Long-awaited and much need de-addiction and Drug rehabilitation Centre at Jampui Hill under North Tripura District was inaugurated on Tuesday.
A couple of years after Tripura Times Newspaper ran its front-page story on drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, and after the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb when taking over office as the first BJP Chief Minister of the state vowed to make Tripura a drug-free state, the centre came up today at Behliangchhip, Jampui Hill, North Tripura. The centre will start providing services from the New Year 2021 igniting new hope among the drug addicts and HIV/AIDS afflicted persons.
Apart from its practical utility in Jampui Hill area, the manner in which the project evolves through unique idea – active community participation for resource mobilization.
This project is the brainchild of a church association called Jampui Sakhan Baptist Association (JSBA) under its Social and Economic Development Committee (SEDC) department.
The manner in which the project evolves is noteworthy.
The JSBA came up with the project concept ten years ago when the women’s department of the church association brought up as an agenda of its annual conference.
The project met a stumbling block due to lack of financial capital and non-availability of suitable land. The project remained dormant, until when Lalremmawii Ralte, wife of late T. Lalbiakthanga, in his memorial, donates a vast stretch of land for the cause.
The Executive Secretary of JSBA, Rev Lalpianruala, also an enthusiast of the project, who inaugurated the Center today, positively taking advantage of his authority wastes no time and along with his executive members, go all out in successfully implementing the project within a span of 18 months, that too in time of Covid-19 pandemic – and this happened without any input or assistance from the government.
As far as resource generation is concerned, it happened through community mobilization. The churches, various community organizations, groups and individuals contributed. They come together, work together and achieve together.
In the midst of scenic hills and forest, and semi-circled by a cosy motorable tarmac road, the now 20 bedded Center will start standing strong in providing Hope, Love and Joy to the most outcast of our society – the drug addicts and to those afflicted by the most stigmatizing disease of HIV/AIDS.
It will carry out its services like medical and spiritual healing, provision of accommodation, food, training in vocational skills like electricity, plumbing, carpentry, tailoring, driving, Basic Computer (DTP) and other life skills for anyone in need from any place or background without stigma and discrimination.
Summarizing the motto behind the project, one of the activists, on condition of anonymity, uttered a proverb and said, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”
Lalfinpuia Tochhawng, the Project Director, appealed to the individuals, public, churches, community organizations, corporates, and government of Tripura for any kind of contribution towards the Center, be it financial, materials, volunteering skills, and prayer support. All of these will make huge positive impacts in changing the lives of those inmates of the Center, who in turn will positively contribute back to the society.
Any kind of contribution is welcome and may be proceeded to:
Mr Lalfinpuia Tochhawng,
Project Director, CHC
9366029481
