COVID-19: Kerala boy stitches masks for needy

In an attempt to help the poor and needy amid the pandemic, an eight-year-old boy from Kerala is stitching masks. Sidharth attributed that art of stitching masks to his grandfather.

Kannur: An eight-year-old boy in Kerala's Trichambaram has come forward to do his bit for the society in these trying times. Siddarth P Variyar has been sewing masks at his grandfather's tailoring shop to help the needy in fighting against Covid-19. The boy started stitching masks when he heard about its ability to prevent the spread of infection.

Siddarth is a third standard student studying in St Paul's School. Amid the pandemic, he made up his mind to make masks to help the senior citizens and the needy.

"This is my first time on the sewing machine. Initially, I could not get the mask right and wasted some materials. But now with constant practice, I am learning to master this art. I learned to stitch masks during lockdown so that I could help the needy. I want to continue with this task even after this illness is over so that the poor can be protected against pollution," said Siddarth.

Siddarth's grandfather, Achyutha Varier, owns a tailoring shop but was enduring losses owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pained at the sight of seeing the family suffering losses, the boy decided to stitch masks to help fight against the pandemic.

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Though his parents say that the masks were completely his idea, he gives credit to his grandfather, too. “You can say it was my plan and then grandfather supported me,” he said.

"My grandfather saw that I am curious to learn how to make masks. He used to take out time from his busy schedule to teach me how to stitch masks," said the boy, beaming with pride.

Asked about the types of masks he makes, Siddarth said, "I make two-layered and three-layered masks in different designs. I can stitch at least five masks in a day, adding that his grandfather cuts the materials for the masks according to the specifications.

He added, "The entire stitching and designing work is done by me. I feel happy that I am able to do my bid."

This eight-year-old is a warrior in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. The masks stitched by Siddarth are distributed among the poor and needy. Before distribution, he washes and dries the masks in the sun, and then sprays them with spirit to sanitize them.