Sindhuri, a ten-year-old girl from Udipi, Karnataka, has taken up the challenge to stitch protective face masks for students who had to appear for their Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exams last week. The differently-abled girl is a student in the sixth standard herself, and has learnt to operate her sewing machine with one hand, in her mission to help.
As Sindhuri’s story is going viral and being lauded, it is not the sensationalised story we celebrate, but her compassion and commitment to helping during these tense times of need.
As a country, we have a long way to go in providing access and opportunity to the differently-abled. There needs to be better conversation and action around creating equitable space for them to show up and flourish, and Sindhuri is the most recent representative of that need.
Sindhuri’s Compassion And Effort Is Touching People’s Hearts
Sindhuri managed to make 15 masks that were distributed to the students appearing for examinations.
“10-year-old Sindhuri hails from Udupi. She is a differently abled girl. Even then, she has sewn masks with her one hand and distributed them to the needy. Actually, Sindhuri on Thursday distributed these masks to the students appearing for SSLC examination,” ANI reported.
She is a member of the scout and guide wing in her school Mount Rosary English Medium School at Santhekatte Kallianpur. The group has an ambitious target of stitching one lakh masks
“It was the target of scout and guide wings to distribute 1 lakh masks to the SSLC students. I stitched 15 masks. Initially, I was hesitant to stitch with a single hand. My mother supported me. Now all are appreciating me,” Sindhuri told ANI.
With the overwhelming online support and encouragement, Sindhuri is more motivated than ever to help the group meet this target, and to contribute as much as she can.
People Like Sindhuri Are Striving To Ensure Others’ Safety
As SSLC exams began in Karnataka on Thursday, a turnout of 98.3 per cent was recorded and reported across the state on the first day, by officials of the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB). While it was reported that all social distancing and prevention guidelines established by the Health Department were strictly followed, the relatively higher risk for the students still exists.
Masks were mandatory and are the most basic layer of protection for the students. Thanks to the scout and guide wing that is trying to secure the necessary protective gear for students, and people like Sindhuri displaying empathy, and working hard to contribute to the cause, the students are able to take their exams in a relatively safe manner.
Several other women’s self-help groups have been tirelessly making face masks since the early days of lockdown. They’ve been helping local people obtain affordable and good quality face masks, while earning a livelihood during these economically challenging times themselves.
The compassion and empathy to help others in need, in whatever small way we possibly can, is exactly what this global crisis needs. Kudos to Sindhuri and everyone else who is doing their bit to help!
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