Nabha, Gurdaspur villages show the way, beat lockdown blues

NABHA: An emergency protocol has never been followed better than Punjab’s these two villages, and their determination in combating the coronavirus crisis is now catching the attention of the authorities.

Nabha’s Ageta, a hamlet of not more than 750 residents, has sealed all its boundaries and no one can leave or enter without having necessary purpose. The villagers are themselves running the checkposts in shifts and maintaining entry-exit register. All are made to sanitise their hands upon entering the village.

On Friday, as soon as the news of their concerted efforts reached Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, he made sure to give the villagers a pat on the back.

Patiala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Mandeep Singh Sidhu said the minister had called him up seeking review of the situation in the district, and that is when he informed Shekhawat about the villagers’ initiative.

Following this, Shekhawat interacted with the villagers through video conferencing. He also told them that he would apprise the Prime Minister about their work.

Later, Patiala MP Preneet Kaur too appreciated the work being done in Ageta during a video call with the villagers and assured them of every possible help.

Sarpanch Harpreet Kaur told HT that all essentials are sold to the villagers through home delivery. “We are also helping the economically weaker sections through community contribution, but the government will have to supply more essentials for them as the villagers won’t be able to support them on their own for long.”

In a similar endeavour, Chhina in Gurdaspur district has become a model village in taking preventive measures against Covid-19, under the leadership of its young sarpanch Panthdeep Singh Chhina, who has secured numerous awards for his previous transformations here.

The village entry points are dotted by banners and posters prohibiting outsiders from crossing the threshold.

Awareness fliers on social distancing have been put up outside each house. Youths volunteer to sanitise the streets and surroundings time to time.

When asked about the initiative, the sarpanch told HT, “On March 22, we installed barricades to prevent entry of outsiders.

On the main entrances, we have deployed security guards to ensure the curfew restrictions are followed. In case of medical emergency, a volunteer takes patients to the doctor and drops them back home.”

Revealing his future plans, the sarpanch said, “Soon, we are going to support daily wagers, who are not earning these days, so that they don’t face any problems.”

NABHA’S AGETA VILLAGE HAS SEALED ITS BOUNDARIES AND VILLAGERS ARE THEMSELVES MANNING CHECKPOSTS IN SHIFTS