SCRUB TYPHUS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEPRIVATION: UNTOLD STORY OF NOKLAK

"Scrub typhus is a ruthless reminder of the state's failure to address preventable diseases, turning neglect and indifference into a death sentence for the underserved."

- DR. ANIRUDDHA BABAR

Scrub typhus is a ruthless reminder of the state's failure to address preventable diseases, turning neglect and indifference into a death sentence for the underserved.

The jungles of Noklak, nestled along the Indo-Burma border, are a realm of stunning beauty and quiet despair. Hardly anyone might have heard of "Noklak," a name that very rarely finds its way into conversations about development or policy. To some, the region may seem untouched and idyllic, but for the people who call this land home, these dense, dangerous jungles—where trails often do not exist—symbolize both survival and struggle.

As I navigated this unforgiving wilderness and listened to the stories etched in every tree and stone, it became impossible to ignore the harsh realities they face. This is a place where isolation isn't just geographical—it's systemic, a legacy of decades of neglect. Amid this wilderness thrives a community battling not just the elements but the indifference of a state that has overlooked their struggles. If beauty lies in adversity, then Noklak's story is one of quiet heroism, but beneath this adversity is a cry for change, for health, for justice.