Indian businessman wears US$4,000 custom gold mask for protection

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custom gold mask for protection
Shankar Kurhade says people ask him for selfies. Photo: Reuters

An Indian man said he paid about US$4,000 for a bespoke gold face mask to protect him from the coronavirus raging in the country.

The precious metal covering weighs 60 grammes (two ounces) and took craftsmen eight days to make, said businessman Shankar Kurhade, from the western city of Pune.

“It is a thin mask and has tiny pores that is helping me to breathe,” Shankar said.

“I am not sure if it will be effective to protect me from a coronavirus infection but I am taking other precautions,” he added.

When going out, the 49-year-old said he likes to adorn himself with gold jewellery weighing a kilogram, including a bracelet, necklace and rings on each finger of his right hand.

Kurhade – whose company makes industrial sheds – said he got the idea for the gold face mask after seeing a media report about a man wearing one made from silver.

“People are asking me for selfies,” he said.

“They are awestruck when they see me wearing the gold mask in markets.”

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and TJM Media Pvt Ltd. is not responsible for any errors in the same.