“Hunar Haat”, Ajmer Smart City’s, “Biodiversity is an essential part of Indian Culture”
1. Ajmer Smart City’s
Ajmer Municipal Corporation (AMC), started taking proactive measure as early from 2nd March 2020, and further issued strict measures from 11th March, the day World Health Organization (WHO), declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic.
AMC sets up Covid-19 War room at Nagar Nigam and is headed by the Senior Ajmer Administrative officials, Medical and Police officers to monitor the existing Covid-19 situation and take further action to reduce the spreading of Covid-19 among its citizens.
War Room is also instrumental in planning and implementation of various innovative strategies in order to create awareness among its citizens for following Covid-19 precautionary steps issued by WHO and MHA:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, maintain distance of 6 feet.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces every day. High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. In case soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
- Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
- Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
Key initiatives taken by Ajmer City Administration to reduce the spread of Covid-19 virus are as follows:
- Public Address system (PA)
- Food and shelter
- Use of Fire Tenders for disinfection
- COVID-19 Helpline number
- Surveillance technologies
- Setting up quarantine facilities
- Movement of Migrants
2. "Biodiversity is an essential part of Indian Culture"
- The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), along with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), its project partner in the ‘Biodiversity Conservation Initiative Phase II’, celebrated World Turtle Day.
- Ganga Praharis from the five Ganga States and Ganga Prahari mentors participated in the online celebration.
- “Biodiversity is an essential part of Indian Culture and in fact, understanding the importance of Turtles, they have been worshipped in our culture from time immemorial’.
- “Turtles have been cleaning our water resources and they don’t charge us for doing that job.
- To mark the day, a Children’s story book on turtles, “Bin Vetanke Kare Safai” was released.
- Given that Biodiversity Conservation of the Ganga river basin is one of the pillars of the Namami Gange programme.
- the success of Ganga Praharis to further the awareness of biodiversity conservation in villages. He said, “More than 41% amphibian, 31% Coral and 33% fish species are now extinct.
3. "Hunar Haat" with the theme of "Local to Global"
“Hunar Haat”, which provides market and opportunity to master artisans and craftsmen from remote areas of the country, has become a credible brand of rare exquisite indigenous handmade products.
“Hunar Haat”, which has become “Empowerment Exchange” of artisans and craftsmen from across the country, will restart from September 2020 with the theme of “Local to Global” and comparatively larger participation of artisans.
Utilising the time during nationwide lockdown; artisans and craftsmen have prepared their rare indigenous exquisite products at large scale and will bring them for display and sale in next “Hunar Haat”.
There will be a special “Jaan Bhi, Jahaan Bhi” pavilion to create health awareness among the people with the theme of “Say no to panic, yes to precautions”.
- This time, people will also be able to buy “Hunar Haat” products digital and online also.
- Hunar Haat, of course, is a platform showcasing art & craft, it is also lending wings to people’s dreams, It is a venue where it is impossible to overlook the country’s diversity.
4. Tea chemicals could boost immunity
- Tea chemicals could be effective in boosting immunity as they can block coronavirus activity better than anti-HIV drugs.
- Using computer-based models, the scientists screened 65 bioactive chemicals or polyphenols that could bind to a specific viral protein more efficiently than commercially available anti-HIV drugs approved for treating COVID-19 patients.
- These chemicals might block the activity of the viral protein that helps the virus to thrive inside human cells.
- Herbal soap with tea extract, natural saponins and without SLES (sodium laureth sulphate), SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) and mineral oil.
- This soap provides anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, cleansing and moisturizing benefits.
- The soap is being produced and marketed by two companies based in Himachal Pradesh.
- Tea production process which has been transferred to M/s Baijnath Pharmaceuticals, and Ready to Serve Teas and Tea wines which could be game changer for Kangra tea.
- Tea vinegar technology has been transferred to a company based in Dharmshala.
- Scientists says Tea vinegar has anti-obesity properties.
- Also Herbal Green and Black Teas blended with AYUSH-recommended herbs were launched.
- These products could be very useful for boosting immunity against COVID-19.
