By Rudi Warjri
My dear friend John (Dr John Sailo Ryntathiang)has finally been laid to rest in peace. I salute the Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church, who like true warriors of Christ went ahead with the burial of the mortal remains of John. Attempts for his burial at locations; one as desired by the family and the other as per official protocol, had failed miserably and shamelessly. John had lived up to his name, in his service to humanity, which in Hebrew means, God has been gracious.
The purpose of this article is to understand what went wrong with the earlier attempts to lay to rest the mortal remains of John. And more importantly, what lessons can be learned. Who knows how many more Covid 19 deaths will take place in Meghalaya? And who knows how long the pandemic last will? Not to talk of epidemics in the future or natural or man-made calamities and disasters.
Few points relevant to the premise of this article have been mentioned in my earlier articles on the Covid 19 pandemic. That the pandemic has made people to look for solutions much more from their respective Governments like never before; the role of Social Capital and implications for the Northeast of India that includes Meghalaya .
I believe that Governments all over the world are doing their best to combat Covid 19. The same applies to the Government of Meghalaya. They are doing so, despite the limitations, challenges and risks involved due to shortage of health workers and manpower, testing facilities , ICU infrastructure , PPEs , masks and other equipment . The problem however is not in the lack of desire or will but in the manner and quality of execution.
Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had issued a Covid- 19: Guidelines on Dead Body Management, based on current epidemiological knowledge about the Covid 19. Guidelines 1 to 10 mainly concern embalming of the body at the hospital. Point 11 is at the crematorium / burial ground. It says the crematorium / burial ground staff should be sensitized that Covid 19 does not pose additional risk. Further it says the staff will practice standard precautions of hand hygiene, use of masks and gloves.
Guidelines however, are just guidelines. They presuppose that situations may arise which require momentary solutions not written or prescribed in the guidelines or rule book. And crises demand much more than just compliance to guidelines.
The sordid saga concerning the mortal remains of John at the two previous locations compel us to ask the following questions. 1. Who, how and what were the contents of the communication between the Government officials and the local bodies at Nongpoh and Jhalupara? 2. What was the response of the local bodies? 3. The whole sequence of events that took place in chronological order? 4. And the altruism displayed by those who agreed to lay down the mortal remains to rest.
Answers to these questions will expose the role of all those involved in the saga. Beginning with the political and bureaucratic leadership; the medical and health fraternity; the local bodies, the district administration, the police etc. In fairness, if the Government had any sense of remorse, it should appoint an official enquiry into the matter!
The illustrious assassinated President of the US in the 60s John F Kennedy loved to say, “When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity”.
I trust the political leadership in Meghalaya is youthful, dynamic, energetic and sanguine and ready to take a crisis as an opportunity. List the shortcomings over the handling of the mortal remains of late John and rectify them. Some of those perceivable to me are as follows:
Immediate: 1. In the context of Covid 19 mortal remains of any deceased in future would require that Government go through a SoP ( Standard Operating Procedure) or checklist of all concerns of burial/crematorium with their contacts. 2. Emergency strict instructions to local bodies that they cannot take matters in their own hands.
Long term: This is also taking also into account the aftermath of Post Covid 19. 1. Reach out to all political parties within and outside the Government and seek their cooperation. Prime Minster Modi has also done it. If any of them try to play politics let it come out. 2. Reach out to sub-governmental and local bodies like District Councils, Syiems all the way to Dorbar Shnongs (Village Dorbars). 3 This is a perfect opportunity to examine the need of reforming the institutional structure of the local bodies all the way to the Dorbar Shnongs. Either empower or disempower them accordingly depending on their effectiveness and accountability. The question of expecting excellent work even in normal times from the Dorbar Shnongs without any remuneration or honorium is futile. Dr Fabian Lyngdoh , Head of Deptt , Centre for Cultural & Community Initiatives , Martin Luther Christian University had posted on Facebook “It is the time for secular political institutions in the villages and urban localities to be directly under the regulation of the Constitutional Government, and to resume regulation and control over the problems of the Living and problems of the Dead” . We have to distinguish between preserving traditions of customs and culture and continuing with archaic institutions in the name of traditions because of our own vested interest.
Further, how is the State of Meghalaya positioning itself economically and socially posts Covid 19. There is unanimous forecast of drastic drop in economic growth and recession all over the world including India by international as well as national agencies. The disruptions that have been caused to farmers and small business are phenomenal. Then there’s loss of jobs and the sufferings of migrant labourers. All this calls for cooperation at all levels. A new paradigm approach to the role of Social Capital is called for. The massive mobilization by NGOs representing social, religious and cultural bodies to feed the hungry has been unprecedented.
I was based in New York when the September 9, 2001 terrorist attack took place. The Command and Control Centre for Crises Management of the Mayor of New York was located on Tower 2 of the World Trade Centre and it had also collapsed. They however managed to build a temporary substitute in two days. And among the facilities was also counselling representing all religions made available to relations who have lost their loved ones. The response of civil society was exceptionally spontaneous and forthcoming. Covid 19 is however much more than that and New York alone has had 10,000 deaths notwithstanding, the quality of health infrastructure of a leading developed US.
All the more so, that harder work is an imperative for Meghalaya. We need change of mindsets and a demonstration of statesmanship by the top political leadership that can impact all the way down to the man on the street. Also its necessary to work at de-stigmatization of not only Covid 19 infected but also the medical and health workers around them, their relations their friends and acquaintances. It would be the best tribute we can pay and the best monument we can build to remember Dr John Sailo Ryntathiang and make amends for all what we have failed in doing to his mortal remains.
(The writer is a retired diplomat)