The Hindu             05.08.2013

100 sanitary workers receive safety, disinfectant materials

A total of 100 sanitary workers of Pudukottai
municipality were given safety and disinfectant materials at a function
here on Saturday. N. Subramanian, Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare,
spoke on the importance of personal hygiene for the sanitary workers.
Although they prevented the incidence of any epidemic or endemic by
clearing garbage, they lacked adequate awareness of their personal
hygiene. He appreciated the efforts of the Doctor Award, a
non-governmental organisation, which donated the materials to the
workers.

A. Kalaimagal, president of the Doctor
Award, said that the non-governmental organisation had been striving for
the socio-economic development of sanitary workers in four select areas
of the municipality. Sanitary workers suffer injuries caused by pieces
of glass or are found with the symptoms of tuberculosis. Even the
children of the workers are found with the symptoms of the disease. The
use of disinfectant and safety materials such as shoes, masks, jerkin,
caps, and gloves would step up awareness.

Explaining
the initiative taken for educating dropouts, she said that as many as
120 children in and around Pudukottai were admitted to the schools this
year during a special drive.

S.A. Sait, municipal chairman (in-charge), and V.R. Kathick Thondaiman, MLA, spoke.