"A dirty hand has about one crore viruses and 10 lakh disease carrying pathogens. Washing hands with water alone is not sufficient. Your hands will be clean only when you wash them with soap," she said.
Speaking at a function organised by UNICEF here to mark the state-level launch of the hygiene campaign in schools and anganwadis, she said clean hands prevented diseases and saved lives.
Informing students that October 11 is the International
Day for the Girl Child, Deepika said girls could excel in any area if they were given equal opportunities.
"Girls are not weaker than boys. Boys and girls can achieve their goals if they are focused and aimed as in archery," she said.
Seeking support of children in the campaign on hygiene and hand washing, Job Zachariah Chief, UNICEF Jharkhand said children were powerful agents of change in the society.
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"If children tell others at home and school to wash their
hands with soap before eating food, adults and grownups would listen to it and adopt the practice," he added.