7-Year-Old Naga Boy Contributes Pocket Money towards COVID-19 Fight

Kohima, April 7, 2020:

If the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has highlighted the plight of the poor and needy, it has also, at the same time, highlighted goodness and charity. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people donating towards the fight against the COVID-19 is a 7-year-old from Nagaland's Zunheboto.

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Kitheka I Khujumi, who has been described as a "precocious and cheerful" boy, has now entered the limelight after he came forward with a small contribution towards the funds raised for relief measures against the novel coronavirus.

The young lad won the hearts of many when he handed over his savings, neatly packaged in an envelope, to the Deputy Commissioner of Zunheboto, Peter Lichamo. What makes Khujimi's act of sacrifice all the more remarkable is the fact that he was saving the money to buy a bicycle for himself, but that can wait! Seeing the plight of the thousands suffering due to the coronavirus, the little boy with a generous heart came forward with his small yet significant contribution to defeat a global monster. Reportedly, Khujumi was also moved when he saw the plight of the people in his own district of Zunheboto.

The District Task Force for COVID-19 in Zunheboto, inspired by his selfless deed, thanked the good samaritan and the story of his kindness has spread to many hills of Nagaland by now.

At a time when the who's who of India, such as Ratan Tata, Akshay Kumar et al, are donating crores to fight the pandemic on a war footing, several Northeast Indian kids have risen to the task and emulated these personalities, earning adulation and respect.

Before Khujumi, the remarkable tale of a Mizo boy Rommel Lalmuansanga (also aged 7), hit the headlines. The Mizo lad had come to the limelight for contributing his entire life's savings of Rs. 333 for the fight against COVID-19. His savings, in a bundle of cash and coins, were donated to the Village Level Task Forces.

His gesture was lauded by the Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga himself who took to Twitter to tweet out, "This tiny bundle contains Rs. 333/- in cash and coins; 7-year-old Rommel Lalmuansanga from Kolasib Venglai donated his entire savings to his Village Level Task Forces in this war against the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic May the good Lord bless you abundantly You are a Hero!"

More recently, instances of girls from Tripura, who have termed as Lakshmi (or the goddess of wealth) making donations has also gone viral.

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A few thousand rupees collected by a few small girls drew the attention of Chief Minister Biplab Deb. 6-year-old Sayantika Deb, 8-year-old old Poonam Deb and Aarya Chakraborty are among the few girls who took the coronavirus pandemic in their stride and instead of investing their savings in buying a new dress or celebrating birthdays this year, they donated their years of savings to the Tripura Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

A little girl from Arunachal Pradesh also stole the limelight with her message for the lockdown violators – “My dad is a policeman. He stay away from me to help you. Can you please stay at home to help him?” read her message. The “Arunachal girl”, as she is being called, is now making headlines for her much-needed reminder just at the right hour.

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