With Covid-19 spreading its dragnet far and wide, taking preventive measures such as social distancing and getting vaccinated have become quite essential to stay escape the wrath of the deadly virus. Many efforts are being made in India to make people aware about vaccination. But there are officials, such as the District Magistrate of Gaya in Bihar, Mr. Abhishek Singh, who are providing protection and incentives even to the fully vaccinated people.
A 2006 batch IAS officer, Mr. Abhishek is pushing health facilities, such as free ambulances, even to the villages with 100 percent vaccination. This may seem unusual, but is important- considering that there have been cases of even these people getting hit by the virus. Also, such steps would motivate those who are reluctant to take a jab.
Recently, the District Magistrate flagged off free ambulances to 10 villages located in Bodh Gaya town of Gaya district. Vaccination has been completed in these 10 villages and all the people have got both the doses of the vaccine. Apart from this, hand-pumps are being provided to the families who have been vaccinated. These new initiatives of the DM are being praised everywhere.
Under the Covid-19 campaign, so far about 1.5 lakh people have been vaccinated in Gaya district. The district ranks third in the entire state. Gaya is rapidly preparing to fight the third wave due to the awareness campaigns by the district administration and district health committee and various other organizations.
VILLAGES SHOULD BE CORONA FREE
With the aim of making the villages infection-free, the vaccination campaign is being carried out rapidly at the panchayat level in Gaya district. According to Mr. Abhishek, the administration aims to complete the vaccination campaign in the entire district by November and declare the district corona free.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Abhishek Singh said, “There are about 10 villages in Bodh Gaya district, where 100% people are vaccinated and have taken both doses. With the achievement we provided free ambulance facility in these villages with the help of a trust to make people aware about vaccination and to increase their enthusiasm. With this, people will become more aware and will insist on vaccination for such facilities in their village also. There is an appeal to the people of the district that just as these 10 villages have protected themselves and their village from corona pandemic, by taking 100 percent corona vaccine, in the same way everyone should make their village and district safe by taking both doses of corona vaccine.”
OTHER EFFORTS
Adds the DM, “We are also making people from Dalit, Mahadalit and minority communities aware of the benefits of vaccination. Ration is being given to such communities who have got the vaccine; this is in addition to the ration received from the government. For this we are working through social organizations and NGOs. Along with this, hand-pumps are being installed in the families who have received both doses of the vaccine. We will continue such activities in future also. As people go on getting vaccinated, we will bring more facilities to encourage them.”
Besides, umbrellas, ‘sarees’, ‘kurtas’ and food items have also been given to the people who got both the jabs. Not only this, sewing is also being taught by the social organization to make women self-reliant and many have also been provided with sewing machines. The aim is to make more women self-reliant by providing employment during such hard times.
