APLS Foundation Day

from OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, April 13: “Literature is priceless but a noble cause as it reaches million hearts across the globe”, said Chief Minister bam Tuki while enlisting the contributions of late Lummer Dai, Y D Thongchi and Mamang Dai to justify that Aruchal Pradesh may be late comer in literature but not lagging far behind.

Tuki was addressing to a distinguished gathering to mark the Aruchal Pradesh Literary Society’s 9th foundation at Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum here Sunday evening.

“Former chief minister, late Dorjee Khandu was a dedicated leader committed to the cause of the people, Tuki said after conferring Karmaveer title on him on behalf of the Aruchal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS).

Such title is conferred only once. Khandu’s yeoman services would be immortal as he would be known as Karmveer Dorjee Khandu henceforth which is a history in state’s literary world” CM emphatically said.

He announced state government’s fincial support for the proposed award after late Lummer Dai to be an annual feature.

Dr Bhupen Hazarika, who was part of Aruchalee society being born at Bolung village in NEFA, was closely associated in state’s socio-cultural development, he said recalling his songs like ‘Hamara Aruchal’, Kato jawar mrityu hal (1962), film Mera Dharam Meri Maa as living testimony of his indelible footprints.

Recalling his announcement to install Bhupenda’s statue and make a documentary film on his life, the CM announced state government’s sponsorship with a committee headed by APLS president Y D Thongchi to achieve the goal. He also suggested more coffee table books on Aruchal Pradesh for growth of tourism.

A tiol semir in 1998 had noted with concern lack of proper research and development in the state, Tuki said, adding a voluminous book - Wonders of the World- carried a chapter on his address to the semir highlighting state’s uniqueness.

Thongchi also felicitated 51-year-old Takhe Kani for his contribution in preserving rich cultural heritage and 60-year-old inborn poet Sherphow Nimachow on the occasion.

In his address, Thongchi recalled that CM Tuki himself, in his address to the first APLS foundation day in 2006, had regretted that state’s writers were most neglected and assured support.

The APLS besides encouraging the budding writers and enthusing the forgotten writers to become creative again, Thongchi highlighted the achievements including the APLS in collaboration with Assam Sahitya Sabha instituted Lummer Dai Sahitya Award, set up Lummer Dai Distance Learning & Tribal Research Centre at Bihupuria.

He said the APLS would like to institute an annual literary award to honour distinguished writers of the state or other states.

Besides APLS, Siang Literary Forum and msaiSahityaSabha areconsistently working to promote state’s literature, he said, and urged the CM for fund through the art & culture department. “It is a great day for the family on receiving the wonderful honour. I extend heartfelt thanks on behalf of the family and the entire people of Mon area and well-wishers of my late father”, Tourism Minister Pema Khandu said and quoted his father’s advise: “Life is very short and let us walk together”.