Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Study of Contemporary Rongmei Society

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most severe public health emergencies of the 21st century, affecting health systems and the social, economic, educational, and cultural fabric of communities around the world. Hence, the Rongmei people in Manipur had to endure many hardships during such long lockdowns, restrictions on movement, loss of livelihoods and limited access to critical services during this period. The present qualitative study examined the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on the Rongmei in terms of household income, employment, education, health care, traditional practices, social relations and community resilience. Data were collected through interviews with the inhabitants of the Rongmei community and analysed thematically to find common themes. The pandemic caused economic distress with loss of jobs, decreased household income and disruption to agriculture and small businesses, leading to a shortage of essential commodities. Internet access was limited and unequal, posing challenges for online learning. Managing disease outbreaks frequently came at the expense of regular healthcare. Social distancing measures disrupted cultural and religious practices such as church services, festivals, marriages, funerals, and other rituals. However, respondents reported high levels of community cohesion, adaptation through digital communication and high conformity to government health procedures. Most of the participants were confident about immunisation programmes, but some of them still had reservations about the safety of the vaccine. The study underscores the need to strengthen health infrastructure, diversify livelihoods, improve disaster preparedness, digital connectivity and community-based resilience. The findings have policy implications for developing culturally acceptable, community-centred strategies to address future public health problems in indigenous communities.