Odisha Declares Garima Diwas to Honour Sanitation Workers’ Dignity
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has declared that the fourth Saturday of August will be observed annually as Garima Diwas, a day dedicated to recognising the dignity, safety, and welfare of sanitation workers.
The announcement was made during the Mission Zero – Ending Fatality in Sanitation Work national workshop, where the CM emphasised that sanitation workers deserve respect and protection equal to any other profession.
Majhi highlighted the importance of adopting modern technology such as drones, robotics, and AI to reduce risks in sanitation work, aligning with the Government of India’s Namaste scheme that promotes mechanisation.
As part of the initiative, the CM handed over an insurance amount of Rs 10 lakh to the family of a deceased sanitation worker, distributed housing work orders, and provided safety equipment to workers.
He stressed that prevention of accidents must take precedence over compensation.
Officials and experts praised Odisha’s Garima Yojana, which offers a holistic welfare framework for sanitation workers and their families.
The state reaffirmed its commitment to achieving “zero fatality” in sanitation work, making Garima Diwas a symbol of dignity, safety, and modernisation.
