ITANAGAR, Nov 17: The second day of the 5th edition of the Arunachal Literature Festival on Friday, witnessed a series of events that included - poetry recitations, short story reading sessions, and discussion and deliberation on diverse topics by panel experts.
Many visitors including literature lovers, students and others attended the event in large numbers and also visited the book stalls and other arts & crafts stalls.
During the forenoon, Author Ponung Ering Angu moderated a Poetry Session with participation of various Authors/Poets, namely- Ashwani Kumar, Guru T Ladakhi, Narang Tsering Shakspo, Lincoln Mura Singh, Theyiesinuo Keditsu (Mekhela Mama) , Beni Sumer Yanthan, Ato Lego etc at the Rhododendron Hall.
The themes ranged from nationalism, fragile ecology, everyday life, of rootlessness, of ancestral   land etc.
Moderator Ponung Ering Angu spoke on the importance of poetry as one the form of self- expression which connects with readers on different themes. 
While at the Orchid Hall a Panel discussion was held on “Reimaging mythology”, moderated by Mahesh Dattani and participated by Kaling Borang, Anand Neelakantan and Anuja Chandramouli. Another Panel discussion on “Changing Narratives”, moderated by Padmashree Mamang Dai, was participated by Guru Ladaki, Ashish Kundra and Sanjoy Hazarika. The panel discussed on pros and cons of clear cultural influence on youths and kind of cultural and literature equilibrium aspire in changing scenario of literature.
While, in the afternoon session, “AI & The Future of Literature” was moderated by Dr. Mukesh Kumar, with participating panels - Prof. Ashwani Kumar, Dr. A. Venugopalan, Kanishka Gupta, Balram Gumasta and Pratap Dixit discussing on how AI can pose challenges to writers and their reactions.
A lively poetry recitation session dedicated to ‘Queers & Allies’ termed as ‘Rainbow Session’ was well participated by enthusiastic gatherings with cheers and applauses. This is the second time that such platform was provided to the community, after it was introduced for the first time at the 4th edition of AP Lit Fest last year at Namsai.
Moderated by Manabi Bandopadhyay, the first Transgender College Principal from West Bengal and a writer and poet herself, the session had presentations by  panel members – Partha Sarathi Majumder, Sanjana Simon, A Ravathi, Moge Basar, Wanggo Socia, Raju Ghising and Babuilu Tawang reflecting the life of the transgender and the pain, agony and social stigmas associated with it.  
Moderator Manabi had faced prejudice and discriminations at every hurdle of her life and fought for equality of the community in the society. An activist to her gender cause, Manabi started the session with her poem titled “Read Reflect Reimagine” which she wrote last night in tune with this year theme of the Lit Fest, shows the life journey and the societal attitude towards the gender.
A Ravathi, a writer by profession, performed mono-acting of her play in Tamil depicting social discriminations meted out to the community and seeking justice, equality and dignity in the society. Young participants- Wanggo Socia and Babuilu Tawang through their recitations touched the hearts of the gathering.
Well coordinated by Sawang Wangchha, the session was captivating to the cause dedicated upon, as all of them clearly voiced out the message of equality, love, respect and dignity in society. 
Later, APLS President & Padmashree Y.D Thongchi, while facilitating the panelist, said that our state has the most tolerant society with equal rights and respects to all without any social discrimination. Thongchi also authored a short story on ‘transgender’ in Assamese for social awareness among the people.
Earlier, at a Short Story reading session, moderated by senior Story Writer, Satish Jayaswal, in all six members in panel, presented their stories, narrating the socio-cultural and generational differences, besides other social issues and human conflicts in the society. Besides other prominent writers, Isaac Jilen, a RGU student narrated his story “Worth Unspoken”, where a boy dies of dog bite due to communication gap between parents & children and the ignorance which led to the misfortune, while Remon Longku read out a popular Tangsa folk lore on “Lake of no return”.
The day also witnessed Poet and noted influencer, Theyiesinuo Keditsu known famously for her Instagram handle "Mekhala Mama", in conversation with journalist Ranju Dodum, where she spoke about the need to normalize wearing traditional tribal clothes and how weaving is an essential part of tribal heritage.
Later a Poetry workshop was conducted by Tenzin Tsundue, noted Poet, Writer and Tibetan refugee and activist, where many young literary enthusiasts participated in the session. ‘Where is my country story' written by Y.D Thongchi was also read out by Dr. Kompi Riba, Dr. Doyir Ete and Tenzing Tsundue himself.
The Day 3 will have panel discussions on Media & literature, Impact of Self Help Books, Prose Workshop by Pori Hilodari, besides Poetry Recitation and Short Story Reading.

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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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