A small but meaningful gesture

Students in Noklak area receive textbooks through social media powered donation drive

Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | July 24

What started as an individual’s effort to help underprivileged children from Noklak area who were forced to drop out of school because they could not afford to buy textbooks has garnered overwhelming response from various individuals and groups across Nagaland.  

The books which were donated to the ‘NBSE Textbooks Donation Drive’ initiated by Dr Imlikokla Longkumer are expected to help at least 300 marginalised children around the India-Myanmar border to continue their studies.

“The books were delivered just last night after a little hurdle on the way. Our biggest disadvantage was the lockdown; I think public transport is still not open. But somehow, we found a driver who was vaccinated, and following SOPs, he was accompanied by two teachers who are posted in the area. And with the help of Rev Henpao, they managed to distribute it between Noklak and Pangsha,” Dr Longkumer told The Morung Express in an exclusive interview.

Dr Imlikokla Longkumer first learnt about the challenges of education these children face through an organisation called the Society for the Welfare of Children Affected by HIV/AIDS (SWCABHA). “Through them, it came to my knowledge that education is a big challenge, especially purchasing books, getting admission fees, and the lack of basic amenities, thereby resulting in children dropping out of school, most of them after Class 10,” she said.

With the information, she decided to become the voice of these ‘future aspiring students,’ and respond to their cry for help. “I just wanted to do something instead of celebrating my birthday and contribute a very small, meaningful, positive gesture,” she said. Her birthday falls on May 22 and the initiative was carried out somewhere between April and May.

“I thought about it and just tweeted it, and it gained so much attention. I want to extend my gratitude to my Twitter friends who commented and shared. Most of them are complete strangers to me but their support is so tremendous,” she stated while pointing to the power of social media.

“The support I received from friends, family, and donors was very overwhelming, it just made me very humble,” she expressed. She also started receiving phone calls from various districts of Nagaland and with the help of Zedino Seyie, they managed to arrange dropping points in 7 districts.

Towards this end, she also said, it would not have been possible without the benevolence of all the cafes and shops that served as dropping points for the books/clothes. She is particularly thrilled that the donation generated books for all the streams—Arts, Science and Commerce. “But then again, more than books, I received clothes, shoes, old bags…” she highlighted. Despite the challenge of cataloguing books, categorizing clothes, and coordinating with dropping points, she said, “I am still in a little bit of awe and at the same time, I am so happy. I cannot believe that I completed it!”
Although, there were several other things, she said, “My main focus was that at least the books should reach. Schools are going to reopen soon. We have left behind a few sacks of clothes (which will be sent at a later stage) but at least the books are sent. I just feel very whole and very complete. I just want to say that this has been a real eye opener. I feel like it’s not just me, but all of us as a society, we can do so much more.”

With the NBSE results been declared, she also hopes that students will now be encouraged to save their books, which can be passed on to be recycled or reused by students in need. “The most important thing is saving your books. Save them for someone else,” she emphasized.

She further put across that, “if I think about, I don’t want to stop here. A lot of people wanted to contribute even after the last date. Even my friends from college, who are not from Nagaland, encouraged me a lot and sent me a lot of good messages. I am going to do it next year as well and maybe I will try and help children beyond Noklak area and reach out to districts like Mon and Phek.”