As the spectre of losses due to H1N1 virus continues in Haryana, its Health Minister Anil Vij today asked people to shun the Western custom of handshake and greet others with folded hands to prevent spread of infectious diseases, including swine flu.
"Angreziat ko chhodo bhartiyata ko apnao, hath milane ki bajaye hath jod kar abhivadan karo (shun English culture, adopt our own...Instead of handshakes greet each other with folded hands). Shaking hands may spread diseases, as germs from infected person may be transmitted in this manner," Vij said on the second day of the ongoing Budget Session of the Assembly.
He was replying to a Calling Attention notice given by MLAs Ranbir Gangwa and Kuldeep Sharma about the spread of swine flu in the state and steps being taken by the government to prevent it.
Vij also appealed to the MLAs in the House not to shake hands while greeting each other and many of them, including Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and some Opposition members raised their hands in his favour when the minister asked them whether they supported him.
However, Vij, who is an MLA from Ambala Cantt, sought to make it clear that no religious overtones should be attached when he says that people should greet each other with folded hands.
"I don't necessarily mean that you greet each other saying a 'Namaskar' or a 'Namaste', which may be the way Hindus do. One can fold hands and then greet in any manner one feels like," he told the House.
"If we adopt our own Indian system, we can stay away from diseases," he said.
Former Haryana minister and sitting Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal sought to know from Vij the condition of BJP MLA from Ambala City Assem Goel's mother, who was suffering from swine flu. To this, Goel, who was present in the House, told Bhukkal that his mother was recovering.
Meanwhile, Vij while replying to the notice said the state government is deeply concerned with the increased occurrence of swine flu cases in the state.
However, this phenomenon is not limited to Haryana alone, he said.
In 2015, so far 252 positive swine flu cases have been reported in Haryana with 27 deaths, he said.
"In Haryana on March 8, 2015, seven positive cases of swine flu were reported. Of the 252 cumulative positive cases, eight are on ventilator and 39 patients have been admitted to hospital," he said.
