IAGB in collaboration with Shishu Bharti is excited to present a fun-filled, thoughtful , and educational insight into India’ s long journey from being a subjugated nation to a free nation, now in it’s 73rd year of Independence. There will be 6 sessions with prizes at the end of every session as well at the end of the classes. Please register at the link below to participate. All classes will be held on Zoom. Upon registration you will receive a Zoom ID and password to participate. Classes will begin on July 12th, Sunday from 10 am to 12 am. Registration is free. These classes are open to all Middle School and High School students.
I do not look to history to absolve my country of the need to do things right today. Rather I seek to understand the wrongs of yesterday, both to grasp what has brought us to our present reality and to understand the past for itself.
Dr. Shashi Tharoor
“An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India”
India gained its independence from the British on August 15th 1947, after almost two hundred years of British rule. The British East India Company came to India in the 17th century to trade with a rich and prosperous India, created an Empire that lasted for two centuries, and then left an exploited and impoverished nation.
The resistance to British rule had an extremely violent phase in 1857, called the “Sepoy Mutiny” or the “First War of Indian Independence”, which led to crushing defeat. It took a decades long nonviolent movement, finally led by one of the greatest human beings in history, Mahatma Gandhi, to gain independence.To further their rule, the British deepened religious divisions that led to a bloody partition into two countries at Independence. All Indians and those of Indian origin in the world are living with the legacy of this period.
In this six part virtual series course sponsored and promoted by the Indian Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), a group of passionate teachers from the Shishubharati School of Culture and Languages will explore this topic.
We will go through a timeline of the events through three centuries, describe the critical factors and important personalities at play; using a book list, Youtube videos and voluntary quizzes to supplement and illustrate the lessons.
Prizes will be given for participation through the course, and at the end.
Event Details
Who: Middle School and High School Students
When: Every Sunday 10 AM -11 AM, July 12 – August 16 2020 (Zoom link to be sent)
For any questions, please contact: Indian Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) : Mrs. Lata Rao ([email protected]) Shishubharati: Dr. Seshi Somapuram ([email protected]) , Mr. Vineet Kumar ([email protected])
IAGB is pleased to invite nominations for the prestigious “IAGB Community Youth
Excellence” award. Anyone – including parents, friends and relatives – can nominate a
student. Students can also nominate themselves. The deadline is July 31, 2020.
IAGB will recognize a maximum of two students, who demonstrate extraordinary achievement in one or more of the following areas:
Community Service
Academics
Arts and Music
Sports
Exceptional service of an altruistic nature for the greater good of the community
Eligible nominees must be rising junior or senior high school students of Indian origin,
who reside and attend school in the New England Area.
Required Documentation
Submit nominations with the following required supporting documentation by July 31 to [email protected]:
Student/school/town name, and student contact details (email, telephone number and address).
A one space two-page essay in Microsoft Word on: How has Coronavirus affected your education and personal development? How has school closure led to new study solutions?
List major achievements in detail, using separate pages for each area of achievement. Include any supporting documents such as images, videos, etc.
If nomination is made by someone other than the nominee, include the name of the nominating person and contact details.
The awardees will be notified via email and recognized at India Day Festival 2020 on
August 15th. If you have any questions, send an email to [email protected]. IAGB team is
coming up with very unique and creatives ways to celebrate our much-anticipated India
Day this year.
DATE:June 21st, 2020 TIME: 7AM tO 10AM EST/ 4:30PM to 7:30PM IST
International Day of Yoga 2020 is organized by India Association of Greater
Boston (IAGB) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-
Sciences (NIMHANS) and its Integrated Centre for Yoga (NICY) located in
Bangalore, India. Since April 27th, IAGB and NICY have been working
together on free 1-hour, daily online tele-yoga practice during weekdays.
The practice was specifically designed to help the feeling of well-being
during this stressful time and over 500 registrants have participated in
the daily yoga sessions.
Yoga is a 5,000-year-old tradition from India that combines physical, mental, and
spiritual pursuits to achieve harmony of the body and mind. On December 11 in
2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21st as the
International Day of Yoga. The declaration came at the behest of the Indian Prime
Minister, Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on
September 27, 2014, wherein he stated: "Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's
ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action;
restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to
health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of
oneness with yourself, the world and nature”. In Suggesting June 21, which is the
Summer Solstice, as the International Day of Yoga, Narendra Modi had said: "the
date is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special
significance in many parts of the world.”
