TEZU, 6 Jul: “Mishmi-land Musings is a book of our own life-stories. Contribute more such local stories to add many more volumes to Mishmi-land Musings,” said CALSOM chairman and Lohit Youth Library Network (LYLN) convener Sokhep Kri after releasing the second edition of the book at Bamboosa Library here in Lohit district on Sunday evening.
“This book has won wide appreciation from eminent writers like YD Thongchi and Mamang Dai, and it is an anthology of stories written by library readers when they were in just Class 6 to 8. The young writers could do this because they were active library readers,” Kri said.
Referring to senior library volunteer Keselo Tayang, who was invited by the LBSNAA, Mussoorie to address IAS officers on ways and means to promote rural libraries, he advised the youths among the audience to keep visiting Bamboosa Library regularly to improve their academic standards and develop personality traits like self-confidence and public speaking skills.
Dedicating the book gift sets received from the Association of Writers & Illustrators for Children (AWIC), New Delhi, to the library network, Kri thanked them for “helping the readers of Lohit to receive the generous patronage of book lovers from across the world.” He gratefully remembered founder patron Prashant Lokhande, as also senior IAS officers Kaling Tayeng, Nila Mohanan and Mitali Namchoom, for arranging the delivery of book gifts from Delhi to Tezu.
Kri also gave away the prizes to the winners of the rapid-fire quiz competition in Kaman Mishmi language. Roshanso Tega secured the first prize, while Bomsaiso Bellai and Meena Mam jointly won the second prize, and Sopliam Manyu was awarded the third prize.
Kri congratulated the Forum of Library Activists for conducting a range of programmes to promote literary forms in Kaman and Tawra Mishmi languages.
Outlining how the first edition of Mishmi-land Musings was brought out, Lohit Youth Library Network coordinator S Mundayoor thanked eminent writer and Padma Shri awardee Arup Kumar Dutta for editing the volume as a token of love for Arunachal’s youths, and paid respects to renowned author and Padma Bhushan awardee, late Prof Manoj Das, “for a touching message of encouragement to the young writers.”
Receiving the new edition from Kri, Forum of Library Activists chairperson Keselo Tayang thanked Kri for his long years of guidance and support to the library movement, and recorded the forum’s gratitude to the states’ Indigenous Affairs Department for financial grant to bring out this volume.
Senior volunteer Bethem Marai outlined the forum’s activities to promote literary activities in Kaman and Tawra Mishmi languages, while Banika Kri welcomed the gathering.
