Temshinaro
Dimapur, April 22 (EMN): Books are an integral tool for human growth. April 23 is observed as World Book Day to mark the death and birth anniversary of English poet William Shakespeare. The day also coincides with the death anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes, the Spanish writer and one of the world's pre-eminent novelists.
With the help of the event, the UNESCO aims to inculcate reading habits among people, especially the youth, and highlight various issues surrounding authors, publishers and the literary world in general.
To commemorate World Book Day, Eastern Mirror interacted with some of the few prominent literary personalities in Nagaland.
'Books are like the whole wide world that lies before us to learn, to experience and to give back; learning from internet is like the limited learning in classrooms,' claimed Monalisa Changkija, editor of local newspaper Nagaland Page.
There is a vast range of reading sources with technology offering access through various forms of platforms: the Internet and e-books, among other. However, there is something singular about holding a book and reading it which no technology can substitute, says Changkija. 'I cannot imagine not reading books'.
The editor expressed concern about how today's generation rely mostly on the internet to learn. According to her, reading books is so much more than merely learning.
'Without self-knowledge, all other knowledge is inconsequential because unless we have self-knowledge, we can never fully acquire knowledge about things around us,' says the only woman editor of Nagaland.
Akum Longchari, editor of another newspaper The Morung Express released a book 'Self-determination' in November last year. He says that the Naga mind has not quite embraced the full spirit of the printed word as traditionally stories and storytelling have been integral to the Naga people’s ability to interact, express, comprehend, as well as communicate their understanding of the world.
Stories are at the heart of the Naga culture. And yet, although storytelling passes on a meaningful history, traditional knowledge and wisdom are diminishing.
According to him understanding a book’s actual intent, meaning and essence are misplaced as the Naga relationship with the printed word (book, journals, newspaper, etc.) is narrowly limited and confined to its literal form, rather than its substance.
Another local literary figure, Nini Lungalang, says that there is no substitute for book no matter how attractive or powerful the media is. As the world observes World Book Day, Nini Lungalang says there is nothing that can replace a good book. The poet is saddened by the thought that most young people are less exposed to books and are turning away from reading. She advised young readers to inculcate the habit of book reading as reading makes one 'think' and find 'things' things for themselves.
Young poetess Vishü Rita Krocha says World Book Day is a great reminder that reading is a wonderful thing. When the culture of reading is fast diminishing, ‘we must make effort to encourage and raise a generation that reads because it is so important that they are nurtured at a young age.’ She opines further that in the absence of young readers, one cannot ensure the growth of literature, either in own land or of the world outside.
Rita, who said to have completed reading 17 books in four months says, 'I really wish that we can all be part of nurturing this pleasurable book reading activity not only for our sake but also for the younger generation to come.'
Dr. Lanusangla, chief editor of Heritage Publishing House says that the Nagas are yet to inculcate the culture of reading in the truest sense. Most of the times 'we read only for examinations and not to enrich our minds.'
When queried for her opinion on the shortage of libraries and book stores in the state, Lanusangla opined that most of the book shops cater to students academic demands while many of the private as well as government institutions’ libraries do not seem to keep books beyond those meant for ‘syllabus’ purpose.
However, she says that stores such as Crossword in Kohima town have rich collections for book lovers. Over the past few years, Heritage Publishing House has released quite a number of books written by Naga authors.
Monalisa Changkija explains the relationship between the reader and the book, which she says cannot be easily articulated–this can be understood only if one experiences that relationship.
'It is this relationship I would urge young people today to develop for it will always remain with her/him.'
Further, she says the internet is a very good source of information but not really a source of knowledge the kind that only books can be, 'it’s almost like the difference between learning first-hand from Nature, which awaken all our sense and then learning how to us them, as opposed to learning in the classroom by listening to a teacher’s explanations.'
Alongside the worry on the lack of reading among the younger generation, the need to have libraries not only in schools or colleges is another concern. Libraries are places where one can relax and read and not see it as part of educational assignments but for one’s growth.
Nagaland University mentioned on its website that it also has a library each at Lumami, Kohima and Medziphema with the latter being the oldest which started with a small collection in the year 1979.
No doubt, technology has filled a space for books but to many, books remain irreplaceable. As observed by some, the internet Is ubiquitous but books are not.
