How a Pune tailor began to make masks to ensure financial freedom

“My husband, a cutter, and I were very tense as we had to pay rent in a few days, household expenses to meet and a young son with a heart condition, for which he needs expensive medicine,” said Rupali Ramachandra Powanikar.

3 min readPuneSep 7, 2020 11:31 PM IST

Coronavirus, Mask, crude vaccine, Mask coronavirus, Covid cases across world, Covid deaths, Study on masks, world news, Indian express

Masks might help to crudely immunize some people against the virus. (Representational)

On March 25, the first day of the lockdown, Rupali Ramachandra Powanikar was in her small home with her husband, two sons and Rs 4 lakh worth of fabric that she had intended to stitch into school uniforms for Pune convent schools.

“But people began to cancel orders as schools were closed and unlikely to open anytime soon. Suddenly, I had a lot of cloth in the house but no money or food for the family,” says Powanikar, 34, a home tailor from Dhayari in Pune’s Benkar Basti. “My husband, a cutter, and I were very tense as we had to pay rent in a few days, household expenses to meet and a young son with a heart condition, for which he needs expensive medicine,” she adds.

It was a time when a new item of clothing was beginning to be spoken of frequently, even by the Prime Minister. “I told my husband, ‘Don’t be tense. We have fabric, in checks, lining, hosiery and plain. We will make a lot of masks,” says Powanikar. The couple worked through the night and, by the time day broke, Powanikar had a large collection to sell on the streets. There were few people out but a number of those who were, from policemen to essential workers, became her first customers. The next day, too, she sold out her stock of masks.

Across Pune, scores of daily wage labourers and migrant workers were beginning to make long journeys home to their villages as earning opportunities died in the city. Powanikar represents the micro-entrepreneurs of the city who were among the hardest hit by the pandemic, but managed to fight the economic hardship by adapting.

A buyer came back and told her the quality was good and if she would take a bulk order for masks. “Now, I supply to hospitals, homes and organisations and people also come home to buy masks. I make between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 on most days. We have managed to put food on the table though our family is still not out of financial troubles,” she says. Even today, Powanikar can be seen on the streets, highways and marketplaces, wearing mask and gloves, selling her array of masks to passers-by for Rs 50 a packet.

Powanikar is associated with an organisation called Mann Deshi Foundation, where she learnt to operate computers and, now, holds online training workshops on mask-making for hundreds of other women. “Masks come in different sizes as well as designs, from round masks to single or double layered, with elastic or knotted, among others. I also make mobile phone videos to spread awareness about mask making. At Mann Deshi, alone, we have made more than 1 lakh masks,” says Powanikar.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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