Masks help women embroidery makers earn a decent living

RAJKOT: Preparing home-made washable masks has become common during lockdown. But with the intervention of district administration, the women self-help groups (SHGs) in Surendranagar has begun mass production of masks. These women have set target of producing of 2.5 lakh masks out of that one lakh have already been distributed.
These SHG women were otherwise engaged in various activities like embroidery and other cottage industry.But now were directed towards mask making work. The initiative by the Surendranagar district administration provides the women SHG with material and training.
Zarina Ansari, taluka development officer (TDO) of Dhrangadhra said, “We diverted these women into mask making because it was the need of the hour. Initially, Rs 20,000 was collected from the employees to provide them the raw material. One mask costs Rs 7 and it is sold at Rs 10 per piece. The women waived off their profit in 50% masks which was distributed among the poor people.”
The SHG procures best quality cotton material from market and makes masks of one layer, two layer and three layers. They are getting bulk orders from various educational institutions and NGOs.
Surendrangar district collector K Rajesh said, “The women SHGs have been successful in making a profit. Now we are getting good orders.”