(From left to right): Zakiebeituo Metha, Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church Kohima, Author, Tiala Sangtam Neihu & Publisher, Vishü Rita Krocha during the launch of ‘Anam Cara’ at Hotel Ura Kohima on October 15.
‘Anam Cara’ by Tiala Sangtam Neihu released
Morung Express News
Kohima | October 15
Stating that writing a book requires a lot of hard work and dedication, Zakiebeituo Metha, Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church Kohima, today encouraged everyone to remind themselves as they read “to remember the countless hours of sitting, writing, revising and also visualising the sacrifices and the efforts” that writers put on to bring a book to fruition.
He was addressing the launch of “Anam Cara” written by Tiala Sangtam Neihu at Hotel Ura in Kohima. ‘Anam Cara’ is the second book of the author containing poems and a short story. It also marks the 99th publication of PenThrill.
Metha exuded hope that the book would “connect, educate, inspire and uplift everyone who reads it” and also enable them to dream and embrace their own story.
Congratulating Tiala Sangtam Neihu, he said that, “your journey as a working mother and a poet must be challenging.” However, he commended her for managing to weave her experiences into such beautiful words.
“It is your creativity, commitment, hard work and passion that has made this book alive,” he said while expressing that, “her poetry, as I know often resonated with depth and authenticity.”
“It is because she has that ability to capture life’s beauty, pain and complexity”, he added while putting across that “this book is not just a collection of words but a testament and reflection of her faith, experiences and life’s journey.”
“Remember that every page and every line is an invitation for us to reflect feel and grow together in one’s faith,” he said.
Tiala Sangtam Neihu emphasised on rekindling and reigniting the joy of reading. She also dwelt on the title of the book “Anam Cara” which means “Soul Friend”. When she discovered the phrase, she said that she was coincidentally writing a poem on friendship.
In her publisher’s note, Vishü Rita Krocha remarked that, “we are at a time in the history of Naga literature where we are carving our own path and creating our own narratives, which is very crucial in determining the future of literature in the state.”
Stating that “works of literature in whatever form it comes, elevates and transforms experience beyond the mere pleasure of reading”, she said that PenThrill’s primary reason for publishing books remains the same, which is “to give a platform for writers to get published and to promote the culture of reading besides preserving the rich heritage of our stories.”
Writers, she said, do not write to get any validation or recognition but that they do it as ‘a labour of love’. However, she also noted that a lot of effort goes into writing and added that, “it sure would be nice if an author gets that effort’s worth even if money is never the ultimate goal for any author.”
Highlights of the event includ d invocation by I Lithrongla Sangtam, Associate Pastor, NCF Shillong, special performances by Sevotsonu & friends, and Sepongla Sangtam & Rokovi Neihu while Aienla Jingru, Associate Pastor, Women SBKK chaired the programme.
