Vishal's mission for Swacch Bharat

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission in October 2014, many celebrities extended their support for the scheme. They took to the streets with brooms, sweeping and even picking up garbage. Actor Vishal has gone one step further, and is raising funds to build toilets.

As an extension of the campaign towards installing toilets, Vishal is reaching out to a  niche group of people — including businessmen, doctors, industrialists and corporate leaders at a town in Tamil Nadu to raise funds for constructing 1,000 sanitation facilities in the municipal town situated in the state’s Virudhunagar district. During the shoot of his upcoming flick Marudhu, he found the town lacking in basic amenities.

Emphasising on derth of facilities for women, Vishal said he felt very sad to see women wearing veils as they ventured into open fields to relieve themselves under the cover of darkness, before sunrise or after sunset, adding that it could also prove dangerous. And when the actor found out that at least one toilet for each household was required, the idea of bringing all the affluent people of the district under one roof and discussing a fundraiser for the cause, came up.

“It costs Rs 20,000 to build a toilet, out of which, the government is providing Rs 8,000. I think the rest of the amount, is not a big deal. Even if each individual comes forward to contribute the deficit for one toilet, I am confident of getting 1,000 proper latrines for people who need it. That’s why I am convening a meeting to explain the need of the hour to the gathering, which is hygiene and sanitation,” the actor said.