Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Maongwati Aier at a book pavilion during the Dimapur Book Fair on March 14 with (second left) Benny Kurian, Director, National Book Trust, and Director NEZCC Som Kamei (second right). (Caisii Mao/Photo)
Dimapur, March 14 (MExN): Sharing space in the biggest performing art festival- the North East Spring Festival, the Dimapur Book Fair kick started today. Hosted by the National Book Trust, India in association with North East Zone Cultural Centre and District administration Dimapur, besides book pavilions, the book fair also includes children’s activities like recitation competition, creative writing competition, sit and draw competition and also several panel discussions on varied topics, and a first ever Naga Poets Meet.
At the inaugural session, chief guest Dr. Temsula Ao said that she is deeply honoured to be a part of the event, as a book fair is such a rare event in Nagaland. Dr. Temsula also said that one of the biggest challenges that Nagaland faces today is on the lost art of reading. “We seem to have absorbed all the outward facets of modernization, but the core of the intellect is yet to happen to us,” she said. She also pointed out that libraries of most colleges in the state are neglected, and that this is one aspect that the government needs to look into. “I’m sure we Nagas are not lacking in intelligence, it’s just the lethargy that has set up in our minds that’s holding us back. I have faith in the youth of Nagaland,” she said and added, “I hope this will be the beginning.”
President of the inaugural function, Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Maongwati Aier, said that North East is far behind in terms of reading. He felt that there are many book lovers in Nagaland but no pavilion available. Encouraging book publishing concerns he also shared that major institutions like NU should have book publishing concern. “Our state is rich in folklores and stories, and hence we have a lot of scope in publishing books,” he said.
“Today, we flag off a journey towards a programme in Nagaland. This is a journey in which an initiative needs to be taken,” said Director of NEZCC, Som Kamei. He also mooted that reading habit has to be inculcated, as a taste for reading cannot be born overnight. “We have to play the role of facilitator, and we hope this small step will act as a spark and others carry it forward,” he said.
The book fair will be held from March 14 to 20, daily from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at NEZCC Complex, Dimapur. Entry is free for all.
At the inaugural session, chief guest Dr. Temsula Ao said that she is deeply honoured to be a part of the event, as a book fair is such a rare event in Nagaland. Dr. Temsula also said that one of the biggest challenges that Nagaland faces today is on the lost art of reading. “We seem to have absorbed all the outward facets of modernization, but the core of the intellect is yet to happen to us,” she said. She also pointed out that libraries of most colleges in the state are neglected, and that this is one aspect that the government needs to look into. “I’m sure we Nagas are not lacking in intelligence, it’s just the lethargy that has set up in our minds that’s holding us back. I have faith in the youth of Nagaland,” she said and added, “I hope this will be the beginning.”
President of the inaugural function, Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Maongwati Aier, said that North East is far behind in terms of reading. He felt that there are many book lovers in Nagaland but no pavilion available. Encouraging book publishing concerns he also shared that major institutions like NU should have book publishing concern. “Our state is rich in folklores and stories, and hence we have a lot of scope in publishing books,” he said.
“Today, we flag off a journey towards a programme in Nagaland. This is a journey in which an initiative needs to be taken,” said Director of NEZCC, Som Kamei. He also mooted that reading habit has to be inculcated, as a taste for reading cannot be born overnight. “We have to play the role of facilitator, and we hope this small step will act as a spark and others carry it forward,” he said.
The book fair will be held from March 14 to 20, daily from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at NEZCC Complex, Dimapur. Entry is free for all.
