Rurka Kalan women team up to sew three-layer masks

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, April 13

In the wake of the rising number of coronavirus cases in the district, women at Rurka Kalan village have come forward to stitch three-layer cotton masks in a bulk for villagers and those who are working on the frontline.

At least 40 women from the village, in groups and individually, have been sewing masks round the clock for all residents of the village, people residing in nearby villages, police personnel and health workers.

“The idea behind sewing masks for village residents was the brainchild of Youth Football Club (YFC), which then in collaboration with the gram panchayat started the initiative. Thereafter, women in the village, who knew stitching, volunteered to offer their services,” said Kulwinder Kaur Kauldhar, sarpanch, Rurka Kalan.

She said although the population of their village was 8,000 and they had prepared around 15,000 masks so far. She added that an effective mechanism had been put in place to deliver the same to every house in the village.

Gurmangal Das, managing director, YFC, said on an average, they were preparing at least 400 to 500 masks on a daily basis. “We have distributed over 7,000 masks among villagers and some health workers. After we complete the distribution process in our village, we will supply the masks to nearby villages, rural police officials and others,” he said.

Das said all women had been making masks free of cost either at the village’s community centre or their houses. “The cloth and sewing machines for the purpose are being provided by the panchayat and the YFC through voluntary contributions. We are hopeful that it would help the panchayat prevent the spread of Covid,” he added. “The panchayat and the YFC have further decided to engage these women in making handmade sanitary napkins for the village girls so they do not have to move out of their houses until the lockdown ends,” said Das, adding that their objective is to save villagers from Covid.

Together in fight against covid-19

At least 40 women from the village, in groups and individually, have been sewing masks round the clock for all residents of the village, people residing in nearby villages, police personnel and health workers.