as a headscarf, similar to the Middle Eastern keffiyeh in rural areas. Safety Gamchas can be turned into an effective weapon against wolves, leopards, wild dogs or feral dogs or even dacoits, by knotting a large stone pebble into one end and using it like bolas. Face mask Farmers were already using it in rural areas for various purposes, Gamcha became an alternative cloth face mask in rural India. The WHO guidelines for the necessary use of masks for protection from COVID increased its importance, and it became a choice of face masks by simply wearing on face. The need for this traditional piece of clothing has risen further since the Prime Minister of India made a television speech wearing Gamcha(a Manipuri gamcha, also known as Meitei Lengyan). It was trending since then in urban areas too. Commercial aspects Gamucha is produced as a primary handloom product by traditional weavers. Presently the production of coarse handmade gamucha is slowing down in Odisha. A 1,455.3 metre long Gamucha displayed in Delhi created world record as it became world's longest hand woven piece of cloth. See also Agal, Arabian headdress Gingham, scarf from Malaysia Keffiyeh, traditional Middle Eastern headdress Krama, Cambodian scarf Tagelmust, scarf from Sahara Turban, head scarf References External links Indian clothing Bangladeshi clothing Hindu religious clothing Turkish clothing