New Delhi, Mar 13 (IANS): In a bid to make people aware of the importance of personal hygiene amid the novel coronavirus crisis, Rajya Sabha MP Sambhaji Chhatrapati on Friday distributed hand sanitisers in Parliament complex here and also urged politicians to cancel public gatherings.

Sambhaji was seen putting santisiers on the hands of people on Parliament premises.

The BJP leader told reporters: "Coronavirus in India has become an epidemic. And to reach out to the common man, awareness is needed. We are launching an initiative on Friday by distributing santisiers." He pointed out that hygiene is taken seriously abroad.

The MP urged people to use sanitisers in case they were unable to use soap for handwash, warning of disastrous consequences in case coronavirus hit India in a big way.

"My plea to all politicians in India is to cancel all public gatherings and sit at home and make each and every person aware of washing hands," he said.

Karnataka Health Minister B. Sriramulu on Thursday confirmed that a 76-year-old man from Kalaburgi in the state's northern region had died of Covid-19, the first fatality reported due to coronavirus infection from the country.

The Health Ministry has confirmed 76 coronavirus cases in Indai so far.