Lockdown reintroduces Naga youths to family life, quality, and productivity

‘Looking forward to school’

Dimapur, April 7 (EMN): From learning to appreciate the fellowship of family life to learning new skills such as cooking or gardening, the lockdown in Nagaland is introducing Naga youths to the value and joy of family life and productivity.

Patience and self-care are the keys to coping with the ongoing lockdown across India, and the various challenges posed by situations caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, says 20-year-old Atheli Zhimomi.

With Nagaland state on lockdown, Zhimomi said she and her family are starting to ‘know more of each other by spending quality time with the family.’

She feels that the lockdown has done ‘good’ to her family as it brought about a reunion of their entire family members which, according to her, would not have been possible given the busy schedule of their lives.

Zhimomi said she being a student spends her days preparing for semester examinations. At the same time, she can also spread to the people in her locality awareness about the corona virus or Covid-19. Likewise, she can educate the people about the importance of staying indoors during the lockdown.

Another Naga youth, Ahuto Chishi, expressed concern that life couldn’t be more realistic especially since the lockdown began. Hailing from a small village of Kiyeto, Chishi spoke about ‘What if the way we spent today had to actually becomes a daily cycle of human life?’

Stating that he felt a little awkward when the usual habits of ‘normal life’ hit him, he said the lockdown made him to self-assess.

Beside spreading awareness in his locality, Chishi said planting trees and vegetables, feeding domestic animals, engaging in productive work, helping neighbours in whatever way possible, or having family prayers and gathering etc., have now become his daily routine.

All these activities should have been everybody else’s way of life even before the lockdown, he said.

On other ‘free’ days, he volunteers with other youths in his village to oversee people and traffic movements as his area shares borders with Assam state.

Similarly, 16-year-old girl Kanali said art keeps her inspired and active throughout the lockdown. Art, according to her, is a good activity that keeps her busy.

Kanali said she now appreciates everything more deeply than usual. The lockdown has made her realise the things she took for granted in the past.

She hopes that the current situation will end fast ‘so we can all go back to normal lives like going out, visiting friends etc.’ She explained that she misses school. Now, she is excited and looking forward to going back to school after the lockdown and when the situation is over.

Another youth, Khyochamo Ngullie, said that he copes with the lockdown by spending time with his family, while also learning new and creative ways to cook from home.

However, Ngullie observed, he said to have seen the ‘weakness’ of some people who have been careless about precautions and breaking rules during a challenging time. 

He said many youths are still taking the situation very lightly even though they are well-educated and aware of consequences.