Representational Image (Thinkstock)
Maharashtra Rural Development Minister Pankaja Munde today honoured Sangita Awhale, a woman from Saikheda village in Washim district, who sold her 'mangalsutra'
(a sacred necklace worn by married Hindu women) to build a toilet.
"Toilet is a basic necessity, compared to ornaments. I sold all my ornaments and decided to build the toilet," Sangita told reporters at Munde's office in Mumbai.
"Toilets are not there in many places in the state and country. As a result, women face problems," Ms Munde said.
"During my first term as a legislator, I used to allocate 25 per cent of my funds for building toilets," the minister said.
"Our target is to build maximum number of toilets and ensure that women don't have to face any inconvenience on this count," she said.
The minister lauded Sangita's initiative and presented her with a new 'mangalsutra', as a token of appreciation for taking forward the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create awareness about the need for toilets.