Schedule
“Yoga Session” by Dr. Hemanth Bhargav at 7AM
“Yoga for Mental Health” by Dr. Gangadhar, Dr. Nagarathna and Dr, Shivrama Varamballi at 7:50AM
Sadguru’s Message on IDY
“Yoga for Stress “by Prof. Sat Bir Singh Khalsa at 8:50AM
“Yoga in Modern Life/Healthy Life Style” Panel Discussion by Dr. Jyoti C Hinduja, Ram Chelakara(AOL), Jay Gupta(YogaCaps), Narendra Karapakula(Bharatiya Yoga Sansthan), Dev Lingadevaru(Brahmakumari) at 9:15AM
Dr. Hemanth Bhargav is Assistant Professor of Yoga Department of Integrative Medicine, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India.
He has previously worked as Assistant Professor of Yoga at Swami Vivekananda Yoga University, Bengaluru for 5 years. He has published more than 60 research papers in peer reviewed international journals in the field of integrative medicine, yoga and Ayurveda, including a book on Yoga for Depression.
Dr. B. N. Gangadhar
Prof.B.N.Gangadhar, MBBS, MD, DSc, is the current Director & Vice Chancellor of National Institute
of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences [NIMHANS], Bengaluru India.
B N Gangadhar has been serving as the Director (since January 2016) and Professor of Psychiatry at
NIMHANS. He completed his MBBS in 1978 (Bangalore Medical College), MD Psychiatry in 1981
(NIMHANS), DSc (Doctor of Science) from SVYASA University for research work of Yoga and Mental
Health in 2012. He has served as Honorary Dean, Life Sciences at SVYASA Yoga University, Bangalore
(from 2013), Adjunct faculty on Consciousness at National Institute of Advanced Studies (from 2014);
President of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Karnataka Chapter (2012-13); Visiting Fellow (IBRO),
Vienna, Austria (1987-88); Consultant to WHO for inspection of Tsunami relief projects 2008. He is
presently on the expert committees of DST and on the national AYUSH committee for integrative
medicine. He is the recipient of the coveted Sir CV Raman Award and Doctors Day Award from the
Government of Karnataka. He has also shared over 25 awards with other primary recipients. B N
Gangadhar was elected Fellow in 2019.
Dr. R. Nagarathna
Dr. R. Nagarathna is one of the pioneers in the field of Yoga therapy. She is the Dean, Division of
yoga and life sciences and chief consultant at Arogyadhama, SVYASA. Dr Nagarathna did her MBBS
from Bangalore medical college, MD in internal medicine fromMysore medical college, Her MRCP
and FRCP from Edinburg, UK. She has over 80 publications in national and international journals and
has 11 books on series of yoga for different ailments published.
She been felicitated with numerous awards such as the: Patanjali Award (2000) for contributions in
the field of yoga by Indian Systems of Medicine and homoeopathy (ISM & H), Ministry of health and
family welfare, Government of India, arranged through Director, ISM & H in Bangalore. Dr P S
Shankar Vaidya Shree award (2001) by Dr P S Shankar Pratistana.
Gulbarga.Woman of Excellence award (2003) by the Badaganadu Sangha Association, Bangalore,
for service to humanity through Yoga Therapy. Karnataka Kalpavalli award (1995) for Service to
women through Yoga awarded by Shaswathi a women’s organization, NMKRV College, Bangalore.
Doctor’s Day award (July 1992) by IMA, Bangalore branch.
Prof. Sat Bir S. Khalsa
Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, Ph.D. is Director of Yoga Research for the Yoga Alliance and the Kundalini Research Institute, Research Associate at the Benson Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Research Affiliate at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He has conducted research on yoga and yoga therapy since 2001 and has been a practitioner/instructor of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan since 1971. His research has evaluated yoga for insomnia, chronic stress, and anxiety-related disorders, and in the workplace and public schools. He works with the International Association of Yoga Therapists promoting yoga research as scientific director for the annual Symposium on Yoga Research and editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy. He is medical editor of the Harvard Medical School Special Report Introduction to Yoga, and chief editor of the medical textbook The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care.
