Matters India reporter
Darjeeling, July 29, 2020 — A college professor in Darjeeling organises relief supplies for stranded migrant workers from Nepal and needy poor with help of local Christian minority group members.
Salesian College Sonada Dean (Arts & Humanities) leads Sonada United Christian Minority Welfare Society (SUCMWS) members from 4th June 2020 for a Relief Project for Migrant Workers from Nepal; needy Christians of Sonada locality, and follow ups of local Christians in quarantine.
The SUCMWS is a conglomeration of 14 Christian groups operating in Sonada area which has some 15 large tea plantations.
Professor of English, Dr. Terence Mukhia president of SUCMWS recalls, “As I was going ahead with my daily life during Covid-lockdown, my conscience was not at peace. Something had to be done not just as an individual but as a team (SUCMWS) than just sitting comfortably at home. Even my wife Assistant professor and HoD of History at Tufanganj Mahavidyalaya, Coochbehar was telling me to think of doing something to help the needy and the suffering.”
A Salesian alumnus Dr. Mukhia confesses, “Initially, we had fear of contracting Covid-19 as the pandemic had just found entry at Sonada and some families had been quarantined. I personally thought that I was putting my entire family at risk. Moreover, I was having gaut (Uric Acid Problem) in my left foot and was in pain. I had to walk and go for shopping and supervise distribution details together with my friends.”
“I was saddened and moved to hear that so many families were suffering due to the lack of basic needs. Out of 61 migrant workers from Nepal residing in Sonada, 20 families had already left for Nepal since their earnings and resources could not sustain them. The remaining 41 families stayed back hoping that the situation would normalize. But they were shattered after two months. Most of them were in pitiful condition since lockdown which started late March.”
The turning point was when, “two Roman Catholic boys from Pacheng, Sonada valley, who had just completed the quarantine period of 14 days came to my house asking for relief,” recalls 45 year old Dr Mukhia president of SUCMWS.
The boys shared their quarantine experiences how they were despised and neglected by their own neighbours and the difficulties they were undergoing. “It was very touching experience as well as an eye opener,” recalls Dr Mukhia.
It was then we prayed, “Lord we surrender everything to you. If you want us to go ahead with this work, please help us. Thy will be done.”
Dr Mukhia is jubilant when he says, “the resources (cash, kind, and services) started pouring in from pastors, priests, laity, family members and family friends.”
Local community leader Dr Mukhia says, “With love, trust and confidence in God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit we surrendered everything to God and Mother Mary. Then with the help of my SUCMWS members, my family and local people, we started organising and distributing relief material package containing: 10 kg rice, 1 kg dal, 1 kg, sugar and 1 kg oil. Wheat flour was given to those who asked for it. So far five rounds of relief was supplied till 29 July 20020.
Recalling an incident that touched him Dr Mukhia says, “One day, after the distribution of relief packages, as I was returning home, a high school girl, daughter of a coolie, came running and bowed to me in gratitude.”
“This experience has brought me closer to God,” confesses Dr. Mukhia saying, “It has helped me to be aware of many weaknesses thus bringing more transformation within me. God has helped me to grow more in love and faith with action.”
The anti-covid work changed my attitude towards the weak, the marginalized, the forgotten, the stigmatised, those at the peripheries. “Now I look at them as my fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. I am not doing any charity work to them but providing basic requirements that they justly deserve for their survival.”