Agra, Oct 15 (IANS): Delhi University's girl students on Thursday demonstrated different ways of handwashing to mark the 'Global Handwashing Day' at Agra's iconic Taj Mahal, the 17th century monument of love in Uttar Pradesh.

The students who are part of sanitation pioneer Sulabh International's school sanitation club, drove to Agra creating awareness about the importance of handwashing, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

These demonstrations were organised at various points, including Dashara Ghat, the main entrance gate and streets around the Taj Mahal to focus the attention of tourists towards "handwashing".

"As Taj Mahal is one of the most popular landmarks in India, we chose Agra to propagate the message of handwashing among the masses," said Rupak Ray Choudhary, Project Head of the initiative.

Strictly following social-distancing norms, the students performed street dances highlighting handwashing procedures.

Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of the Sulabh sanitation movement, in a statement said, "Since 1970s Sulabh's interventions have recognised the importance of handwashing with soap as the best way to reduce disease transmission. We have trained thousands of women from the targeted community to become leaders of change and it has worked."

Pathak pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic had shown that washing hands regularly could be a deterrence against any outbreak.

He said that Sulabh organised a series of awareness programmes in different parts of the country, including slums in Mumbai's Dharavi and public places in Delhi, with the help of Delhi police and Indian Railways.