In Gujarat’s Surat, Police Take Street Play Route To Spread COVID Awareness

Surat: With people dropping guard ever since the festive season began, Surat police in Gujarat have now taken to the streets to spread awareness about the COVID norms, even as night curfew is in place in the city. The police have collaborated with a group of theatre artists to spread awareness about following the COVID-19 protocols through street plays. Surat City Commissioner of Police Ajay Tomar said that the city is already under night curfew to curb the spread of the coronavirus but people could still be seen not wearing masks and violating social distancing norms.

Also Read: How Will A Night Curfew Imposed In Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh And Rajasthan Help In Containing The Spread Of COVID-19

So, we thought of doing something different. Due to the curfew in the city, all theatrical performances are halted. So we are bringing entertainment on the streets, along with spreading the message of not letting one’s guard down against the COVID. We contacted some people and they finalised a script and now we are taking the important message to the streets, Mr Tomar said, adding people have taken the initiative very positively.

Director of the street play, Devang Jagirdaar said performing arts like plays have the power to bring a social revolution.

If a thought can’t penetrate the society through conventional mediums, then it could be done through performing arts. So, we are using street plays to educate people about the importance of following the COVID protocols, said Mr Jagirdaar, founding trustee and treasurer of Surat Performing Artists’ Association, which has collaborated with the police for the initiative.

He added that the people of Surat are taking the COVID-19 pandemic casually since the festival season.

We thought it was a good time to remind the people to let go of their casual approach towards the COVID-19 and once again be strict with their social distancing and other norms, Mr Jagirdaar said.

According to Gujarat Health and Family Welfare Department, the state had 14,027 active cases as of Wednesday (December 9), with 1,318 new cases, 1,550 discharges, and 13 deaths reported in the preceding 24 hours.

Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak Explained: What Are Mild Symptoms Of COVID-19?

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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.