Local made face masks
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 17 2020:
Around 70,000 face masks made of cotton under the Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (MHHDCL) have been sold so far.
At a meeting convened by Chief Minister N Biren ahead of the ongoing lockdown, MHHDCL Chairman S Rajen came up with the idea of producing face masks in the State.
According to Panthoibi Manipur Emporium, Paona Bazar manager Thongam Rabi, the face masks were produced in 40 tailoring houses under the initiative of MHHDCL.
Out of the 70,000 face masks sold so far at the rate of Rs 15 per piece, the Chief Minister's office bought 5200 while GAD bought 6500 .
The face masks were made using double-layered cotton clothes which were procured under NHDC from outside the State, Rabi said.
The colour of the face masks would never fade and its texture would grow thicker after every wash unlike surgical masks which are disposed after using once, Rabi said quoting experts.
Although some traders have expressed keen desire to buy the face masks in bulk, priority and preference would be given to the people of the State, he said.
The tailoring houses were also quite happy on receiving orders for tailoring the masks at a time when there is little or no work on account of the lockdown, he added.