Dr. Shivarama Varamballi
Dr. Shivarama is a Professor of Psychiatry and currently the Officer-in-Charge of the NICY. His research interests include the neurobiology of psychotic disorders and the therapeutic use of Yoga in neuropsychiatric disorders, with notable contributions in these areas.
Panel Members
Dr. Jyoti C Hinduja
Founder s-VyasaDr. Jyoti C. Hinduja, MBBS, MHA, AHC is a Harvard-trained Executive Healthcare Leader engaged in the healthcare industry from a research and policy perspective. Her unique background, expertise, and skills give her the credibility to change, empower, and inspire people about integrating ancient healing Ayurvedic practices with conventional allopathic medicine with an aim to enhance overall health and wellness.
Dr. Hinduja’s expansive knowledge of Ayurvedic Medicine offers a philosophical perspective of the ancient sciences as a holistic medicine that factors in the body impact of psychology, environment, diet, and lifestyle on the etio-pathogenesis of disease manifestation. She passionately views integrative modalities of treatment as a way to treat the body as a whole from inside out and believes in empowering, rejuvenating, and regenerating the body to heal from within.
Ram chelkhara
Art of LivingRam Chelakara has been practicing yoga and meditation from a very young age. He has been driven by a need to share these life transforming tools and techniques with people from all walks of life. Ram has been teaching for the Art of Living Foundation for the past 15 years in various cities across the USA. He is also a Yoga Alliance 300 hour certified instructor.
Ram Chelakara graduated from IIT Bombay and has a Ph.D in Material Science and Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently works at Raytheon Company as an engineering manager and scientist. Ram is an experienced team-builder and enjoys working with teams that celebrate diversity and cross-cultural interactions.
Jay Gupta
Yoga CapsJay Gupta is a registered community pharmacist and specializes in medication therapy management. He previously had a career in international marketing of Ayurvedic and pharmaceutical products.
His yoga immersion began in India in 1983 and he has been exploring the depths of yoga since then. Throughout his life, he has endeavored to achieve a scientific understanding of yoga and nature cure practices. He has traveled from the Himalayas to Kerala learning a variety of yoga and nature cure practices, and has studied with many of the top yoga researchers in the US and India. He shares some of the practices from the Himalayan masters in his DVD Subtle Yoga for Rejuvenation and donates all the proceeds for advancing the science of yoga.
Dev Lingadevaru
BrahmakumariThe Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization in the USA is part of a worldwide network of learning and retreat centers with over a million members.We are dedicated to individual, societal and world transformation through the study and spiritual practice of raj yoga meditation. At the heart of our teaching is the belief that the pathway to individual peace and fulfillment is first realizing and then remembering our original nature as spiritual beings in connection with One Source, who provides meaning and purpose to our identity.
Narendra Karapakula
Bharatiya Yoga SansthanBharatiya Yog Sansthan (Regd.) came into being on 10th April 1967, it is non-sectarian, social, cultural and non-profit making organization. It firmly believes in Bharatiya cultural heritage and aims to re-establish by protecting and preserving it. It draws its inspiration from the lofty human ideals of Bharatiya culture viz ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam’ – Entire Universe Is Our Family and ‘Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu’, ‘Sarve Bhaventu Sukhina’ – may all be happy, may all being rejoice in joy and happiness and the like as ‘Live ‘N’ Liven’ – may all live for the service of humanity and inspire others to live in the service of Almighty. To fulfill this aim Sansthan has chosen Yog as its means.
Join Us in our Filmy Antakshari and support our IAGB fundraising efforts to help our local food banks and homeless shelters!
Getting zoned out with zoom calls? Miss the fun, frolic and merriness of weekend gatherings?
Well, IAGB is giving you the perfect opportunity…
Are you an artist? Great
Are you a dancer? Amazing
Are you a singer? Fantastic
Are you bathroom singer? No problem at all..
There is something for everyone of you
Come join us and participate in a virtual Filmy Antakshari Video
It’s an Antakshari with a Twist.. जैसे फिल्मो में होती है… जरा जरासी वैसी ही…lekin thodi alag si
Have fun and raise money for the cause. We will be releasing multiple ‘Episodes’ to complete a season every Saturday with first drop scheduled end of June
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS PARTICPATE IN OUR EVENT AND 100% OF YOUR TICKET PRICE WILL BE DONATED TO SUPPORT THE FOOD BANKS.
