Sanskarbadi, a popular socio-cultural organisation, celebrated the Global Hand Washing Day in the premises of the Utkal Balashram here. Hundreds of inmates of the child home actively participated in the programme. A brief meeting was held on the occasion where Sanskarbadi’s vice president presided. Addressing the inmates of the ashram, the founder of Sanskarbadi and known social worker Trinath Maharana explained the significance of the Global Hand washing Day and the various techniques used to maintain hygiene.

Hand washing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diarrhoea and pneumonia, which together are responsible for the death of over 3.5million children under the age of 5 years every year, he said and urged everybody to remain clean and keep the surrounding clean.

In developed countries, hand washing helps to prevent the spread of viral infections, such as norovirus, rotavirus and influenza, he added. Although, people around the world wash their hands with water, many do not wash their hands with soap at critical movements, including after going to toilet and before handling or eating food. The challenge is to transform hand washing with soap from an abstract good idea into an automatic behavior carried out in homes, schools, workplaces and communities, he said.

Notably, the Global Hand washing Day is the centerpiece of a week of activities that aim to mobilise millions of people to wash their hands with soap. The day motivates children to embrace and share proper hand washing practices and act as hand washing ambassadors. Ironically, each year on October 15, over 200 million people are involved in celebrations of the day in over 100 countries around the world.

Among others, Sasmita Padhi, Pratap Chandra Panda and a several social workers were present. Soaps were distributed on behalf of Sanskarbadi to all the inmates of the Balasharam.