The Kerala government has come up with a unique way to deal with the mask shortage. The CPI(M) government in Kerala has deployed convicted inmates in state prisons to manufacture masks.
The first batch of 1,000 masks produced by inmates have been handed over to the state government. Made by the tailoring units of the three prisons, the two-layered cotton masks are washable and thus reusable. They have been priced at Rs 15- 20 a piece whereas a 100 ml sanitiser is costing Rs 50.
A total of 53 prisons in the state—including district prisons – have manufactured over 3.5 lakh two-layered cotton masks and 5,000 litres of sanitisers. The Kerala prison department has already produced eight lakh masks and over 15,000 litres of sanitisers till May 17th. They have also done sales of over Rs 1.25 crore during this lockdown period. Around 10,000 masks are being made daily. Nearly 500 prisoners are involved in this process.
During the present COVID-19 crisis, Tinka Tinka has covered a number of jails across India in its Tinka Jail News segment. The stories that I have seen on the YouTube channel began with covering jails in Rajasthan, then it covered the Agra Central Jail, jail in Madhya Pradesh, Montage, then it progressed to report about the four jails of Mau, Hamirpur, Meerut and Pilibhit it then covered the jail of Haldwani, Uttarakhand, the jail in Maharashtra, the jail in Chandigarh, Sonbhadra jail, jail in Hoshiarpur, Punjab and the latest news was centred around jails in Kerala. Tinka Tinka has not really publicised their content probably because they wanted to put silent efforts and keep it low key.Strangely, all these prisons that are engaged in making masks and sanitisers, for themselves, for the government and private authorities, haven’t been appreciated enought by most of the mediahouses. The role of media is crucial, it happens to be the forth pillar of a democracy, it is responsible for spreading awareness among the general public. They ought to report news that may help the society progress, they ought to appreciate worthy enough individuals irrespective of where they come from. They can facilitate in bridging the gap between the society and prisons. But alas! All they seem to care about is their TRP gains.
#vartikananda #tinkatinka #jail #prison
Eight lakh masks and over 15000 litres of sanitizers have been made in just few weeks and that too by the inmates in the jail. This should be the headlines of every news channel as it would really bring positiveness in these bad times. Thank you Tinka Tinka for providing us with such valuable news. #tinkatinka #jail #prison #vartikananda
COVID-2019 has affected us all in various ways and it’s not going away soon. Taking care of ourselves, putting on masks, and keeping social distancing are the key factors you can follow. In such horrible times, these inmates are helping us with sewing masks, and making sanitizers is appreciable work. I hope people see their appreciable work and don’t judge inmates. And Vartika Nanda and Tinka Tinka are doing great work as being a bridge between these two worlds and giving us this information.
#Vartikananda #tinkatinka
In this outbreak situation the Kerala Government came forward with an initiative to overcome the shortage by giving directions to the prison in the State in manufacturing face masks. The inmates have prepared double layered, reusable and washable masks which costs 15 rupees each and a 100 l sanitizer bottle at rupees 50. A total of 53 prisons in the state including District prisons have manufactured 3.5 lakh masks and around 5,000 l of sanitizers.
At the same time they have done sales of rupees 1.25 crores during this lockdown period. This was made possible by Dr. Vartika Nanda’s distinguished contributions in the field of prison reforms and human right activism. #vartikananda #jailmovement #jail #tinkatinka #prisonreform
Out break of Covid 19 turned the life of all. When no one thought of helping other, inmates came forward and helped Kerala government. This news although quite old but passes a massage that inmates who are behind the bars and de barred by the society were the first one to come for rescue. By the medium of news letter, it has been been brought before the society in a unique way. #tinkatinka #vartikananda #jailnews #prison