Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment commemorated the 3rd NAMASTE Day on 14 July 2026, marking three years since the launch of the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme in 2023. The main event, along with the Divya Kala Mela, was held at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata (West Bengal), while parallel programmes were organized across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) throughout the country.
NAMASTE Day
NAMASTE Day is observed annually to recognize and honour the invaluable contribution of:
- Sewer workers
- Septic tank workers
- Waste pickers
- Former manual scavengers
These workers play a crucial role in protecting public health, sanitation, and environmental hygiene.
Objectives
- Honour sanitation workers for their service.
- Promote safe, mechanized sanitation practices.
- Ensure dignity, safety, and social security of sanitation workers.
- Eliminate hazardous manual cleaning practices.
- Raise public awareness regarding the rights and welfare of sanitation workers.
- Promote respect and social inclusion for historically marginalized communities.
Key Features
- Marks three years of the NAMASTE Scheme.
- Organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Main event held at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata.
- Parallel awareness programmes conducted across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) nationwide.
- Reinforces the government’s commitment towards:
- Mechanized sanitation.
- Worker safety.
- Protective equipment.
- Skill development.
- Sustainable livelihood opportunities.
- Inclusive and dignified sanitation ecosystem.
National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme
Background
The National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment during 2023–24.
It aims to ensure the dignity, safety, social security, and economic empowerment of sanitation workers while promoting complete mechanization of sanitation work.
Objectives
The scheme seeks to:
- Achieve zero fatalities in sanitation work.
- Eliminate direct human contact with human faecal matter.
- Ensure all sanitation work is carried out using mechanized equipment and safety devices.
- Develop a skilled sanitation workforce.
- Strengthen and build the capacity of Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs).
- Promote safe and mechanized sanitation services.
- Empower sanitation workers through:
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Entrepreneurship.
- Skill development.
- Social and economic rehabilitation.
Significance
- Promotes dignity and safety for sanitation workers.
- Eliminates hazardous manual cleaning practices.
- Encourages mechanization of sanitation services.
- Improves occupational health and safety.
- Strengthens social inclusion of historically marginalized communities.
- Supports sustainable livelihood generation through skill development and entrepreneurship.
- Contributes to safer, cleaner, and more efficient urban sanitation systems.