Rural Assamese women prepare sanitisers, masks for Covid-19

Team L&M

To prepare hand sanitisers, homemade masks and liquid disinfectants to help combat Covid-19, Rural Women Technology Park (RWTP) under CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat has engaged rural women in Assam. RWTP is ably supported by SEED division, Department of Science and Technology (DST). These products are to be distributed free to poor people in villages.

Apart from this, 200 litres of liquid disinfectant is also being produced.  Raw materials required for liquid disinfectant like Dettol, ethanol, glycerine, essential oil have already been acquired. The disinfectant too will be distributed free.

“Meeting a challenge such as Covid-19 needs strong community participation and support. Self-help groups and dedicated NGOs are perfect vehicles in the current scenario for creating awareness, introducing relevant solutions, making and distributing masks and disinfectants,” said Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST.

The women of RWTP were trained before it shut down on March 24. The participant women prepared about 50 litres of hand sanitiser, 160 litres of liquid disinfectant distributed among 60 women participants and their family. The RWTP has also prepared posters and leaflets on COVID19: Dos and Don’ts in Assamese language for making people aware about the Corona Virus and precautionary measures to be taken during the present situation.