It’s an amazing coincidence that I am writing this Blog post on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra festival. Dussehra commemorates the victory of the good (Ram) over the evil (Ravan). I can’t but help draw an analogy of the epic battle of Ramayana, to the fight of our human race with the dreaded COVID 19 virus. Over the past 6 months or so, the world has become aware that there are 3 main ways in which we can fight against the COVID 19 virus.
As I write this Blog post, the good seems to be winning the war over evil, with an overall reduction in the active COVID 19 caseload, as also reduction in the per day cases of the infection in India. Terming it as a ‘significant milestone’, the Union Health Ministry reported a couple of days back that India’s active Covid-19 caseload has fallen below 7 lakh for the first time after two months, while the total recoveries have crossed 69 lakhs. The per day deaths are also significantly lower these days. But does that mean that the novel Corona Virus has been eliminated? Of course not. It would be extremely stupid to believe that. Countries across Europe are seeing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, after successfully slowing outbreaks earlier in the year. Many countries are declaring more cases each day now than they were during the first wave earlier this year. Moral of the story: Corona is here to stay and we have to learn to coexist with it, fight it continuously and ultimately defeat it.
Our Fragrance industry has been rather fortunate, that the overall business has been quite good for us even through these pandemic times. This is mainly due to the fact that many of our end products became “Critical commodities” in these pandemic times viz Sanitizers, Soaps, Handwashes, Agarbathis (what with most people at home, under lockdown, praying more and more). Also the Wellness Industry related sales shot up with the Fragrance oils, Natural essential oils, Camphor etc. leading the way. Just as a case in point, our Susegad – The Fragrance of Goa Brand Eucalyptus oil sales shot up exponentially with lots of people using it on a daily basis for Steam inhalation. For us the lockdown period was for hardly a month. Goa being in the green zone in April, we could start by 20 th April when the MHA guidelines permitted Units in Industrial Estate to restart. Over the past 7 months we have been working continuously, “COEXISTING” with the deadly COVID 19 Virus. We followed all the guidelines recommended by the experts and by God’s grace we haven’t had a single COVID positive case in our Susegad team till date. This is in spite of the fact that our Cuncolim Industrial Estate was one of the most severely affected Industrial Estates in Goa and was at one stage on the verge of being shut down by the Authorities for the rampant spread of COVID cases.
COVID has obviously spread even when people have worn masks and maintained social distancing. Personally, I feel Sanitizers are the key to preventing the spread of the dreaded COVID 19 virus. As most of you are aware, the quality of Sanitizers available in the market today, leave a lot to be desired. Many of these are adulterated with cheaper grade alcohol, Methanol, which is extremely harmful to the skin. Some even use Methanol completely, in place of the safer Isopropyl alcohol or Ethyl alcohol. How many people are aware what is the alcohol that is supposed to be used in sanitizers? Some Sanitizers are diluted with water to lower the costs. Most of you would have experienced the Watery feel in some Sanitizers, wherein the Sanitizer remains on the hand for an awfully long time. A good Sanitizer with minimum 70% Alcohol should evaporate in seconds. In some cases the Sanitizer gives an irritating, sticky feeling on the hands. Whereas some other Sanitizers have an awful chemical kind of a smell. All these are classic examples of adulterated sanitizers. In their quest for a cheaper product, some Sanitizer manufacturers have seriously compromised on the quality, putting the life of the consumer at risk. An inappropriate Sanitizer will be unable to fulfil it’s basic purpose, that of neutralizing the Virus. This I believe is one of the reasons for rampant spread of COVID. In many cases, the victim is left wondering how he/she got infected.
It gives us immense pleasure to inform you that today on this auspicious occasion of Dussehra, we are launching Susegad-The Fragrance of Goa, Ethyl Alcohol based Fabric Sanitizers, in refreshing Lavender fragrance. Most People have neglected an important aspect of Sanitisation, the Sofas, the cushions, curtains, etc. We at Susegad – The Fragrance of Goa, would like to take the initiative in facilitating this critical aspect of sanitisation. So we have made a unique multipurpose Sanitizer which we are marketing as “Fabric Sanitizer”. Susegad Fabric sanitizers will contain a minimum of 70% Alcohol and can also be used for Freshness and Sanitisation of Sofas, Cushions, Curtains, Bedsheets and Towels. They will be available in 1 ltr and 5 ltr packings and will be sold through our Exclusive retail outlets at Margao and Cuncolim. They will also be available on our Online store:
https://susegadfragrances.com/product-category/fabric-sanitizers/
I feel that the time has come when Sanitizers should become a part of our daily routine. Sanitisation should be natural for everyone. The way we brush our teeth or have our morning tea or maybe the way we drink water, in the same way, we should regularly sanitise our Hands, Surfaces and Fabrics. We should regularly sanitise Sofas, Car seats, Curtains, Cushions, Key Chains, Mobiles, Pens, watches, Purses, Wallets, Door knobs etc which are likely to get contaminated. Previously this would be considered Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Today I believe it is survival instinct and should be an integral part of our life. This pandemic has clearly highlighted our continued global vulnerability to epidemics and pandemics. There may be others to follow. So prevention is always better than cure. Let’s make Sanitisation a way of life. Stay Safe. Be Susegad. “Keep Smelling, Keep Smiling.”