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(Left) Onulu Khusoh (Right) Velelo Nuh
Veroli Zhimo
Dimapur | March 30
On March 17, when the government closed schools and imposed a national lockdown, the lives of thousands of children were turned upside down.
The Morung Express spoke to a number of children in Dimapur about how they are coping and how they are trying to use their imagination and creativity to get through the COVID-19 lockdown.
The shutdown has been particularly 'fun' for 9-year-old Tyron and his brother Hichipi who is 11.
While the two spend most of their days gaming on their PS4 console or "being forced to study," Tyron also helps in the kitchen and learned how to fry eggs!
A self-confessed 'couch potato,’ Hichipi prefers to pass his time playing Mobile Legends. He says that this lockdown has allowed for more time to achieve ranks and collect skins than before! "Road to Mythic," he says with a grin.
The worst thing about the shutdown is not being able to go out to restaurants and eat all the yummy food, the siblings say.
"We also practice social distancing at home and wash and sanitize our hands regularly," adds Hichipi.
Tyron on the other hand wants to invent a time machine. "I will use the time machine to go to Wuhan and cure the first patient before he infects anyone," he says.
"I invented a time machine, so obviously I can also find a cure!" he quips.
Like Tyron, 7-year old Adibi Sangtam prefers to spend time playing on the computer, watching TV or using the phone and is least bothered about being stuck indoors. The worst thing that transpired out of the lockdown is the "tons of assignments and lessons to study," he says.
His friend Longsen Imchen chips in with a creative solution for the pandemic. "I will go meet Thanos ASAP, ask him to snap his finger and kill all the coronavirus," the 11-year-old says.
12-year-old Onulu Khusoh has been missing her friends and teachers, but says she is well aware of the COVID-19 pandemic and how the period of lockdown will help in slowing its spread.
"I miss school so much. I miss waking up early and getting ready quickly to go to school and my teachers. The worst is not being able to meet and laugh with my friends," she adds.
When she is not watching TV, playing scrabble games or gardening, Onulu likes to spend time with her family. "That's the best thing about the lockdown," she adds.
While there are no positive COVID-19 cases in Nagaland, many families have been kept under home quarantine.
Velelo Nuh has been living with her aunt since her father was home quarantined after arriving from Delhi.
Velelo spends most of her time drawing or watching TV. Her aunt also organises small picnics by the fishery ponds in the compound for Velelo and her cousins.
"I'm happy because I'm with my other cousins, so we get to do everything together. But I do miss my parents sometimes," the 10-year-old says.
To add to her list of concerns, Velelo could not complete her class 4 final exams because of the shutdown. She worries she will be stuck in the same class while her friends from other schools move on to the next.
For Zara Chonri Sareo, the best thing about the lockdown is that pollution is being reduced. The worst, she says, is that daily wagers will suffer from the consequences and it will affect the academics of students.
The 16-year-old, who recently appeared for the matriculation exam, uses the free time to help with household chores, read the Bible and do physical exercises. Zara also enjoys exploring her creativity and is currently taking up a DIY project.
