Dimapur: A toll-free Number 1800 121 7119 was launched as an ecumenical response to Covid pandemic in North East India.
The function was held on 14th May through an online event. Rev. Abel Jacob the founder and director of Hope Charitable Foundation based in Dimapur, Nagaland in his welcome address said, “We are aware of the Covid-19 pandemic situation in N-E India. In these uncertain times, we are trying our best to reach out to our brothers and sisters. We have initiated a helpline Toll-free number1800 121 7119 an ecumenical joint venture of Hope Charitable Foundation, based in Dimapur, Nagaland and NEIRBC Commission for ecumenism”.
“There is also a Facebook Page: HCF Helpline No. 1800 121 7119. We are using this facility to get associated with Covid-19 related services to our people in the region with various services. The main purpose of the programme is to provide relevant information about Covid-19 symptoms, solutions available, guidance and encouragement to people,” he added.
Rev. K. Savino, the senior pastor of Grace Covenant Church Dimapur invoked Gods blessings in his opening prayer and Rev. Dr. C. P. Anto, the Secretary of Dimapur Christian Forum, inaugurated the toll-free number in the presence of several Christian leaders and volunteers.
Explaining the functioning of the services Fr. Tom Mangattuthazhe, the secretary of NEIRBC commission for Ecumenism, said, “Anyone who calls this number: 1800 121 7119 can communicate in seven Indian languages; English, Hindi, Nagamese, Assamese, Karbi, Nepali and Boro. Some of the services we hope to undertake are the following, hospital Information, Covid related questions and answers, Doctors on telephone consultation, telephone Prayer support by Christian leaders, pastors, reverends, priests and sisters (nuns), mental health counselling, and awareness sharing on vaccines”. He further requested the churches and Christians in N-E India by joining hands in mitigating the sufferings of people.
Alen Brooks, a well-known Christian leader and spokesperson of UCFNEI and ACF speaking on the occasion, said, “The present situation brought in by the pandemic, COVID-19 is a worldwide reality and it creates a grave concern to the society and collaborative efforts are much needed.”
Appreciating the initiatives Fr. G P Amalraj, the deputy secretary of NEIRBC, opined that “there is a greater need to enhance the level of preparedness, alert and response to identify, manage and care for new cases of COVID-19”.
K. Gold Smith, the secretary of the Assam Christian Forum (ACF), during his speech said that “the Churches in N-E India has always come together and stood together to respond to the needs of the people whenever disaster occurred in the region. We are here once again to respond to this most urgent and critical situation that the Covid-19 pandemic has imposed on us”.
Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, former one of the prominent leaders of NEI and the presbyter of Christ Church Guwahati (CNI), emphasized the “need to spread genuine information to people so that we instruct and guide people our people to save the precious lives.”
Sr. Prema SCC in her speech during the occasion said that people become victims of this pandemic out of their ignorance and slowness in taking action. “Our initiative through the toll-Free number should save the lives of many. People should be supported both mentally and physically through our contacts and instructions”.
Rev. Abel Jacob concluded the launching ceremony with a word of prayer.
The battle against COVID-19 is certainly not an easy task in N-E India, however, “We stand united and forge ahead as Christians armed with faith that we shall and we will overcome.”
I don’t intend to be nasty and unkind but the piece is very poor journalism. It merely repeatrs the same thing by different people – purpose, prayer, encouragement…. There is no reference to how serious the pandemic is in the region or the number of healthcare centres run by Christians in the region.