It was a unique occasion as 100 poor families got water purifiers at the end of a two-day event titled Panir Golpo (tale of water) aimed at raising awareness about safe drinking water to prevent diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases. 

Unilever Pureit and The Daily Star jointly organised the programme at Mohini Mohon Bidyapith in Milpara area of the town.

"I am very happy to get a water purifier. Besides, I have known many new things on various waterborne diseases, which will help me to check such problems," said Fatema, 40, a housewife.

Many others shared similar feelings while talking with this correspondent during the programme that included training on awareness building among people about various waterborne diseases, a rally highlighting the issue, door to door leaflet distribution, drama, discussions and distribution of water purifiers.

Around 500 people from different walks of life, including those vulnerable to waterborne diseases in the town, took part in the two-day campaign. 

In early July this year, around 800 people were attacked with the disease in the district within a week and The Daily Star ran a report on the issue.

The newspaper conducted a survey on the outbreak of diarrhoea in different areas of Kushtia town while Unilever Pureit, a multinational production house, showed keen interest on the matter.

Kushtia Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zahir Raihan, Superintendent of Police Proloy Chisim, Additional Superintendent of Police Zoynul Abedin, President of Kushtia Chamber of Commerce Robiul Islam, President of Kushtia town unit of Awami League Taijal Ali Khan, and Unilever Area Sales Manager Rased Hasan addressed the event yesterday.

Emphasising awareness building especially regarding drinking water, DC Zahir Raihan thanked the Unilever Bangladesh and The Daily Star for arranging such programme.