As part of its continued efforts to bolster the fight of the frontline workers against the COVID19 pandemic, Gaon Connection Foundation collaborated with Luminous Power Technologies in a charitable event that witnessed 13,000 N95 masks being distributed in the eight-most affected districts of Uttarakhand. 

A total of 15,000 N95 masks are to be distributed in the mask distribution drive.

Also involved in the exercise were the non-profit organisations ACT Grants and EkDesh. In this drive, representatives of the Gaon Connection Foundation along with the assistance from the local community are distributing the N95 masks in the regions of Dehradun, Tehri, Rishikesh, Kashipur, Lalkuan, Haldwani, Almora and the tribal areas of Chakrata. 

Sharing his thoughts on the mask distribution cum awareness drive, Neelesh Misra, Founder, Gaon Connection Foundation, said “Gaon Connection combines the strength of ground presence with the reach of digital footprints, which is creating tangible results. We are happy that with this drive we can help the frontline workers in Uttarakhand. We wish to take such significant initiatives to more states and touch as many lives as possible talking about the initiative.”

The teams are distributing the N95 masks to the frontline community workers including policemen, health workers, journalists, advocates and social workers. The drive is also spreading awareness amongst the street vendors and slum dwellers who are the most vulnerable sections of the society.

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ACT Grants is an Rs 1000 million grant created by India’s start-up community to provide stimulus to ideas that could combat COVID19 pandemic with immediate impact.

Niharika Mohan, Chief Human Resources Officer & Head-Corporate Social Responsibility, Luminous, said “At Luminous, we have always worked towards sustainable solutions which impact people positively. We are happy to partner with Gaon Connection Foundation and distribute the much-needed N-95 masks to the people who relentlessly provide their services but are unintentionally ignored.”

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“We are confident, this drive helps the frontline workers of Uttarakhand to continue their noble service without worrying about the virus,” she added.

Meanwhile, speaking about the initiative, Poonam Kaul, ACT representative and founder of EkDesh said, “As India launches the world’s largest vaccination drive to combat Covid-19, the compliance around wearing masks is  dwindling. While the vaccinations are effective, there is an immediate need for people to adhere to their social  responsibility and continue to comply with wearing masks.”

“Until the entire country is vaccinated, it is essential for us to continue adhering to Covid- safe behaviour by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. Our  endeavour at EkDesh is to be at the forefront of #MaskingABillion as we continue to battle the pandemic,” she added.

Also, Praveen Joshi, who leads the Gaon Connection Foundation’s Uttarakhand unit stated that the frontline workers have not been getting the masks of substantial quality and are somehow managing with the available options.

“With our reach and the immense support of local authorities, we have  been able to reach out to frontline workers across various districts in Uttarakhand especially Haridwar. We  would like to extend our gratitude to all the authorities for their active assistance,” Joshi stated.