Register to participate choosing your area of interest (Act, Sing, Dance and art)
Requested Donation is $10 per video. Of course you can donate more if you would like.
You can register for yourself or the whole family for a video.But if family members want to participate in different areas of interest i.e. Dad wants to sing, mom wants to dance and kids want to draw then you will need to register for 3 video’s choosing Individual registration category.
We will have one Kids Special Episode so please choose ‘Kids Episode’ if you want to register your kids for that episode (Please note spots are limited and will be taken on first come first serve basis)
After registration you will get more instructions based on your area of interest
Join Us in our Run and support our IAGB fundraising efforts to help our local food banks and homeless shelters!
Before the pandemic, Feeding America and its network of 200 food banks served 40 million people. As the virus continues, we estimate that 17.1 million additional people could find themselves without enough food. Along with that, experts are also predicting that the COVID-19 pandemic will increase homelessness between 40% and 45%, nationally. That fact is particularly worrisome because advocates confess they already lack enough resources to fully address the current level of homelessness. Many people in our community who were employed before the pandemic now find themselves laid off or having reduced hours. Often, that means hard-working people who are doing everything right will need a little extra help feeding themselves and their families.Along with that with social services stretched thin and businesses shuttering, rather than keeping people away from shelters, the virus has driven many in. This is where food banks and homeless shelters step in – to fill the gap during the pandemic and beyond.
For food banks, pantries, meal programs and the people who visit them , the pandemic has meant a tremendous shift in not only the need, but how those programs are operating. And for shelters, the issue is having people trapped on the streets and exposing themselves to the risk of COVID-19. Hence, we at IAGB have taken two prong approach- we have taken all our effort in supporting our local food banks so that no one goes HUNGRY and supporting homlessness shelters to move people off the streets and into SHELTERS!
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS RUN/WALK WITH US AND PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND 100% OF YOUR TICKET PRICE WILL BE DONATED TO SUPPORT THE FOOD BANKS.
Rules and Regulations
Register for the Bhaag IAGB Bhaag Virtual Run/Walk on our site
The registration can be at an individual level or at a family level – Age is not a concern – all proceeds will be donated to a good cause
Virtual runs – run or walk outdoors but limit the time on roads and continue to support safe and healthy running distances and social distancing
This Event is just for “one”day (Saturday, June 20th 2020) and our suggested run time is between 8am-8.30am (we recommend morning run/walk to beat the heat)
Set your running trail in your neighborhood and run/walk 5K or more, at your own pace, and make sure to track it on your prefered app.
Pick up your t-shirt from the location we announce, wear it on the run day to show that you supported our fundraising.
At the end of the run/walk, take a picture of yourself or the family and your track record , post on Instagram/Facebook with the #BhaagIAGBhaag
Maintain 6ft distance and STAY SAFE!
REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Optional Performance Wear Tee T-SHIRT – Wear the T-Shirt as part of the Run. Only the first 100 registrants will get the t-shirts.
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE ORGANIZERS: With endurance events shut down nationwide, gyms closing, stores being closed…this is our attempt to help keep everyone focused on healthy living, spread a little playful humor all while doing some good deeds in the process. It is not intended to be insensitive or downplay the gravity of the illness. It is very serious. When the virus completes its course, we need you healthy and back on the trails. Please follow all the guidelines from the State Governor and CDC. Stay healthy, fit and don’t become a couch potato! Let’s beat this virus together.
Register for the Bhaag IAGB Bhaag Virtual Run/Walk on our site
The registration can be at an individual level or at a family level – Age is not a concern – all proceeds will be donated to a good cause
Virtual runs – run or walk outdoors but limit the time on roads and continue to support safe and healthy running distances and social distancing
This Event is just for “one”day (Saturday, June 13th 2020) and our suggested run time is between 8am-8.30am (we recommend morning run/walk to beat the heat)
Set your running trail in your neighborhood and run/walk 5K or more, at your own pace, and make sure to track it on your prefered app
Pick up your t-shirt from the location we announce, wear it on the run day to show that you supported our fundraising
At the end of the run/walk, take a picture of yourself or the family and your track record , post on Instagram/Facebook with the #BhaagIAGBhaag
Maintain 6ft distance and STAY SAFE!
REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Optional Performance Wear Tee T-SHIRT – Wear the T-Shirt as part of the Run. Only the first 100 registrants will get the t-shirts.
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE ORGANIZERS: With endurance events shut down nationwide, gyms closing, stores being closed…this is our attempt to help keep everyone focused on healthy living, spread a little playful humor all while doing some good deeds in the process. It is not intended to be insensitive or downplay the gravity of the illness. It is very serious. When the virus completes its course, we need you healthy and back on the trails. Please follow all the guidelines from the State Governor and CDC. Stay healthy, fit and don’t become a couch potato! Let’s beat this virus together.
Our community spotlight this month – Sewa International
IAGB spoke to Raju Datla, an active volunteer of Sewa International.
IAGB: Tell us about Sewa, its history and its mission
Raju Datla: Sewa International is a humanitarian, non-profit service organization. Founded in 2003, Sewa International is part of a larger movement that started in India in 1989 and is active in twenty countries. Sewa serves humanity irrespective of race, color, religion, gender or nationality. Its mission is to serve humanity in distress, aid local communities, run developmental projects for the underserved, and assist people in transformational change through the power of innovation by mobilizing partners, donors and volunteers. The mission is accomplished by focusing efforts towards:
Disaster recovery
Family and child welfare and
Promoting volunteerism
Charity Navigator, one of the major American evaluators of charities, and the largest and most-utilized evaluator of American charitable organizations, recently ranked Sewa International among the Top 10 “Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions”, with Sewa ranking fifth among the ten such listed charities.
IAGB: Tell us about Sewa Boston chapter
Raju Datla: Started in February 2013, Sewa’s Boston chapter works to implement Sewa International’s mission. With programs that are executed on a monthly, half yearly and yearly basis, Sewa Boston volunteers have immersed themselves in selfless effort for the welfare of all. Every year numerous enthusiastic volunteers use the Sewa platform to fulfill their desire to give back to the community. Corporate organizations like CVS/Caremark and Dell EMC encourage its employees to get involved in Sewa programs. Sewa Boston has a wide range of project and activities covering Health & Wellness, Education, Yoga for Sewa, Feeding the Hungry, Community Development, Refugee Empowerment and Diwali Food Drive.
IAGB: What are some of the major initiatives of Sewa?
Raju Datla: Sewa International has many initiatives. Some of the major ones are
Sponsor a child (SAC): Started in 2009, SAC was founded on a holistic philosophy that spans education, health, physical and cultural development of under privileged children
Family services: This program leverages existing local community resources, while bringing complementary services to effectively serve the typical as well as culturally specific unmet sociological service needs that have risen among the fast-growing Indian immigrant community
Volunteer development: Volunteer Development projects are organized at the chapter level. Sewa provides volunteer resources to community organizations that need help. Volunteers engage in various activities like cleaning of temples or city parks, cooking at soup kitchens to feed the hungry, stocking food banks, running community events and conducting food drives
IAGB: What are some of your key fundraiser events?
Raju Datla: Sewa International organizes multiple fundraisers every year to raise funds. Every year during the March-April months, Sewa volunteers organize a Holi fundraiser. People from the community have fun playing with colors while donating to Sewa projects. During Navaratri, Sewa organizes a Garba fundraiser. In the fourth quarter of every year an annual fundraiser is organized to raise funds for the projects it supports across the world. One off fundraisers that are project specific are organized on a as needed basis.
IAGB: Tell us about Sewa’s work for COVID-19
Raju Datla: Sewa International has been active on the ground early, to help deal with the Coronavirus pandemic situation. We have established eight non-medical helplines in different areas of USA. While these helplines continue to offer support, and help to people calling from all over the country, Sewa sprang into action to address a critical need by launching the first of its kind convalescent blood plasma registry with live and social media support. The goal of this registry is to bring matching blood donors and COVID-19 patients seeking plasma together. In addition to this, Sewa volunteers have been delivering meals to first responders, donating canned food to food banks, making DIY face masks, caps, scrubs and donating them to hospitals and senior centers, raising funds through social media channels and engaging other partner organizations like IAGB to make a bigger impact on the community. We have racked up impressive numbers
2500+ Volunteer Hours
60+ Plasma Donors
$500,000+ Amount Raised
4500+ Hot Meals Served
30,000+ N95, KN95, Surgical Masks Donated
16,000+ DIY Masks Donated
+80,000 Donated to Food Pantries
IAGB: Tell us about Sewa Boston’s future plans
Raju Datla: Sewa Boston chapter volunteers met in January and came up with a 2020 plan that outlined the various activities and fundraisers they were going to conduct throughout the year. Little did they know that their plans will be scuttled by an invisible enemy. But, they are motivated as ever. While they wait for things to settle down so that the 2020 plan can be executed, in the short term they will immerse themselves in COVID-19 relief efforts in the New England area. They are looking forward to take on new challenges and help the community recover from this global pandemic.
