Monalisa Changkija signing copies during the launch of her latest book titled ‘Middles’ released at Foyer, NDBA Hall (above Bamboo Pavilion) Kisama in the evening on December 3. (Morung Photo)
Kohima, December 3 (MExN): As part of the Hornbill Festival, the book titled ‘Middles’ authored by Naga renowned poet, writer and journalist, Monalisa Changkija was released by NBCC General Secretary, Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho at NDBA Hall, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on December 3.
Changkija describes ‘Middles’ as story-telling but not fiction. ‘Literature should provoke thoughts and reform human beings,’ she said during the launch.
"Writers and poets should not only be answerable to the present but also to the future," she added.
Chairperson of the programme, Dr Avinuo Kire who gave a brief profile about the author said that Changkija is the only woman editor, proprietor and publisher of an English Daily
‘Nagaland Page’ in the North East.
She was awarded the 2009 Chameli Devi Jain Award for an Outstanding Woman Mediaperson. On December 14, 2009, in commemoration of 25 years of Poetry, the Poetry Society of India awarded her for her remarkable contributions to the field in Nagaland. In recognition of her esteemed accomplishments in the field of literature, the Naga Students Union, Delhi has also presented her the NSUD Inspiration Award 2013.
She was also awarded Nagaland Governor’s Award for distinction in literature on January 26, 2014. She was awarded the 30th FICCI Woman Achiever of the Year 2013-2014 for outstanding contributions as a journalist by the FICCI Ladies Organization, Northeast Chapter on April 26, 2014.
“Today, her poems are taught in the undergraduate and post graduate English courses in Nagaland University. Nagaland Board of School Education has also introduced her poems in the Alternative English course for Class IX. The North East Hills University has also selected some of her poems for its M. Phil course,” stated a report from the DIPR.
