Delhi govt reaches out to religious institutions, seeks help to tackle dengue

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Thursday reached out to the city’s religious institutions for help in dealing with the outbreak of dengue and chikungunya under ‘One Delhi Campaign’ aimed at seeking support from all quarters of the society, including political parties, to check spread of the diseases.[caption id=“attachment_2932944” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Kapil Mishra. Facebook[/caption] Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra said the campaign has received a “phenomenal” response. “After offering prayers tomorrow, there will be an announcement of fighting with diseases and mosquitoes together at all mosques of Delhi Waqf Board,” Mishra tweeted. Besides, at Gorishanker temple at Chandni Chowk, appeal will be made to the people to deal with the vector-borne diseases, the minister said. “Religious institutions like Gauri Shankar temple, Tilak Nagar Gurudwara, Jama Masjid, Orthodox church have all come forward to help spread awareness about the diseases. “The religious institutions will be making special appeals to public and request for their support to ensure that these vector-borne diseases can be curtailed,” Mishra told reporters in New Delhi. He said the campaign has also received support from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of the Art of Living Foundation. Volunteers of Art of Living will be visiting households across Delhi to create awareness and help in the fogging drive. He, however, said he was still waiting for a response from DPCC president Ajay Maken or any Congress leader and appealed to them to join hands together under the campaign. Several prominent celebrities like Amjad Ali Khan, Birju Maharaj, Shubha Mudgal, Swapan Sundari among others have also pledged their support for the campaign. The minister said market associations across Delhi which include prominent markets like Chandini Chowk, Karol Bagh, Nehru Place, Sadar Bazar, Kashmiri Gate have come forth to join the ‘One Delhi Campaign’ and will help in cleanliness drive in these areas. Hotel associations like the Paharganj Hotel Association have also extended their support for the campaign and have already initiated the awareness drive. He said, “The ‘One Delhi Campaign’ is above politics, allegiances and personal interests. Delhi belongs to all of us and we must serve it together.