PASIGHAT/ITANAGAR, Jun 1: Pride of Arunachal Pradesh’s Siluk and a leading light in the world of Assamese literature, ‘Sahitya Surjya’ Lummer Dai was today remembered on his 78th birth anniversary by the people of his birthplace, Siluk village in East Siang district under the banner of Silukian Welfare Kebang (SWK), along with Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS).

On the occasion, the statue of Lummer Dai – installed by Silukians on their own contributions – was unveiled by the chief guest, Sahitya Akademi awardee Y D Thongchi at Govt Upper Primary School, Siluk.

Coinciding with his birthday celebration, the second ‘Luminous Lummer Dai State Literary Award’, instituted by the APLS, was also conferred on writer-poet Dr Jogendra Nath. The Award carrying a citation, a memento and cash reward of Rs 10,000 was presented to him by APLS president Thongchi.

Paying his tributes to late Lummer Dai, the Sahitya Akademi awardee Thongchi said that Siluk village is the second village in the state to have erected statue of its own prominent writer. In order to create interest among the younger generations, he suggested, literary competitions should be organized from time to time.

Receiving the Lummer Dai State Literary Award, Dr Nath, who considers late Dai as a good friend, literature expert and a source of inspiration, said that writing requires continuous attachment and practice. Exhorting the younger generation towards writing, he said that they need to take the first step that is start writing. Skill can be developed slowly, he added.

Recalling the contributions of late Dai, APLS general secretary Batem Pertin said, he was a great humanist, who reflected in his work, the woes and challenges of downtrodden and women in society, thereby strongly advocating for their rights and privileges.

“He built a bridge between Arunachalee and Assamese societies through his brilliant literary works, which need to be cemented by us and the goodwill alive,” said SWK spokesperson Nakut Yirang.

Recipient of 1st Lummer Dai State Literary Award, Kaling Borang said  with its large number of tribes having distinct and variant culture and heritage, the State has all the subjects to get inspiration and to write about. He suggested for developing script for each and every dialect of the tribes so that the ancient oral culture are preserved before it’s too late.

Son of late Dai, Mibom Dai said his father earned much respect from the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Overcome with emotion, he expressed his gratitude to APLS and SWK for unveiling his father's statue at UPS Siluk.

Among others, APLS East Siang unit president Bodong Yirang, Siluk village GB Ashik Yirang, Sukhapa Literary awardee Dr Pushpa Gogoi also spoke and recalled the illustrious son of the soil.  

In the later part of the programme, a "Kavi Sanmelan" was conducted by APLS which was led by APLS East Siang unit general secretary Mohonto Pangging. Many poets and writers from Arunachal and Assam participated at the Kavi Sanmelan. Many of the young students were largely benefitted from the session.

Large numbers of villagers, guests, invitees and students attended the function.

At Itanagar, the Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society led by its vice president Tokong Pertin paid floral tributes to late Dai on his 78 birth anniversary, in an impressive function held at conference hall of JN State Museum. A literary sitting involving budding and established writers, poets was also organized to pay a befitting tribute to the literary genius.

Late Dai’s birth anniversary was also celebrated in Assam’s Bihpuria-based ‘Lummer Dai Centre for Distant Education and Research Centre’ by the apex literary body, Assam Sahitya Sabha.

Representing the Dai family, retired bureaucrat Obang Dai at the Bihpuria function talked about life and contributions of late Dai, who had enriched the age-old Assam-Arunachal ties through his creative writings.

Assam Sahitya Sabha general secretary Jadav Chandra Sharma also spoke and paid tributes to the late novelist on the occasion.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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