Tuesday, the 19th Oct 2010 was a fateful and unforgettable day for the people of Phühgimi Village which also caused heavy hearts for all near and far alike.
It all began with a bright and sunny autumn morning. As usual, people were busy attending their daily routine-maintaining and guarding their ready-to-harvest paddy fields from being destroyed by wild animals, birds and insects unaware of the nature’s wrath. People were more enthusiastic and their jovial moods were evident as their year-long hard labor would yield additional harvest at last which the Mother Nature offered them more favorable climate than the years gone by.
However, the happiness of the people and the brightness of the day was cut short when at around 14:45 hours, natural disaster in the form of heavy hailstorm and a violent tornado shook the village like a nightmare. Sadly, nothing could be done to save the fallen grains. People stared at the sky helplessly and then turned their eyes to their paddy fields in awe with broken hearts. Within five minute, bunches full of grains were left wit empty straws. What had befallen on us! They wondered. Why was nature so cruel to us! They complained. The womenfolk cried holding the empty stalks of paddy wondering with what to feed their family and the innocent souls. Alas! It was the saddest moment as dismal and depression were hard to part with any face. The sound of Hi-Ho that accompanies any kind of work; whether carrying, tilling or cutting was not to be heard of. Chanting of Hi-Ho is inevitable while working signifies cheerfulness and enthusiasm. The harder the work load, the higher the tone of Hi-Ho.
By then, it was time to return home from the fields. Every hillock and vale was echoed with grumble and wailing. The sound of Hi-Ho was replaced by sobbing. For several days and nights, parents spent sleepless time wondering with what to feed their children for the year ahead. They prayed and urged with God why was He so harsh to them?
Sure enough, their prayers did not go unanswered. His blessing poured in through various forms which were immeasurable. Prayer and moral support for the village and cash and kind were contributed from far and near irrespective of the community, region etc. with which the anxiety for their survival was totally extirpated.
”Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what will you put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value tan they?” Matthew 6: 25-26
Kudupra Sapu
GMS Phuhgi
District Phek
