A Community Response to a Global Pandemic: An Opinion|Inpui (Kabui)
Being Compassionate: Looking Within
First and foremost, we would like to
express our gratitude to all the villagers who had in their own
volition decided to provide vegetable relief to different communities during
this national lockdown. The lockdown has affected everybody but the kind
gestures rendered by the villages namely Waphong, Ijeirong, and Kabuikhullen towards
the Meitei (Chakpa Phayeng) communities have brought the old traditions alive. And
given the increase in development projects in our area, a cordial relationship between
the two communities will not only bring socio-cultural harmony but also contribute to an
economic dividend in the near future. We strongly believe that this positive gesture will further cement the age-old brotherhood tradition between the two communities.
Secondly, we would like to point out the need to extend relief measures to our own people living in the various parts of Imphal Valley (Changangei, Tamphagei, Pantilong,
Yurembam, etc.). We need to connect with each other during this
difficult time and such an initiative will bring us more closer as one community.
Thirdly, we also need to identify the people who are at the lower rung of the economic strata /weaker section/the most vulnerable within the society .i.e. widows, widowers, differently-abled, old aged, etc. and support them without expecting anything in
return. A community that responds with compassion will surely reap its blessing
in due time. And if a bigger platform is required in organizing such an effort then
this idea should be communicated between the different village authorities, churches,
NGOs, and CSOs. A coordinated effort at the community level is the way forward as we are looking beyond
the lockdown scenario.
Fourthly, we need to rely on an authentic source of information/news, and our knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic should not be
based on fake news and fear-mongering. We, as a responsible community, should adhere
to the guidelines and directives of the local/district administration and the state government in order to successfully contain this disease.
Fifthly, the standard of society will
surely be measured by how a particular community responds to a global crisis at
the local level. We need not necessarily rely on the government to be proactive in our efforts as we have the resources that will sustain us. We should be
looking at sharing/pooling community resources and opening up relief
materials to be shared between the neighboring villages. The supply of ration
from the government should not be counted as an initiation from within the community.
The village authority and the church, in particular, need to intensify their relief
effort within the village and even outside.
The allocation of houses/offices or construction of various temporary houses for quarantine by respective villages is a welcome step but cutting off village roads to stop the movement of the people needs to be considered.
The allocation of houses/offices or construction of various temporary houses for quarantine by respective villages is a welcome step but cutting off village roads to stop the movement of the people needs to be considered.
Finally, as COVID-19 is a contagious
communicable disease, there is an underlying fear of social stigmatization/discrimination
due to fear-mongering and lack of awareness. In such a situation, the role and
effectiveness of community leadership will surely champion this crisis. The
measures that are placed during this emergency will surely be recorded and will act as a reminder of how a community responded with a sense of
maturity, compassion, and sacrifice.
We hope more people realize the gravity of
the situation and come forward to assist one another. We as a community cannot
afford to look in a different direction during this global pandemic.
Inpui Ringsei Ding Ngo.
#StayAtHome #StaySafe
#StayAtHome #StaySafe
Team Antrimwanbut Khwan
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