New Delhi, Oct 27 Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma attended a function at a Government school here on the occasion of Global Hand Washing Day on Tuesday.

Kevin St. Louis, Deputy Representative, The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said by washing hands the chances of those infections can be reduced by 25-30 per cent.

"Hand washing is so important if you wash your hands with soap regularly. We all now know that because of the medical reasons that we can reduce various diseases like Cholera and Pneumonia. We know that we can reduce those infections by 25-30 per cent in many instances. Washing our hands protects us and it's not just for children but for everyone," said Louis.

Global Hand Washing Day will be the centerpiece of a week of activities that will mobilize millions of people in more than 70 countries across all five continents to wash their hands with soap.

Global Hand Washing Day 2009 revolves around schools and children.

On Global Hand Washing Day, playgrounds, classrooms, community centers, and the public spaces of towns and cities will be awash with activity to drive hand washing behavior change on a scale never seen before, bringing the critical issue to center stage. (ANI)