New Delhi: Amid the ongoing third wave of COVID-19 and the rising cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, Padma Shree awardee sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand art at Odisha’s Puri beach to emphasize the importance of following proper guidelines and getting vaccinated at this time.
My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha with message “Please follow #COVID19 Protocol “ #TakeYourVaccne . #Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona #OmicronVariant pic.twitter.com/dCkSUBXZib
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) January 7, 2022
“Please follow COVID-19 protocol,” said the text over the sand art. It showed a family wearing masks. Below that was a COVID-19 vaccine and the message “Take your vaccine”.
Also Read: Social Distancing And Masking Is The Essence Of Getting Over The Omicron: Expert
While talking to NDTV, Mr Pattnaik raised concerns about the complacent behaviour of the people. He said that he observes people wearing masks incorrectly, thus exposing themselves to the risk of contracting the contagious virus. He said,
It is so unfortunate that even after two years of the pandemic, most of us are still not taking Covid protocols seriously. We have still not understood how to wear a mask properly. People think that they have taken the vaccine and so they can roam about freely without any precautions. But all scientists, medical bodies and governments have been constantly warning us that the pandemic is still not over and we cannot afford to become complacent. Through my sculpture, I want to remind people to wear masks the correct way and ensure that people around them also use good mask to protect themselves. It is important that we take both doses of vaccine and see to it that all eligible people in our families and friend circle are vaccinated too. Our health workers and researchers have done a great job on vaccination. I want to thank them all. It is now our responsibility to follow the Covid protocols.
This is not the first time that Mr Pattnaik has used his art to raise awareness about the global pandemic. On Christmas last year, he created a 50 feet long and 28 feet wide sand sculpture of Santa Claus on Puri beach using 5,400 roses and wrote the message “Enjoy your Christmas with Covid guidelines”.
On #ChristmasEve My Biggest Sand with Rose installation Art of #SantaClaus using 5400 Roses at Puri beach with the message “Enjoy your #Christmas with #COVID19 guidelines”. pic.twitter.com/QMv9LGXx7l
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) December 24, 2021
In India, the single-day rise in coronavirus infections was recorded above one lakh after 214 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to over 3.5 lakh (3,52,26,386) which includes 3,007 cases of Omicron reported across 27 states and Union Territories, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) data updated on Friday (December 7).
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. 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 will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, that is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that 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 the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
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