“No one in our slum defecates in the open!” This was a public declaration by the residents of Shastri Camp, located in Moti Bagh, South Delhi. The residents of the slum celebrated their ODF status with great fervour and enthusiasm on 28 th November, 2019.

As part of their CSR mandate, a consortium of InterGlobe Hotel, Triguna Hospitality and Accor Hotels provided support through an integrated slum development program with an intention to improve the living conditions of the residents of the slum. Feedback Foundation, along with the consortium provided technical assistance to the slum in their journey towards becoming ODF. Also, the residents constructed toilets with great pride. The camp was decorated with beautiful rangolis. Guests were welcomed with ceremonial Tilak by children and welcome song. A nukkad natak on Swachhata and ‘Say No to Plastic’ was done by the children of the camp and the message of segregating waste and making compost from wet waste and recycling of dry waste was beautifully conveyed by these children. A ‘Walk of pride’ was conducted in the camp and then everyone signed the wall of fame. It was a moment of great pride for the residents of the camp. ODF Certificate from SDMC was handed over to the Pradhan of the Camp and the journey from ‘OD to ODF’ was shared by the natural leaders. This was followed by plantation drive. The ceremony ended with sanitation oath by everyone present.

The representatives from the consortium partners, DDA and SDMC graced the occasion. This was a joint initiative wherein besides the corporate, the SDMC and citizen groups worked together to improve the lives of the slum residents and accomplished this significant feat in 6 months.