COVID-19 NAGALAND: ‘Fighting unseen virus with faith’

CFD members with the Government officials praying during the launch of COVID 19 campaign by CFD at Bishop's House Dimapur on May 15. (Morung Photo)

CFD launches COVID-19 campaign

Dimapur, May 15 (MExN): The Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD) on May 15, launched a COVID-19 campaign under the theme ‘Protect yourself to prevent others,’ in the presence of APC and in charge Dimapur, Y.Kikheto Sema, Deputy Commissioner Dimapur,  Anoop Khinchi, Commissioner of Police (CP) Rothihu Tetseo and CMO Dimapur, Dr Tiasunep Pongener.

Chairman, CFD, Rev Moses Murry, in his welcome note said, “Our fight is against an unseen virus and therefore, we have to fight with our faith in God along with the available human resources. In the midst of such situation, God is in Control and God is with us,” Rev Moses encouraged.

Concerned about the increasing number of COVID positive cases in Assam, the CFD also appealed to the authority for proper and stringent checking/ manning of the borders.

Assuring of all cooperation in containing the pandemic, CFD will be creating awareness and will be  distributing 50000 masks to the front line workers  and the needy  and  also  distribute COVID 19 car stickers, he informed.

It may be mentioned that 25000 masks have been donated by Diocese of Kohima Catholic Church, Bishop James Thoppil.

Kikheto officially launched the COVID-19 stickers and 50,000 masks to be distributed amongst the frontline workers and the poor and needy, the CFD press release stated.

Speaking on the occasion, Y Kikheto Sema appealed to the church leaders to have a meeting to help the government use the Churches infrastructure, especially the church rest houses for accommodating returnees arriving in Nagaland from various states of India.

At the end of the day, the Government may request the churches to take responsibility of accommodating their church members where the Government would the assist for providing food and other necessities, the release added. He also lauded the private schools and college associations Dimapur for coming forward to help the government with their hostels.

Further, Kikheto was all praise for the non-Nagas ( Marwaris Jains, Agarwals and other Samaj ) for coming forward and offering to help their people with regard to accommodation, food and all other necessities.

Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi, reiterated the importance of washing hands, wearing masks, maintaining social distance and dubbed these 3 steps as the golden rule to keep the virus away
"If we follow these rules sincerely there will be no issues and we will be in the right track," Khinchi maintained.
Although large number of people would be arriving at Dimapur, Anoop assured that everything would be fine if people are disciplined and advised them not to panic.

He extended appreciation to the CP Dimapur for successfully implementing the idea of odd and even traffic regulation and remarked that traffic at Dimapur has been controlled to a very large extent.

He also lauded the medical department for working 24 X 7 in containing the pandemic. He also expressed gratitude to the Empowered Committee led by Kikheto Sema for rendering  their tireless services in the fight against COVID 19.

Mentioning that CFD, Students union, NGOs and all stakeholders holders are working united as a team, Anoop said, “Together we can definitely be able to fight the pandemic.” 

CP Dimapur Rothihu Tetseo emphasised on the important role of religious institutions in educating the people not to panic and to offer healing touch and prayer support at this critical juncture.

He observed that many stranded people are and would be arriving without proper food, depressed and worn out and felt that spiritual healing through the church would ease their emotional stress to some extent.

CMO Dimapur, Dr Tiasunep said that nobody knows when, where and how the invisible virus would come and reminded that the only defence against the Corona virus will be to follow the 3 rules of wearing masks, hand hygiene and social distancing. If every community educates their people on these rules, it will not be a big outbreak, Dr Tia asserted.

The CMO assured that the medical department will work harder in containing COVID 19. He admitted that most of the medical staffs are already burnt out working day and night for the past 2 to 3 months and appealed to the forum to pray for them in order to encourage and strengthen them.