Covid 19 cases in Mizoram has been on a steady rise since the onset of the second wave of the pandemic in early April. The government, with the support of the dedicated medical staffs and local task force, has been working tirelessly to keep the numbers at bay so as to avoid a state wide tragedy.
Yesterday, Mizoram’s ongoing battle against Covid 19 took a sudden unexpected turn when Thutak Nunpuitu Team (TNT,1), the largest orphanage home and de- addiction centre in the state, reported more than 500 positive cases, the highest 24 hour record in Mizoram since the outbreak of the pandemic. When the workers at the Centre made the call to the Health Minister in the morning, a medical team headed by Dr. Thiamsanga, Chairman of the Covid-19 Medical Operational Team, was immediately sent to the Centre and a mass sample test drive was conducted for the whole day. Updates of the test results were circulated on social media on an hourly basis and everyone stayed hooked to their phones, praying that the soaring numbers would stop at some point. But it kept going, till it reaches a staggering 548. Covid-19 struck right at the sensitive spot of the Mizo community.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that almost every Mizo has a soft spot the TNT Centre, a place that has always been the home of many abandoned children, destitutes, teenagers with alcohol and substance abuse problem. Currently, there are around 1,500 residents at the centre and this includes orphaned children, drug addicts and alcoholics and specially challenged individuals. The Centre receives donation in the form of cash and kind all year round from individuals, organization, institutions and local churches, and a part from the dedication and sacrifice of the workers, it is the donation of the people that keeps the Centre going. With TNT being largest orphanage home and de-addiction Centre in the state, the report yesterday touched many hearts. The government and the medical team quickly responded to the situation with financial and medical assistance.
The quick response from the community speaks volumes about the philanthropic mentality of the Mizo. From the early hours of the evening, different NGO’s and organizations have set up online platforms for donations on social media.
Last night, a group of Mizo Youtubers set up a joint platform where thousands of viewers put in their contribution which amounted to Rs. 4,38,150/-. The charity podcast went live from 9:30PM till 4:00 AM in the morning and cash donations continued to pour in till the end of the podcast. The channel owner, Victor dA Scavenger, reported that the decision to host the charity podcast was an impromptu decision following the request of viewers. “The response was amazing. As a musician, I have often participated in charity events but last night was different because we didn’t put on any show for the viewers but that didn’t change anything. I think it really reflects the Christian values of the Mizo,” says Jerome (Jeronimo!,1), one of the hosts at the charity podcast. The podcast had around 3000 to 5000 viewers throughout the night. K. Hminga, one of the most celebrated musicians in the state and one of the participants last night, commented that he was surprised by the support showed by the viewers. “All we did was sit there and stare at the screen and still, the number of viewers remained consistently good,” he added. During the livestream, more than 850 viewers made donations through online transfer and the cheque was handed over to the authorities at TNT today.
John Chhana, another Mizo youtuber who participated in the podcast says, “The response really speaks about the mentality of the Mizo, particularly the youths. We often see social media as a form of entertainment. But when people come together on social media for a common purpose, it becomes a powerful medium for helping others.” Justin Lalnunkima (OmziaOmlo,1), one of hosts in the podcast, also added that the massive response is a sign of something hopeful for the future. BZ-a Pachuau (Flick,1), a popular game streamer among the Mizo youtube community, also attracted hundreds of viewers to the charity podcast.
Another organization called People United in Music with a Purpose (PUMP) also opened an online charity platform, the poster of which has been going viral since last night. PUMP has successfully hosted many charity events in the past, especially during the festive seasons. Online donations were made by individuals, families and groups all over the state, and the amount totaled to Rs. 6,59,583/- earlier this evening. David Z. Hmar, a renowned musician and President of PUMP, comments, “We didn’t really know what to expect from the public since the charity poster was circulated in a rush. What has happened to the TNT Centre is something that nobody saw it coming and with the number of cases detected, the medical expenses are going to be massively high and this is what prompted us to take up the online charity. I think this incident really hits home and touched many hearts.” The charity platform is still open and more donations are expected.
An anonymous platform, Aizawl Relief Fund, has also opened an online platform for donation to TNT Centre. The official Instagram account of the same name has updated that the donation has amounted to Rs,. 2,40,000.00
Young Mizo Association, the biggest and most prominent NGO in Mizoram, also quickly reached out to the Centre to show their support. The Central YMA agreed to donate Rs. 50,000/-to the TNT Centre. An official notice has been circulated to all YMA branches in that cash donations can be made to the Centre through the CYMA till June 25, 2021.
With the approval of the Committee on Utilization of Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for Covid-19, Rs. 3 lakhs was given to the Centre from the CM’s Relief Fund for Covid-19.
Today, the number of active cases in Mizoram stands at 3,946, which is an alarming number when one thinks of the population of the state and the shoddy health facilities. While the healthcare infrastructure in the state, including hospitals, medical equipment and man power are slowly pushed to the brink, the strong communitarian feeling among the people is one thing that is keeping the hope alive. The Mizo community is known for the strong cultural values and societal practice where members of the community support each other through thick and thin. The heart-warming response of the people, the quick action taken by the government and the support from the NGOs regarding yesterday’s tragic incident at TNT Centre is an evidence that in this small community, humanity still champions over the modern day self- absorbed and egocentric mindset of today’s capitalist society.
The TNT Centre is now converted into a Community Covid Care Centre and the area has been sealed off as a Containment Zone. Mizoram will continue to show constant love and support to TNT in the form of cash donations, physical assistance and most importantly, spiritual support in the form of prayers. In these unprecedented times, the greatness of a community is to be measured by the compassionate acts of its members because “alone we can do so little,; together, we can do so much.”
