Ao Senden Literature Board, secretary I Temjen Tzudir with the author Meyisongla during the release of the book at Hotel Japfü, Kohima.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 18
“Mamatoktetba Taochi”, an autobiography written in Ao language by 83 year old Meyisongla, retired Deputy Director Nursing was released today by Ao Senden Literature Board (ASLB) secretary I Temjen Tzudir at Hotel Japfü, Kohima.
This is the eighth book authored by Meyisongla while the sixth in Ao language and other two in English.
“Mamatoktetba Taochi” means “Unforgettable Grace”.
In the book, the author Meyisongla described about how in the fifties, during the Indian army operation, on the April 30, 1956, her village Mongsenyimti was sprayed with bullets from every corner and the entire village was completely razed to ashes by fire by the Indian army and all the villagers had to abandon their village and flee to the jungles.
Many, like her and her family, took shelter in the remotest fields and survived on for days and weeks together, she said while highlighting about the book.
During these times, many Nagas suffered untold miseries and deaths at the atrocities of the Indian army. Then, from such a dire circumstance, God miraculously opened a way for the then young teenage girl the author of the book, to go from hiding in the fields to Shillong where she took nursing training, she said.
Later, she went on to complete more courses in Delhi, America, Australia and retired as Deputy Director in the medical department in the year 1999.
“I inspired to write her autobiography to tell the world about how the Lord Jesus graciously delivered her from darkness to light which is a picture of God’s grace delivering and preserving the Naga people as a whole as depicted clearly in the cover picture of the book and to keep in record for the coming generations the first-hand experience she and her contemporaries saw during one of the most difficult times in our Naga history,” she said.
The author Meyisongla is also a renowned social worker who has served in many different organisations in different capacities and has also written seven other books earlier.
However, things became bleak as she reached class 3 because the village had classes on till class 3 and had to go to Impur for further education.
“My grandmother seeing my zeal to receive education, agreed to babysit my younger brother and let me go to school. Of the many things my Grandmother Repayula did for more, I’ll never forget this because this is the sole act of her that made me who I am today,” she said.
The inspiration to write this book was conceived in 1999 right after my retirement but I couldn’t form a definitive structure for the book… I was always falling short on this or that when it comes to penning down the words. I introspected on why I was failing with the book and it was only 20 years later that I realized that I had not sanctified the book with my grandmother’s memory, she said.
It was only in 2021 when I realized the immense love and sacrifice of my grandmother and decided to dedicate the book in her memory as well along with giving gratitude to God. Then only, I was able to write the book the way it was always meant to be, she said.
As a result, this book also cements the close bonds I had with my grandmother and the book will serve as a reminder of the love between my grandmother for posterity even though we all shall leave this place eventually, she said.
Meanwhile, Meyisongla conveyed her gratitude to Deputy Director, Border Affairs, Tali Imsong for assisting her in writing the book.
The book is priced at Rs 400. Interested people can contact 7005805730/v8787500686.
The titles of her other seven books published earlier included; Anema Alitsü Asoshi Tesayuba Lesson Karh (Ao)– 1987, Azüazüa Tantsür Tambur Akümba (Ao) – 2005, Süngo Mozü (Ao)– 2006, Medicinal Plants (English) – 2011, Süngo Mozü 2nd edition (Ao)– 2013, Secret of Healthy Long Life (English) – 2014, Arishir Mongchen (Ao) -2018.
In his brief address, Tzudir said he had read the book two times in a detailed manner and learnt that the book carried substance and soul. “I believe that many will benefit if the book is translated into English so that it reaches a larger audience,” he added.
Watsu Unit Kohima president Nukshirenla and Registrar (Rtd) O. Chubala also delivered short speeches at the function. The programme was chaired by Ziilutemjen Jamir while vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. M Niikshisangla Jamir, Deputy Director NSACS.
