Monalisa Changkija
I often wonder what life would be if we didn’t have words to communicate with each other and express and convey our feelings and sentiments, and to get the wheels of society and state rolling. Yes, there are the performing and visuals arts that have always been used for the same purposes but consider how blessed we are today that we have the vehicle of words, indeed language itself, which makes things so much easier. Consider how blessed we are today that printing technology has advanced so much and made life so much more convenient for us. But sometimes I get the sense that we take words and language, as a vehicle of communication, for granted and we do not make the best use of them. To me the best aspect words and language is that they can be used in numerous ways to strengthen human bonds. But we have failed to focus on that aspect of the gift of words and language.
In Nagaland culture has somehow come to mean basically in terms of songs and dances and our traditional costumes. It is a pity that we ignore the wealth that lie in our oral traditions and now in the power of words and language, as platforms and vehicles of culture, and the primary means of recoding our history, as also all other human activities. We have failed to appreciate our greatest assets, words and language; instead we tend to misuse and abuse them, thereby restricting the realization of the full potentials of our culture.
The significance of this can best be understood from the perspective of our endeavours to integrate into the global community to foster peace and cordial relations and establish and strengthen our economic linkages with our neighbours, within and without the country. Today the global priority is economics but we cannot achieve our aspirations unless we foster cordial cultural relationships with the people with whom we wish to trade and commerce. And to me the best vehicle are words and language, which give an unambiguous glimpse of what and who we are to make others want to establish economic and other ties with us.
In the past few years the North East Writers’ Forum, of which I am a member, has already forged close ties with writers and poets of East Asian countries, who have realistically portrayed this region in their countries and credit must be given to these writers and poets for making their people and Governments taking a re-look at us and wanting to forge cultural and economic ties with us. No, today no one can afford to ignore the power of the printed word in any sphere of human activity. And literature and literary activities is perhaps the most powerful and pleasurable means of strengthening human bonds.
Nagaland’s greatest asset is its ever-increasing literacy rate and education level but somehow we look at our assets for the narrow perspective of getting employment failing to realize that inherent in literary pursuits is a vast scope and space for employment, which is a very noble profession and is a full-fledged industry even in our neighbouring states. Despite our excellent literacy rate and education status, because we have failed to realize and appreciate our asset, we have failed to use it as a very rewarding economic activity and an industry, as also an instrument of development.
It cannot be over reiterated that we have excellent writers and poets in our state, as also other expertise required for literary pursuits as an industry, but we lack the platform for them to ‘multiply’ their God-gifted talents, which would make Nagaland a major cultural capital, a vibrant destination of literary tourism and a seat of the publishing industry in this region. With the ever-increasing technological innovations, our geographical location is no longer an impediment and our topographical hindrances can be overcome. The need of the hour is for our society and state to nurture this noble profession and industry.
Our excellent literacy rate and education status cannot be allowed to languish in the long line of unemployment or in the dingy rooms of Government offices. Never has Nagaland needed writers and poets more to forge closer relationships with our immediate neighbours and the rest of the world because much as we have so much to get from the world, we also have so much to give to the world and enrich and empower human bonds and cultures for all of us to reach a greater plane of civilization.
Now, very briefly about Write-On Publications --- I set it up way back in 1992-1993, as an endeavour to give a fillip to the publishing industry in Nagaland. Besides some non-literary works, it also published my first Volume of Poetry in 1993 and now my second Volume. I would urge our writers and poets to give a very serious look at Write-On Publications if and when they wish to publish their works. I also urge our state Government to initiate licensing laws and authorities in the state as also do the needful for the other requirements of the publishing industry for it to thrive in the state.
Actually it is a mistake to ask me to speak because I can go on and on. But the time has come for me to convey my deepest gratitude to all of you who have come here today --- I see it as an act of nurturing literary pursuits in Nagaland, as also lending a supporting hand to the fledgling publishing industry in the state thereby strengthening our cultural heritage in a very modern form.
The word ‘Thank you” is inadequate but I still say Thank You first and foremost to my husband Bendang Longkumer for always being by my side and enduring my poetic eccentricities. Thank You, Dilip Sharma, Assistant Editor, Nagaland Page, he did the cover of my book, Thank You, Sudip Das, who was there for me in ways that I cannot disclose publicly. These are the three men to whom much credit goes for my book.
Thank you to two other men, who believe in me, Dr. Sebastian, sdb, Head of English Department, Nagaland University, Kohima, and Sanjoy Hazarika, noted Journalist, writer and social activist, and the woman whose guiding light rescues me from darkness of many hues, my Aunt, Padmashree Dr. Temsula Ao, North Eastern Hills, University, Shillong. I know you are with me always Pehi.
Thank you Tiala, Miss Jyoti and the Musicians from Patkai Christian College for making today happen in such a short notice.
Thank You, the Management and the Staff of Hotel Saramati for also making today happen in such a short notice.
And a very special Thank You to Uncle Manik not only for releasing my book today but also for watching over me in numerous ways since the day I started writing both as a journalist and as a poet, and as a daughter.
Please forgive me, I have not mentioned a long list of names to who I am indebted for being there for me in several ways but know that I will always be grateful to you.
I’m not quite finished yet. As you read my book today or whenever you wish to, as I am sure you will buy a copy each, I would like you to ponder over this:
Who remembers the President of the US of America when Elvis Aaron Presley was the rocking the world with his music, and still does?
Who remembers the King or the Prime Minister of England when William Shakespeare and John Keats wrote literary history?
Who remembers the personification of political, social and economic power when Leonardo da Vinci painted the Last Supper and the Mona Lisa?
Thank You
(This above is the address made during the release of the poetry collection ‘Monsoon Mourning’)
