Staff and volunteers of Caritas India IREACH programme in West Bengal have launched an awareness drive on Covid-19 in the localities and Durga Puja Pandals. Funded by ECHO, the programme has collaborated with the local puja committees in Mugriganga I under the Sagar Block and Mousuni Island at South 24 Parganas.

“We have put up 5 awareness stalls in 5 puja pandals; 2 in Muriganga and Kashtala under Sagra Block and 3 stalls in Mousuni GP. The awareness stalls are open 24 hours engaging local volunteers and spreading awareness on Covid 19 safety guidelines issues by West Bengal govt. All the visitors of the pandals are sanitized before entering the pandals,” informed Bablu Sarkar from Caritas India.

Apart from Stalls, 4 tableau runs in 2 GPs in Moriganga I in Sagar Island and Mousuni Island from 16th October 2020 prior to Puja festivals. Miking message on Covid 19 safety measures and importance on hand washing is shared with the community along with puja guideline for the festivals. Caritas India is with the community in this festive season creating an amicable environment with protection and safety. This Covid-19 awareness stall will be functional till puja ends.

Dr. Punyabrata Gun, Convenor of West Bengal Doctors’ Forum informs, “So many doctors getting infected is a serious matter. It becomes more serious as we are anticipating a manifold rise in the number of cases after Durga Puja. There will be an acute shortage of human resources.

According to him, “the situation had almost come under control in Kolkata, with the numbers dropping in the city but rising in the districts, but after Mahalaya and Vishwakarma Puja, the graph climbed up again. “We fear the number of cases will again rise after Puja,”.

“Caritas India is doing great work in my panchayat, particularly awareness campaign through tableau and stalls in puja pandals during puja days,” says Ms. Hasibanu Bibi, Panchayat Pradhan of Mousuni GP.

According to Mr. Santanu Jana, Upo – Pradhan of Mugiganga I, Sagar block “this direct awareness and sanitization surely help to control the risk of Covid 19 spread.”

Caritas India has organized capacity building training for volunteers on safety guidelines and local volunteers motivated to take up the challenge.

Pratima Hembram, a volunteer shares, “I am celebrating a beautiful puja by working for my community, I know I am reducing the spread of Covid 19 in my area.” As Pratima, other 16 volunteers echo the same feeling.