Project MASK-Ed

An initiative aimed at educating and raising awareness on correct ways to dispose off used personal protective equipment (PPE)

The COVID 19 pandemic hit the entire world harshly, and we witnessed countless people not only coming together to save humanity, but also taking charge of forward movement. In his own way and in a small measure, Dhairya too rose to the occasion. In order to create impact while working on enabling welfare for the masses, he established a social media awareness initiative for standardised disposal of bio-hazardous waste especially pertaining to the pandemic. He was observant of waste removal practices across several parts of his town as well as the nation, where the COVID waste was not being separated and handled properly, especially within households. While masks were strewn haphazardly and safety equipment was also left exposed, Dhairya realized the grave cause of concern. Not only was this hazardous for residents of each community, but it also threatened the health and well-being of rag pickers and waste collectors. In order to curb this impact, he took to social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram, and also accumulated support through petitions on Change.org.

The response towards this was particularly encouraging, as he found like-minded individuals coming together to combat these challenges in the turbulent times. Several individuals shared their experiences and evidence of such issues, and with this support, Dhairya reached out to concerned authorities with his petitions. For instance, the NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation) was approached, to ensure proper management of such waste, instead of the rising landfills. 

Thereafter, in the second wave of the pandemic this year, Dhairya took this initiative a step further. On recognising how the disposable PPE kits and masks were being washed and reused, he took to contacting large organisations, in order to channelise positive change. In response, he received encouragement and guidance from the WHO and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Government of India). Herein, they explained to him how this mandate had been issued for all quarantine homes and hospitals, and work was underway for the same at malls and other large/open public spaces. He also re energised his previous initiative on social media, so as to inculcate mass support. For Dhairya, this became a disturbing matter that needed urgent resolution. 

Soon, his appeal for mandating separate bins for bio-hazardous waste in public spaces gained momentum and he received innumerable online responses, wherein individuals recounted their resolutions towards the same within their neighbourhoods. 

Meanwhile, this process sparked a new idea for Dhairya. He considered how disposable masks could be easily identified by the common man, and in response to this thought, he undertook strategic analysis through online methods. After thorough research, he concluded with an original idea that made a plea for color-changing masks. Dhairya wished to work on masks that would change color after one use, which would make it improbable that another individual would use it again. He took consultation of his parents and teachers alike, and then proposed the idea to an IIT alumnus as well as a member of the Institute’s faculty. His ideology was celebrated and encouraged, which led to full-blown research and planning for the creation of such masks. Currently, Dhairya is still waiting on this ingenious product, the project for which has received generous funding. He also awaits a provisional patent for the same! In the meantime, his mind is still trying to churn out more ideas which could provide resolution for other such pandemic-induced challenges.