‘The Unlikely Indians’ released

Mmhonlümo Kikon with the author Nzan Kikon during the release of the book “The Unlikely Indians” released on November 23. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News 
Kohima | November 23 

Emphasizing that “identity matters but how you use that identity to people matters more”, Mmhonlümo Kikon, Advisor to IT&C, S&T, NRE on November 23 evening said that “as inheritors of our history, we should be able to defend our identity.” He was speaking at the book launch of the 2nd novel titled “The Unlikely Indians” written by Nzan Kikon at Hotel Ura.

Stating that Nzan Kikon has touched upon a couple of things such as race and identity, which we are defined by, in more ways than one, he said that the author has brilliantly captured the everyday experience of everyday Naga youth through the novel. He said that this book is a contribution to the body of knowledge that we have and the way the author addresses issues of identity and race in the book is one of the ways through which, we are defending our identity without using violence.

He further stated that “imagination is the engine that drives any literature whether it's poetry or novel” and using imagination, he added, we are able to express our identity while impressing upon that many people still do not know where Nagaland is even today. “If we don't articulate it, write it, express our issues, our concerns, then because of the fact that it is not part of the Indian perspective, nobody is interested if we don't tell our stories”, he articulated.

In the meantime, he said that the book title itself is very unlikely and stated hope that the book would ensure that our kids don’t experience what the author has shared in the novel.

The Unlikely Indians is the 24th publication of PenThrill is the second novel written by the Nzan Kikon. His first novel “The Starry Night” was published last August and was shortlisted for the first edition of Gordon Graham Prize for Naga Literature 2018 in the fiction category.

During the launch, Nzan Kikon also read from the book. He is a Counseling Psychologist by profession but a philosopher at heart and a scientist from the head. He currently resides in Kohima and considers himself burdened with introverted personality and existential angst. He loves reading, hoarding books, contemplating on the depths of life, looking up at the night sky and a big believer in making the world a better place.

The Unlikely Indians will be available at CROSSWORD, Bible House, Chapru, Gutouch, and Made in Nagaland in Kohima and OM Bookstore and Fusion Store in Dimapur and online at www.ilandlo.com and https://shop.rootsandleisure.com/.