- Title: Indian 'saree' weavers make PPE to fight COVID-19 outbreak
- Date: 7th July 2020
- Summary: VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 07, 2020) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) WORKERS SEATED WITH THEIR MACHINES VARIOUS OF WORKERS MAKING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) VARIOUS OF WORKER SHOWING PPE (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) SAREE TURNED PPE MANUFACTURER, GOVIND AGARWAL, SAYING: "When we resumed our ('Banarasi Saree'- Indian traditional dress from Varanasi) business after two months of lockdown, we witnessed a low business, there was no scope for the growth in the saree industry for the next six months. Then we heard about 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech, got inspired, and started the manufacturing of Personal Protective Equipments." VARIOUS OF WORKERS CUTTING PLASTIC FILM (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) WORKER, BABLOO, SAYING: "I used to do silk saree weaving work earlier but was left jobless after the lockdown. Then I came to know that the manufacturing of PPE has started here, and I came here." WORKER SEATED BEHIND MACHINE VARIOUS OF WORKERS MAKING PPE VARIOUS OF RAW MATERIALS USED FOR MAKING PPE
- Embargoed: 21st July 2020 16:30
- Keywords: India PPE Uttar Pradesh Varanasi coronavirus health lockdown medicine silk weavers ‘'Banarasi saree'
- Location: VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
- City: VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001CLT8HN3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Silk weavers in India's northern spiritual town of Varanasi have started making Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, over the lowering sale of famous 'Banarasi sarees', traditional Indian attire for women made of silk.
'Banarasi sarees' are among the finest 'sarees' in India which is known for its gold and silver brocade and lavish embroidery. The 'sarees' are made of finely woven silk and are decorated with intricate design, which are relatively heavy due to the intricacy of the designs.
However, a fall in demand for the garments due to the coronavirus pandemic has left the Banarasi silk saree industry with an uncertain future as the demand for finished goods remains low and lack of raw material to carry out day-to-day activities smoothly.
The weavers were seen making PPE's at a former saree manufacturing unit in Varanasi on Tuesday (July 07).
"When we resumed our ('Banarasi Saree'- Indian traditional dress) business after two months of lockdown, we witnessed a low business, there was no scope for the growth in the saree industry for next six months," said a saree turned PPE manufacturer, Govind Agarwal.
A nationwide lockdown announced by Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had already brought heavy losses to businesses as the factories were closed but in spite of government unlocking the economy the work in the factories are far from gathering pace in the absence of full strength of workers.
The country reported 467 new deaths on Tuesday, taking the toll to 20,160. It also recorded 22,252 new infections, increasing the total to 719,665. India on Monday overtook Russia as the third most affected country globally, behind the United States and Brazil. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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