Smriti Irani teaches how to stitch face mask at home

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani took to Social media to share how one can make a reusable face mask at home using a clean cloth, needle and thread.

Irani's posts came after governments of several states made it compulsory for people to wear face masks when stepping outdoors to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The Minister of Women and Child Development recently posted pictures on Instagram and Twitter, giving a glimpse of how to make a face mask without a sewing machine.

In the first picture, she is seen cutting a cotton cloth in the size of a mask. "Machine nahi toh sui dhage se kaam chalao (If you do not have a sewing machine, use thread and needle)," she wrote alongside.

Irani's tutorial earned her praise from colleagues, including Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan who said her efforts would encourage more people to make reusable masks at home.

An advisory was also issued by the health ministry last week recommending home-made masks for the public at large. You can use a clean old cotton cloth, vest or t-shirt for it. The mask should give adequate coverage to your nose and mouth and should fit perfectly around the face.

BJP National General Secretary BL Santhosh also commended Irani and others who were seen making homemade masks. He tweeted saying: "Wear face cover, stay safe."