South Korea’s Social Welfare Corporation Anguk Zen Centre donated one lakh face masks to be distributed for free in India, to tackle the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Korea’s K-Art International Exchange Association and India’s InKo Centre supervised the coordination. TVS Motor’s social service arm Srinivasan Services Trust will carry out mask distribution, with consignment being handed over to Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, who is also the Managing Trustee of Srinivasan Services Trust and Chairman of InKo Centre and Goodwill Envoy for Culture and Diplomacy of the Republic of Korea.

The Republic of Korea in Chennai’s Consul General Young-setup Kwon discussed the recent initiative saying, “The global pandemic is by far one of the most serious challenges humanity has ever faced. We can overcome this challenge by staying strong and working together. This cooperation at this civil society level clearly shows how much ordinary Koreans and Indians care for each other, and we can overcome this challenge by standing together.”

The consignment is valued at an estimated 150 Million Korean Won, (approx Rs 95 lakh), based on present exchange rates. Masks underwent production by BlueIndus Co. Ltd and were shipped to India. 

Commenting on receiving the consignment, Venu Srinivasan said, “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and deepest appreciation to the Venerable Abbot, my revered teacher, Subul Sunim for this compassionate gesture of donating 1 Lakh masks to InKo Centre. We welcome what is indeed a most timely and valuable donation in these challenging times when wearing masks, following strict rules of sanitation and hygiene and maintaining social distancing is the ‘new normal’.” Srinivasan added that the masks will be accordingly distributed across the nation to local areas/communities on a wide scale and that this unique civilian gesture of goodwill and support from Busan to Chennai truly epitomizes the warmth and depth of the valued relationship between the two nations.”