Aapda-Samvaad

Soon after the inauguration of the on 14th February 2020, "The Orange Cafe" - a restaurant run by acid attack survivors in Varanasi - had to close shop because of the countrywide lockdown.  However, with a never-say-die spirit and undaunted by the lockdown, five of acid attack survivors running the restaurant, Ms. Badama Devi, Ms. Sangeeta Kumari, Ms. Shanno Sonkar, Ms. Vimla Devi, and Ms. Somvati, started preparing and distributed food packets for the most marginalized sections of the society. 

With about 200 food packets prepared dailyt, since 30th March, they have been able to distribute about 5215 food packets so far and continue to do so. The beneficiaries of their empathy and generosity are the most vulnerable and marginalized individuals -- daily wage earners, migrant labourers, rickshaw pullars, single women, old age and differently-abled people. 

They have covered fourteen areas, namely Saket Nagar basti, Nawabganj, near Assi Nallaha, Kabir Nagar, Maalihaan, Kiwalyadh…

Reduce the risk of #COVID-19

The risk of Coronavirus infection is spreading across the globe, including India. As you are aware, the country is under a lockdown till May 3, 2020. It is extremely important to follow all guidelines/advisories during the lockdown period to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Besides, all of us must follow good respiratory and hand hygiene at all times. Here's a list of simple measures that will reduce our risks significantly: 
1. Say Namaste, avoid shaking hands, hugging, kissing, etc. 2. Maintain a safe distance - 1-1.5 metres - from everyone, especially those suffering from fever, cold or cough. 3. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the used tissue in a closed bin. Use a face cover when outside. 4. Remember to wash your hands frequently using soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitiser: - after coughing or sneezing - before and after cooking, and before eating - after using the washro…

LESSONS FROM A FIRE TRAGEDY
- Shri P. N. Rai, Member, Bihar State Disaster Management Authority
Yet another fire tragedy in our urban areas - this time at Anaj Mandi, Delhi - has sparked widespread outrage among the general public. The fire that occurred in the early hours of December 8, 2019 killed more than 40 people. It has again highlighted the inadequacy of our emergency response system, in this case the fire fighting system. Combined with this, lack of compliance with fire safety codes, community awareness on even basic preparedness measures, and lack of even basic urban planning in large parts of our cities has created a trend of increased fire risk. However, trend is not destiny. With a determined and concerted effort, the trend can not only be arrested but reversed too. However, this will require simultaneous work on long-term measures (increasing compliance of fire safety codes in buildings and settlements); medium-term measures (improving the capacity of fire services); and s…