Durga Puja in India celebrates the homecoming of goddess Durga. Millions of devotees congregate over a 10 day period at massive pandals (marquees) to worship the goddess and enjoy warm bhog (blessed food). Often with unclean hands. Lifebuoy has been on a mission for decades, to spread the message of hand hygiene and preventing infections. During Durga Puja, Lifebuoy created Germ Nashini (Germ Destroyer). Designed in the form of the ‘goddess Durga’s blessing gesture’, it uses an apt metaphor of the goddess who is the Destroyer of Evil. Devotees placed their hands in front of the ‘goddess’s hand’ that sensed a pair of hands and dispensed hand sanitizer. Germ Nashini through its form and design took the mundane subject of hand hygiene and transformed it into a cultural symbol. The device was strategically placed just before the area where bhog was being distributed. Ensuring everyone had clean hands before eating.

Every Indian festival sees a vast number of people congregate in a perfect melting pot of devotion, celebration and food. Every October, India celebrates the homecoming of goddess Durga – the Destroyer of Evil. Huge tents called Pandals are erected where devotees can worship the deity and also enjoy warm bhog (blessed food). Food is an important and indispensable part of the festive fervour but more often than not, is eaten with unwashed hands. A combination of a lack of awareness and the absence of handwashing facilities, exposes the festival goers to an invisible evil. Infection causing germs. The simple act of cleaning hands before eating bhog can not only help protect devotees but also ensure they get the all important message of prevention in a memorable way. Lifebuoy, one of the world’s largest hygiene brands, saw a unique opportunity to intervene and educate people on the importance of hand.