Porbandar panchayat’s out-of-the-box idea hits Covid on the head

RAJKOT: When the messages of Covid awareness started falling on practically people’s deaf ears, Porbandar district panchayat came out with a unique way to make rekindle interest in Covid hygiene and help spread awareness.
It packed a power punch inside a standy box that delivered the message and Covid guidelines straight on the face, literally.
Under its ‘appropriate behaviour’ during Covid time scheme, the central government gave the local administration work of IEC (information, education and communication).Porbandar district panchayat knew that it had to be said and straight on the face and so created a box on a standy.
“Do you know who can save you the most from corona? Open the box for the answer” – was the bait which lured people to open the lid and see themselves in the big mirror placed inside. It actually did not need the caption “you yourself” written below, but the authorities didn’t seem to want to take any chances!
The box has not only achieved its purpose, but turned into a centre of infotainment as well with viewers making a beeline to get a glimpse of “the risk factor” while visiting the district panchayat office for personal official work.
District development officer of Porbandar, V K Advani told TOI, “We tried to give the same old message in a different manner to cut down on the monotony of regular sermonizing. People know how to protect themselves from getting infected and familiarity breeds contempt and people become careless.”