Morung Express News
Kohima | June 28
‘I have a Dream’- a collection of poems written by 16 years old Vingunuo Talie was launched on June 28 at Hotel Vivor, Kohima. The book was released by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
Printed by the PenThrill Publication and illustrated by Ruopfüzhazo Dzüvichü, the book is a collection of over 37 poems written from Vingunuo’s own experiences as well as the drawing inspiration from other perspectives.
Vingunuo Talie started writing poetry at a young age of 14 years where she first began while contemplating on finding words to rhyme and ended up writing her inner thoughts into poetry.
“Writing poetry has been one of my greatest passions though I don’t write them often. Some of my poems are from my own experience while some of them are from other perspective. It is a ‘packet of mixed emotions’- love, pain and memories,” said Talie adding that ‘Pole Star’ was her first poem which she dedicated to God.
Talie read out a few poems from her collection narrating the inspirations behind each poem. The ‘I have a Dream’ which also serves as the title of her book was written while experiencing failure, according to the author. “We tend to feel very low, thinking that we won’t be able to succeed if life goes on this way. But then we can only know the value of some things if we lose it. Just as you know sadness you won’t know what happiness is. The poems have been divided into different sections, with each section different from the other ‘just like mood swings,” in the words of the young writer.
Vishü Rita Krocha from PenThrill Publication in her Publisher’s note expressed the belief that everything starts with a dream, citing the different book titles that PenThrill has published which has also germinated from a dream.
“When I first ventured into publishing in the later part of 2013, it was only out of passion and my love for books -a dream that I believed in and pursued because I also knew there was little or no platform for aspiring writers like myself in the State. Looking back now, I think it has been a worthwhile journey,” said Krocha.
Despite the nascent stage of the publishing house, Krocha expressed pride in the quality of the books published by PenThrill Publication written by ‘young, fresh and promising writers’.
“Each time a young writer comes to me with dreams of getting published I am always impressed by the quality of their works whether it is in writing or in the art form as you will come across in this book,” remarked Krocha.
Meanwhile Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio lauded Vinguuo Talie for her book, which he considered ‘a rare talent for a person to have the capacity to write down one’s minds and experiences’. Rio also expressed the hope that Talie will grow and write more poems in future to ignite the minds of the reader.
According to the Chief Minister, the emergence of young creative artists and writers is an indicator of a civilized society. “When you come to this level, you are not only an educated society but you are a more civilized society,” said Rio who express support to young artists in the field of arts, literature and music pointing out the awards by the government in the field of arts, literature and music.
While viewing that such disciplines are essential in one’s life and society, Rio also rued over the drastic reality of decline in reading habits among today’s generation where technology has invaded each person’s lives.
The Chief Minister was also taken by surprise when he was introduced to 10 year old Sochumlo Suki Ezung, perhaps the youngest author in Nagaland who wrote ‘Suki’s Magic Box’ which was published last year. In her brief speech, Suki said that dreams give life to her imagination which comes alive in her writing. “What are dreams and imaginations for if they remain only in our mind?” she queried.
She congratulated her senior in school, Vingunuo Talie for having her poems released and thanked the publisher for fulfilling her dream of enabling her to meet the Chief Minister.
