North-East India is inhabited by numerous communities with distinct cultures, traditions, languages, cuisines and attires. One of the best known characteristic of this region is the sense of community consideration among them. This has been exhibited even during the period of corona pandemic. In several places of North East India, the local village communities, in collaboration with Christian churches are facilitating the running and management of quarantine facilities.
The Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD), in the State of Nagaland during its executive and advisory board meeting on June 30 appealed to individuals, different governmental and civil society organizations of the state to seek the will of God and will of the people for an acceptable solution. It has also requested the government to control the exuberant price rise daily use of commodities in the market.
According to Hoboto Sumi from Nagaland, “Not even a single inmate in any of the district complains when the church volunteers / NGOs come forward to cook for them at their expenses. This clearly indicates pure clean heart to help”.
In the words of Fr. P J Thomas, the parish priest Holy Cross Church Dimapur, “Reaching out to various quarantine centers to distribute food for the inmates is a sign of our love and concern for the returnees and an act of solidarity with the government.”
The Catholic Church in Nagaland formed the Holy Cross Church COVID 19 Relief Committee to prepare food for 500 members of inmates at different quarantine centers in Dimapur on the June 19. The team carried out the distribution of food at six different quarantine Centers such as St. Joseph University Sovima, St. Joseph Hr. Sec. School Chumukedima, Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Khushiabil, Youth hostel Dimapur, Treasury RH Purana Bazaar and Bedesta Hr. Sec. School Dimapur, respectively.
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya Mr. Conrad K Sangma on May 25 announced a lump sum amount to be given to each of the active community quarantine centres as a one-time grant from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).
Although the government constituted quarantine centres are existing and functioning, the increase in the number of returnees from various parts of India and abroad has necessitated the involvement of communities and Christian churches. The local traditional governing bodies and tribal heads like the Dorbar Shnong in Khasi and Jaintia hills and Nokmas in Garo hills have got the community together to run the quarantine centres. The traditional bodies mobilises volunteers to fight the disease, a wonderful structure of participative governance.
Something similar is taking place in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur. After minutely deliberating the need with the district administration, the community leaders began to assist the administration in running the quarantine centres.
The concern of people who are returning to the region from Covid-infected areas is a major issue. These community-assisted centres are truly reinforcing the human value system of the communities of North East India.
Taking a leaf out of the teachings from the Bible, people have gone all out to help the poor and the needy. In the Bible it is said: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” Acts of the Apostles 2.42-46.
The life of early Christian communities is a model of human community. A model of community life relevant all times. This model as seen in various parts of North-East India is an ideal that can be replicated.
It’s true that corona pandemic has slogans like ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’, however, if this is applicable to all, the role of our front liners and the thousands of officials in the government and non-governmental sector would see tragedies of maximum degree. Helping to run the quarantine centres with proper health protocol is an important component of facing the tide of Covid 19.