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During the festival Durga Puja, devotees often enjoy warm bhog (blessed food) but with unclean hands. To prevent devotees from doing so Lifebuoy created Germ Nashini, a.k.a. Germ destroyer, an automated sanitizer dispenser that protects from illness causing germs. Designed in the form of the ‘goddess Durga’s blessing gesture’, Germ Nashini literally means destroyer of germs which was an apt metaphor attached to goddess who is considered the destroyer of all things evil. This device worked on simple motion sensor. Devotees placed their hands in front of the ‘goddess’s hand’ and the device sensed the hand’s motion to dispense Lifebuoy’s hand sanitizer. Germ Nashini in its form and unique design took an ordinary automated sanitizer dispenser and transformed it into a cultural symbol. The device was simple to interact with and was placed right before devotees went to consume bhog, making them clean their hands before eating.

Cultural/Context information for the jury

Every Indian festival sees a vast number of people in a perfect melting pot of devotion, celebration and food. Every October, the heart of every devotee thumps faster in the anticipation of homecoming of goddess Durga. Huge tents called pandals are set up where devotees come and worship the deity and also enjoy the warm bhog (blessed food) served. Food is an important and indispensable part of the festive fervour but more often than not, this food is eaten with unwashed hands due to lack of handwashing facilities like soap and water. For the people focused on festivities, there is an invisible danger of hidden germs that can cause illnesses. A simple act of cleaning hands before eating food can help protect devotees. The festival thus provided Lifebuoy, the world’s largest hygiene brand, a unique opportunity for a hygiene intervention that educates about the importance of handwashing before eating.