Dimapur, being the entry point for all stranded people of Nagaland who were stuck in different parts of the country due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the everyday challenges faced by officials assigned to take care of the homecoming citizens cannot be ignored.

The Food Committee constituted by the Empowered Group for COVID-19 Dimapur District have been shouldering a huge task since day one supplying packaged meals to all institutional quarantine centres and transit camp at Agri Expo, Dimapur district. 

The committee met on 1st May 2020 to workout modalities such as SOP for caterers, volunteers and delivery. After consultation with the Empowered Group, the committee established four kitchens. The first two kitchens headed by Mikato, stationed at 3rd mile and in Dimapur, the third kitchen which is stationed at Agri-expo site is headed by Kawaljeet Singh, Shan-e, Panjab Hotel and the fourth kitchen is at Khermahal headed by Benthungo Kithan, Aroma Eatery. The caterers have been doing a commendable job in preparing nutritious meals with adequate variety as per Dietician Menu under CMO office Dimapur and send out the food packed in disposal papers ensuring hygiene and safety handling. The kitchen in Agri expo transit camp is functioning 24/7 to supply food to all passengers in transit to different districts of Nagaland.

Regular checking of the quality, quantity and hygiene of the meals prepared are being carried out by two teams. The Dimapur team consist of CDPO, Dimapur (Urban), Robert Odyuo, Sungsabeni, Naga Women Hoho, Rev. Yanbemo, Lotha Baptist Church, Pramod Sing, Bhojpuri Samaj and Chandu Agarwal from Agarwal Samaj. The team supervises the preparation and distribution within Dimapur Town while the second team consist of, CDPO, (Rural), Bonathung Ngullie, Rev. Fr. S. Charles, DAN, Catholic Church, Dolly, Panjabi Samaj and K K Paul, Bengali Samaj supervises the preparation and distribution from Purana Bazaar to Chumukedima.

The distribution of food packs for breakfast, lunch and dinner are being carried out by dedicated volunteers from Bhojpuri Samaj and Nehru Yuva Kendra in Dimapur and volunteers from Development Association of Nagaland in Chumukedima region. 

Everyday, food is prepared for around 2500 people including people in quarantine, police personnel, medical personnel and other persons engaged in COVID-19 duty which is surely to go up with arrival of more stranded people.

((A DIPR feature by Watimenla, IA Dimapur)