In 2014, Modi's Independence Day speech included an urge to end open defacation across the nation. On the lines of his appeal to society for having toilets at homes and schools, four villages - Aanvloz, Vasan, Ratuja and Thalunda have resolved to become 100 per cent Open Defecation Free (ODF).
The four villages in Rajasthan under the Aanvloz gram panchayat, have resolved to have toilets in every house over the next fortnight.
Aanvloz village panchayat is led by a female sarpanch, Mamta Vaishno. The panchayat is putting pressure on all village households through the 'No toilet No marriage' campaign.
According to a report by DNA India, the village panchayats will demand every groom's family to give a written declaration for building a clean and proper toilet for the brides.
Also, the groom's family will also have to declare in the marriage invitation about having built the toilet for the bride.
An NOC from panchayat has been made necessary for marriage to take place and the marriage will be solemnized only after the construction of the toilets is done, according to the report.
The villages look forward to support Modi in his scheme by going ODF free in the next few days.
Reportedly, Rs 55 lakh has already been sanctioned to Aavlonz village panchayat to make all four constituent villages ODF and in Vasan village, all houses have toilets, achieving the ODF target. Rest of the three villages (Aanvloz, Ratuja and Thalunda) have only 20-30% of the houses with toilets.
The villages get support from small groups which consist of school going girls, who promote awareness about the importance of having toilets.