Across the country, garment exporters and textile companies are continuously supporting the society to fight Covid. And these efforts are being made in various directions like supporting the local administration, taking their own initiatives as per requirements –everything that is possible within their range to overcome the devastating effects of the second wave.
In Noida, Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC) is investing around Rs. 1.5 crore in such initiatives. Initially it donated 20 oxygen concentrators to local authority and now it is having 50+ concentrators with itself for the workers, families and known people of its member exporters.
Moving forward, the NAEC is also coming up with a Covid Care Centre having 20 beds which will have most of the basic facilities. It is also in the process to have two ambulances of its own.
Lalit Thukral, President of NAEC and a leading apparel exporter of Noida told Apparel Resources, “All 300+ members of our cluster are quite enthusiastic to support society. Not only workers or staff of our factories, anyone in our circle can avail these facilities and that too without much formalities.”
Noida Cluster is providing oxygen concentrator free of cost to NAEC Members, RMG Exporters across Noida, to the Staffs/ Workers, relatives/ family who need the most on use & return basis.
Wear Mask Stay Safe. @PMOIndia @narendramodi @myogiadityanath @CMOfficeUP @Satishmahanaup pic.twitter.com/StHLAD4fqn
— Lalit Thukral (@lalit_thukral) May 17, 2021
Similar kind of noble initiative is being taken up in Tirupur also where various apparel exporters are open heartedly coming forward to support the Covid hospital financially.
These exporters have joined hands under Tirupur Exporters Forum (TEF) and are in touch with local administration.
“Oxygen concentrators, beds or whatever medical facilities etc., are required by local administration, we are supporting them in having all of these. We are geared up to support more as and when required. This could take place due to our member’s contribution,” said R. Sakthivel, Coordinator of TEF.
Many companies across Tamil Nadu are contributing to Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund as AEPC and CITI’s representatives were part of the meeting with the state’s CM. The CM requested all the exporters to contribute to this fund. In order to support such a noble cause, the industry is putting in collective efforts; few big companies have come forward and have taken big steps.
The Southern India Mills’ Association, Coimbatore gave Rs. 2.25 crore, while KG Denim, Ambika Cotton Mills contributed Rs. 50 lakh each to the relief fund. T. Rajkumar of Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) donated Rs. 25 lakh.
K.R. Nagarajan of Ramraj Cotton, Tirupur supported with Rs. 1 crore donation to the relief fund, while Raja M. Shanmugham, President of Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA) handed over a cheque for Rs. 50 lakh.
Rs. 10 lakh each from A. Sakthivel of Poppys Knitwear and S. Murugasamy of Tirupur Dyers Association was also contributed towards the relief fund.
Even Open End Spinning Mills, AC Easwaran of South India Hosiery Manufacturers Association, Rathinasamy and Rajamani of Knit Cloth Manufacturers Association and many more contributed actively.
Ludhiana-based Vardhman Group is also working towards fighting Covid in an impressive way at Budhni (Himachal Pradesh). It has converted two girls’ hostels into Covid Care Centres. Overall capacity of these centres is 90 beds.
All basic as well as recreational facilities are available in these centres. It is worth mentioning here that recently Shivraj Singh Chauhan, CM, Madhya Pradesh visited these centres and appreciated the efforts of Vardhman Group.
Vardhman Textiles has also contributed Rs. 1 crore to the Himachal Pradesh Government to overcome the ongoing severe Covid crisis.
Similarly leading apparel exporter Pratibha Syntex, Indore is taking up steps such as donation to create awareness. It has also issued a helpline for Covid help.
Also read: Pratibha Syntex donates 1,000 beds and hospital clothing for 2,000 patients
No doubt, India currently needs several initiatives and collaborations to tide through the raging second wave of the pandemic. In such a scenario, every effort by the Indian apparel export and textile industry is worth appreciating. This gives hope that we will all soon emerge out of the second pandemic impact successfully and together as one country.