The Coalition Mask Network is a collaborative group of individuals and teams who are working to make and distribute as many masks as possible to those with the greatest need. We first focused on helping support hospitals and clinics. We have expanded our efforts to help community members, elders and staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, disabled people living in group home settings, people without homes, and survivors of domestic violence. There are many urgent needs, and sewists are working morning, noon, and night to keep up with requests.
What is special about our network is that each sewist and each team may decide how they want to direct their efforts. When we work on a specific large request together, it is a great feeling to accomplish a shared goal. For example, on Thursday we set a goal of providing 500 masks to help Lynn Community Health Services. With help from several teams and many people, we reached 478 before the deadline. It is very exciting when we can all work together!
Nagasree Chakka, Ben Soule, Amy Breiting, Linda Pagani, Doreen Mitchell, Betty Gau, Michelle Tran, and Martha Valencia are all central to this work. I can’t fit all the names of the volunteers, but whether someone made 1 or 100 masks – drove 1 trip to help with supplies, or shared one roll of elastic, each person’s contribution has made this a very successful team!
Most of us became connected because we shared the view that masks were important, that everyone needed them, and that without providing sufficient help, many people would be further at risk – physically as well as mentally.
One example of an outstanding volunteer is Thilaka Ramesh. Thilaka works in healthcare – especially with seniors – and she also has children. Yet, she still has found time to not only sew more than 100 masks – she has involved friends and remains cheerful and encouraging – despite the fact that she is on the frontline with her work. This is one story out of the more than 200 people already involved. Even our local shoe store pitched in when no one could find elastic. They gave us all of the shoelaces they had! This is what we need, the “can do!” spirit. And Coalition Mask Network has the spirit!
IAGB also spoke with Vineeta Kumar, who has been very actively involved in this initiative. Vineeta says it was instinctive to get involved in the greatest need of the hour. I had never used a sewing machine before and didn’t have one. Thankfully, one of my friends loaned me hers and I learned how to use it. She also told us about her son’s initiative to help people with digital devices like laptops and gaming devices. The idea came from their State Rep, to help people who are shut down at home without access to electronic devices and any way to stay engaged and entertained. You can get more details at www.giftagame.org.
Please contact Jessie at [email protected] if you would like help or donate.
We are building 3D printed face shields for frontline workers. These shields are to be used in conjunction with face masks. Protects the eyes and rest of the face. These face shields are in a great shortage and supplies are hard to come by.
I have been a 3D printer buff for a long time, 3d printing small fixes and improvements around the house. So, when I saw on the internet, that 3d printer can help the frontline workers, I jumped on it. Looking at the shortage of PPE, it is very important for our frontline workers and their families to remain safe. So, it took me a few hours to figure out how I can help efficiently and quickly. I printed 20 of these shields over the weekend and asked on Facebook to donate them. Not surprising, several people and hospitals reached out requesting them. I had to increase production and go from 1 3d printer to 3 to meet the demands. So far, we have donated 300 shields and plenty more to make. We have donated to individual workers who work at nursing homes as well as hospitals like Mount Auburn, Lahey Burlington, Beth Israel, Melrose-Wakefield etc. We have also shipped the shields to Danbury Hospital in CT.
I am doing this along with my wife Namita, mom-in-law Shilpa our 2 month old Avir (he helps by not being too fussy). While I produce the 3d printed shields, my wife and mom-in-law prepare the plastic sheets. After that is done, I disinfect everything and pack them with instructions sheets, ready to go.
You can contribute to this project by donating to this GoFundMe campaign.
