Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Launches Awareness Campaign To Combat Coronavirus

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday (March 23) launched ‘Sankalp’, a campaign to raise awareness about COVID-19, and appealed people to follow important steps such as wearing masks and social distancing to protect themselves. While launching the campaign in the Bhawani Chowk area of Old Bhopal, Mr. Chouhan said it is necessary for everyone to unite to defeat the deadly virus. The chief minister drew circles in front of shops to ensure social distancing in market areas and also urged people to follow the campaign’s ‘Meri Suraksha Mera Mask’ motto.

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The second wave of COVID-19 has arrived and any negligence will prove costly to people, he said. Mr. Chouhan urged social organisations and religious heads to cooperate in the campaign by ensuring that there is no crowding during the upcoming festive season. People should celebrate Holi, the festival of colours, by adhering to the slogan, “Meri Holi Mere Ghar”, he said.

The chief minister appealed to shopkeepers to wear masks, use sanitisers and also encourage others to do so compulsorily for their safety and their family’s wellbeing. Ministers and senior officials also took part in the awareness campaign in across the state.

A siren was blared at many places and people stood inattention for two minutes, taking a vow to fight against the virus. State Home Minister Narottam Mishra distributed masks and drew circles in front of shops in New Market area of Bhopal, while state Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawattook part in the campaign at Sapna-Sangeeta road in Indore. Madhya Pradesh on Monday reported 1,348 new cases of coronavirus that raised the state’s tally to 2,77,075, which includes 3,908 casualties.

Also Read: COVID Vaccination: Increase Interval Between Two Doses Of Covishield To 4-8 Weeks, Centres Tells States

(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.