Pune based Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, DIAT (DU) developed  Nanofibres of Ayurvedic based Biodegradable Face Mask which acts as a virus neutralizer to resist against the bacteria/virus, and has named “Pavitrapati”.

Accordingly the Transfer of Technology [ToT] / NDA of this product signed in June 2020 between DIAT and Kolhapur based Textile Company M/s. Siddheshwar Techtessile Pvt. Ltd., Maharashtra, for actual development to this product on mass level to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Company now launched its first ever Aurvedic based biodegradable face mask named “Pavitrapati” for sale. M/s Siddheshwar Techtessile Pvt. Ltd., Maharashtra developed initially 10,000 Nos of this mask and have got responses from distributors, sales teams, pharmaceutical companies and the same will be made available on online platform like. Amazon, Flipkart etc.

Another ToT has been transferred to M/s. Siddheshwar Techtessile Pvt. Ltd., Maharashtra by DIAT for development of anti-microbial bodysuit in the name of “Aushada tara”. This suit has superhydrophobic, breathing, anti-microbial, comfort feeling properties. The fabric material of the suit has the approval for fighting against the COVID-19. The suit had cleared the splash resistant tests and it has got the good repellent property of any fluids. The demand for this suit will be for medical hospitals, private companies, airlines and Govt agencies. The production of the Aushada Tara has started and the initial order is already placed and executed.

Meanwhile, Government has distributed more than three crore N95 masks and one crore 28 lakh PPE kits to States, Union Territories and Central Institutions. The Union Health Ministry said Government has been providing medical supplies free of cost to the State and Union Territory governments to supplement their efforts.

Most of the products supplied by the Centre were not being manufactured in the country in the beginning. The rising global demand due to the pandemic resulted in their scarce availability in the foreign markets. It said, with the combined efforts of the Ministry of Health, Textiles and Pharmaceuticals, DRDO and others, the domestic industry has been encouraged and facilitated to manufacture and supply essential medical equipment like PPEs, N95 masks and ventilators.

As a result, resolve for Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India has been strengthened and most of the supplies made by the Union Government are domestically manufactured. The Ministry said, more than 22 thousand Make in India ventilators have been delivered to various States, Union Territories and Central Institutions.