Maharashtra: Akola top babu, wife’s ‘vaccine anthem’ to push Covid jab is a hit

NAGPUR: To encourage people to get jabbed with the Covid-19 vaccine, Akola district administration in Vidarbha has taken a novel initiative. They composed and shot a ‘vaccine anthem’ in Marathi, with an appeal for residents to get jabbed. Remarkably, instead of professional singers, district resident deputy collector

Sanjay Khadse

and his wife Neeta sang the song. They have also performed in the video. The song is now being played at district administration functions to encourage people to get vaccinated. It is being appreciated by local people as

Khadse

is a popular bureaucrat in the district.


Akola has always lagged behind in Covid-19 vaccination. There was a time in October-November last year when Akola was among the bottom-5 districts in state, with less than 50% of the eligible population vaccinated with single dose. The district administration introduced many new concepts, curbs, rules, and conditions to boost vaccination. Akola had also announced ‘No vaccine, no ration’ diktat in October, though it later recalled the order.

In a video conference of districts with low vaccine coverage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Akola district collector Neema Arora had promised to ensure that every possible step will be taken to improve vaccination in district. Finally, they decided to bring a song to convince people to take the vaccine.

“The concept of this song came from our district collector Neema Arora. As I have interest in singing, I decided to be a part of the creative team,” said

RDC Khadse

, who believes music can bring positive change.

Khadse involved cultural organization

Vidarbha Sangeet Sanskruti

and Kala Prasarak Mandal, and NGO Teekshnagat Multipurpose Welfare Society in this work. Musician Mukund Nitone wrote and composed this song, which goes ‘Amhi Sangto Hath Jodun,

Sarvanni Ghyawa Karun

, He Covid Lasikaran’ in Marathi (We request you with folded hands to please get vaccinated with Covid vaccine).

The song was recorded and edited by Vishwas Sathe while government videographer Chandrakant Patil shot the video of this song in Akola. District information officer Milind Dusane, extension officer Gajanan Mahalle and local artists from Akola provided all necessary support.

“My wife is an accomplished singer but she is not a professional. We have tried our level best to bring out a very professional audio-visual appeal for common people. It is being appreciated too,” Khadse said.

In the first wave of Covid-19, when patients used to stay in isolation for 14 to 19 days, Khadse had introduced a music relaxation therapy at Covid Care Centres. Many patients used to enjoy the Karaoke music events, where prominent singers in town used to entertain them every evening. This initiative was appreciated very much by patients too. Now, the song with a foot-tapping tune is also being appreciated across the district.

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