Imphal, Feb 12: Theatre artistes are adding to the State’s efforts to create mass awareness for the prevention of bird flu in Manipur.

Artistes of the Courtyard Theatre staged "Aruba Echel" (Clear Stream) at Iboyaima Shuman Leela Shanglen Place compound here to send a message across that poultry farming on scientific lines is safe.

The play depicts that thousands of unemployed youths could take up poultry farming, cattle farming and piggery and makes a decent living.

“The play depicts the message on cleanliness and keeping the animals clean,” said Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department Director Dr. Dorendro Singh.

The play was part of a campaign ‘Prevention of Bird Flu,’ which was inaugurated by State Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh, along with Revenue and Higher Education Principal Secretary P. Sharat Chandra and Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services Director Dorendra Singh.

A cash award of Rs. 10,000 was given to S. Irananda Singh, who reported the first bird flu case from his poultry farm in the State.

Singh's effort helped the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department in preventing the bird flu outbreak from turning into an epidemic.

"Actually, I did not expect that the disease because of which birds were dying was bird flu. When I approached the veterinary hospital they advised me not to touch any of the diseased birds and told me to inform them whenever the birds died," said Irananda Singh.

In West Bengal, 13 out of 19 districts were affected in the latest outbreak of avian-influenza in the country, following which extensive culling operations were carried out to stop the spread of virus. (ANI)