Starting October, a string of festivals will from Navratri to Diwali will maintain a celebratory mood across the country. However, keeping the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, India’s Olympians and Paralympians have joined hands in a health ministry initiative promoting safe celebrations to prevent a surge in cases.
In a video posted on the health ministry’s social media, these athletes, including Olympic gold medallists javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and shooter Avani Lekhara remind people of the importance of observing COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). They ask people to practice hand hygiene, keep six feet distance, wear a mask, and vaccinate themselves if they are above 18 years of age.
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“Khathinaaiyon ka samjhdhaari se saamna aur samaadhaan nikaalna humari zimmedaari hai (To resolve and face problems is our responsibility) Sports aur Zindagi mein!” they say in the video.
Other athletes who feature in the video include Tokyo Olympics medal-winning wrestlers Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Bajrang Punia, fencer Bhavani Devi and goalkeeper of India’s bronze-winning men’s hockey team PR Sreejesh.
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Other Tokyo Paralympians supporting the initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are high-jumper Praveen Kumar, archer Harvinder Singh, discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya, shuttler Manoj Sarkar and club thrower Ekta Bhyan.
“With the festival season beginning in India with aplomb, India’s decorated Olympians and Paralympians have joined hands … in a video that has been produced to support the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s efforts to inspire and promote safe celebrations during the festival period to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases,” the press release said.
“The video titled #TyoharonKeRangCABKeSang demonstrates hope against all adversity and features India’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes reminding their fellow citizens to not let their guard down during their celebrations and to celebrate festivals responsibly,” it added.
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“Through this video, the essence of their conquering spirit is captured, to encourage and inspire the 1.3 billion Indian citizens to similarly overcome Covid-19 by observing all Covid Appropriate protocols and urging others to celebrate #COVIDSafeFestivities.
“The inspiring video is a reminder to all Indians that nothing is impossible and that together we can overcome any of our adversities including the current pandemic.”
India had won seven medals in the Tokyo Olympics and 19 in the Paralympics.
India reported 18,870 new COVID-19 cases and 378 new deaths in the last 24 hours, according to Indian Health Ministry data released on Wednesday This takes the country’s COVID tally to 3,37,16,451 and related death toll to 4,47,751.
