The ongoing crisis gravely damaged the society leaving many people in miserable conditions touching the hearts of every individual. Thankfully the spirits of extending a helping hand, solidarity and to share the sorrows of such affected people with whatever possible means is not fading, giving hope that an ultimate healing is still possible.
Ever since Manipur was thrown into an unprecedented strife, thousands of people had been displaced from their home and compelled to take shelter in relief camps scattered in various places. For the unfortunate victims from that very moment, their normal life became completely distorted, shattered with so many uncertainties looming large on the prospect of their futures.
With the core idea that “together we can pave way for better society”, many groups of people, individuals from diverse backgrounds have been extending their concerted effort to give a ray of hope amid this crisis through benevolent act. Providing relief aids, financial support, sustainable livelihood training are some of the common trends.
As the act of giving support carries on, people are also generating new ideas on how they can comfort the displaced people and lighten their burden.
For instance, Salai Taret Barber, a youth team comprising of six members is rendering voluntary service to relief camp inmates in a very unique style. Through the skill of hair cutting they acquired, they are trying their best to provide solace to affected victims.
“Our state was severely affected with the unprecedented conflict. As youths of the state, we literally wanted to extend some possible help to people who stay in relief camps. We feel that to share their sorrows is our responsibility. This view has fuelled our team to start this free hair cutting service every Tuesday travelling to different relief camps,” said Ningthouba Khuman, one of the volunteers of salai Taret Barber.
This crisis also has brought community together. All the six members of Salai Taret Baber run their own salon businesses at different places. But to deliver this free hair cutting service to relief camp, it has become a compulsion for them to team together on every Tuesday sacrificing their one day earning.
“As we have to travel to relief camps situated in far flung areas, we usually move out from our homes early morning. Every Tuesday, with our best effort, we try to reach out to as many relief camps as we can. A good number of inmates always wish to avail our service. Because of this very reason, we usually end up our service in one or two relief camps. Nevertheless, we will continue our voluntary service until we cover all the relief camps opened in various valley areas,” Lairenjam Thoiba, assured while detailing about their goodwill service.
So far, the team had travel to relief camp opened in three different places and cut hair for any people irrespective of gender, age. Their voluntary service started at Santhong Relief Camp at Moirang under Bishnupur district where they provided free hair cutting service to around 100 inmates. This was followed by Wangjing Relief and give their service to 150 inmates. On their third visit at relief camp open at Indoor Stadium Kakching, they trimmed the hair for around 70 people.
The volunteers come from economically unsound families with not enough resources. Seeing their generosity, people who have known them provided basic requirement like vehicle, fuels etc., free of cost. But their benevolent act is not restricted only to hair cutting as they also extend their good deeds by sparing time with children staying in relief camp.
“We really feel pained to see innocent children staying in relief camp. But we being citizens who belong to economically deprived class cannot extend as much help as we wish we could. The only thing we can do for them is to share few moments and to distribute some eatable items as tokens of love. Seeing their innocent smile, they pass after giving the few eatables has bolster our spirits to sacrifice more for society,” said Amarjeet another member of the team.
Remaining volunteers Yumnam Ringo, Max Tongbram and Leo Leishangthem also passionately voiced to continue their service until they touch all the bases.
The inmates who have received the free service expressed their profound happiness to the team for visiting them and giving them a fresh look with new hairstyle.
In this critical period, joint spirit displayed by the community stand as a testament that good deeds and good people still exist. Everybody who witnessed these deeds hoped that such generosity prevails more and continue to act as beacon of light to people who are in distress.
The writer is an award winning reporter
