COVID-19 lockdown: Many more extend help to poor and underprivileged
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 27 2020: As the COVID-19 lockdown continue to put the underprivileged and poor families at risk, many groups and individuals extended help at their capacities.

Here are the highlights:
Philanthropy works continue in Senapati
R Yuh Jonathan Tao of 47/ Karong Mandal, his younger brother, R Chao Tao; Yuna family and R Vathe Tao continued their charitable works to help the residents of Senapati, Karong and surrounding areas affected by COVID-19 lockdown.

COVID-19 lockdown: Many more extend help to poor and underprivileged

The families reached out to more than 1570 needy families, 9 orphanages, 3 hostels, 2 Theological colleges, patients, students, widows and widowers with 900 bags of rice; 60 bags each of dal, potatoes and sugar; 30 bags of salt, 60 kg of tea leaves and 2000 bars of soap in the name of Goodwill Beacon Mission (GBM).

They also handed out hand gloves, masks, sanitizers and juice to the Senapati Police as an encouragement besides providing rations, hand gloves, sanitizers and masks to PHC Oinam Hill.

Oinam Hill Village Authority also expressed gratefulness to the families for their helpful gesture at such a hard time.

Income Tax COVID Support team distribute edibles
The Income Tax COVID Support team, Manipur has distributed 5 kg of rice along with potato, pulses, mustard oil, sugar, salt each to 20 families of Dewlahland, 20 families of Checkon, and 20 families of Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai, Imphal, Manipur yesterday.

The essential commodities were distributed through All Tribal Rights' Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) to the most needy families of the three localities who are residing as tenants and left out by the system from availing rice and other essential items from the Government and concerned authorities.

The families have also expressed their sincere happiness and gratefulness to the team.

The IT COVID-Support team, Manipur is a group of officials of the Income Tax Department working in various cities and towns (Imphal, Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi, Shillong, Sivasagar, Nagoan, Dimapur etc.) .

The team is working in tandem with the objective of assist the most vulnerable sections of the society during the ensuing lockdown period and beyond.

They also assisted the Manipur residents residing and stranded in different parts of the country due to lockdown.

ATRPFM also conveyed its deepest gratitude for their act of love and affection to the poor tenants.

ATRPFM has also expressed disappointment over the inactiveness of State authorities despite their call to address the grievances of the tenants struck at Dewlahland and Checkon areas a few days back.

Coordinating Body Khurai continues relief work
As a part of its continued relief effort on account of the lockdown, Coordinating Body Khurai has also extended 3 kg rice and 1 pack of salt each to 65 households at Gwaltabi today.

Considering the need, exceptionally bigger families were provided 5 kg each, said a press statement of the body.

The body has also procured 50 kg of pepper which the farmers at Sirarakhong have been unable to sell due to the lockdown, the statement added.

At Kakching, 2001 Class X batch of Padma Ratna English School Kakching has extended edibles to many economically weaker households belonging to different communities living in the area.

One Moirangthem Inaotomba from Kakching Chumnang Leikai also reached to his fellow residents with edibles.

COVID-19 Relief Committee Kakching Khunou reaches out
COVID-19 Relief Committee Kakching Khunou also continued to serve the needy by extending edibles today.

127 households of Kakching Khunou including 20 worst hit tribal families at Kalika Lok and Kaziphung villages to foster the relationship among different communities.

The committee with contributions from several philanthropists has been extending help to people affected by COVID-19 since April 23 and have reached out to around 530 households so far, said a statement of the committee.

Awareness raised, mask distributed
Samaram Youth Volunteer Organisation has conducted an awareness programme on COVID-19 under the aegis of a social worker, Thokchom Jadumani at Samaram Laibung today.

Masks were also distributed on the occasion apart from many stressing on the new disease and ways to tackle it.

The social worker who has been distributing relief material at places on account of the lockdown, was honoured with a simple present during the programme, reports our correspondent.

RVS extends aid to persons living with HIV-AIDS
Rural Voluntary Services (RVS), Wangbal, under the Link Workers Scheme, has extended edible items to around 100 persons living with HIV-AIDS in Thoubal on account of the lockdown.

Babita Sapam, secretary of RVS maintained that the lockdown has affected everyone including HIV-AIDS patients and with a bid to mitigate their hardships, the edibles were extended.

All of us have equal responsibility in fighting and defeating the dreaded disease, she added while seeking a collective effort.

Member of Naga Peoples front and social worker, Aslam Raja has also distributed edibles to deprived families of Sangaiyumpham under Khangabok AC .

