DESAM appeals people to respect healthcare workers
Plans to organise online COVID-19 awareness competitions
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 26 2020:
Reacting to the rampant stigmatization of doctors and health care workers by many in the wake of the first COVID-19 positive case in Manipur, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has appealed all to not show negative attitude towards the health professionals who are putting their lives at risk by working in the frontline against the novel coronavirus.
Expressing disappointment over attitude shown towards the doctors and nurses and rumours regarding COVID-19 case in Manipur on social media, DESAM in a statement issued by its secretary general urged people to respect the healthcare workers for their dedication and courage.
Noting the severity of the steps being taken up by different localities after a COVID-19 positive case was reported in the State, DESAM appealed the people and clubs concerned to refrain from blocking roads, and reasoned that such antics will only lead to inconveniences and cause problems for those who are working in emergency services.
DESAM further appealed to the people and the police as well to provide cooperation to those providing essential services.
On the other hand, the student body lamented that even though the association and AIMS had formed a task force comprised of 100 members on March 21 to aid the initiatives being taken up by the authorities regarding the pandemic, the task force has not been approached or sought by the authorities till date.
Moreover, when the associations attempted to meet the Health Director, their request was never granted, it said, expressing disappointment at the negative response from the authorities.
Commenting on the education sector and the prevailing situation, DESAM reasoned that it will not be possible to maintain a proper academic atmosphere due to the pandemic for quite some time.
It reminded that in the past, DESAM had repeatedly appealed to the Government to undertake the process of Physical Distance Digital Proximity by using the internet to disseminate lessons and knowledge to the students and lamented that no positive actions were received from the Government even though such a method could have aided the students today.
Even if the Government fails to take such an initiative, this process can be easily adopted by private educational institutions, DESAM said appealing all private schools' authorities to do the needful at the earliest.
DESAM also informed that during the lockdown, it will be organizing the 1st Phase Online Competition which will comprise of an Online Open Symposium Competition under the topic, "COVID-19 Ngakthokpa amadi Social Stigma Muthatpa" (Protection from COVID-19 and removing social stigma) .
The first position holder will be given a cash award of Rs 5,000, while the second and third will be awarded cash prize of Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively.
A drawing competition under the theme "COVID-19 Meeoi amadagi amada kamdouna sandok e amadi kamdouna ngakthokkani" (How COVID-19 spreads) will also be held for students of Class V to X with cash prize of Rs 3,000 for the 1st position holder, Rs 2,000 for the 2nd position holder and Rs 1,000 for the 3rd position holder.
Interested people may send in their video (symposium) and drawings before April 5 at [email protected] or WhatsApp no 7005055378 .
Details of the competition can be had from www.facebook.com/"Meeyamgi Desam Meeyamgi Desam" page, it added.
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