A Poetry & Book Appreciation Day programme was held on the 10th October 2019 at the college Conference Hall. With creative writing in English among Mizos gaining in popularity, this was a wonderful opportunity to introduce some of the finest young writers in Aizawl to our literature students. Book reading is, of course, also an issue that needs to be re-introduced today with digital gadgets taking over the time and attention of young people everywhere.
Hannah Lalhlanpuii, a research scholar at Mizoram University
who is also an upcoming writer of note, talked about her novel, "When
Black Birds Fly” which is about the 1966 Mizoram rambuai narrated from the
perspective of a young boy.
Somte Ralte and Lalsangliani, who both write good, pertinent poetry in
English and have both had short stints as substitute teachers in the English
department, presented their poetry.
Jacqueline Zote, a young journalist who takes on bold themes
and issues in her poetry, and Kim Miller, one of the few male Mizo
writers in English, also gave readings of their poetry.
Dr. Lalthansangi Ralte, a 2005 English Honours alum, and the then Head of the
English Department at IQFAI University Mizoram Campus, gave the assembled English Core students a pep talk on the importance
of books and reading. She set up a temporary book stall from the Book Café, a
very popular book shop recently started by her with her brothers, who are also alumni
of the college.
The programme was an extension of Poetry Day organised by
the dept. where poems written by students from various departments were
collected and displayed across the college building.
The P & BA Day appeared successful with most students showing considerable interest in the proceedings.
