Naga Forum Delhi reaches out to suffering Myanmar Nagas

Dimapur, October 31: Responding to the call made by the Nagas of Myanmar for help, Naga Forum Delhi (NFD) delivered massive humanitarian relief materials for the people who were affected by the measles epidemic outbreak. The dreaded disease that spread across the township of Lahe and Nanyun had killed more than 85 children. Under the aegis of the Naga Forum Delhi, the project named “Transcending borders breaking barriers” was successfully completed on October 28 at Longwa in Mon district of Nagaland. The relief materials consisting of rice, sugar, dal, tea leaf, milk powder and medicines were handed over the Nagas of Myanmar by the President of the Naga Forum on behalf of the Nagas of Delhi and various cities and towns. Speaking at the gathering, Rio said the initiative was made successful because of the overwhelming response of the public, churches across India and various students’ body. “Today we have broken many barriers, barriers of distance, border and differences within us have been triumphed over by the spirit of oneness and love,” said Rio.Naga Forum Delhi under this initiative had sought help from various churches and students’ body, public leaders and individuals. Altogether 15 churches responded to the call of the Forum, among many churches that participated, the oldest church of the Naga- the Molungkimong Baptist Church, was one of the first to response to the call made by the Naga Forum Delhi for the Nagas of Myanmar. Students’ body such as the Eastern Naga Students’ Union Delhi (ENSUD), Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD) and Tangkhul Students’ Union Delhi (TSUD), Jawaharlal Nerhu University (JNU) Naga Students’ and various students’ bodies enthusiastically participated in the project. After the send-off programme held on October 15 at Nagaland House, New Delhi, all the students body, churches and various Naga associations had fellowship. The team consisting of six volunteers including the president and Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio, headed for various destinations. The team for the Khonsa-Laju in Arunachal Pradesh was led by Wanghring Anal. In Laju, more than 300 Nagas came to receive the relief materials. The team for Pangsha- Moklale in Nagaland was led by Anthony Kaje and Karinpam. Altogether 55 Nagas from Myanmar came to receive the materials. The final and the biggest consignment was delivered at Longwa in Mon district. More than 100 people from 22 villages from Myanmar came to receive the materials in the presence of local MLA, Pohwang Konyak; Deputy Commissioner, Mon; ENPO president, KU president, KU students’ president Myanmar, and all the NFD team at GB’s resident in Longwa. The initiative was executed under the advice and logistic support of the Eastern Nagaland People Organisation (ENPO), Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation (ENSF), logistic support for Pangsha by Khiamniungan Tribal Council and Khiamniungan Baptist Council of Noklak. The logistic support for Laju-Arunachal was guided by the Eastern Naga Students’ Association, a student body of the Naga from Myanmar in India and the Ollo Baptist Church. The Konyak Union and the Konyak Baptist Church Association took up the responsibility of logistic support and mobilisation along with EMSA executive in Longwa Mon.