Racism has raised its ugly head even amidst these trying times. Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, people from North Eastern states have been at the receiving end of racial slurs and social ostracism. Our fellow Indians are being accused of not only being Chinese, but also spreading the virus!
This has impacted their social mobility, including simple things as stepping out to get groceries. Cases have been reported from Delhi, Mysore and even Mumbai.
However, the worst affected are those people from the North East who work low-wage jobs such as cooks, waiters, food delivery boys, spa and salon workers. They live with siblings, cousins and friends in shared accommodations in low-income neighbourhoods. Even in the best of times they are forced to live hand-to-mouth so that they can send some money back home to their elderly parents and other dependents.
The Tangkhul Welfare Society Mumbai, brought to CJP’s notice the plight of 50 such families living in low income neighbourhoods in Kalina and Khar Danda. Tangkhul Welfare Society Mumbai is an organisation that works to provide relief and assistance in times of distress to members of the Tangkhul community, tribal people who hail from different parts of Nagaland and Manipur.
Now, we have partnered together to provide ration and essential goods to these 50 families, hailing not just from the Tangkhul community but also other tribes and states from the North East. The package includes rice, pulses, sugar, salt, tea, cooking oil, potatoes, onions, bathing and washing soap and washing powder.
CJP had earlier planned its distribution strategy for month-long rations per identified family. However, due to the lockdown, supplies are running out, not just in local corner-stores, but also at many large wholesale markets. In fact, the CJP team had to go to Navi Mumbai to get supplies and managed to make a few emergency purchases and deliver them despite a flash strike called by transporters!
The paucity of all contents of the designed package compelled us to truncate distribution for ten days ration per family. The first installment was delivered yesterday. This includes rice, sugar, onions, potatoes, cooking oil and tea. We will provide the remaining items as soon as supply improves. Here are a few images of families who received the relief packages.
Thotmahai Raingam, Vice President, Tangkhul Welfare Society Mumbai, who helped coordinate the relief efforts with a team of volunteers said, “We are very grateful to your organization for the generous donations. Heartfelt gratitude to all your team members who worked very hard just to help us get what we needed at the right time. Thank you very much for your kindness.”
CJP hopes to provide additional assistance to these families after one week if we manage to get more supplies.