Writers urged to rise above and beyond Nagaland state

April 28, 2022 44 Views No Comment

Book Exhibition and Sale of books by local authors and publishers underway

Morung Express News
Kohima | April 28

Emphasising that “we should rise above and beyond our own state and help each other,” Mmhonlumo Kikon, Advisor, NRE, IT&C and Sc & Tech today remarked that the writing culture in other parts of the world has risen, and they thrive because they promoted each other. “No matter what, they appreciated each other and the active literary criticism was significantly progressing because there was an attempt to understand each other,” he said.

He was speaking at the inaugural programme of the two-day Book Exhibition and Sale of books by local authors and publishers organised by the Department of Art & Culture after a gap of about 20 years. The event is being supported by Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation. Stating that this is an event we need to reflect upon as authors, he expressed that “our stories can be more interesting if we present it from our own narrative.”

Sometimes, we are overdosed with a lot of books written by outsiders; he observed but however noted that “this culture is changing with more local authors writing about us.”

Need to promote local authors
Pointing to the publishing scenario in Nagaland, he said that the fact that so many authors are publishing from our state by our own local publishers now is a statement of how things have evolved in the state.” But asserting on the need to have a very significant reading population, he called for the need to promote our local authors to the fullest.

Stating that the use of social media is very powerful today, he urged the gathering to use it positively to engage and encourage each other. He further expressed the need to ensure that our books reach every corner, and in this regard, stated that “we should not be shy, timid or be scared of going out and presenting output in literary events.”

Towards this end, “The more we promote our culture and our stories, people will appreciate the differences and similarities we have”, he commented with regard to promoting local books outside the state. “Only when we share, people can appreciate,” he maintained.

The Advisor also released a book titled “Archaeology of Mimi Caves,” a departmental publication.

‘No dearth of stories in our state’
Talking about her publishing experience in Nagaland, Vishü Rita Krocha spoke about her grandmother who lived to be 104 and instilled in her the love for stories from her childhood, which eventually led her to publishing. “Publishing happened to me just about the same way journalism did—both, for the love of stories,” she said while highlighting the journey of PenThrill Publication House for the last eight years since its inception in November 2013.

Despite the many challenges over the years, she said, “there were many possibilities because I knew with firm conviction that there is no dearth of stories in our state- every piece of our culture, be it our traditional attires, the way we cultivate, or our very way of life has a fascinating story behind it.”

Earlier, reading a portion of her short story titled, “A Grandmother’s Tale” that appeared in the Delhi-based Zubaan anthology, she also added, “my grandmother is no more, but she lives on in the pages of a book. In that sense, as writers, we have the ability to preserve memories and ideas. As a matter of fact, I think books are one of the most important aspects of preserving anything that is of value to any society or community.”

She further stated her appreciation to the Department of Art & Culture for undertaking the initiative to promote local authors and publishers. “We really do need more of such platforms and I sincerely hope the department will continue to engage book lovers in different, exciting platforms even in the days to come,” she added.

Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu, Asst. Professor, Kohima College Kohima also read from her book- “Wake”. Other highlights of the inaugural programme included welcome address by Athel O. Lotha, IAS, Secretary, Art & Culture Department, folk song by Angam Konyak Khong, Kohima and vote of thanks by Adela Moa, Director, Art & Culture.

Hundreds of books are being displayed for sale at the on-going Book Exhibition including books written by several local authors. Apart from the authors, three local publishing houses namely Heritage Publishing House, Dimapur, Woods Publishers, Kohima and PenThrill Publication House are participating in the exhibition.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/writers-urged-to-rise-above-and-beyond-nagaland-state