Gujarat: The village model of Covid control!

RAJKOT: Kariyani village 12 km from Wadhwan taluka in Surendranagar district has remained successful in thwarting entry of Covid in the village so far. Sarpanch of the village, with a population of 1,100, has formed a 14-member team to keep a hawk's eye on entry of any outsiders.
The village follows stringent Covid-19 guidelines of the government. Bhopabhai Memakiya, village sarpanch, said, “I have given uniform, sticks and shoes to 14 volunteers from my pocket to guard the village. Entry of any outsiders including labourers is strictly prohibited. We don’t allow even vegetable vendors; villagers eat vegetables which are grown inside the village.”
Even as Gujarat reels under pandemic, rural Gujarat has shown the way for curbing the spread. At a time when over 55% of daily cases and majority deaths are reported from eight municipal corporationgoverned cities, there are many villages which have been able to keep infection at bay with stringent measures and social discipline and guard ‘zero Covid-19 case' status with pride.
Villagers decide to delay weddings
In Hapa village in Jamnagar, panchayat led by all-women members has imposed strict measures including a virtual lockdown with no entry to outsiders including wedding guests.
“Villagers have voluntarily postponed marriages to next year.Only 10-15fmaily members perform the cremation rituals. Six families who have their kin in Ahmedabad and Surat were personally advised by me on telephone not to return till the pandemic is under control,” said sarpanch Bhanuben Maheshbhai. In Kunariya village in Bhuj, Kutch, a Covid-19 response team of six women has been formed that gives regular feedback to panchayat.
“Congregation of villagers for any purpose is strictly prohibited. Villagers can ill-afford pandemics,” said Suresh Chhanga, sarpanch of Kunariya village.