Odisha Fights COVID-19: Vedanta Refinery Engages SHG Women To Make Masks

Lanjigarh: Vedanta’s alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district has roped in 29 local women to stitch masks for free distribution among villagers to check the spread of COVID-19.

Vedanta said the women making the masks are members of local self-help groups (SHGSs) and they are engaged under its Sakhi Project. The aim is to make 20,000 masks as per government guidelines to meet the growing demand in the region amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

As part of the initiative, the company is providing the material to stitch the masks free of cost to the SHG members and is buying the finished products from them. It is also giving sewing machines to the women where needed.

The plant authorities have also started distribution of anti-bacterial soaps to villagers through the district administration to encourage hygienic practices. They have also deployed volunteers to spread awareness about the use of masks, soaps and other protective measures.

The chief operating officer of the Lanjigarh refinery, Rakesh Mohan, said, “We would like to further aid the district administration in the fight against COVID-19 through these new initiatives of mask preparation through SHGs and soap distribution among the villagers. Importantly, this will also provide the SHG members a source of income in these times when other means of livelihood are becoming scarce.”