Laughing our way to a cleaner India: How comedy breaks the taboo on poop – News18

For far too long, the topic of sanitation has been shrouded in silence and social awkwardness, especially in India. But a new wave of change is coming, and it wields an unexpected weapon: laughter.

Mission Swachhta aur Paani, a nationwide campaign by News18 Network and Harpic, is at the forefront of this innovative approach. For the uninitiated, Mission Swachhta aur Paani is a movement that champions the cause of inclusive sanitation where everyone has access to clean toilets. It promotes equality across genders, abilities, castes and classes and strongly believes that clean toilets are a shared responsibility. For the past 3 years, Mission Swachhta aur Paani has been bringing relevant stakeholders together on a common platform to discuss important issues and find solutions.

Recognizing that humor has the power to disarm and engage audiences, Swachhta aur Paani Mission used it to promote toilet etiquette and proper sanitation practices. A great example of this was comedian Gaurav Kapoor’s performance during the climax of the third season of ‘Mission Swachhta aur Paani’.

Through witty observations and useful anecdotes, Kapoor tackles the issue of proper toilet behavior in a way that is both informative and entertaining. With audiences ranging from school children to policymakers, actors and activists, his performance sparked both conversation and laughter. Ultimately, this is the goal of Swachhta aur Paani Mission: to normalize the conversation around sanitation, anywhere and in any company. This is how we break the taboo on this important topic.

Around the world, comedians have successfully sparked debate on several important and sometimes divisive topics. Consider Trevor Noah’s use of satire on “The Daily Show” to expose political hypocrisy and spark conversations about race and inequality. Similarly, John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” uses dark humor to shed light on complex social issues such as voter suppression and net neutrality.

When it comes to hygiene, we are not divided on this issue. In fact, most of us recognize the importance of hygiene, thanks to the success of Swachh Bharat Mission. However, if we look at the surface or start digging into the details, we will feel uncomfortable. This is the power of humor as a form of communication.

A well-placed joke can break the ice, allowing viewers to absorb important messages in a non-threatening way. Laughter can strengthen a sense of connection, making viewers more open to new ideas and changes in behavior. Using comedy to address sanitation can make the topic believable and even funny.

Gaurav Kapoor’s performance likely resonated with many viewers, making them reflect on their own sanitation practices and encouraging open conversations within families and communities. He successfully addressed several key topics: the state of public toilets, the need for better hygiene in men’s toilets and the importance of proper waste disposal. He even made jokes about the excessive number of personal hygiene products in modern toilets and the cultural differences between India and Japan when it comes to public cleanliness.

Watching the audience’s reaction, it was clear that he was clearly expressing his views, and doing so in a non-threatening, friendly, and even endearing manner. The same can be said about Akshay Kumar’s skit with Sesame Street characters. Akshay Kumar’s brilliant comic timing combined with Sesame Street’s strong storytelling taught the audience the 4 key rules of the restroom checklist without the audience even realizing they were being educated.

This shift towards humor in social messaging is extremely promising for India. Hygiene is a critical issue with broad public health implications. By breaking the silence and using humor to encourage dialogue, Mission Swachhta aur Paani is paving the way to a cleaner and healthier future for all.

As Mission Swachhta aur Paani Season 3 draws to a close, sanitation work is in full swing. We have set the ball rolling, we have started the conversation, we have sown ideas and we have made the introductions. Now it is your turn to use it. We all contribute to the conversation. We all have a voice. We all have a platform. Let’s use it. Join us Hereto know how you can help establish Swasth and Swachh Bharat.