Launch NO Masks NO Entry Campaign in Jawahar Nagar

Jaipur, October 28: The Centre for Advocacy and Research in partnership with Jaipur Municipal Corporation and NULM launched No Masks, No Entry awareness cum free mask distribution campaign in Jaipur. The objective of the campaign is to encourage citizens to adopt safe personal hygiene practices including wearing masks, washing hands using the correct technique and proper toilet usage. The campaign is a part of CFAR’s ongoing work on strengthening access to water sanitation and hygiene in 6p urban slums of Jaipur supported by Water for Women Fund, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia.

This campaign began with a nukkad natak in the JMC Adarsh Nagar Zonal office by youth forums from Sitaram Nagar and Patel Nagar kutchi basti. The young people highlighted the importance of mearing masks, and urged the audience to take care of persons with co-morbidities and come together to break the chain of the pandemic.

This was followed by a rally led by women from Shiv and Parvati Self Help Groups which began from Adarsh Nagar, covered several settlements including Jawahar Nagar Tila 4, 5 and 6, which were among the most densely populated slum clusters in the area. Other activities included distribution of free masks to sanitary workers, shopkeepers, and pedestrians, IEC on handwashing and pasting of posters in prominent location, walls and autorickshaws.

In his inaugural speech Mr. Lok Bandhu, Commissioner JMC Heritage stressed on the importance of positive behaviour in flattening the curve and combating the rising cases of infections during unlock down. “The government and people have to work together to make this campaign successful. The city administration cannot contain the pandemic without the support and ownership of people. When everyone adopts the practices of wearing masks, using toilets properly and maintaining social distancing, cases will not only reduce but we will also be able to drive away the disease from the country,” he appealed.

Mr. R K Meena Deputy Commissioner, Adarsh Nagar Zone shared, “We understand that wearing masks and washing hands is one of the easiest steps towards prevention. But this has to become a part of our daily life. The Corporation is seeking support from civil society organisations to distribute free masks with the support of our SHG groups to those who cannot afford them. We aim to reach out to every lane and person in the area and encourage them to support the campaign by adopting safe practices”.

Resonating the resolve, Anita Mittal, Deputy Commissioner, NULM shared that the campaign seeks to involve active participation from citizens. “It is encouraging to see the support received from women’s SHG groups. They have already distributed over 500 masks and are leading from the front chanting slogans, “Mask nahi, pravesh nahi, Haathon ko dhona zaruri hai, Corona se banani jo doori hai.”

Roshni, President of Parvati Self Help group shared that residents living in slums and densely populated areas are more prone to infections. “The diseases affect elderly, persons with disability and those with chronic ailments and through this campaign we are reaching out to every needy person in these kutcha bastis and urging them to wear masks”. Sugna, President of Shiv Self Help group added “We are also educating people on nine steps of hand washing and proper of toilets and urinals.”