Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 14
Does Naga society value its writers or thinkers? Are they getting their due respect through readership as well other avenues? These questions were some of the recurring concerns hinted by several speakers at the release the book, “Ao Pioneers Taküm Otsü” (Biography of the Ao Pioneers) by Tiala Imchen.
There seems to be a general consensus that it wasn’t, unlike in other places.
Incidentally, it was Rev Dr Alemmeren, one of the 25 pioneers listed in the book, who passionately advocated for their recognition and respect.
Has the government or any other organisations instituted awards or made similar initiatives for writers recognising their contributions, he genuinely posed, with the Nagaland Chief Secretary and other social organisation and church leaders among the audience.
Writing, he noted, is not an easy task, and cannot be accomplished by simply having a passion. The Reverend said it involves using the brain in right temperament – comparing it to a roaring sea or untamed dog.
In every generation, writers have been, among others, chronicler, insulator, reservoir and propagator of knowledge, said the 89-year Rev Alemmeren, the first Naga Evangelist to China, citing his reasons for their recognition and due respect.
On his part, the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur President, L Wati Jamir called for taking lessons from the pioneers stating that their riveting stories are clarion call for change.
‘Let us spread the message and motivate each other to read the books by the author as well as other, and begin to give due respect to them,’ he added.
