Hundreds of people from Manipur who are stranded in Delhi owing to the ongoing nationwide lockdown being implemented to contain COVID-19 spread expressed great happiness on receiving relief items donated by people from different walks of life to help tide over the difficult situation in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
As many as 400 people were provided free essential items as the relief distribution for stranded Manipuris continued for the fifth day in a row in Delhi on Sunday.
Dry rations, including rice, dal, onions, potato, oil and sugar, were distributed by a team from the Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi to the stranded Manipuris in South West Delhi’s Naraina village today.
The distribution was carried out from 4 pm to 5 pm while ensuring social distancing.
Many expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the timely help extended to ease the difficult situation faced by the people.
“I’m very happy and satisfied with the relief materials provided by the Manipur Bhawan today. They are extending help in such hard times when nobody is there to help us. Their timely help is commendable. I really appreciate it,” one Ringphala who turned up to collect the relief items, said.
Several others too expressed their gratitude for the free goods provided during this difficult times.
“I’m very much thankful to the relief team for their thoughtfulness and generosity in this hard time. Their selfless contribution is highly appreciated. I’m returning home happily with this heavy load of ration,” Kadiliu said, expressing her happiness on the quality and quantity of the relief items provided.
“Look at the size of the package they are giving. I did not know that we will be receiving this much. I should have brought a carry bag. This is too good. My appreciation to the relief team and the Manipur government for understanding and helping us, brothers and sisters here. God bless them,” said Thomas Soro after receiving the relief items.
Another girl, who does not want to be named said, “I can’t express my happiness now. We have been facing so many difficulties. No job, no more pocket money… parents can not send money. But today, I got this much ration. This initiative is really helpful. I can’t thank them enough.”
Speaking to the Imphal Free Press, one volunteer Aheibam Prahlad said, the relief materials were donated by voluntary donors from different walks of life while adding that donation is received only in kind and no cash donation was accepted.
“The whole activity is coordinated by the Resident Commissioner, Manipur Bhavan, New Delhi. We also have the blessings of the Government of Manipur,” Prahlad said.
Prahlad continued that places including Gurgaon, Vasant Kunj, Munirka, Maharani Bagh Sunlight Colony and Vijay Nagar have already been covered and more than 2,000 relief packages have been distributed so far.
On being asked which area(s) do they plan to distribute next, Prahlad said areas which have more students will be covered.
“Areas such as Kotla Mubarakpur, Malka Ganj, Mukherjee Nagar, Burari and Haiderpur Badli are in the list. Tomorrow, we will distribute the relief materials in Kotla Mubarakpur. We have received more than 300 requests from Kotla,” Prahlad said, while appealing all to stay safe and follow the guidelines of the government.
Meanwhile, Rakesh Sharma, one of the good Samaritans, told the Imphal Free Press that to him, nothing makes him happier than to help someone in need.
“These brothers and sisters are like my extended family. I drew my inspiration from Chief Minister N Biren Singh. For the first time, I see a CM like a “People’s Man”. He is there to help the needy 24×7,” Sharma said.
Sharma, who, besides donating relief materials, assists personally in distributing the relief packages to the needy, also lauded the Administrative Officer Inderpal Sharma for his coordination with his staff.
“He makes sure that everyone follow social distancing norms and hygiene,” Rakesh Sharma added.
The distribution of dry ration for the students and others who are stranded in and around Delhi began from April 14 and was conducted by a team from Manipur Bhawan.
