H1N1 virus has killed almost 6,021 around the world and spread to 74 countries. Deaths in the US, Canada, UK and Europe have proved that not just poor countries like Mexico, but even the word’s best medical facilities are humbled by the virus. The death toll in New York alone is 23, and counting. The WHO has declared H1N1 a global pandemic. In India, we the urban upper middle class fear government health care more than the swine flu. Our travels for work or fun have brought the flu home almost all the 31 cases till now were contracted abroad, and we are not always behaving responsibly to stop the virus from spreading.
Orissa also high alert for swine flu, but there is no such case come in our state. Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created awareness about swine flu through his sandy medium. He created a 15 ft long pig sitting on the Golden beach wearing a mask with message “Beware of Swine flu”. I want to spread the awareness among the tourists and people about swine flu those who are coming to visit Puri. I used 5 tones of sand to create this sculpture. Students of my golden sand art institute joins hand with me in this work said sudarsan.
Recently pattnaik got award at South Korea and Moscow while participating in sand sculpture competitions. This year he got people of the year award from Limca book of records.
Former world champion Sudarsan has so far participated in more than 39 international sand sculpture championships across the world and won many awards for the country. Through his art he helped the tsunami victims in India, save the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles, Bird flu and spread awareness of the dangers of HIV-AIDS and polio. Pattnaik also running a sand art school at Puri Beach in Orissa.
