A ‘red army’ of wise old men and women are helping villages across some hill States in the northeast keep the novel coronavirus away.
Though a majority of those felled by the COVID-19 pandemic are aged 60 years or more, this hasn’t stopped the gaon buras (male villager elder) and gaon buris (female village elder) — usually referred to as GBs — from following their predecessors in forming a shield between the villages and the enemy — in this case, the virus.
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The village elders across the States are distinguished by their red coats provided by the government, which also pays them a stipend of ₹1,500 per month.
“The villagers look up to us in times of crisis as well as happiness. It is our duty to ensure their safety and liaise with the government agencies for guidelines and in maintaining order,” sa