COVID-19: Naga scholar appeals CM for awareness campaign in indigenous languages

Dimapur, April 7 (MExN): A Naga scholar has appealed the Chief Minister of Nagaland for working out a mechanism to disseminate information and create native language community awareness campaign on COVID-19. 

 


Such mechanism would benefit a large portion of the most vulnerable people (in rural areas) who are either without or with very limited access to online resources, stated Rachunliu G. Kamei, PhD, a Naga Herpetologist currently based in Ireland.

 


Many citizens, particularly the elderly and illiterate in the rural area, could be “potentially and unintentionally be denied the basic access to vital information,” she said. 

 


Stating that she has been carefully following the government’s progress and actions against COVID-19 in Nagaland, based on the government online resources, she said that while the government is doing a good work to prepare for the pandemic, some concerns remain.  

 


“I have grave personal concerns for the people in Nagaland because the public awareness information available on government websites (cited at the end) are in a language not understood by a majority of Nagaland’s population,” Kamei informed in her appeal. 

 


“As you are aware, mass communication is a critical weapon against Covid-19, and hence this appeal,” she added. 

 


In this connection, Kamei, a leading amphibian scientist from the region, called for producing a scripted audio communication translated into all major and minor languages and dialects in the State, in her set of suggestions. 

 


“These official audio files with original script (so that any critical information is not lost in translation) can be downloaded from an official website and can be distributed on social media to reach the widest possible audience,” she noted. 

 


This will eliminate erroneous information being circulated by well-meaning public members that incorrectly translate information from government sources, she added. 

 


Kamei also batted launching a new official website dedicated to COVID-19 aimed only at providing basic, vital information for the general public of Nagaland on how to stay safe from Coronavirus; information on Covid-19 symptoms; vital educational/awareness.

 


The State government mandated websites (Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority) are far too cluttered with non-essential information for the general public to navigate efficiently, she highlighted.  

 


There are critical errors in the basic safety/preventative instructions provided on the State-government mandated department links (cited below): for e.g., one-meter distancing, washing hands when visibly soiled, “see” a doctor if you feel unwell, the scholar further said. 

 


‘The Reduce the risk of Corona virus Infection (English)’ given on the Nagaland Health & Family Welfare website have the above information, which the she argued, is erroneous.

 


“When the State Government—the trusted source—provides access to vital correct information it will reduce the social-media problem caused by spreading false information, and help to redirect the vital resources otherwise spent on policing such (cyber and other) crimes, Kamei added. 

 


“I am willing to volunteer and assist in the production of the script based on the internationally accepted and published guidelines,” she offered in the letter.