The government of Odisha is taking several measures to eradicate superstitions from the State. However, the steps are not completely working among the people of the rural area. One more such incident has come to light with a viral video of Malkangiri district.
In a bizarre incident, the children of Parsanpali village in the district were given ‘Salapa’ (a type of local liquor) to prevent coronavirus infection in Padia block.
In the video, several children around the age of 10-12, can be seen sitting in a line. The kids are without any mask while maintaining social distancing with a leaf in front of them. A pot containing ‘Salapa Liquor’ is seen in front of them and the children are waiting there to drink the juice in the pot.
Viral video (Posting as recieved) –
Children in #Malkangiri district of #Odisha made to drink ‘Salapa’ (local liquor), as a measure to ‘protect’ them from #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/1ThcLzP3Wd
— Tazeen Qureshy (@TazeenQureshy) July 21, 2020
As per the parents of the children, the ‘Salapa Liquor ’ allegedly can prevent them from contacting coronavirus. The coronavirus pandemic, which has spread worldwide, has infected millions of people.
India is now the third in the list of highest infected countries with coronavirus. The virus in Odisha is spreading and has already infected more than 18.5K people. The pandemic has spread to all the 30 districts of the State.
In this grave situation when the children are given liquor as a vaccine to the pandemic can be seen as an act of superstitious belief. The liquor may deteriorate their health condition rather than prevent coronavirus.
