In a bid to provide the perfect ambience to writers,
artistes, researchers and creative minds in Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister
Pema Khandu has proposed the establishment of a Writers’ Village in the State.
Khandu made this announcement during the valedictory
function of the three-day Arunachal Literature Festival (ALF) on Saturday.
The CM said the village, to be established in a
suitable place in the State, would be a resort in the laps of nature where
writers and artistes can push their creative pursuits in peace and solitude.
Khandu revealed that the project was on his mind for
quite some time and said the occasion was the perfect time to announce it.
“Arunachal has some of the best locations where the
mind roams free, hearts beat in perfect rhythm and the soul is at total peace.
Writers and artistes just need such an ambience to perfect their art. We will
offer it,” he said.
According to the CM, the Writers’ Village would be a
perfect resort with all basic facilities at some remote location, where writers
can stay for weeks and months fine-tuning their creative pursuits.
“I would like to invite all creative minds to avail
this facility,” he said.
The ALF is being attended by more than fifty renowned
and budding authors and poets from across the country including those from
Arunachal Pradesh. Some of the big names this year are Anand Neelakanthan,
Kavita Kane, Preethi Shenoy, Asgar Wajahat, Mahesh Dattani, Janice Pariat and
Anuja Chandramouli.
“Literature is a reflection of humanity and a way for
us to understand each other. By listening to the voice of another person we can
begin to figure out how individual thinks. I believe that literature is
important because of its purpose and in a society, which is becoming
increasingly detached from human interaction, novels create a conversation,”
Khandu said.
The CM was all praise for the State’s Information and
Public Relations department for organizing the festival annually since 2018 in
collaboration with Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) headed by renowned
authors like YD Thongchi and Mamang Dai.
Acknowledging that the festival is growing with each
passing year, Khandu suggested that the festival should travel across the state
and not stay confined to the state capital. He assured enhancement of funds for
organizing the festival on a rotation basis across the state from next year.
Khandu reiterated his stance on the significance of
preserving local dialects and languages. He said that the younger generation
ought to learn and speak in their native tongues naturally.
“It is our responsibility to teach our kids our mother
tongue and it’s the responsibility of our kids to take it forward. We must
always remember that cultural erosion begins when the use of local dialects
gets disrupted,” he said.
The State Government, he informed, has successfully
introduced several tribe dialects in the syllabus of primary-level schools and
work is on to do the same for the remaining of the tribes.
The CM expressed optimism that the ALF would
successfully ignite young minds to not only read literature but also write it.
“Literature helps us to unlock our minds and
perception of the world and allows us to see out of the box. With this, we
begin to reflect, ask questions, and understand better.
Meanwhile, reading literature gives us knowledge about
history, religion, customs, and traditions; and provides us the opportunity to
understand customs and beliefs other than our own. Literature helps us to
understand other systems of living around the world,” Khandu added.
PTI
