Leh Observes World Toilet Day With Youth-Led Sanitation Awareness Drive
19/11/2025
Leh, November 19 (KIP)-The Municipal Committee Leh (MCL), in collaboration with the Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG), marked World Toilet Day 2025 today with a painting and slogan-writing competition aimed at deepening public understanding of sanitation, hygiene, and responsible waste management.
Supported by the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) and Development Alternatives, the programme brought together students from several schools across Leh.
Delivering the welcome address, Shri Stanzin Rabgais, Executive Officer, MC Leh, emphasised on the relevance of World Toilet Day in a region where safe water, clean toilets, and scientific waste handling are critical to health. Ms. Asma Yousuf, Project Manager at LEDeG, felicitated the dignitaries, highlighting the shared responsibility of communities, institutions, and youth in sustaining sanitation practices.
The thematic address by Deskyong Namgyal, a student from SECMOL, focused on sanitation as a collective duty and stressed on behavioural change as the foundation for a cleaner, healthier Leh. He stressed that protecting water sources, ensuring proper toilet use especially in Ladakh’s cold desert environment and adopting daily hygiene habits were essential for long-term community well-being.
Students presented compelling artwork and slogans on clean toilets, water conservation, waste segregation and societal responsibility. The jury appreciated the creativity on display and the clarity with which young participants communicated the urgency of sanitation awareness.
In the painting competition, Samran Fatama (Immeamia School) secured the first prize, followed by Jigmat Wangstok (DPS Leh) and Stanzin Yangdol (Siddharth School). In slogan writing, Leh Modern School claimed the top position, with Siddharth School and Govt. High School Housing Colony placed second and third respectively.
Concluding the event, Chief Guest Shri Sanjeet Rodrigues, Administrative Secretary, UT Ladakh, called for youth-led environmental stewardship, responsible toilet use, and stronger community participation in sanitation efforts. He reiterated that maintaining clean toilets and safe water is central to public health in Ladakh’s fragile ecological landscape.
MC Leh and LEDeG expressed gratitude to supporting organisations, participating schools, teachers, and students for contributing to the programme’s educational impact and reinforcing the message that sanitation is a shared civic responsibility.