In a unique gesture, the Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) in Raipur has taught youths how to prepare at home high quality sanitizers which are running in short supply as the nation valiantly battles Covid-19.
This sanitizer is made from naturally available medicinal ingredients such as neem leaves, a germicide, basil leaves, which are rich in medicinal properties, Manjari, marigold flowers, coconut oil, rose water, alum and camphor along with rectified ethanol.
The training was provided by Dr Ashish Chandra Sharma, NYK's Master Trainer and President of the Pandit Sundar Lal Sharma Educational Academy, in Paragaon, Lakhna and Mohandi villages in Raipur district.
Dr Sharma explained that coconut oil acts as an antiseptic (antimicrobial) along with Manjari and forms a layer on the hand surface, limiting the access of germs and virus to the skin. He said this sanitizer is 3-4 times more powerful than the common sanitizer.
Fifty youths were trained in batches of 8-10.
Arpit Tiwari, the District Youth Coordinator, NYK, Raipur, said that at a time when sanitizer was not readily available in shops, it is imperative that innovative home-based remedies were made available to people through capacity building programmes.
He said that such training will also provide new employment opportunities to villagers. Limited availability and high cost of sanitizers in the market will boost the use of such home-made ayurvedic sanitizers, he added.
According to him, NYK has distributed some 20 litres of sanitizers in Raipur, Gariaband, Balodabazar and Dhamtari districts covering around 300 households.
The NYK functions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the central government.