Good Samaritans galore in Bangalore, say stranded people

Sunbird Trust has distributed over 70 tons of rations for over 12,000 NE people

Dimapur, May 19 (EMN): The ordeal caused by the abrupt nationwide lockdown to contain the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) transmission would be too much to take for thousands of people from the Northeast India if not for the help rendered by several nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in Bengaluru “with unlimited supplies of groceries”.

A statement issued by the president of Naga Students’ Union, Bangalore (NSUB), Mughato Kiba, informed that there are approximately four lakh north-eastern people, who are either working or studying in Bengaluru, which is dubbed as the Information Technology (IT) capital of India. Like most migrants, people from Northeast region too were badly affected by the lockdown.

“The worst impacted are those in the unorganized sector and those working in small enterprises like saloons and restaurants. At best, most had very little disposable income, especially after sending home whatever little savings they had. Post the lockdown and missed salary cheques, there was still rent to be paid and food to be put on the table. Without ration cards, in an unfamiliar cultural environment and far from the security of family and home, many found themselves in a desperate situation,” the statement read.

It stated the people of the city, Karnataka government, police and local NGOs stepped up to provide help to stranded people from the Northeast. ‘At the forefront of those that have come to the aid of North Easterners in Bengaluru is Sunbird Trust, an NGO working primarily in North East India, but registered at Bengaluru,’ it added.

Dr. Sonal Sethia, COO of Sunbird Trust stated that several nodal organisations representing the North East diaspora in Bengaluru approached the NGO for assistance, thanks to the work of Sunbird Trust in North East India, the statement said. It was said that Sunbird Trust has distributed over 70 tons of rations for over 12,000 Northeast people since April 3 and volunteers of Naga Task Force Bengaluru (NTFB) have been delivering such relief items in their scooters, motorcycles and cars to needy people trapped in their residences due to the lockdown.

According to Kiba, ‘Sunbird Trust has proactively reached out to the entire affected Northeast community in Bangalore’ and more than 2000 Nagas in Bengaluru city and its suburbs have received dry rations of rice, dal, oil, sugar, salt and other items from the trust.

“The job was not an easy one; for the most part, Nagas did not live in large clusters, but were dispersed in small groups across the city, close to their workplaces. Planning the delivery of dry rations over such a large area with extremely limited vehicle passes during the curfew was most challenging. Moreover, a degree of due diligence was required to ensure that the limited rations reached only the neediest and not the well-heeled and more affluent persons,” he said.

“There was also the issue of duplication where beneficiaries were receiving rations from multiple sources. While it was physically impossible to reach 100% of those in need, it could be stated that a determined effort was made by NTFB to bring relief to maximum people,” he added.

Sunbird Trust’s advisor in Nagaland state Sethrichem Sangtam said that Trust, which seeks to give education underprivileged children in conflict affected areas of Northeast India, is currently sponsoring the education of more than 3,100 children in the Northeast out of which over 400 are from Nagaland.

‘It has currently built (or is building) 7 schools and 8 hostels (including a floor for Kohima Orphanage and Destitute Home on NH 39) in NE states. Last year, Sunbird Trust contributed 300 blankets for children in various homes in Nagaland. It is now seeking to increase its presence in the state, especially in remote areas of the border districts,’ the statement read.

The founder and CEO of Sunbird Trust, retired army colonel Christopher Rego, who has served more than eight years in Northeast India, said that it was only natural that Sunbird Trust reaches out to the needy NE folks in his own hometown Bangalore.

It was said that Rego “has a special love for Nagaland and has travelled extensively through the state”. Rego and NSUB president also expressed their gratitude to organisations like Prestige Foundation, Azim Premji Foundation, Caring Friends (Mumbai), XLRI Alumni Association, Bangalore Jesuit Education Society, Life Trust, Akshaya Patra and Diya Ghar among others for donating the rations.

While uncertainty stares at many migrants; some confused whether to stay back in the city or go back home, Kiba expressed optimism, stating that “as an entire city gears up to face the challenges ahead, Northeast folks can be assured of a helping hand from the NTFB, Bengaluru residents, the government and NGOs like Sunbird Trust.”