GUWAHATI, May 5 - The city-based Dr Anamika Ray Memorial Trust (ARMT), which was established by noted media educator Dr Ankuran Dutta with the aim to uplift research and other developmental activities in the fields of media, education, ethnic community, open and distance learning, communication for development and other related areas of media and social sciences, has been playing a pro-active role within its capacity in the fight against the ongoing pandemic.
Recently, ARMT completed a month-long campaign against fake news (infodemic), which has become as dangerous as the coronavirus itself. As part of the campaign, a series of cartoons were published by the trust in collaboration with The Assam Tribune and a digital media outlet of the State.
ARMT has now come up with �COVID Katha�, a multimedia guide about various facts related to the ongoing pandemic for mass awareness.
The guidebook has been published by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in association with ARMT. It was launched by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan on Sunday.
The guidebook includes 26 different topics directly or indirectly related to the pandemic and need to be followed by the common man to get rid of the disease.
It includes topics like the Aarogya Setu App and understanding to fight COVID-19, strengthening immunity, tracing the origin of COVID-19, disciplined preventive restrictions, extreme consequences, fabricated information on the pandemic, systematic efforts to achieve the goals of containing the virus, self-help guidance for virus prevention, interfering the healthy societal structure, etc., along with do�s and don�ts.
The project was conceptualised by the head of NCSTC Dr Manoj Kumar Patairiya and produced by Dr Ankuran Dutta. It was edited by Assistant Professor of Gauhati University Dr Anupa Lahkar Goswami and research associate of ARMT Raja Das. The layout and graphics were done by Dr Sanjib Bora and the cartoons were sketched by Nituparna Rajbongshi.
In his foreword to the guidebook, Dr Vardhan wrote, �I have found it extremely useful and exemplary science communication solution for the people at large in the present scenario.�
