Swine flu as Ganesh Chaturthi's theme in Pune

Pune, Aug 21 (ANI): Organisers of the hugely popular Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Pune take up swine flu as festival theme to spread awareness among the people.

The highlights of the festival are fibre mannequins wearing swine flu masks erected by talented artists in the Pune

These special mannequins will have audio-visual support to convey the message regarding swine flu precautions. Some of them are portrayed as school going kids, teachers, doctors all are shown wearing masks.

"During this 10-day Ganesh festival, we have started an awareness programme about swine flu. The aim is to aware people about the flu. Also, there will be allopathic, homeopathic and ayurvedic doctors in the festival, who will provide medication to those who need," said Srikant Shete, President of Kasba Sarwajanik Ganesh Mandal, Pune.

Another motive is to remind people to take precautions and avoid swine flu infection during the celebration.

India recorded its first H1N1 case in Hyderabad in May and since then the virus has spread across the country with dozens of cases from western Pune city. The latest death toll in India is 33. (ANI)