Bollywood actress Kajol says that hand-wash campaign got a boost ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised on urgent need to inculcate the habit as a preventive measure in the health care system.
"Mr Modi himself talked about how hand-washing is important and I was like, 'Yay hand-washing is important and the Prime Minister also says so'. After that, the programme has grabbed a lot of attention. It has kind of become fashionable and a trend," Kajol said in an interview.
The actress was in the capital on Wednesday to advocate Lifebuoy's "Help A Child Reach Five" movement at World Economic Forum (WEF) regional summit. The actress, who attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) summit in September as the hand-washing brand ambassador, also talked about the benefits of the basic habit.
"Hand-wash is the need of the hour instead of just a habit. Hand-wash is the first basic and cost effective step that we can adopt to prevent any disease. It was taught to us when we were kids, but we have forgotten about it," said the 40-year-old actress.
PM Modi has also picked up the broom to bring a cleanliness wave in the country with Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Kajol insists the hand-wash initiative goes "hand-in-hand" with it.
The My Name Is Khan actress also feels that star power does give momentum to initiatives working towards social causes.
"These days there is information overload on TV and media, which confuses people. Hence, stars carry extra weight that is required to bring a cause into notice," she said.
Kajol, who raises two children - daughter Nysa and son Yug - with husband, actor Ajay Devgn, says she turned into an "anal retentive, paranoid fighting mother" after her pregnancy.
"It all started with my pregnancy and till the point I delivered her (Nysa), I was this complete anal retentive, paranoid fighting mother. After delivery, I called up my friends and told them not to come and meet me for at least six months.
"I did all kind of things like I had hand sanitisers everywhere, baby burp cloth, used to ask everyone to wash hands before coming in, wear new clothes and remove shoes before entering the house," she said.
However, the mother of two claims she has calmed down. "Now, I just insist on hand sanitising, hand washing and removing of shoes before entering the house," said Kajol, who looked elegant in blue business suit with a high bun.
