'Sayana Kaka' helps locals embrace COVID-19 guidelines in rural Bundi
A health worker in Bundi district, who is in isolation because of coronavirus, has developed a cartoon character called Sayana Kaka (wise uncle) to take home the message of COVID-19 appropriate behavior and guidelines in the local dialect. "It is really satisfying that Sayana Kaka cartoon series on COVID-19 is proving effective in rural areas," said Sunil Jangid, the artist behind the cartoon series.
Here is a phrase from one of his cartoons
In one such cartoon, the character says Bimari ko naa chipao, survey karri ASHA behen na jarur apnaa lakshan bato, haspatal su dava lo (Don't hide the disease, inform the symptoms to ASHA worker during the survey, take the medicine from a hospital).
Another one of his advices for villagers attending a feast
In another slide, Sayana Kaka can be seen advising some villagers who were attending a community feast. He says that Bhaya bhed bhad su bacho, samajik doori ko paalan karo, abhar jhimbo bilkul band, gharan raho surakshit raho (Brothers, avoid crowding, follow all the social distancing measures, stop attending any feast at all, stay home and be safe).
Jangid incorporates the guidelines in the local dialect
"The series is being spread on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter to officials and workers in rural areas, who then send it to other local groups," Bundi Zila Parishad Chief Executive Officer Murlidhar Pratihar said. Concerned over COVID-19 spread in rural areas, the Zila Parishad official brought in Jangid to incorporate the guidelines in the local dialect through the cartoon character.
Jangid has so far developed over 10 short cartoon episodes
Though Jangid tested positive for COVID-19 on May 5 and was in home isolation under treatment, he started working on the CEO's idea and has so far developed over 10 short cartoon episodes with each one depicting Sayana Kaka delivering an awareness message on COVID-19.
The daily caseload in the district has reduced
Pratihar claimed that more people in the rural areas of the district are now understanding the significance of embracing COVID-19 guidelines and the daily caseload in the district has gone down in the last two days. "The district rural development and Panchayati Raj department have incorporated awareness generation on COVID-19 into its Swachh Bharat Mission campaign," Pratihar said.
'The cartoon series has proved helpful'
"The local cartoon character Sayana Kaka is one such tool to help spread the message of awareness on COVID-19," Pratihar further said. "The cartoon series has certainly built up an environment in favor of embracing the COVID-19 guidelines against the pandemic," said Satyaprakesh Sharma, Sarpanch of Bansi gram panchayat in Hindoli block of Bundi district.
Bansi village has seen only four-five cases till now
He claimed that only four-five positive cases have been detected so far among the population of 5,500 in Bansi village. Sharma said he receives an awareness message of the Sayana Kaka series on WhatsApp and Facebook that he shares with all groups in the village.
