Manipur student fraternity prays for their families

MANGALURU: The education hub of Karnataka, which has a good number of students from Manipur, pursuing nursing, paramedical and graduate courses, are worried for their families, and are praying for their safety, and for the return of peace in the state.
According to college managements, students from the northeastern states are shaken mentally, which is visible during class hours. Undivided Dakshina Kannada has more than 1,000 students from Manipur, who are pursuing various courses.
“My family lives in Imphal, the capital of Manipur. The area where my family stays is secure, with multiple police stations and paramilitary forces present there around the clock. However, violence has not spared even my family, who have now fled to Nagaland for safety. I have not been able to communicate with them for the past five days, and am praying for the violence to stop and peace to prevail in the state,” shared Achui Shimray, who hails from Manipur and is a student at Mangalore University.
“The entire situation could have been avoided if suitable action was taken at the initial stages itself,” feels Shimray.
A group of students from Alva’s College, Moodbidri, said, “All we pray for is for harmony in our state. We want to live as brothers and sisters.” The college has close to 200 students from Manipur.”
Elsa Sanatombi Devi, professor, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal, is doing her bit for her state—Manipur. Elsa, a National Florence Nightingale Awardee, is sending relief materials to Manipur.
“I am sending sanitary pads and inner-wear to my state. Not only food and water are required. Sanitary pads are one of the basic needs, since many women and children are affected due to the violence in Manipur. Besides, the violence has taken a toll on their mental health too. People are suffering from anxiety attacks and other psychological issues. I am dedicating an hour or more to counselling them,” said Devi, adding that peace will prevail in Manipur when guns become silent.