RO assists journalists
Encouraging the role played by media persons in fighting the COVID-19, Range Officer of Kakching Range, Naorem Munal provided masks, hand sanitizers and edibles to the journalists of Kakching and Thoubal.

The items were handed out Kakching and Thoubal Mela ground to support the journalists who have been playing its huge selfless role of informing people about the new disease and happenings across the globe.

CRPF helps under CAP
109 Bn CRPF were also distributed surgical face masks, hand sanitizers, hand gloves, hand wash and floor cleaner (Lizol) were distributed to the marginalized section of various localities under Civic Action Programme yesterday.

The items meant for distribution to residents was handed to village authorities and local clubs of Song Song village, Rabunamai village, Punanamei village, Chowainu village, Pudunamai village and Shajouba village.

The villagers were also sensitized about the new disease and urged to use protective masks and regular handwash with soaps, sanitizer etc apart from encouraging them to seek medical help from the nearest PHC or hospital in case they feel unwell, said a statement of 109 Bn CRPF.

AMMA assists "Flamingo"
All Manipur Music Association (AMMA) has also extended edibles to "Flamingo" a mental home for women at Sangaiprou Mamang Leikai in continuation of its relief work today.

AMMA has also helped a young woman singer suffering from mental illness admitted to the home for proper treatment with the help of many organisations like Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol, vendors at Kwakeithel, Sagolband Sayang Pukhri Mapal, Usha Bhawan Club etc in March this year.

The singer recovering slowly and will be performing for the music lovers soon said a statement of AMMA while seeking assistance from all sections is supporting the singer and other who are suffering from mental health disorders to get proper diagnosis and treatment.

Active KEVA Moirang Team
Active Keva Moirang Team also came out to help police personnel and VDF working day in day out to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown at Moirang by providing American Ginseng produced by KEVA Industries.

30 ml bottles of the 100% natural and ayurvedic ginseng which can enhance and boost one's immunity, were handed out by the volunteers of the team in the presence of Tokendra Akoijam and Meisnam Khagemba who are respectively the chairman and the deputy chairman of KEVA Industry Eastern Zone.

Pradhan assists differently-abled persons Pradhan of Lamjaotongba Gram Panchayat, Elangbam Ongbi Sushila has extended edibles to differently-abled persons under her GP today in view of the hardships faced by them during the lockdown due to COVID-19.The items were delivered at the respective homes by the Pradhan apart from raising awareness about the disease and safety measures to be taken up, said a press release.

Romi Industries hands out masks to AMWJU, Manipur Hawkers Assn
Romi Industries has also came out to help journalists and hawkers who are doing their bit in the face of COVID-19 pandemic selflessly by distributing face masks today.

The masks were formally handed over to All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Manipur Hawkers Association by the proprietor of the Industries, Khumbongmayum Dhanachandra at Manipur Press Club to encourage the journalist and hawkers who are helping in disseminating information to every household even during such crucial junction.

Dhanachandra also maintained that more masks will be distributed at various police stations for distribution to police personnel in days to come apart from handing out the same to the passers-by free of cost.

TD Minister doles out relief rice
TD & Fisheries Minister N Kayisii distributed rice in Oklong Khullen, Oklong Khunou and Maryram villages in Oklong area under Senapati sub-division today.

The minister has also donated water tanks to Senapati town Committee to ease the scarcity of water in DHQs areas.

Starting last week, the Minister and MLA of Tadubi Assembly Constituency has distributed rice to villages in Makeng Chajingba areas, Taphou Ngaihang areas, Taphou Liangmei village areas, New Eden and Katomei circle villages.

Yesterday, similar humanitarian relief was extended in Makuilongdi areas which include 3 villages.

In a statement, The Oklong area villages have thanked the Minister for helping the (3) three villagers at this crucial time of lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister also assured to continue such relief efforts in other villages and appealed the people to stay safe and cautious during these crucial lockdown periods.

ADC Member reaches out
With Covid-19 pandemic creating food shortage to many daily wage earners and farmers, the Lairouching DCC ADC Member Luba Thomas in the presence of the NMPO and NMYSO has generously distributed 15 kg of rice, 5 kg of potato, 1kg of dal, 1kg of sugar, 1kg of salt each to 150 families of the constituency who are in genuine need.

Maram Bazar Village Authority and Maram Bazar Youths and Students Organization helped in distributing the essential Commodities to those in need.

ADC member Luba Thomas and President Northern Maram People's Organization (NMPO) Talu Dominic encouraged the public not to be panic but to be careful and stay prepared.

They also appealed all to undertake agricultural activities to prevent food shortage or dependence on others during such difficult days.