A visit to Irang village

Anil Kumar Dahal *

It was on the very special day, the day when our constitution was enacted and we the people of freedom India become republic. Everyone of our team was overjoyed for the humanitarian service on the same day of 2016. Though it was holiday and people can rejoice in their home with their families and friends, AMGSU (All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union) and KGP (Kanglatongbi Gram Panchayat) decided to move forward for the cause of the humanity.

Yes!!! We decided to go for the distribution of the relief material for the earthquake affected victims by a kind hearted NGO of Taiwan "Master Shing Hai".

Though, Irang is a historical place for we the Gorkhas of Manipur and I read many history related to Irang, earlier I had travelled there only once in my childhood. I was aware of the history when Irang was a reserve for Grazier Gorkhas as a grazing land by British. But at that time it was a single Irang and only later on It was divided into Irang Part I and Part II for the ease of administration.

The massive earthquake on 4th of January with it's epicentre at Tamenglong district of Manipur had affected a lot to all the people of Manipur mentally. It had affected many people financially and unfortunately 8 among us left us into the grace of God. May their soul rest in peace. The earthquake affected many Gorkhas living in state and mainly with the traditional houses of Gorkhas made up of mud and stones. As such type of houses are found at Senapati district in plenty, the damage in the district was heavy.

Humanity and Social activities exist and many people, officials, NGOs, paid there visit at different places for relief. Governor, CM, DC, SP, SDO, SDC and their respective teams also comes and inspected the places personally. We like to thank all for their assistance during the time of need. But unfortunately, most of the great personalities did not visit far flung areas like Irang, Kalapahar, Prasain Basti, Toribari, Santolabari, Gopibung, and other nearby areas.

These areas and the people over there were out of the reach of many kind hearted persons of the world. Because of that they did not receive any aids as relief for their destructions from those. We were a team of 25 people in two TATA DI and a van with the relief materials. It Include rice, sugar, tea leaf, edible oil, onions, turmeric powder, salt, dal etc. It was not the materialistic relief more but I feel that they were more feeling safe and relief of hope and mental satisfaction from our visit.

It was more of motivation than materialistic help. It was pretty cold in the morning and we were travelling in open carrier of TATA DI but we were not feeling that cold.

It may be because of our excitement to help the needy. We reach there at around 10 and start distributing from part 1. The villages which we provided relief materials are 1) Poudel Basti, 2) Chuchekhop A and B, 3) Manedhada 4) Dahal Thari 5) Lamchok 6) Panikheti 7) Haspokhari 8) Bajogara 9) Rijaltar 10) Thaldhada 11) Naibet 12) Makui Ashang 13) Gorkha Tapon 14) Gorkha Harup 15) Harup Khopi 16) Hawa Dhada 17) Khakre. There are 14 villages in part I and 16 villages in part II out of which we distributed in 17 villages of both part I and II together. 19 Household in Part I received the materials and 176 household in part II received the materials.

Lunch for our team was arranged by AMGSU Irang Part II at Panikheti. All the people living are really strong people. Even after their houses were damaged, they have less expectations from the govt. and the authority. Many of the people had no option left other than living in the house which already had cracks and was dangerous to live in. We make them aware not to live in such houses and in many places give simple tips about do's and don'ts during the earthquakes to the villagers.

'Gorkhas are hard working', I have heard but it is proved when I went to Irang. The land which is now a cultivable land is made in that conditions by sweating and hard working Gorkhas of that place. The high ridges in the field shows how hard they work even today.

With very less modern facilities available with them, even then they managed to produce everything required for them. Going for a day was enjoyable and refreshing but I just wonder how people live without basic requirement of life. Medical facilities is very poor, transport system is yet to improve, communication through mobile ad internet is still a big challenge, There are no good educational institutions in the area. If all these facilities be made available then the people will stay there in that place only and that area will develop.

Otherwise people will move towards cities and in course of time settle in the city. This will drain all the educated and productive people out of the area and less productive uneducated people will remain in that area, which will take more time for that area to develop. The Govt. if established any good reputed govt. run institution if residential would be better in that area, then I hope Irang will make a significant contribution for the development of the state as well.

With a great hope upon the concern authority and administration, we expect that all the people of the state and also people of Irang will get compensation for the damage due to the massive earthquake.

It was a nice trip of ours to Irang with hope to the people, interaction with good people in the far flung, almost unseen place, and I will remember that day Throughout my life. I on behalf of All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union thank Pradhan Kanglatongbi Gram Panchayat and his team, MDC Irang Part I, AMGSU Irang Part II, Master Shing hai, the good villagers of Irang and all our team members for their support and help.