Writers are ambassadors of heritage and custodians of narratives—Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio speaks during the inaugural session of the 2nd edition of The White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair on Monday at Zone Niathu by the Park in Chümoukedima.

• DIMAPUR — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said that authors are not just writers but are ambassadors of heritage and custodians of narratives that have been passed down through generations.
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• “Each of them carries the weight of their linkage, the voices of their ancestors, and the stories of their people,” he said while inaugurating the 2nd edition of The White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair on Monday at Zone Niathu by the Park in Chümoukedima.
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• The three-day event, organised in partnership with Penguin and The White Owl, is emerging as one of the premier literary festivals in the Northeast of India, bringing together reputed authors, writers, and artists from across India, along with renowned storytellers from the Northeast to ‘inspire, imagine, and inscribe’ the future.
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• “With every word you write, you weave together the past and the future, ensuring that the culture and identity of your communities remain alive and flourishing. I am especially heartened by the inclusivity and diversity that this festival embraces.
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• “From the vibrant hills of the Northeast and the heartland of India, from the eastern shores to the western deserts, the festival brings together voices from every corner of our country,” Rio said.
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• Also, he said that such a confluence of ideas strengthens the bonds of unity and fosters understanding among the people, and “Nagaland, known as the land of festivals, is proud to host a festival that celebrates not just our culture, but also literature.”
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• According to the chief minister, festivals such as these serve a higher purpose beyond celebration. “They expand our minds, giving us the ability to view the world through different perspectives, to enrich our hearts, fostering empathy and a great capacity to love, and they challenge us to push ourselves beyond our limitations, setting new standards of excellence in both expression and creativity. “
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• He urged the gathering to remember that literature has the power to shift societies, bridge divides, and bring about change “while it is our responsibility to honour this power, to use it wisely, and to continue inspiring generations to come.”
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• “Our Naga society is a young society, and literacy and education came to us just one and a half centuries ago. A humble beginning of setting up a library and being blessed and supported by the Penguins Library, giving the responsibilities to this library, is really a blessing and a very good beginning for the citizens of Nagaland and particularly our young and students who love to learn,” he said.
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• Festival director and proprietor of The White Owl, Viketuno Rio, acknowledged the ‘incredible response’ to the first edition—which, she said, had reaffirmed the profound ability of literature to unite, inspire, and transform.
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• “This year we return with renewed passion, ready to explore, learn, and express creativity on an even deeper level,” she said.
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• “We revisited the vision of The White Owl that sought to reignite the enthusiasm for the timeless act of reading and listening, inspiring our community. We came to the conclusion that a meaningful literature festival, especially in Nagaland, must begin by asking why do we read, why do we listen, and ultimately why do we write,” she shared.
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• With these questions in mind, the director said they had chosen and refined the theme: Inspire, Imagine, Inscribe. “The theme invites festival participants to listen attentively, to read quietly, and to write with purpose,” she said, adding that the festival is a movement towards deeper literary engagement.
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• Viketuno Rio speaks during the inaugural session of the 2nd edition of The White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair on Monday at Zone Niathu by the Park in Chümoukedima.
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• Zero-waste with Green Guard
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• Also, the festival director informed that they have introduced a zero-waste initiative at the festival this year to ensure that sustainability remains at the core of their efforts.
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• “With the support of Green Guard, a leading waste management company in Nagaland, we are dedicated to preserving our environment and fostering a sustainable future,” she affirmed.
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• She recollected that on February 8, they had organised a charity run where over 200 participants had come together to support children with disabilities.
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• To further their commitment towards inclusivity, she informed that they are organising a charity concert on February 17 and 18 to raise awareness and encourage a more accepting society for families and children with disabilities. This initiative, she said, embodies their belief that literature and storytelling extend beyond the written word to create meaningful change in the community.
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• A special session for children will run parallel to the main event. According to her, the children’s session will cover themes like mental health and emotional self-awareness, exploring inclusivity through stories, and culture and folklore.

Also read: Syed Kirmani: Cricket icon’s story finds home in White Owl Fest