Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUGUST 18
The Power to Forgive, a collection of twelve short stories written by Avinuo Kire was launched in Kohima at a formal function held Tuesday evening in the Ozone Café. The book was officially released by Forest minister, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire on the occasion.
Speaking at the launch, the minister said that there is no dearth of talents in young Nagas but finding the right platform becomes a snag in launching those talents. He maintained that Nagas need to do away with the prevalent attitude of pessimism and welcome and encourage good things. While congratulating the author, Avinuo on the launch of her debut book, he expressed hope that she would continue to write and inspire others.
“Culled from folk and tribal traditions of Naga life, Kire’s stories take us into a world where spirits converse with humans, unsuspecting people are drawn into the movement for Naga independence, a man dies quietly of cancer….. With insight and compassion, Avinuo Kire draws fine portraits of ordinary people in Naga society,” states the publisher’s blurb.
Noted author and poet, Easterine Kire, who previewed the book, said Avinuo has bravely and honestly dealt with many subjects in ‘The Power to Forgive’ including difficult ones like human relationships and human emotions which many writers tend to write about on a superficial level. She feels that readers can connect and relate to the stories as many of them deal with the problems of the present day.
Without dwelling much on details, she said the title story was very moving and it brings out so much not just in the story but in the reader as it deals with a taboo subject- rape. Easterine also pointed out that the book touches another subject that is almost taboo for the Nagas, forgiveness, which she feels the society struggles greatly with. Many of the conflicts today are a result of the inability to forgive and Avinuo has dealt with that by giving us a heartfelt and touching story, she stated.
She observes that the author has applied very excellently the art of the short story by presenting the essence of unpredictability.
Nagaland State Commission for Women chairperson, Dr. Temsula Ao, who is also a prominent author and poet, spoke on emerging narratives. She said the most unfortunate reality of being a Naga is that the Nagas do not have a common language, and this, she lamented, has hampered the Naga people in many ways. She said the mother tongue (respective tribal languages) was not taught as it should have been, therefore, most of the Naga writers started to write in English in order to make their writings widely read. “Most of us cannot think of writing in our tribal language now,” Dr. Temsula says.
Stating that the big challenge is not just writing in English but of native languages, she encouraged the younger generation to direct their energy to the mother tongue for the cause of the language as well as for the cause of the Naga culture. She said they do not have to try anything new or fantastic mother tongue writing but going back to their villages and collect stories and compile them into books which can be read and enjoyed by all. This, she feels will help lores become the source of inspiration and imagination in creating a newer world and contribute to the emerging literature of the state.
She said the writings of author of ‘The Power to Forgive’ comes from a young heart which is “sensitive, receptive and completely honest”, and the clarity of her emotions comes from a firm belief that life can be made liveable if one cultivates and accepts the power to forgive not only other others but oneself.
Avinuo Kire is currently working as an Assistant Professor (English Literature) at Don Bosco College, Kohima. She did her masters in English Literature from Delhi University and M.Phil and Ph.D in English from Nagaland University.
“Writing is catharsis for me and I have been writing from an early age. I am a great believer in the greatness of ordinary people and such lives are my inspiration,” she told Eastern Mirror after the launch of her book. She said she is very attached to all the stories in ‘The Power to Forgive’ as they were each inspired by remarkable people, and she expressed hope that the readers can all find a connection with the stories.
Earlier the function commenced with a prayer said by Baptist Mission Church pastor Rev. Moa Longchari while Dr. Meneno Vamuzo read out the pubilsher’s note on behalf of the founder and director of Zubaan, Urvashi Butalia. Avinuo Kire also read an excerpt from one of the stories in her book. She acknowledged the support of her parents and dedicated the book to them as well as her grandmother, who is said to be a pioneer in Tenyidie literature.
