Late Lummer Dai remembered on his 82nd birth anniversary

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh's Minister Sports & Youth Affairs Mama Natung on Wednesday attended the 82nd birth anniversary of Late Lummer Dai, who is regarded as an indispensable name in the field of literature in Arunachal Pradesh, organized by the Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) at the State guest house here.

Addressing the gathering, Natung called for transformation and reformation of the State through literature. He said the subject is very new to the State, but with the support of the State Government and the APLS, literature will be a boon in many aspects for the development of human minds.

He said every tribe from the State has its own poetry, plays, stories, folklores etc., but sadly, there is no written compilation of it, in which the literary society can play a major role in setting up a book format so that it is preserved as well as read by the children.

"Writing is an art, which is not an easy task for every individual. Therefore, I appeal to the APLS to come up with a plan so that the chanting of Shaman, indigenous stories and poetry etc., can be preserved in a word format through books," he said, also suggesting the society to create a website where all this can be accessed by the children to learn.

Assuring every possible help from his end, Natung said the APLS has the potential to contribute much more to the State and its people. Hence, the State Government has been repeatedly helping the society in every possible way.

Natung presented the luminous Lummer Dai Literary Award-2022 to Ajanta, who is basically from Assam and has contributed towards the betterment of literature in the State as well as APLS.

Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalist (APUWJ) general secretary Ranju Dodum, while speaking on the contribution of Lummer Dai, said that though he never had the privilege to work with him, his contribution towards the print media can still be remembered.

He said it was Dai who gave birth to the first newspaper in the State, 'Echo of Arunachal', which was not only a gateway towards the dissemination of news but also encouraged many others to establish news agencies, which we see today.

"Dai was a celebrated writer in Assam, more than in Arunachal Pradesh. My knowledge on his contribution towards literature is limited but his editorials have been influential in social reforms, especially for the women section," he said.

Dai voiced for the women society at a time period when women were seen as lesser to other genders through his editorials and speeches. Therefore, people should always remember such people who take first steps towards any issues of the sector of work.

He appealed to the APLS to dig out the editorials written by Dai and accordingly publish them in digital or book format, so that many young journalists can read and learn.

Earlier, Yater Nyokir in her keynote address, highlighted the life story of Late Lummer Dai and his contribution towards the growth of literature in the State. Among others, APLS executive president Batem Pertin and APLS secretary Mukul Pathak also spoke on the day.

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