How Mizoram is Setting an Example for the Rest of India in COVID-19 Awareness

Aizawl, April 1, 2020:

During a period of global catastrophe, the Northeast Indian State of Mizoram has emerged as one of the most disciplined in its pushback against the new coronavirus (or COVID-19) that has killed 43,430 people so far across the world. Merely days after the State reported its first case of an infection, pictures of Mizoram's public, alert and vigilant, have started surfacing on social media, setting an example for the rest of the country.

The public of Mizoram has been seen observing 'social distancing', one of the key measures that one can take against the virus that spreads through contact. In the state capital Aizawl, small squares have been placed on the streets as a reminder that people must maintain distance and avoid mass gatherings.

These measures by Mizoram at a time when the rest of country is struggling to conform to these norms, have earned plaudits from many. Snapshots from Mizoram's disciplined streets now doing the rounds on social media. If the Mizoram Health Minister is to be believed, similar measures are also being taken at the Panchayati level, with several NGOs having rallied to raise corona awareness in the more far-flung areas of the Northeast Indian State.

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Although the COVID-19, which has been termed as the "biggest crisis since World War II", has already infected a Mizoram man, a 50-year-old pastor who flew in from Amsterdam, the people in the small hilly state are trying to beat the pandemic with hygiene and discipline.

[Note: Holland has reported 13,614 cases of the virus and 1,173 deaths so far]

What is even more interesting is that the Mizoram Government is being aided in its fight against the COVID-19 by Civil Society Organizations and local headmen who are relaying a message of caution to the masses.

To talk about this, and other issues, Inside Northeast caught up with Dr. R. Lalthangliana, the Health Minister of Mizoram. Below are some excerpts from our interview:

The discipline in Mizoram in the wake of the COVID-19 has been witnessed. Social distancing is being observed very well. How is your State implementing these measures?

We have done an exemplary job in giving a fight to the COVID-19. We have implemented a strong local task force in the villages. In all the villages, we have informed the Village Council, the Panchayati Raj. NGOs like the Young Mizo Association and the local Church leaders are also aiding us.

So how does the awareness guideline that is being handed down by the Government reach the village level? 

We have a strong task force in the village level, which is task force. In the district level, we are aided by the district commissioners, and in the State level, we are led by the Chief Secretary. It is a hierarchy that has been observed very well.

About the man who was tested positive from Mizoram, who had been to Amsterdam, what is the development at the moment?

The man is now doing okay, he is okay. He has a slight fever, but other things are normal. At 10 am in the morning today, I was reported about that. One positive is that the family of the man has not been affected at all, and they are doing perfectly okay.

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