P
Pimpom
Guest
A little background first: "Over here" means a state the size of
Israel in eastern India, sandwiched between Bangladesh and Burma
(Myanmar) with a population of 1.7 million. We have little in
common with mainstream India - language, culture, religion, even
our physical appearance are quite different. Towns and large
villages are divided into localities called "Veng" which also
serve as administrative blocks with their own elected councils.
Our NGOs are well organised and for the past several decades,
they have maintained P.A. systems covering each Veng. This is
particularly useful in emergencies. We have a close-knit society
and, in normal times, it would be very unusual for as few as a
hundred people to attend the funeral of the poorest and least
significant member of society. When someone dies, NGOs take care
of everything.
Today is the 14th day of the 21-day lockdown ordered by the
Indian Prime Minister. Local councils and NGOs have formed a
local task force and place themselves on duty at strategic
locations, working with the police in enforcing the curfew in a
firm but courteous manner.
They make announcements over the PA system, keeping the people
informed and asking anyone who needs help in anything to call
them. They give food and other essentials to out-of-state people
who did not have time to prepare for the lockdown. Once in a
while, a couple of local task force members go around offering
essential foodstuff like rice, eggs, onions, potatoes, pulses,
etc. for sale at normal prices. Profiteering is forbidden.
Church services are suspended of course, but each local church
rings its bell at the usual times and ask each household to
conduct family worship times. Gospel music is occasionally played
over the PA system. Tomorrow being Palm Sunday, church bells will
ring at 11:00 am and Hosannas will be led over the PA system.
The state's new and only medical college - a small one by Western
standards - has been earmarked as a treatment centre for COVID-19
patients. So far there's only one confirmed case in the state - a
Baptist pastor who returned from the Netherlands on March 16 and
developed symptoms while in self-quarantine. The whole family was
whisked away to the centre. He's reported to be recovering. His
family was tested and pronounced free of the virus. They issued a
profound apology on social media for introducing the virus in the
state.
The sole airport is closed, as are state borders except to
carriers of essential goods. The last flight was a special one
chartered by the government to bring in medical supplies like
PPEs, ventilators, etc. Masks, gloves, PPEs and disinfectants are
widely distributed. The government is doing what it can to help
those of our people who are stranded in other states.
Despite all this, it's unlikely that the pandemic will bypass the
state. It's just not possible to watch and control everything.
We'll just have to wait and see.
Israel in eastern India, sandwiched between Bangladesh and Burma
(Myanmar) with a population of 1.7 million. We have little in
common with mainstream India - language, culture, religion, even
our physical appearance are quite different. Towns and large
villages are divided into localities called "Veng" which also
serve as administrative blocks with their own elected councils.
Our NGOs are well organised and for the past several decades,
they have maintained P.A. systems covering each Veng. This is
particularly useful in emergencies. We have a close-knit society
and, in normal times, it would be very unusual for as few as a
hundred people to attend the funeral of the poorest and least
significant member of society. When someone dies, NGOs take care
of everything.
Today is the 14th day of the 21-day lockdown ordered by the
Indian Prime Minister. Local councils and NGOs have formed a
local task force and place themselves on duty at strategic
locations, working with the police in enforcing the curfew in a
firm but courteous manner.
They make announcements over the PA system, keeping the people
informed and asking anyone who needs help in anything to call
them. They give food and other essentials to out-of-state people
who did not have time to prepare for the lockdown. Once in a
while, a couple of local task force members go around offering
essential foodstuff like rice, eggs, onions, potatoes, pulses,
etc. for sale at normal prices. Profiteering is forbidden.
Church services are suspended of course, but each local church
rings its bell at the usual times and ask each household to
conduct family worship times. Gospel music is occasionally played
over the PA system. Tomorrow being Palm Sunday, church bells will
ring at 11:00 am and Hosannas will be led over the PA system.
The state's new and only medical college - a small one by Western
standards - has been earmarked as a treatment centre for COVID-19
patients. So far there's only one confirmed case in the state - a
Baptist pastor who returned from the Netherlands on March 16 and
developed symptoms while in self-quarantine. The whole family was
whisked away to the centre. He's reported to be recovering. His
family was tested and pronounced free of the virus. They issued a
profound apology on social media for introducing the virus in the
state.
The sole airport is closed, as are state borders except to
carriers of essential goods. The last flight was a special one
chartered by the government to bring in medical supplies like
PPEs, ventilators, etc. Masks, gloves, PPEs and disinfectants are
widely distributed. The government is doing what it can to help
those of our people who are stranded in other states.
Despite all this, it's unlikely that the pandemic will bypass the
state. It's just not possible to watch and control everything.
We'll just have to wait and see.