Modern College hosts Autumn Fiesta, Baptist College celebrates Literary Day

DIMAPUR — Modern College, Piphema, organised its 3rd edition of Autumn Fiesta on October 25, while Baptist College, Kohima, held its Literary Day on October 24 on the theme “What’s in a book?”

At Modern College, the Autumn Fiesta was sponsored by Green Hills Restaurant, Wulo Akami Artworks, Punjab & Sind Bank, ICICI Bank, Wonderhill Restaurant, 78 BN CRPF (Sechu Zubza), IGAR (N)/22 AR, and Northeast Hub (Tour & Travels).

According to an update, addressing the gathering, Mele Pucho, proprietor of Symphony Academy of Music, spoke about the challenges of unemployment faced by youth, observing that the real struggle begins after graduation.

He maintained that while education is essential, success also depends on skill development. He remarked that many successful people are not necessarily the most educated but those who have discovered and refined their talents.

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Pucho encouraged young people to consider self-employment as an option, stressing that with hard work, creativity, and perseverance, they could create their own opportunities. He advised them not to depend solely on government jobs and assured them that every effort made to develop skills would prove valuable.

The central event, Modern Rhapsody, featured 27 participants from various colleges and higher secondary schools across India. Achatnis of Patkai Christian College won first place, followed by Kuluvelu Swuro, also from Patkai Christian College, in second, and Keneisayo Khro from Kalka Dental College and Hospital, Delhi, in third.

The fiesta also included a Deadlift competition organised by the Modern College Alumni Association in collaboration with Power Gym Kohima, with 18 participants. The winners were Athuo Sabrina (first), Elow Kreni (second), and Mathibo Lawrence (third).

The festival also featured a Cosplay Campus where attendees dressed under the theme “Bohemian”, and a digital competition through an E-Games Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) Tournament. Sixty teams competed, with Team X7 Mizoram emerging as the winner, Team T4P Esport securing second place, and Team Hope Esport coming third. The MVP title went to 2FaceFromX7.

The event concluded with a DJ evening. Awards were also given for the best costume and best stall setup, which went to Lokito Achumi and AV Floristry, respectively.

At Baptist College, Kohima, the Literary Day focused on the journey of books from creation to publication, with twelve workshops conducted simultaneously.

The workshop on “Crafting a book-1” was led by resource person Rovi Chasie, who shared her personal experiences as a writer, stating that her works are shaped by her own life. She emphasised the importance of integrity and conscience in all undertakings, and the session concluded with readings from her work by a student.

In “Crafting a book-2”, resource person Limatoshi Longkumer gave advice to aspiring writers, urging them to write honestly, avoid plagiarism, read widely across genres, seek constructive feedback, and avoid rushing to publish.

In the session on “Publication houses”, resource person Vishii Rita Krocha gave an overview of the publishing process at Penthrill Publishing House. She explained the various stages from manuscript submission to editing, approval, design, and publication. She also highlighted the significance of book cover designs and interacted with students during a Q&A session, which concluded with a lottery draw where four students received her books.

During the workshop “Fundamentals of editing”, resource person Dr. Vizovono Elizabeth, independent researcher and editor, spoke on the often-overlooked importance of editing. She discussed the three stages in a book’s journey and outlined the four Cs of editing—clarity, consistency, coherency, and correctness.

“The basics of writing-1” was conducted by Dr. Enünü Sale, assistant professor, Department of English, Baptist College, Kohima, who spoke on developing foundational skills for clear and effective writing. She also guided students on writing reflective essays and emphasised cultivating reading habits.

“The basics of writing-2” was led by Suvilü Venuh, assistant professor, Department of English, who said that writing poses greater challenges than speaking due to concerns about accuracy and error.

In “Community libraries-1”, resource person Akho Phira shared his experience of establishing and managing the Community Library at Kigwema. He underlined the value of community libraries as inclusive spaces for learning and cultural preservation. He recounted the library’s growth since its inception in July 2021—from one shelf to more than 600 books and several outdoor reading areas—and spoke of recent initiatives such as spelling bee competitions and CV writing workshops.

In “Community libraries-2”, Longitili Sangtam, an entrepreneur and community leader, discussed the library movement in Kiphire, calling libraries key centres for knowledge and rural education. He encouraged students to help foster reading culture by donating books to community libraries.

The workshop on “Printing press: functions, processes and teamwork” was led by resource person Leykam Thüvüri, graphic designer at Spectrum Printers. He explained that while writers provide content, the press gives life to a book, and the finishing process gives it a soul. He also spoke about the importance of soft skills and adapting to changing design trends.

In the session “Nagaland State Library: a resource centre and reading space”, resource person Sürhü Dozo, deputy librarian, said that the State Library serves students, researchers, and professionals, adding that efforts are being made to create digital repositories for better access.

In “Book Stores and Reading Spaces”, resource person Khriezovonuo, librarian of The Book Home, observed that reading in libraries creates a deeper sense of connection between the reader and the author’s imagination.

A session on “Book stores and reading spaces” was conducted with Khriezovonuo, librarian of The Book Home, as the resource person. She highlighted that reading in a library evokes a different feeling of focus and connection, where an author’s imagination and characters truly come alive.

The final workshop, “Libraries as reading spaces and sources”, featured resource persons Susanti Kath and Asiwa Kath, proprietors of Jini’s Study Hall, who explained the difference between libraries and reading spaces and how their institution combines both. They encouraged students to frequent libraries and make reading spaces productive environments.

The event concluded with a fundraiser for the Student Welfare Fund to assist financially underprivileged students. Four stalls—Thrift for a Cause, Kindness Kiosk, Live Art, and a photo booth—were set up, with proceeds collected through voluntary donations.