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Dimapur, Sep. 8 (EMN): The extra assistant commissioner (EAC) of Pfutsero, Riku Khutso, has encouraged creating an enabling environment so that young people could come together and develop the habit of reading.
Khutso stated this in his greetings on the occasion of International Literacy Day held at T&L Study Cafe in Pfütsero on September 8. The event was jointly organised by Pen Thrill Publication House and Terence & Lucy's Study Cafe on the theme "Let's Read!"
Commending the initiative, he said, "we have to create this environment as a town so that young people would like to come together like this." Also stating that reading needs an enabling environment, he appreciated T&L Study Cafe for providing an ideal environment. He urged on the need to intensify such culture.
Towards this end, he also pointed to the need to change the "vibrancy of the town towards reading and writing, where we produce good academicians, writers, and give character to this town."
While pointing out that towns and cities have characters of their own, he said, "we need to shape this character towards literature, reading, writing...this will bring a very healthy character to our town. Let us try to engage in creative activities that will bring a lot of change in the society if we can engage youths towards reading and writing", he said.
Writer, researcher and educator, Talilula Longchar, spoke on the theme "Indigenising literacy,” where she dwelt upon the context of "literacy and text". Stressing on the need to contextualise literacy and text in Naga context, she explained that "a text is a song, a story your grandma is telling, a story written in your mekhala or shawl" and underscored the need to understand and perceive literacy.
Besides reading, and writing, she also impressed that "we should also be listening to stories, we should be telling them." "More than reading or writing, we should be telling and listening", she added.
The event was also marked by readings by Talilula Longchar, Vishü Rita Krocha, Neitele Mero, Cole Lasuh and Dr. Priya Ramauli. Rekha Rose Dukru was the host of the event.