A health worker in Bundi, Rajasthan, created a cartoon character called ‘Shayana Kaka’, which means ‘wise uncle’ in the local dialect, to spread the message of COVID appropriate behaviour and guidelines, and all this while being in isolation himself, reported PTI.

In one of his cartoons, the character says, “Bimari ko naa chipao, survey karri ASHA behen na jarur apnaa lakshan bato, haspatal su dava lo’, encouraging people to not hide the disease, but to inform ASHA workers about the symptoms during surveys, and to take medicines from a hospital, reported PTI. 

Also read | Make mucormycosis notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act: Centre to States

In another cartoon, ‘Shayana Kaka’ advises his fellow villagers to avoid crowding, follow social distancing, and stop attending any feast, and stay home, addressing the people who wished to attend a community feast.

Sunil Jangid, the man behind ‘Shayana Kaka’ and all the wonderful messages that the cartoons carry, said, “It is really satisfying that the ‘Shayana Kaka’ cartoon series on COVID-19 is proving effective in rural areas”. Jangid is also a block supervisor at a community health centre in a town called Hindoli, reported PTI.

The cartoon series is making rounds on social media platforms and among officials and workers in rural areas, said Bundi Zila Parishad Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muralidhar Pratihar to PTI.

Jangid tested positive for coronavirus on May 5 and was under treatment, but that did not stop him from making these notes and spreading awareness to society. He worked around Pratihar’s idea, and has now made as many as 10 short episodes of ‘Shayana Kaka’, reported PTI. 

Also read | WHO affirms COVID vaccine efficacy against variants, warns against overseas travel

Pratihar claimed that more people in the rural areas of the district understood the significance of embracing COVID-19 guidelines in the district in the last two days, reported PTI.

The district rural development and panchyati raj department incorporated awareness generation on COVID-19 into its Swachh Bharat Mission campaign and the local cartoon character ‘Shayana Kaka’ is one such tool to help spread the message, Pratihar said to PTI.