Highlights
- ‘Bikers for Good’ distributed 10,000 soaps to the poor in Delhi
- As bikers it is our duty to do something for the country: Mohit Ahuja
- ‘Bikers for Good’ have been raising awareness on social issues since 2011
New Delhi: In a bid to help combat the spread of Novel Coronavirus, Bikers For Good, a motorcycle club that engages in several social causes ranging from working for disability awareness and women empowerment to educating the lesser privileged is now spreading awareness about handwashing and distributing soaps among people in rural areas, city slums and street vendors. Founded in 2011, Bikers For Good has been on the frontlines during various campaigns and since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, it has been working towards raising awareness about keeping safe from catching the infection and motivating people to take some time out from their daily routine and contribute in the fight against COVID-19 in whatever way possible for them.
While talking to NDTV, Mohit Ahuja, founder of Bikers For Good said that they decided to focus on handwashing because it is an important preventive measure against coronavirus. He said,
When the corona pandemic hit India, we realised that as bikers it is our duty to do something for the country, for our fellow citizens. We knew food was something that was being addressed by a lot of NGOs and people, sanitation we realised was something that a lot of people were not talking about while it is something very important. So we thought of getting together, putting in our resources buying soaps and distributing those in places that were ignored at the same time we sensitised people on how to wash hands properly.
The mixed group of women and men bikers distributed 10,000 soaps in the capital a day before the lockdown on March 23, 2020. They have been using their bikes to reach the last mile population in the villages and slums in the cities.
Pallavi, another member of the group shared her experience of the ride to spread awareness on handwashing. She said,
18 of us distributed soaps across Delhi, to the people outside government hospitals, beggars on the roads, rickshaw pullers, went to old age homes and orphanages as well.
Bikers For Good partnered with various firms including Reckitt Benckiser (RB) for raising awareness and distributing soaps and masks to the people worst affected by the pandemic.
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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