The Ramakrishna Mission, Babupara, Imphal, organised winter relief (blanket distribution) and free medical camps on 28 December, 2018, the holy tithi puja day of Sri Sri Maa Sarada Devi.The centre selected two remote villages, on Lake Loktak (the largest freshwater lake in North -East India), also known as the only floating lake in the world due to the floating Phumdis (heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and organic matters at various stages of decomposition), under Moirang Sub division in Bishnupur District.
The first camp was organised at Thanga Ithing village, on bank of Loktak, some 50 Kms (1.5 hrs drive) from Imphal, where woolen blankets were distributed to 134 villagers (80 locals and 54 from Loktak Ngaram Mamang village).
The second camp was organised at Thanga Karang, an Island Village, accessible only via waterways.The team of 3 doctors, 7 Para Medical staff and 10 volunteers reached the Island beforehand, directly from Imphal, with the necessary medicines, etc., to set up the Medical Camp.
There, it was arranged that apart from the Islanders, the villagers residing in Keibul Lamjao National Park (the only floating National Park in the world where the residents live in floating houses made over Phumdis) shall also assemble to receive blankets and to avail of the free medical services offered at our medical camp.
At the Thanga Karang Camp, 270 blankets were distributed to the beneficiaries and 208 patients received free medical assistance & medicines. These include 130 eye-patients, who were examined by a team of Ophthalmologists from Shija Hospital, Imphal. Several cases of Cataract, Pterygium, Entropion & DCR, were detected among eye patients and were referred for further treatment.
The rural people & the beneficiaries very cordial & cooperative. The villagers were happy on receiving the blankets and medical care, as, being located on this remote Island, it is rare for the people of this place that any Non-Government agency reach out to them. The local representatives and others involved also appreciated our systematic & organized way of conducting the camps.
This remote region was once a highly active base of insurgent activities, so, the centre had informed the Superintendent of Police about the relief camps and requested for appropriate security arrangements. He was very cordial in providing two teams, of armed police.
Couple of Monastics, along with the Managing Committee President, Sri P. Dhanakumar Singh (Retd. IPS), & few other committee members, Mission Staffs and Volunteers, went to conduct the relief camps. Sri P. Dhanakumar had earlier served as the Superintendent of Police of the district, and thus using his good offices and knowledge about the place, helped greatly in the planning & execution of the camps.
The setting up of the Free medical camp was facilitated by Dr. Kulabidhu Singh with the help from Sri Ng. Lokendro Singh and Sri H. Siddharth Singh, who are all ex-students of Ramakrishna Mission Institutions.
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