Why reading?
George R. R. Martin – “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, the man who never reads lives only once”.
March 06, 2021, a Saturday like any other, except for odd 17 souls. As Miss Fairsena Huten, a student from Koinonia Training School read excerpts from one of the many eclectic stories from Mr Shelmi Sankhil’s recently launched book ‘Flame On The Hill’ many in the room chuckled and thanked their stars. Never in their wildest dreams did they imagine a club which would inculcate and encourage the habit of reading. Not the usual run of the mill academic books or scriptures but some of the most beautiful, moving, and timeless literatures.
In the pipeline for over two years, Wisecrabs think-thank had designed and discussed a book club in Chandel district but it remained a distant dream. The dream finally took shape last month. The excitement was followed by trepidation of acceptance and participation by the people. It is no secret that Chandel is the unlikeliest candidate to be nominated for the post of the flagbearer of quality education and reading habits per se. Despite the nadir of the past, the dynamism and enthusiasm of the present bodes well for the future’s zenith.
The inaugural session was held in the spacious and beautiful hall of Little Ones Kindergarten, a generosity showered by the principal, Mrs Villy Kiho. In attendance were students from St Joseph School, Maha Union Govt Higher Secondary School, KTS, United College, and club executives. A special guest to grace the sitting was Major Kunal Sharma from 18AR who arrived on his own volition and spoke at length on the joy of reading and his happiness on attending the first of this kind in his life. He also announced ‘Eden Library’ sponsorship for interested and deserving students at Eden Book-Café cum Library. A beautiful gesture.
The book club is a bi-weekly event and apart from book readings will have poetry recitation, movie screening, career counseling, and other shared interests.
Mhanthung Tongsin