SHGs in Telangana's Narayanpet make reusable, ayurvedic masks

Under the guidance of Harichandana Dasari, District Collector and Magistrate of Narayanpet, self-help groups (SHGs) have come up with reusable Ayurvedic masks.

Narayanpet (Telangana): Healthcare specialists have been strongly suggesting the usage of face masks as a stop-gap measure to curtail coronavirus contraction.

In such a gloomy situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, self-help groups (SHGs) in Telangana's Narayanpet district have come up with reusable Ayurvedic masks.

The Narayanpet district Collector, D Harichandana in association with Ayush doctors, helped the SHGs to make these masks.

"It is a unique concept using Ayurvedic masks s a precautionary measure to fight against novel coronavirus. The District Rural Development Organisation (DRDO) has also been involved in the preparation of these masks by making use of the services of members of women groups in the district. Once the masks are ready, Ayush doctors soak them in a herbal solution overnight and leave them to dry," said D Harichandana, Collector, Narayanpet.

"The women were even given machines and cutters as well to work on the masks. Depending on the demand, as many as 650 to 2,000 women tailors are employed to stitch these masks and about 400 weavers sell the exquisite Narayanpet cotton handloom that the district is known for. Each woman is stitching about 100 masks a day for which they were being paid Rs 5 a mask," she said.

"A mixture of tulsi (basil), camphor, ajwain, pudina (mint), clove, all of which have different antioxidants, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, is distilled and stored in glass jars. This paste is known as Sanjiva dhara. The fabric is dipped in it, vacuum pulled and later, sprayed on the masks as well," said, Narayana, an Ayurvedic expert.

"These special masks get neatly and carefully quoted with the paste of Sanjiva Dhara. These masks can be used for seven days continuously without any interruption. After cleaning, the same masks will again be dipped in the Sanjiva Dhara Ayurvedic mixture and then be used for another seven days," Narayana added.

"A few organisations from Hyderabad have ordered for one lakh masks. In addition to these, orders are being placed from neighbouring districts as well. SHG women will prepare more such masks if the demand rises from the public," D Harichandana added.

Notably, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and IT Minister KT Rama Rao have also appreciated the Collector for a unique idea to break the corona chain.