated the invaluable contribution towards the 'Swachh Bharat' mission from every Indian on the occasion. I compliment all those individuals and organisations working towards building more toilets in various parts of India. Their invaluable contribution adds solid momentum to Swachh Bharat Mission. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 19, 2017 × At least one in every three toilets in the rural areas is considered unsafe, a sample survey on the technologies under the Swachh Bharat Mission has pointed out.

Modi reiterates commitment to improve sanitation facilities on 'World Toilet Day'

The government today strongly condemned United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on human rights&nbsp;Leo Heller&#39;s statement on the state of safe drinking water and sanitation in India.

In a press release in New Delhi today, Heller had&nbsp;said,&ldquo;Now is a critical time to replace the lens of those glasses (Gandhi&rsquo;s glasses) with the human rights lens&rdquo;, referring to Mahatma Gandhi.&nbsp;

Centre said that world knows that the Mahatma was the foremost proponent of human rights, including for sanitation, his unique and special focus. Gandhiji&rsquo;s glasses, the unique logo of the Swachh Bharat Mission, epitomise core human rights principles.

The government called the report &quot;inaccurate&quot;, &quot;sweeping&quot; and &quot;biased&quot;.&nbsp;

UNSR has been on a visit to India since October 27 which is due to end today.

UNSR alleged that human rights principles have not been properly addressed in India&rsquo;s water and sanitation programmes.

In a statement, the central government rejected his assertions and reiterated that the Swachh Bharat Mission and the rural and urban drinking water programmes fully conformed to the Human Rights criteria and principles as established by the UN system.

In a statement, India said UNSR has failed to acknowledge the paradigm shift in national sanitation policy which has moved from construction of toilets to open defecation free communities and seems to be looking at the SBM from a tinted lens.

The Centre argued that he also attempted to question the findings of a third party, 1,40,000 household national survey by the Quality Council of India that usage of toilets was above 91%, by misleadingly comparing it with a survey of only 1,024 households by Water Aid which focused on toilet technology and not on usage.

The UNSR also claimed that there is inadequate attention and funds for water supply, whereas the reality is that since the launch of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) in 2009, Rs. 1,20,000 crore has been invested by Centre and states into rural drinking water, and Rs. 40,000 crore has been invested by the central government on urban water supply since 2005, it said.

Centre said that it is committed to human rights in general and particularly in the water supply and sanitation sectors and strongly rejects the claims in the UNSR&rsquo;s report and press statements.

In a press release, Heller had?said,?Now is a critical time to replace the lens of those glasses (Gandhi?s glasses) with the human rights lens?, referring to Mahatma Gandhi.

The government today strongly condemned United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on human rights Leo Heller's statement on the state of safe drinking water and sanitation in India. In a press release in New Delhi today, Heller had said,“Now is a critical time to replace the lens of those glasses (Gandhi’s glasses) with the human rights lens”, referring to Mahatma Gandhi. Centre said that world knows that the Mahatma was the foremost proponent of human rights, including for sanitation, his unique and special focus. Gandhiji’s glasses, the unique logo of the Swachh Bharat Mission, epitomise core human rights principles. The government called the report "inaccurate", "sweeping" and "biased". UNSR has been on a visit to India since October 27 which is due to end today. UNSR alleged that human rights principles have not been properly addressed in India’s water and sanitation programmes. In a statement, the central government rejected his assertions and reiterated that the Swachh Bharat Mission and the rural and urban drinking water programmes fully conformed to the Human Rights criteria and principles as established by the UN system. In a statement, India said UNSR has failed to acknowledge the paradigm shift in national sanitation policy which has moved from construction of toilets to open defecation free communities and seems to be looking at the SBM from a tinted lens. The Centre argued that he also attempted to question the findings of a third party, 1,40,000 household national survey by the Quality Council of India that usage of toilets was above 91%, by misleadingly comparing it with a survey of only 1,024 households by Water Aid which focused on toilet technology and not on usage. The UNSR also claimed that there is inadequate attention and funds for water supply, whereas the reality is that since the launch of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) in 2009, Rs. 1,20,000 crore has been invested by Centre and states into rural drinking water, and Rs. 40,000 crore has been invested by the central government on urban water supply since 2005, it said. Centre said that it is committed to human rights in general and particularly in the water supply and sanitation sectors and strongly rejects the claims in the UNSR’s report and press statements.

Government rejects UNSR report on water and sanitation programmes in India

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