Hitesh Shah at Dulhan. Photo-Supplied.
By Neeraj Nanda
MELBOURNE, 13 October: The one and only ‘Little India’ in Greater Dandenong’s Foster Street has almost been shut because of the pandemic for months now. The once-bustling enclave of sub-continent culture, food, and garments has a deserted look. Business is down and retailers with their staff face a grim future.
But during these times one retailer Hitesh Shah, who runs the ‘Dulhan’ garments store is along with his wife Bina Shah and staff is making face masks for essential workers, elderly and vulnerable people and managed to keep a few people in employment.
Photo-Supplied
“About 1,000 non-woven shopping bags lying in the shop came handy and some elastic added to them and smart tailoring by international students led to well-made masks.
We were able to make 6.000 masks and distributed them free in aged care homes, to health care staff, and to vulnerable elderly people. Some of the masks were posted to needy addresses, ” Hitesh told South Asia Times (SAT).
Photo-Supplied
“Meanwhile, the compulsory order to wear face masks came, and Dulhan was flooded with many requests. We also made it a point to make the masks with strict hygiene and maintain social distancing during the production process, says Bina Shah, one of the Founder-Director of JITO Australia, and runs the IAEC Education & Immigration business.
Say the husband-wife team, ” We feel happy doing this work and turning this negative and depressing period into positive activity for the community and business.”
Dulhan/Hitesh Shah/Bina Shah can be contacted at – dulhanexclusives@gmail.com
