The Bru redemption: group work during the covid-19 pandemic in an internally displaced people’s relief camp in Tripura, India

ABSTRACT

Powerful governments with huge resources have failed miserably in protecting their vulnerable populations from the covid-19 crisis. In Ashapara – an internally displaced people’s makeshift relief camp in an Indian peripheral state of Tripura, an underdog group of 16 Bru people, against all the odds, has set a rare example by successfully shielding its marginalized indigenous community from the coronavirus. Besides supporting the Brus to cope with the crisis, the group has also helped its members to redeem themselves and restored their lost sense of self-worth and dignity. Such incredible stories of exceptional resilience, determination, and community solidarity give hope to the wretched of the earth, who are fighting a lone battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

KEYWORDS:

• Covid-19
• nationwide lockdown
• internally displaced people
• relief camp
• Bru
• Tripura
• group work
• superstitions and fake news
• self-worth and dignity

Disclosure statement

There is no potential conflict of interest.