Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) has issued advisory to state functionaries to use appropriate messaging and positive behaviour change communication to achieve the objective of Open Defecation Free country. <br/><br/>The advisory comes in the wake of some recent instances of local administrations adopting inappropriate and gender insensitive approaches in the context of preventing open defecation. <br/><br/>Ministry of Drinking water and Sanitation said, such actions are not in keeping with the spirit of the Swachh Bharat Mission and reiterated that the Swachh Bharat Mission focuses on encouraging communities to collectively and voluntarily adopt and use toilets, as well as promote swachhta in their villages. <br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports that the behaviour change is the key for the success of Swachh Bharat Mission and in past three years, efforts made by thousands of government officials, grassroots leaders, volunteers and Swachhagrahis have led to increase in number of ODF States to five. The number of ODF districts has gone up to 156 and the number of ODF villages has crossed the 2 lakh mark. People from all walks of life have shown an exemplary commitment towards making India ODF and transformed the Swachh Bharat Mission into a true jan-aandolan. The core strategy for achieving the goals of SBM is Information, Education and Communication.