WE HAVE DONE GREAT,

BUT WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP.

As the effects of the COVID virus are getting controlled, a new enemy has shown its face.
And this one is of our own making - discrimination. Workers, health workers and patients
alike are being badly treated out of fear of spread of infection. Watch this video to know
what we mean.

Introducing ‘Project: Friends of India’. This is our chance to control the fear around
COVID - As an influential voice, you have the power to make people choose courage over
fear, inclusivity over exclusion, humanity over hatred, and importantly ‘we’ over ‘me’.

Let’s stop the spread of this divisive behaviour.

Let’s counter the negativity and confusion using the call to action -
INDIA SAATH, TOH BANEGI BAAT!
And we need your voice to popularise this clarion call amongst our country’s people.

Here is how you could help: Create a short video (60 seconds) for your Social Media
channels inspiring people to stay united, fearless, and believe in safe practices. You could
give your audience an introduction to this new problem we are facing as a society,
followed by a personal observation or experience as an example of this problem. After
this, you can conclude by sharing the steps you will take to fight the problem in your
example.

Some suggestions on the tone and manner of speaking: Keep it authentic, casual,
encouraging, and lead by example without preaching or giving directives.

Remember to use the hashtag - #IndiaSaathTohBanegiBaat along with this gesture,

as shown in this video.

Below is a sample script for the video, for your reference:

“Hi, I’m Kunal Shah. As an Indian, it makes me incredibly proud of how we have all
handled the fight against COVID so far. But there’s also a sad thing happening -
misinformation leading to fear and discrimination. So many health workers, and
essential workers are being discriminated against, because of fear. Going forward,
let’s ask ourselves - “is it from a verified source?” and does it make you act in a
compassionate, kind way? For my part, I promise I will only endorse and share
information validated by credible sources like our government. Let us fight
misinformation together, kyunki jab India saath, toh banegi baat.”
Here are some themes you could speak about in your video:
Is it okay to interact with
staff workers?
I am hearing so many reports
and facts that scare me.
How do I process this?
If someone near me is a
COVID patient, should I avoid
them completely?
If someone I know starts
showing COVID symptoms,
how do I not panic?
I am scared to see healthcare
workers in my neighbourhood.
What do I do?
Is it safe to visit friends
and family? Will it be okay to
not see them for some time?
Should I avoid colleagues after
the lockdown? Will I be seen
as overreacting?
Absolutely. Maintain a safe distance, and follow
safety precautions but treat them as you would
any other person you meet. Offer them water,
enquire about their well-being, offer to assist
them if they are in need.
Remember that not all news is verified. A majority
of news and facts we read today may be fake
news. Only trust official bulletins and reports from
the government. Importantly, don’t share news
whose authenticity you are not sure of.
Not at all. It is just unfortunate that they are
patients today. It could happen to anyone.
Maintain physical distance, but also let them
know you are there for them, emotionally. Don’t
let them be discriminated against. Offer
assistance where you can.
Remind yourself that 97% of patients recover.
Early testing will help contain the spread. Stand
by them, as they are dealing with more than you
can imagine. And importantly, remind and assure
everyone around you that this is normal. There is
no reason for panic.
Healthcare workers deserve our gratitude and
respect. Don’t avoid them, or be frightened of
them. Instead, reach out to them and see if
they need anything that you can help with.
And once again, ensure no one else fears or
avoids them either.
Do not visit others until it is safe to do so. But that
doesn’t mean we don’t stay in touch. Speak to
them regularly, and ensure they are doing fine
emotionally. After all, we may be far apart, but we
are still together in this.
Nothing changes, except the physical distance we
maintain between each other at work. We can still
share food, sit together, meet, and joke about as
long as we stay one metre apart.