Heartfelt appreciation to the people of AMAND

Nganthoi Lourembam *

Does mankind really exist in this world of technology and economy driven society? One needs to consider with a pinch of salt, have we all become emotionless or does humanity really exist?

Not so long ago, in a busy metropolitan city of Pune, my sister met with an accident and she sustained some internal injury. The accident was miserable but what's more distressful was she was alone there, far from her hometown, not so known by the other big cities, Manipur.

I happened to stay at Pune for more than seven years so I took the next available flight from Imphal to Pune. Unfortunately I missed the operation as we got the news just half an hour before the surgery.

While getting operated her friends and colleagues were there but mom and dad wanted someone we knew to be there at the hospital. It was 11.30 pm when his friend had called and informed about the surgery.

I rang up all the possible phone numbers of my friends and acquaintances living in Pune but couldn't get through to anyone. But I knew a kid from my college who lives in Pune and luckily he was on the way from work.

He and along with his friends went to the hospital and informed us every bits about the surgery as we were all restless back at home.

When I reached Pune, my sister was lying in the bed of ICU. I came back to Pune after almost three years and never would have expected to see my sister in a bed of ICU.

Her friends told me that the mediclaim has been exceeded. So what happens if the mediclaim exceeds, the patient's family has to pay the exceeded amount. My head became heavy to load the very talk of mediclaim and hospital bill, on top of that someone is still breathing in the ICU.

So there I was, alone, far from home, isolated and puzzled about all the bills and Mediclaim things. Somehow, mom and dad arranged the money to pay the hospital bill and had it transferred to my account.

Someone who claimed to be my sister's friend had said to me that I am a girl and some guys from the family should have come instead of me to look after my sister. After spending five days of sleepless night at the hospital, the very statement made me feel remorse of coming to Pune.

While I am having the worst time of my life I received a call from AMAND (All Manipuri Diaspora Pune). The cultural secretary of the association, Jitendra, came to meet us and assured to extend any help we require.

AMAND Pune is an association based in Pune which is built up to promote national integration and protect socio cultural heritage of all caste and communities of India in general and Manipur in particular. The association has helped many other Manipuri families living in Pune when in need of help. It also organises cultural events in Pune every years across.

So what to say, I felt blissful to meet the people of AMAND Pune who had come at the right time to show us moral support and kindness when my sister and I needed the most. Their presence made us feel we were at home and it also made shut some people's mouth.

At the end I learnt that insurance and hospital bill are something which will go hand in hand and make the patient's family worry. What really matters in life is showing affection and care to somebody when in need of help. And now I know how important it is to stay connected with our own people.

AMAND Pune is doing a fantabulous work to strengthen the connection. And of course humanity does exist. We can turn the world into a better place when we all know the importance of mankind.

My sister is quickly recovering. I, on behalf of my whole family, would like to appreciate everyone including AMAND Pune, my friends from Pune and others who had given great support and kindness during our stay at the hospital.

Thank you all 'Khurumjari.'