Our Reporter
Dimapur, March 31 (EMN): As Nagaland exerts all efforts to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic from entering the state, the work of which entered the seventh day of the nationwide lockdown on Tuesday, citizens are coming forward to lend a helping hand to the government and community groups proving once again that humanity still exists.
During a time demanding kindness and compassion, the Vivekananda Welfare Foundation (VWF), a registered nongovernmental organisation in Nagaland, are showing an exemplary lesson by feeding the poor and the needy. This also is encouraging more acts of kindness.
The VWF is helping through the ‘community kitchen’ at the Dimapur District Sports Complex (DDSC) stadium. It is said to be feeding more than 100 people by providing meals to daily wage earners, and the poor regardless of religion.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, 31-year-old Bipan Singh expressed gratitude to the volunteers as he enjoyed his 'puri.' He is one among hundreds who have been facing economic hardships due to the lockdown.
Singh is a day-labourer who stays at Nagarjan colony in Dimapur. He said to have run out of money to even buy food or meet any of his essential needs as he could not earn his daily wages on which he lives. He said the lockdown has drastically affected his life. He doesn't know where his next income will come from.
'I did not eat anything since yesterday as I don't have any money to buy food,' said Singh as he hurriedly devoured the ‘puri.’
Similarly, a 26-year-old Naga day labourer there said that he ran out of food a day ago, and had not eaten since. He said the reason for his situation was the lockdown.
He said the gesture and kindness shown to him and many others by the VWF will always be remembered.
'I thought I would go weeks in hunger as I didn't have any resource or the money to survive this present lockdown,' the Naga lad said.
Distributing food at the stadium, a member of the VWF, Arijit Sharma, said the foundation set up the community kitchen on March 30 after getting the district administration's permission. He assured that the volunteers are following the guidelines given by the administration in carrying out the community service.
Need more supplies
Although the moral support of the Nagaland NGOs’ forum is with the VWF, he said till date the organisation has not received any financial aid from any other NGOs. He said everything is being done by the VWF for now. He added that any assistance would mean much as the aid would be used only to feed the hungry and the needy.
Stating that there are more than 120 people at the stadium currently, supply becomes a great challenge for the organisers. They have to feed an ever-increasing number of people there at the site.
'We are cooking and providing food as per our resources and capability,' Sharma said. He said there is no timing for serving the food for now. There may be some changes later with the time for serving food.
Further, he pointed out that many people inside the stadium still do not have any safety kits such as masks, hand sanitizer etc. He said this need must be met at the earliest. This will ensure a safe stay for the people staying at the stadium during the quarantine period.
It may be mentioned that the people coming to avail the free meals are asked to stay back there to ensure proper lockdown of the area.