Krocha along with family members during the release of her book ‘Where the light finds us’ during an event held at Centre of Excellence for Music and Arts, Kohima on March 15. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express news
Kohima | March 14
Poet, writer, journalist and Publisher of PenThrill Publication, Vishü Rita Krocha published the 100th publication and released her very own 6th book titled, ‘Where the light finds us’ at Centre of Excellence for Music and Arts, Kohima on March 14.
In ‘Where the Light Finds Us,’ Vishü Rita Krocha merges tales of brokenness woven together to pave way for beauty to emerge from lives lived and imagined. Some of the short stories were previously published by PenThrill, Zubaan, Sahitya Akademi and Routledge, but find newness alongside the new ones.
With the setting of the turbulent times in the quiet hills of Nagaland, these stories explore the vulnerability of human lives, broken apart by drugs, conflict, COVID-19 pandemic and loss, but each tale is also infused with the reality of life, love, light and hope.
Author and Publisher, Rita Krocha recalled her journey of publishing which began with her sister, Agnes in 2008 with “Echoes of Spring” which they co-authored.
She reflected how it is wonderful to have brought out an exceptional list of titles and genres including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, biography, graphic novels, cook books, manga comics, children books, folktales, photo poetry, memoir, etc that PenThrill has published over the last decade.
In marking this 100th publication, she expressed that they celebrate the many diverse voices and stories of our people in literature that have essentially given readers not just here but wherever our books have reached, a better understanding of the Naga life, illuminating experiences of a unique culture and tradition; strength, love and resilience.
“We celebrate all these narratives that have been published by PenThrill in the form of a book. These stories will continue to challenge, inspire and resonate across generations,” Krocha added.
Reading and writing are fundamental pillars for communication in any society and I will always feel that for our society to fully progress, we will have to raise a generation of readers and writers.
The author said that for our Centennial Publication, ‘Where The Light Finds Us’, she shared that all the seven stories in the collection are based on true stories and real incidents although parts of it are fictionalised; and expressed that the book encompasses the many tales of our people spanning across different generations, throwing light into the issues and lives that are either lived or imagined.
Speaking at the launch, Yirmiyan Arthur Yhome, Asia-Pacific Deputy News Director, The Associated Press and Founder of the Book Home Library, Kohima reflected on how all the stories written in the book all comes with a different thread, a different story drawn parallelly and celebrates each piece and character differently.
She remarked that it was so appreciable, inspiring and beautiful to see such resilient and dedicated publication, passionate and well supported by the strength of the family and the positive approach that it illuminates not for business for a passion.
The 100th milestone, Yhome said, has supported and woven many writers’ dreams and further noted on the importance of reading.
Giving remarks on the book, poet and writer, Agnes Tepa, remarked that Rita’s book begins by bringing alive lived realities that existed and evoke emotions of regrets, pains and compassion towards this form of brokenness.
“They say, “time heals,” but a lifetime of healing is what brokenness demands. Some of us from the Generation X and Millennial generation have had experiences or a taste of what it is like in the glimmer of Hope story,” Tepa cites.
Other mentions of the story, she mentions in the, ‘Cut off and the son of the village gaonbura’ offers a sneak peek into many complexities, including unpleasant ones, faced by the Naga society.
Tepa says although the stories are fictional, one can relate to it in so many ways and can’t help but wish that our people are united for good causes.
Referring to the story, “A Grandmother’s Tale,” she adds that this is not just her favorite but also because it tells the story of a person who lived a life that is worthy of emulation.
“Where the light finds us,” Tepa says is a guarantee to give every reader experiences no other book outside of Nagaland can offer and every story in the book has something important to tell and bound to provoke our thoughts.
Rakodu Nukhu, Youth Director, Chakhesang Baptist Church Minister’s Hill, Kohima (CBCMHK) pronounced the dedicatory prayer. A special number was presented by Mhale J Krocha. The programme was chaired by Journalist, EastMojo, Medolenuo Ambrocia.
