Nabum and Odilemla
Dimapur
There is an easy way and a better way. Principally both the ways are not the same and comes with different consequences. Depending on the magnitude of the subject, the focus should preferably be on the one which will yield quality results. The Covid-19 pandemic has put the whole world into a standstill and governments around the world are doing everything they can to contain the spread of the virus while the search for the cure is still on.
Currently we are in Phase III of the lockdown in India. The lockdown which started on March 25th 2020 has had a tremendous effect in terms of health, lives lost, and has also pushed the country’s economy into an unprecedented recession. The Nagaland government is doing its part in fighting the pandemic and is among the four states in North East without any active cases. The stand of the government on prioritizing ‘preventive measures’ is laudable and has been the major reason why the state has a ‘Covid Free’ status. However, the danger is far from over.
The stranded
The stranded Nagas outside Nagaland need the help of the government more than ever in terms of financial aid or to work in close cohesion with the respective governments of other states to figure out a solution to provide relief to the stranded Nagas. The bringing back of stranded people has raised many concerns. Firstly, it puts the people coming back home at risk and secondly, it puts the entire state at risk. The people stranded outside have different requirements- going home is not a solution for everyone especially when you have to bypass many states or areas which are hotspots. The risk is imminent as people from different states will be coming home.
The selection to bring back the stranded should be done looking at his/her situation and also the zone from which the person hails. Highest priority should be given to the people from red zones as they pose the highest threat. Mixing of the people from different zones should be avoided at all cost. Maybe a gap of 1-2 week should be maintained in the arrival time of the various batches to avoid the crunching of the people at the assigned quarantine facility while also taking into account the capacity and the preparedness of the medical facilities in the state.
The stranded people are categorized mainly into students, working professionals or patients. These people, if not faced with acute financial and accommodation problem, should realize that they have more chances of staying uninfected if they stay put as per the lockdown norms. Movement only increases their chances of contracting the virus and more problems might unfold. Family members should not panic and ask their children to come home in this kind of situation. Rather boosting their moral confidence and encouraging them to invest their time well in either studies or working from home is a welcome step.
So there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of those going back home as more than 18,000 people have registered to go home though the online portal provided by the government. We have to be a responsible citizen knowing that a lot of lives are at stake and one mistake can lead to a major calamity. At any given point, one should try to limit contacts and stay vigilant because the virus is asymptomatic (no symptoms) in 80% cases as per the Indian Council of Medical Research. The attitude that ‘moi ki toh nalagibo’ doesn’t apply in these contexts as we need to be ever more careful with each passing day.
For those at home in Nagaland, being in the ‘green zone’ means that we still have time to prepare for the worst and not that the pandemic won’t affect our state. It would be much better if the medical facilities are upgraded first and emergency provisions in place with proper allocation of various resources before the exodus of the stranded Naga people into the state. The completion of BSL-3 lab is a good step but however more resources need to be pulled in to safeguard our land and its people.
Together we can
The State Government should consider options like fortifying relief centers in various parts of the country for the stranded Nagas or provide assistance to the needy in their respective current state for a month or two, at least until we are ready to take the hit from the first wave and effectively contain it. The fate of Nagaland is in the hands of the Government and the policies they adopt in this situation. This doesn’t rule out the fact that people play a very crucial role in this situation as people’s participation is the essence of good governance and aids in achieving higher efficiency in various policies. The pandemic calls for a collective response not only from the Government but from every Naga, from all walks of life. For instance, Kerala is one of the worst natural disaster hit states in India mainly becauseof its geographical location and also, the first case of Covid-19 came from Kerala in India but they have relatively flattened the curve and managed their crisis impressively due to the strong public healthcare system, effective risk communication to the public and community participation.
Proper analysis and priority should be given to the situation before executing any further step. Any decision taken by the Government from this point onward will determine the future of the Naga people. Therefore a high level of professionalism is expected from the Government while making decisions. Our worst days might be ahead of us so we should strengthen our minds and body. We should not be disheartened when we fail as we may lose some battles but not the war. Let’s choose the better way.
Kuknalim
