29th of Ashwin, 2083, Thursday, Khaptad Chhanna Rural Municipality, Bajhang – The 19th Global Handwashing Day was celebrated on 15th of October, 2026 (29th of Ashwin, 2083) at Khaptad Chhanna Rural Municipality, Bajhang, by the Rural Self-reliance Development Centre (RSDC), in coordination with the Rural Municipality. Organized in the Dadabada area of Ward 7, the event was celebrated with the theme of ‘हात धुने नायक बनौ’ (‘Be a Handwashing Hero’).
The event featured various awareness-raising activities which also included a briefing by Mr. Dhirendra R.C., Project Coordinator at RSDC, on the objectives of Global Handwashing Day and the role of the project implemented by RSDC in promoting hygiene. Likewise, Mr. Sunil Bishwakarma, WASH Coordinator at RSDC, raised awareness about the importance of washing hands with soap and water and maintaining personal hygiene, while Ms. Samjhana Rokaya, ANM at Gadaraya Health Post explained the difference between washing hands with and without soap, emphasizing the importance of washing hands before eating, after using toilet, and after handling wastes. She also provided a practical demonstration of the proper handwashing technique to the participants.
The team believes that the event has helped raise awareness in schools and communities encouraging people to adopt handwashing with soap as a daily practice.
It is worth mentioning here that, RSDC, with support from its funding partner Malteser International, has been implementing the project ‘Strengthening Resilience in WASH and Livelihoods of Vulnerable Communities (especially Women) in Khaptad Chhanna Rural Municipality, Bajhang District, Nepal’, and conducting various activities as a part of it.