Sand Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Welcomes India’s Coronavirus Vaccination Drive With His Sand Art And A Message ‘Together We Can Win’

New Delhi: India’s Coronavirus vaccination drive which according to the government is the world’s largest vaccination programme is set to begin on January 16 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching it at 10.30 AM. Ahead of the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine drive in India, Padma Shree awardee and sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sculpture welcoming India’s coronavirus vaccines on Odisha’s Puri beach. The sand art features India’s map, coronavirus and vaccine vials. The 20 feet long and 7 feet tall, sand art is accompanied with a message ‘together we can win’.

Also Read: India’s Coronavirus Vaccination Drive: Union Health Minister Dispel Myths Surrounding COVID-19 Vaccine

My SandArt at Puri beach to welcome #LargestVaccineDrive with message “Together we can win “. pic.twitter.com/n9uaS4G6ln

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) January 16, 2021

In a conversation with NDTV, Mr Pattnaik shared details of his latest sand art and said,

We have made this sand art to create awareness among people about vaccination. 12 tonnes of sand has been used and it took us 7 hours to put this together. The sand art is also our way of thanking our scientists and researchers who introduced India to COVID-19 vaccines.

Further urging people to join hands in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Pattnaik said,

Though the COVID-19 vaccine is here and the first phase of the vaccination process will begin in a few hours, the pandemic is not over. As citizens, we have to follow COVID precautionary measures listed by the government. In addition to this, we should cooperate with the government in the phased vaccination process.

Also Read: Beginning Of End Of COVID-19, Says Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Ahead Of Vaccination Drive

Mr Pattnaik has been raising awareness around Coronavirus since the start of the pandemic around the globe. In July, 2020, the internationally renowned sand artist created artwork to raise awareness about how to wear a mask properly. With the message ‘Fight Against COVID-19’, the artwork depicted the right way to wear a face mask. The sculpture featured two men wearing masks. While one of them wore it in the wrong manner, the other one shows the right way to wear a mask to avoid contracting the virus.

Wear your #Mask properly Plz!
My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha. #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/5aSpTBQ5DB

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) July 20, 2020

Also Read: Exclusive: Ahead of India’s Massive COVID-19 Vaccination Drive, Serum Institute’s Adar Poonawalla Explains How Vaccines Are Being Manufactured From The Facility

Before that, in June, Mr Pattnaik created another sand art to encourage people to take up the responsibility of their own safety and wear a mask when in public. While sharing his art on Twitter, he had said, “Be responsible for your own safety! Make sure to cover your nose & mouth properly with mask.”

Be responsible for your own safety!
Make sure to cover your nose & mouth properly with #mask .
My SandArt at Bhubaneswar airpot.#IndiaFightsCorona #WearAMask #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/NC1Bc2aoCd

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) June 27, 2020

Also Read: NITI Aayog Member Dr VK Paul Answers Your Queries On COVID-19 Vaccination Drive To Be Launched By PM Modi

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.