Padma Shree Dr. Temsula Ao (Second Left), Director of the NEZCC Som Kamei (Left), coordinator of United Tribal Society Noel Manuel (Right) and child guest Corrina Khyojano Humtsoe are seen displaying the poetry collection – ‘Poetic Voices on Child Rights’.
DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): The 4th North East Poetry Festival started Thursday, March 17 at the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) complex, Dimapur. Themed ‘Child Rights’ the event is being held concurrently with the ongoing North East Spring Festival. Participants from various parts of the northeast are taking part in the event. It will conclude on March 19 and has a number of activities lined up as it progresses such as drawing competition, workshop on child rights, screening of documentaries and films.
The inaugural today was graced by Padma Shree Dr. Temsula Ao as the chief guest with children from various schools in attendance. Delivering the customary address of the chief guest, Dr. Temsula plainly averred that as far as child rights or child labour is concerned, the people here do not care so long as the children are ‘non-Naga’. This she said is a very wrong concept. Nevertheless, she added that it does not mean that children has to take advantage of it, rather she held that if they want to earn their rights they should be responsible and respect their parents. A child should absorb a healthy attitude and be made to be aware of their rights, she added. Commenting that the concept of employing children as domestic helps or labourers is an abuse of child rights never occurred during their time. She nonetheless remarked that it is a new thought, infact welcome. To the gathered child poets, she said that writing stimulates one’s intellect, ultimately inspiring one to be a better person.
Guest speaker, Dr. Streamlet Dkhar, a poet and the HoD (Khasi), NEHU spoke on the topic: ‘Why Poetry for Child Rights?’ She held that poetry is a medium to make people aware and understand. She advocated the need to respect other’s children as one’s own.
Director of the NEZCC, Som Kamei remarked that the problem of child abuse exists in the north east. Stating that ‘Child Rights’ is a topic where everyone should get involved , he hoped that the event would result in something positive to tackle the issue.
Corrina Khyojano Humtsoe, a child guest at the inaugural and also a budding poet highlighted ‘Child Rights’ as the “right to life, health, nutrition, education, recreation and protection from exploitation, abuse, neglect and the right to expression, information thought and religion”, among others. Child poets – Chinneihoi Khongsai and Kinali Shohe also delivered short speeches.
The poetry festival is being organised by the United Tribal Society under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and in association with the NEZCC. A collection of poems composed by young children was released at the inaugural. Titled: ‘Poetic Voices on Child Rights’, it comprised of 56 poems written by children. The published poems were shortlisted from a list 750 entries from all over the north east, said Noel Manuel, coordinator, United Tribal Society, who chaired the programme today.
A poetry reading competition was later held in the afternoon where over 50 participants from various parts of the region took part. The result will be declared on March 19. A signature campaign on child rights is also being undertaken. Manuel said that it will be presented to the Prime Minister of India.
Highlights of the Poetry Festival that will conclude on March 19 include drawing competition, workshop on child rights, screening of documentaries and films and prize distribution.
The inaugural today was graced by Padma Shree Dr. Temsula Ao as the chief guest with children from various schools in attendance. Delivering the customary address of the chief guest, Dr. Temsula plainly averred that as far as child rights or child labour is concerned, the people here do not care so long as the children are ‘non-Naga’. This she said is a very wrong concept. Nevertheless, she added that it does not mean that children has to take advantage of it, rather she held that if they want to earn their rights they should be responsible and respect their parents. A child should absorb a healthy attitude and be made to be aware of their rights, she added. Commenting that the concept of employing children as domestic helps or labourers is an abuse of child rights never occurred during their time. She nonetheless remarked that it is a new thought, infact welcome. To the gathered child poets, she said that writing stimulates one’s intellect, ultimately inspiring one to be a better person.
Guest speaker, Dr. Streamlet Dkhar, a poet and the HoD (Khasi), NEHU spoke on the topic: ‘Why Poetry for Child Rights?’ She held that poetry is a medium to make people aware and understand. She advocated the need to respect other’s children as one’s own.
Director of the NEZCC, Som Kamei remarked that the problem of child abuse exists in the north east. Stating that ‘Child Rights’ is a topic where everyone should get involved , he hoped that the event would result in something positive to tackle the issue.
Corrina Khyojano Humtsoe, a child guest at the inaugural and also a budding poet highlighted ‘Child Rights’ as the “right to life, health, nutrition, education, recreation and protection from exploitation, abuse, neglect and the right to expression, information thought and religion”, among others. Child poets – Chinneihoi Khongsai and Kinali Shohe also delivered short speeches.
The poetry festival is being organised by the United Tribal Society under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and in association with the NEZCC. A collection of poems composed by young children was released at the inaugural. Titled: ‘Poetic Voices on Child Rights’, it comprised of 56 poems written by children. The published poems were shortlisted from a list 750 entries from all over the north east, said Noel Manuel, coordinator, United Tribal Society, who chaired the programme today.
A poetry reading competition was later held in the afternoon where over 50 participants from various parts of the region took part. The result will be declared on March 19. A signature campaign on child rights is also being undertaken. Manuel said that it will be presented to the Prime Minister of India.
Highlights of the Poetry Festival that will conclude on March 19 include drawing competition, workshop on child rights, screening of documentaries and films and prize distribution.
