Tata Steel Foundation targets to create and distribute 1 lakh masks as essential safety gear

Amidst the rising levels of information spread and expectation from citizens to be aware and protect oneself, face masks, much like the hand sanitizer has become an essential commodity now. Anticipating this rise in demand for face masks amid the outbreak of COVID-19, Tata Steel Foundation has come up with an initiative to create both an income generation activity for many, as well as a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) material for frontline workers.

In early April 2020, distributed local capacity was created to make 1,00,000 three-ply cloth masks across Tata Steel’s operational areas in Odisha and Jharkhand. The initiative which started under the banner #StitchinTime, aimed to cater to communities most exposed to the outbreak while creating income among vulnerable communities, giving primary importance to women-headed households.

Most of these masks are made by women residing in urban slums or rural villages who are making an average income of ₹2,000 for five days of effort. These women, hunched over their machines, sewd tirelessly to contribute to the fight against Corona.

Till date, a total of 45,619 masks have been produced at 16 production units spread across four operational units at Jamshedpur, Kalinganagar, West Bokaro and Noamundi.

Sneha Shrivastava, 45, works around five hours and makes around 50 masks per day. Sneha who is also coordinating with two production units, says, “Everyone here is very enthusiastic and they want to contribute to society during such times. Also, since other sources of income have come to a halt, this is also an opportunity to earn some money.” Phulanti Kandaidru works around seven hours and makes around 90 masks each day. “It is important that we maintain social distancing while making the masks and special stress is given on this”, she says.

The prime focus of Tata Steel Foundation at the start of this initiative was to cater to the mask requirements by government front line health workers who are doing door to door surveys. Gradually, the distribution reached out to other vulnerable communities including field volunteers, vegetable and fruit vendors, police and home guards, as they continue to provide essential services.

At Jamshedpur, the Foundation has been able to cater to the needs of all leprosy colonies, police officers in lockdown duty, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, and government railway police. Also, the team has saturated the demand among Sahiyya (ASHA or Govt healthcare workers) across the entire Kolhan region and West Singhbum in Jharkhand.

Ruma Dutta, a Sahiyya from Gamharia, says these masks have come as a relief to them. “We have to roam around villages and only after returning home can we wash hands properly using soap as it is difficult to find sanitizers. Since, we come in close contact with a lot of people it is important that we keep ourselves safe and basic protective gears are a must.”

When asked about what keeps her going, she answers with a thrust in her voice, “We understand that the nation needs our help at the moment, hence there is no backing out.”

The Foundation has received support from JAMIPOL, Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Ltd (erstwhile JUSCO) and Rotary Club, who have opened up their tailoring units for production.

Captain Amitabh, who is leading the initiative, says that the intention was to create a holistic model through the initiative. “We wanted to reach out to those who, either cannot afford, or do have access to protective gears. In the process of making the masks we involved people, especially women, whose income generation sources has stopped due to the pandemic. In either side of the chain, we hope to benefit as many of our community people as we can”, he said.

In the next few weeks, there are plans to reach out to the sanitation workers and the security personnel working in various sectors.

Tata Steel stands in solidarity with its communities at this time of unprecedented duress, and hopes to reach out meaningfully to its communities as and how the situation emerges.