By: Durga Lal K.C.

Every student in the Dhikpur VDC of Dang district have constructed toilet in their house. The VDC is located 12 kilometres away from the district headquarters, Ghorahi. Having toilet in house is the matter of pride for the students in the VDC. Whenever any kind of competitive programme and rally take place in any part of the district, the students carry placards featuring, “I am proud of having toilet in my house” along with them.

Every school in the Dhikpur VDC has made a rule to give additional 10 marks in exam to the students having toilet in their house. Similarly, the students not having toilet in their house do not get additional marks in exam. The teachers have made this rule in the request of some active students. “The campaign of constructing toilet started 5 years ago has achieved success at present. Every household in the VDC have constructed toilet in the initiation of the students. Out of 2183 toilets constructed in the VDC, 1433 are concrete and 750 are temporary toilets. In the initiation of the students, the Dhikpur VDC has been declared an open defecation free zone. Dhikpur VDC is the first to become an area free from the problem of open defecation in the Rapti zone. Anyone who visits Dhikpur VDC has to use toilet. Otherwise, the students will penalize those who defecate in the open.

Source: Kantipur, June 7, 2009