Extraordinary act of kindness restores hope to an internally displaced family
A story to inspire others in this hour of despair
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 01 2024: In the midst of despair gripping Manipur, a remarkable act of generosity has set a new standard inspiring others to follow and help internally displaced people.

Displaced and gripped by the pain of her house being burnt down in the violent conflict, Laishram Memma had developed a medical condition that threatened her life.

While she couldn't afford the expensive treatment at a private hospital, JNIMS--a Government hospital had no equipment for the required surgery.

This is when two generous friends--Bisoya Loitongbam and Sridivya Bonam came to the rescue.

Their extraordinary act of kindness saved the life of Laishram Memma and many others like her.

Extraordinary act of kindness restores hope to an internally displaced family

A journey of struggles and resilience

Laishram Memma hails from Nghathal village in Churachandpur, a district which has now been cleansed of Meiteis.

In the initial days of the conflict, her house was burnt down and she fled Churachandpur.

Since then, she has been residing as an internally displaced person at the Sagoltongba Recent Higher Secondary School relief camp, Imphal West.

Her medical struggles began two years ago when she was diagnosed with appendicitis.

A series of cancelled surgeries at Churachandpur District Hospital and RIMS Hospital, combined with the trauma of her house being burned down, delayed her treatment and caused her health to deteriorate further.

After much struggle, she underwent surgery for appendicitis at RIMS Hospital but suffered severe postoperative complications.

Her condition worsened due to a hernia, leading to two more surgeries at Bishnupur District Hospital.

Despite these efforts, her pain persisted, and on the recommendation of the local MLA, she sought treatment at JNIMS, where laparoscopic surgery was advised.

However, the hospital lacked functional equipment to perform the procedure, forcing a referral to a private hospital, where the estimated cost of the treatment exceeded Rs 1.3 lakh--a sum her family, having lost everything, could not afford. A lifeline of generosity

Laishram Memma's suffering soon caught the attention of a "volunteer" who circulated her plight on social media and reached Bisoya Loitongbam, a Manipuri pursuing a Chevening Gurukul Fellowship at Oxford.

Bisoya immediately contacted JNIMS to explore whether the surgery could be performed at the hospital.

She found out that the JNIMS Hospital, unfortunately, could not proceed due to a damaged light source in their laparoscopic equipment, and lack of replacement parts locally.

Determined to help, Bisoya reached out to her friend and former classmate, Sridivya Bonam, at the National Institute of Technology, Warangal.

Sridivya Bonam now works as a Group Product Manager at Google, Washington.

Recognising the urgency, Sridivya donated the funds needed to purchase the equipment.

The laparoscopic endoscopy equipment was delivered and donated to JNIMS on November 7.Memma was admitted to the hospital on the same day, and on November 11, Dr Somorjit, Head of Surgery, successfully, performed the operation. A ripple effect of compassion

After the successful operation, Memma has since been discharged and is recovering well.

The donated equipment not only saved her life but has enabled JNIMS Hospital perform approximately 30 surgeries to date benefiting many others in need, said JNIMS Relief Committee and Relief Committee Manipur.

The JNIMS Relief Committee and Relief Committee Manipur have praised Bisoya and her friend Sridivya for donating the equipment to the hospital, and making a lasting impact rather than funding a one-time private hospital expense.

In a post on Twitter, Bisoya expressed, "My heartfelt thanks to my dear friend Sridivya, a truly beautiful soul, for her immense kindness and support for alleviating the pain of people she hardly knows but nevertheless cares about...

Her willingness to step up for strangers in need is deeply inspiring.

Some assume I contribute financially because I have plenty to spare.

That's far from true.

If a small financial adjustment on my part-paying slightly higher EMIs-can alleviate suffering or save a life, that's the least I can do as a Manipuri" .

"This extraordinary story of kindness and collaboration serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the transformative power of generosity during the most challenging times.

We call upon all the citizens of India to help the IDPs financially, physically and morally," said the Relief Committee, JNIMS and Relief Committee, Manipur in a joint statement.