Anti Mosquito Measure

Shared by : Dr.Nafees Tol - Singapore

To reduce the possibility of being bitten by insects or arthropods that can transmit diseases (vector-borne), such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunia, the following precautions are recommended :

Inside the house :

1)    Windows and doors should be kept closed, especially in the evening at the time of sunset.

2)    Use of window screens and checking these screens at regular intervals for any holes.

3)    Use air-conditioning mosquitoes do not like cold.

4)    Use of electric diffuser or mosquito killer. These devises diffuse a harmless insecticide (Allethrin or Pyrethroids) in room.

5)    Mosquito coils that smoulder also provide good protection.

6)    Mosquito nets are the easiest, least expensive and most effective single method of preventing mosquito bites.

Outside the house :

1)    Wear protective clothing. Use of light colored long sleeve shirts and long trousers.

2)    Wear boots, not sandals, and tuck pants into socks.

3)    Application of mosquito repellents. They are available as roll-ons, sprays, creams, and liquids. These repellents should not be applied on the irritated skin or open wounds. One must always remove the repellents by washing, before going to bed.

4)    For adults the concentration of DEET repellent is around 30-35% but for children it should not be more than 10%. Protect infants less than 2 months of age by using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with an elastic edge for a tight fit.

5)    When using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and then repellent. Repellent should be washed off at the end of the day before going to bed.

6)    Be aware that mosquitoes that transmit malaria are most active during twilight periods (dawn and dusk or in the evening). Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened housing, and/ or sleep under an insecticide treated bed net. Bed nets should be tucked under mattresses and can be sprayed with a repellent if not already treated with an insecticide.

7)    Daytime biters include mosquitoes that transmit dengue and chikungunya viruses and sand flies that transmit leishmaniasis.

8)    Reduce mosquito breeding. Change the water in all flower pots every 24 hrs. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Other measures :

1)    Ultrasound buzzers, they have no proven benefit.

2)    Insecticide sprays, these are effective for a short time.

3)    Ultraviolet lamps, they kill lot of insects, but are not very effective for mosquitoes. 

What Summer means for Kokani

Article by : Mr. Munaf Y. Wadkar

Summer in Kokan is called as ‘AAGOT’ or ‘AAGOTI’.

The period of 15 - 20 days before onset of Monsoon in Konkan is called as “AAGOT” or AAGOTI, it indicates the rain is nearing, it’s usually cloudy. During these days one may feel doussy, sleepiness, mild headache, breathlessness … etc.

This season Kokani people spend a lot of time in visiting relatives, friends, they go to Mumbai, Pune, and the city people come to villages, and families, native villages, they also visit rivers, beaches and hill stations. The children spend lot of time playing cricket, cycling, kabaddi, karrom, swimming … etc as they are in middle of May vacations. The ST reservations are not available. This season is also famous for marriages; it suits the need of Kokani people... If marriages comes then I must mention the DEG Salan, DEG Chawal, Pickles made with fresh mangos, and locally made papad.

The Kokani Woman starts preparations of Aagot, i.e. collection of groceries, making of Lal Masala, Garam masala … etc. collect dry fishes like Kolim, Sukat, Bombil, Ambar etc. this is to avoid any scarcity during heavy rains and storms. Woman always complain of wasting water in this season.

Parents starts arranging of school materials for children, their fees, and of course an umbrella. The Kokani Villagers repair the roofs of their houses, patching of plastic sheets, … etc. The young boys with Bicycle and MotorCycle puton greesing, and antirust applications. The fisherman usually takes their boats out of the sea. No Fishing in Storms... they repair and warnish their vessels. Some of them go for DAWA... Tablieegue or Umrah. The foreigner also think of visiting Konkan at this time only.

The climate becomes more and more humid, everyone need cold water to drink. One best thing in all above hassles is Mango. This is the season you find lot of mangos in market... special mangos, Hapus, Neelam, Badami, Ratna, Sindhu, Raiwal, Khobri, Bitki, Kesri, and Totapari at the end. If it is a plenty or in scarcity the mangos are available everywhere at the time of AAGOT

Other than mangos, you can have, Phanas (Jackfruit), Karonda (Caronda Berry), Kaju (Cashewnut), Torna, Hawla, Chikoo, Peru, Angur, Papaya, Alu, Zambhul, Safed Jam, and offcourse Coconut.

The days are long the nights are short, it is dusty everywhere, most of the villages strive for water. The Humidity is high, the electricity goes now and then, the sun is scorchy, water becomes heavy.... but then all We Alway Wait for this AAGOT in Kokan, because it brings lot of happiness. We wait for the Rains and we sing

Yere Yere Pawsa, Tula Deto Paisa, Paisa Zhala Khota, Paoos Ala Motha

Yego Yego Zari, Majhe Matke Bhari, Zar Aali Dhawoon, Matke Gele Wahoon