Fight against COVID-19: Assam women SHGs produce 51.23 lakh masks
Guwahati, May 14: Participating in the fight against the deadly novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) over 10,600 women Self Help Groups ( SHGs ) of Assam produce over 51 lakh face masks.
By setting a strong example of economic resilience in the times of the global pandemic, members of 10,659 women SHGs have produced a total of 51,23,194 face masks in the state so far and out of these, 31,71,314 masks have been sold.
With the brand name of ‘Asomi’, 84 stalls have been opened to sell masks across the state and the women SHGs have earned about Rs 7.15 crore through sale of masks.
The women SHGs have also distributed more than 4 lakh masks free of cost.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday visited the mask-making facilities of women SHGs under National Rural Livelihood Mission, Assam at Tatimara near Chandrapur in Kamrup (Metro) district and took stock of their activities while encouraging them to continue the economic endeavor.
The Assam Chief Minister said that, people would need to carry on observing the COVID-19 protocols like wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and frequent hand washing, etc till there is no vaccine for the deadly virus and only strict observance of health department guidelines would ensure containment of the outbreak.
He also said that steps have been taken to bring back the state’s people stranded outside and those returnees must also adhere to COVID-19 protocols.
Referring to the 15 people in Guwahati testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, Sonowal urged people not to panic as only staying united in this fight against the global pandemic can bring victory.
Ostracizing of Coronavirus patients should never happen and he assured that, the state government was fully capable of handling rising cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Naba Kumar Doley also accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.