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Audacious as it might sound I pen down my sincere impressions on the lived experiences of our Naga people trapped outside Nagaland during the Covid-19 pandemic. Having served as the President of the Naga Students’ Union Bangalore (NSUB), for the last three years and currently the Adviser to the Union and the member of the Naga Task Force Bangalore, I have witnessed and experienced the genuine battles of our Naga brothers and sisters not only during this pandemic but also their day-to-day struggles to survive in this mega city. Everyday is an endeavour for many Naga migrants because we dared to hope for better prospects professionally or academically. As the world advances, every migrant moving out of one’s homeland wishes to gain something by one’s own merits beyond the comfort of the homes and security of the land. Only few choose to remain in the land they migrate to but many come back to their native homelands to be assets to their own people, ushering in change, bringing in new innovative initiations and leading movements for transformations. I always believe that resistance comes from within but liberation comes from beyond.
Bangalore in specific, the Silicon Valley of India so to say, has seen the influx of Nagas for pursuing excellent quality education, professional careers in IT industries, BPOs and most importantly in retail and hospitality industries. Judging by the high migration rate of the Nagas in Bangalore in these past few years, it is likely to escalate as the city progresses and grows with more opportunities and dreams.
Coming to the present scenario we are facing amidst this pandemic, the concern here is no longer about the coronavirus itself but the question for many is where and how do I obtain my next meal? The whole population of Nagas in Bangalore is at stake but the most affected Nagas are the students and people working in retail and hospitality industries. Not every individual is fortunate enough to have sound financial sustenance. We have people who are direly in need of basic essentials, a plate of rice on their table and a roof above their hands which many of us take for granted. The Naga Task Force Bangalore, have been assisting and monitoring more than thousand Nagas by delivering groceries at their door step risking our lives every day. With every single resource that we have, the Union leaders are trying to provide for those in need with the limited financial support from the Government of Nagaland and provisions from the NGOs. The question here is how long can the student bodies sustain and help their members with these limited resources?
Many have lost their jobs and are left with no salary, many are having a pay cut and unable to pay rent and amenities, students are confused and trapped in their hostels and paying guests. We get calls from young people in the middle of the night standing in the streets seeking for shelter. Bangalore does not have a Nagaland house or a guest house where we can accommodate our people in times of emergency. We do not even have an emergency shelter to accommodate our homeless young Nagas. At the moment no one is certain as to how long this lockdown will continue and we highly doubt the success of business establishments after the lockdown so job opportunities will be relatively low. My worry as a leader is, many of our Naga brothers and sisters and your children will go homeless and jobless in a matter of time. What do we do during this situation when no one is welcomed at any home? We understand this is an unprecedented time and no one is prepared for it but don’t you think we are way too behind? I will not be able to live with myself if I or any of the members of the Naga Task Force Bangalore, have to send back our Naga brothers and sisters without food and shelter.
Along with the requirements of basic essentials, we have to deal with traumatic conditions of our people. This pandemic is no longer about the hunger and the homeless. There is a drastic growth of trauma and mental tension among young people who are stranded outside Nagaland. We are amid a time of uncertainty and upheaval; many Nagas are undergoing traumatic experiences causing mental health issues, fear and anxiety. It is leading to a point of losing one’s life. Within its capacity the Naga Task force Bangalore, is offering counselling service to its members through its social media platforms with the help of professional counsellors, pastors and doctors. But how long can the Union hold and keep its members mentally fit? Our people are already restless and are waiting to go home. As the Government of Nagaland have listened to our greviences, Bengaluru, is sending 1501 Nagas to Nagaland on a special train. Here is hoping that the Nagas at home will welcome us with open arms without prejudices and discrimination of any kind. The plea and cries of the Nagas stranded outside Nagaland is genuine and it’s never not about luxury, it’s about getting back home; a place we feel secure and loved. We request the Government of Nagaland, Civil Society’s, HOHO”s and NGO’s to work together to do the basic thing that is to ‘take care of its citizens,’ and that is all we are asking.
Article by,
Nuthipru Nienu
Former president NSUB
Member Naga Task Force,
Bengaluru.