A Community Response to a Global Pandemic: An Opinion|Inpui (Kabui)

Image credit: Holang Ngonamai, for representational purpose only

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 has brought the old traditions alive. And given the increase in development projects in our area, a cordial relation between the two communities will not only bring socio-cultural harmony and 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 towards 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 than 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 on 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 effort as we have the resources that will sustain us. We should be looking at sharing/pooling of community resources and opening up of 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 its 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 need to be considered.

Finally, as the 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 in assisting one another. We as a community cannot afford to look in a different direction during this global pandemic.

Inpui Ringsei Ding Ngo.

#StayAtHome #StaySafe

Team Antrimwanbut Khwan