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For many school students, the Corona pandemic necessitated extended lockdown presents a common challenge – boredom. Not for Rohan Mecheri and Tejas Narayan. Bouyed by an irrepressible urge to pitch in with relief, these high school lads from Sishya and American International School started an initiative ‘mAsk Around’.
“The goal is to donate 50,000 or more reusable masks to those who need it the most. This includes frontline policemen, vulnerable elders as well as children in NGO Homes” reveals Rohan Mecheri.
So while many others in their age group may be busy forwarding whatsapp jokes, the duo have been “engaging virtually with our community to encourage them to make reusable masks at home and reach them to the most needy people. Collectively, this will demonstrate how we can support a cause!”
A clear cut three-fold strategy involves sourcing them from self-help groups with a ten to fifteen rupee price tag per mask. Additionally, they are in the process of getting masks from residents’ welfare associations at gated communities as well as enterprises through their website www.maskaround.org.
To supplement their drive is a fundraiser setup on the crowdfunding platform in India (www.ketto.com/maskaround)
Keen to widen their contribution, the boys are “also trying to procure surgical masks for medical practitioners.”
The results are more than promising. In 36 hours, they have raised 12,000 reusable masks, 1000 surgical masks and fifty seven thousand rupees through the ketto campaign, so far. With this pace, the goal seems well within their reach. Let’s face it!
(Sanjay Pinto is an Advocate practising at the Madras High Court, Columnist, Author & Former Resident Editor of NDTV 24×7)
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