LUCKNOW: The famous Pulse Polio campaign catchline ‘Do Boond Zindagi Ke’ has been redefined by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to launch its own immunity-boosting drive to take on the third wave of Covid pandemic with special focus on vulnerable children.
The catchline here is ‘Do Boond Immunity Ke’ and involves the administration of Ayurvedic concoction called ‘Suvarna Prashana’ to children between 1 and 16 years of age. Another difference is that it is given only on the day of ‘Pushya Nakshatra’, which happens just once a month.
The campaign was launched by the RSS offshoot Arogya Bharti on July 11, the day of ‘Pushya Nakshatra’ and preparations are on to hold it again on August 7, the day which will have a similar celestial arrangement.
On July 11, when Arogya Bharati workers launched the ayurvedic immunization programme, several BJP leaders and ministers were also present. Women and child development minister Swati Singh launched the campaign by administering ‘Suvarna Prashana’ drops to children at a Saraswati Shishu Mandir School.
Cabinet minister for law Brijesh Pathak also administered drops at the Indira Nagar Branch of Saraswati Shishu Mandir. Pathak confirmed to TOI that he was present on the occasion. “For ages, Suvarna Prashana has been very good in boosting the immunity of children and increasing their intellectual power,” he said.
A senior RSS functionary told TOI that the doses of Suvarna Prashana have been brought from Gujarat and the campaign would be held on every Pushya Nakshatra day until the majority of children get the drop.
Arogya Bharati would delve in detail about the mass campaign undertaken and how it plans to further expand on the second day of the coordination meeting being held in the city.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, RSS joint secretary Dr Krishna Gopal gave details of decisions taken at the RSS all-India meet at Chitrakoot during the first day of the coordination meet. RSS workers from region and province were present in the day-long sessions.
Although RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale was supposed to chair the meeting, he couldn’t make it. He is expected to be present on Sunday.
On Sunday, besides Arogya Bharati, other offshoots would also talk about their works and programmes they would be taking in future.
During the meeting, state BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh and general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal would remain present. CM Yogi Adityanath, his deputies Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dr Dinesh Sharma would also be present.
