Saikot undergoes 'miracle' change
Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka, June 23: From a relatively tranquil hamlet to a bustling village.

This is how Saikot in Churachandpur district has undergone a sea change as a number of temporary sheds and food joints have sprung up to cater to a large number of people who continue to arrive for the 'Chawilien Damdawi' potion.

Even though notes of caution had been served by State authorities with regard to rampant use of the plant extract on ground that the locally prepared potion might have side effects, there is no stopping the people from queueing up.

People throng for the extract that has put Saikot in the news

Contrary to the posture of the Government, a seven member team deputed by the Manipur Health Services led by Dr Motilal arrived recently at Saikot to oversee preparation of the Chawilien Damdawi (medicine in local parlance) neither commented nor suggested any concrete measures for preparation of the potion in a hygienic manner.

Nevertheless, the team collected samples for laboratory testing and sending same to laboratories located in other States.

Scientists/experts from the Central Agriculture University and members of the Manipur unit of Indian Medical Association including Dr Palin of Shija Hospital had already visited Saikot.

Functionaries of the Chawilien Damdawi Cancer Agency informed that at the initiative of the PHE Minister TN Haokip 11 potable water tankers (sintex) have been provided to the Agency to ensure that the water being used in the preparation of the plant extract is at least free of contamination.

Moreover, as there is continued visit of people to Saikot the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) had built temporary toilets for sanitation purpose.

While the plant extract continues to draw people in large number the Agency's functionaries are strongly concerned that some individuals have been taking advantage of the development by claiming their preparation as genuine and originates from Saikot.

Sale of 'Chawilien Damdawi' at Motbung and certain pockets of the State's capital at exorbitant price has especially caught the attention of the Agency's functionaries who further cautioned against using such preparations as it has neither appointed any agency nor is there other distribution outlet other than the one at Saikot.

Significantly the agency or Chawilien himself do not charge any money for the preparation as a gesture of gratitude to the holy spirit that reportedly inspired Chawilien to test the preparation himself.

about 150-170 volunteers from villages in and around Saikot are being engaged in controlling the crowd and levelling of ground for construction of a proper plant extraction centre.

Through individual donations and physical contribution of the locals expenses and other financial necessities are being met.

Among others the Executive Director of North East Religion Finance Services namely Lalremsiam had provided CI sheets for the preaching venue cum Damdawi distribution venue.

Through material donations from the people waiting sheds are being set up.

A team of Hill Area Committee that recently visited the site reportedly assured the Agency to provide two large electrically operated grinders as preparation of the Chawilien Damdawi requires making paste of the plant ahead of other processes.

The Agency's objective for hygienic preparation is impaired by lack of large utensils/vessels and broilers coupled with the erratic power supply, conveyed a functionary.

So far number of visitors is informed to have crossed the two lakh figure and growing by the day.

Inspite of Agency announcing through the media that visiting days would be limited to Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday only people arrived ceaselessly at Saikot today as they had already moved towards Saikot before newspapers carrying the information hit the stands in the morning.

Taking into account inconveniences likely to have been caused to the people in case the distribution was held back today, the Agency was constrained to relax the stricture.

Reacting to a comments that taking Chawilien Damdawi causes allergy and loose motion, functionaries of the Agency strongly advised for consumption of only the prescribed dose and procure the extract from its Saikot venue.

Moreover, they conveyed keen desire that medical practitioners (doctors) inquire the amount of consumption by the patients, if any, and from where the plant extract were purchased/procured rather than jump to the conclusion that Chawilien Damdawi is the main factor for such illness.