A man looking out of the window from his house in Tuensang during the COVID-19 enforced lockdown in the State earlier this year. (Morung File Photo)
Pandemic takeaways from Nagaland
Atono Tsükrü Kense
Kohima | December 18
The COVID-19 pandemic has upturned lives in ways no one could ever imagine. It not only changed the way people normally live and work, but also the way people think and act.
Besides the numerous negative impacts on all aspects of lives, this pandemic, for many has been a time to slow down and reflect on life. From valuing human connection, appreciating life and appreciating the simple things, it has brought out the best of humankind and made many a lot wiser.
The Morung Express spoke to people from various walks of life about their lessons from the pandemic.
Responsibility, sustainability
For peace activist Niketu Iralu, equality and responsibility for each other are lessons to learn.
“I cannot manipulate what’s right or wrong to suit my selfish advantage and think I’ve no responsibility for the consequences. Every person on earth is important and responsible for society and the world to be as they should be,” he stated.
Lichan Humtsoe, an entrepreneur said “one of the greatest lessons that I have learnt during this pandemic is the importance of having a strong and sustainable local ecosystem without having to have an external support.”
Family
Family relationship is what matters to Diethono Nakhro, State Commissioner of Person with Disabilities (PwDs).
“I think there are many lessons this pandemic season has taught all of us. For me, family matters, people closest to us deserve our time and attention,” she stated.
While opining that it shouldn’t take a pandemic to remind one of this, Nakhro said “all too often we take people we care about for granted and I guess it takes a trying season such as this, to make us see this more clearly.”
“The pandemic has kept us apart from each other and in many cases we have not even been able to be with loved ones when they needed us most. Prioritising my relationships with the most important people in my life is an important takeaway from this pandemic for me” she expressed.
‘Made us more human’
For TV reporter, Toying Sarah Naam, this pandemic has “made us humans more humble and empathetic to each other in the simplest manner.” “Also we all are equally and similarly exposed to this virus. It has taught us humans to respect one another and to respect life above all the distinctions created by us,” she stated.
“Everything is not limited within the four walls. Our survival needs matter most than a luxurious lifestyle. People are now taking care of their health hygiene more than ever and now we actually know what captivity feels to them” she added.
Another lesson for Naam was that the lockdown has brought to people’s notice “how clear the sky is, how beautiful the air is when not polluted and how wonderful nature can be when not disturbed or meddled with.”
“Let us help her heal and let us ensure that we maintain the co balance and give love to our planet,” she hoped.
Survival
“The greatest life lesson I have learnt from this pandemic is health, which we have been ignoring all our lives while pursuing only about wealth and stability” said a homemaker, Meyijungla Jamir.
Jamir also added that “we don’t need much to survive. Staying at home and relying less has taught us to re-examine our priorities. Having or buying every possible modern convenience isn’t necessary for our happiness or survival.”
She maintained that people have become more proactive when thrown with life’s challenges and felt that this crisis has led to the boon of many local producers. Another lesson, she said was the humanity that exists within the community where the kindness touched numerous less privileged people.
For Atu Jamir, an educator this pandemic has taught her that “we don’t really need much to live. The lockdown has forced us to ask what we really need to live reasonably well.”
“Giving priority to ourselves to change the pace of our life, slow down a little and reflect on life by contemplating the importance of loving oneself” is another lessons that she has learnt. Also as she puts across “Christians had an opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with God. Being in lockdown has also given us a chance to spend quality time with our family and also mend some broken relationships with family and friends.”
