by Sudip Sharma Chowdhury 

Guwahati : Timely Information Management is at the core of Awareness Initiatives and to mitigate Covid risk in North East, experts opined in a Webinar ‘Covid Information Management and Public Awareness’ organised by Press Information Bureau, Guwahati on the topic here today.

Experts from Media fraternity, Government sector along with academicians deliberated and discussed about the potential way to tackle the Covid situation from behavioural and policy perspective. Dr. Leena Borah from Cotton University, Guwahati said that Information Management is at core of awareness about Covid. She said that creativity in awareness is the essence of Information Management at this critical juncture of Covid management and its risk mitigation.

Dr. Borah urged the student community, who joined the Webinar in huge numbers, to act as ambassadors of change and be the catalyst of information dissemination for bringing awareness about the precautions to address the Covid and related issues. She emphasised the importance of Yoga and breathing exercises to mitigate the Covid risk. Dr. Borah said that leading a disciplined life is the best way to address the issues. Dr. Lopamudra Datta, Principal, Guru Nanak Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Kolkata said that health, hygiene and Swachhta is the mantra to address the Covid-19 issues. She said in this Covid scenario, social distancing is a quintessential aspect and had to become a habit for all. She said that elderly persons, particularly the senior citizens have to be extra cautious and should have a healthy balanced diet.

She said each individual has to develop healthy daily routine to avoid any health issues which could aggravate if anyone gets affected with Covid-19. Mentioning about the initiatives of the Central Government for information awareness, with optimism Dr. Irene Lalruatkimi from Department of Mass Communication, Mizoram University, Aizawl said that information communication has to be dovetailed with the local environment. She said that awareness via. posters and public displays at strategic places such as Railway Stations, Market, Eateries, Shops and Retail Markets, Bus stops could help in generating awareness and to mitigate the Covid risk. Dr. Lalruatkimi said that attitudinal changes and having a positive mentality could help an individual to address the stress and psychological issues in this scenario. Shri Sanyuk Banerjee, Advocate, Purba Bardhamaan said that fake news is emerging as an issue for which proactively it has to be tackled so that correct information goes to citizens of the country.

He said that information communication gap and lack of awareness is the common problem when it comes to Covid and related issues. He further said that the need of the hour is to emphasise on behavioural changes along with precautions such as proper utilisation of masks, social distancing and washing of hands regularly. Shri L. R. Sailo, Regional Director, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Aizawl said that Mizoram did not have a lone case of fatality because of Covid. Shri Sailo said that social media is popular among young populace of the region plays a pivotal role in awareness.

He informed about success stories as to how Mizoram has be successful in mitigating the Covid risk and said that North East has huge potential for tourism development in days to come. He said that positive stories of success of North East have to be promoted by regional dailies. The interactive Webinar has enthusiastic participation of students, academicians and media fraternity of Assam and North East Region as they said that this information cum knowledge Webinar would helped them in informed decision making and to be aware about prior precautions to address the Covid situation. Senior officers of PIB from North East Zone were present in webinar.

Shri Pallav Chakravorty, Deputy Director, PIB welcomed the experts with the webinar being summarised by Smt Sucharita Sahoo,FPO as the webinar delved into details on the various aspects of the topic such as Covid Information Management, Effective Information dissemination and Efficacious data analysis on Covid information and data management. The entire webinar was planned and coordinated by Shri Samrat Bandyopadhyay, Joint Director (M & C), PIB, Guwahati. Along with students, eminent journalists and other government senior officials from Doordarshan Guwahati, Regional Outreach Bureau, Guwahati, All India Radio Guwahati were also present on the occasion.