First year Nursing Students from STNM returning after conducting a Health Survey .

Poetry brings beauty to life. It appeals to a broad audience, and provides a medium for the reader to retain his compassion. To promote the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry and to appreciate and support poets and poetry around the world, World Poetry Day is celebrated on March 21 each year.

Appearing as a sequence of lines arranged in stanzas, poetry relies on the sound of the spoken and on figurative language. It can tell a story, describe an object, narrate an event, or express feelings characterized by linguistic elements that go beyond structures, connecting features of language that appeal to and communicate by sound and sight. 

As a personal and indirect form of expression, poetry speaks directly to an audience much as a narrator of stories does. People like to read, write, and talk about poetry which allow them some breather from today’s hectic lifestyles or maybe just some time to sit back and enjoy a few moments reading or laughing at the poet’s playfulness with words.

People also need the poet’s voice that creates insights, depth of thinking, rhythmic flow of expression, and the fun it offers. Poetry can make people feel better, happier, and even more peaceful. It gives the reader an introspective view of one’s self, and an outlet to let loose thoughts and emotions, the cause of some human anxieties.

SU organizes its first Book Fair

Vice-Chancellor of Sikkim Manipal University Dr. Somnath Mishra inaugurated the first ‘Sikkim University Book Fair-2013’ yesterday at Teesta-Indus Library of Sikkim University. The three day long book fair will be open till 20^th March 2013. The book fair has a total of 13 stalls with books mainly catering for researchers, teachers and academicians including syllabus books for students of Colleges and University.

Chief Guest Dr. Somnath Mishra said that everyone needs books and our life depends upon it. Books enable us in our thought process not only for academic purpose but while making decisions in life. Technological innovations in the way we educate ourselves as students and teachers has changed a lot over the last few years but the role of  books is undeniable. It is for this purpose that students should inculcate reading habits early in life which will certainly benefit them.

Vice chancellor of Sikkim University, Dr. TB Subba said that they have organized this book fair mainly for the college students and teachers. The books have been specially ordered from publishers to meet the needs of the students. The main aim has been to develop the academic culture and to inculcate reading habits amongst the academic community of the University as well as the general reading public from the State.

He further added that the book fair is meant for people to know about books and take advantage of it. It is an opportunity for the students, librarians and the general people of Sikkim to get the best books displayed by these renowned agencies from all over India. Books by Palgrave and Routledge, which have introductory lessons on almost all subjects, are available for students.

The book fair has a collection catering for all disciplines like Science, Commerce, Geology, Anthropology, Foreign and Indian Languages, Mass communication, Films, International Relations, Economics, Peace and Conflict Studies and Psychology. 13 renowned booksellers / publishers from all over the country like Ekta Book Private Ltd., New India Publishing Agency, International Book Distributers, Research Books and Periodicals, Sarat Book House Pvt, Ltd., National Book Distributers and Manohar Publishers have stalled their books in the fair and they are providing an official discount of 10% in every purchase.

This is the first Book Fair organized by the University and it will be held annually every February.

An interactive session for children at the NBT Book Fair

A three days workshop for children is underway at Hotel Rendezvous, Gangtok which has been organized by National Book Trust (NBT), spearheaded by Editor, National Centre for Children’s Literature, Manas Ranjan Mahapatra. The event is part of Sikkim Book Fair-2013.

During today’s workshop, students from a local school participated. The students were divided into groups of two; one was assigned to write a story and the other had to draw a picture based on his teammate`s story. Selected stories from this event will be included in the Reader`s Club Bulletin, a children`s magazine published by NBT. The workshop helped them to bring out their stories and hone their writing skills and most importantly to improve their coordination skills.

Speaking to SIKKIM MAIL on the children’s workshop being conducted at the Sikkim Book Fair Festival, Manas Mahapatra said that children cannot be completely blamed if they are not interested in reading. Teachers, writers, illustrators and to some extent parents should collectively make children`s stories adaptable and appealing so that students are reintroduced into the spell of stories. He felt that children`s literature should be interactive and as attractive as other mediums like TV and games to grab their attention towards books.

Manas Mahatpatra also informed that he had a talk with Minister of HRDD, Government of Sikkim, NK Pradhan yesterday, where they discussed on various coordinated initiatives to be implemented for the promotion of reading habits among the children and youths in Sikkim. They are now planning to implement various future projects in Sikkim.

Firstly, they are planning to set up a Readers Club Movement (RCM) in all government schools up to secondary level in Sikkim. Through RCM, they have been performing various book-related activities for children across India. They have been continuously working with children, setting reader`s clubs in schools, especially in government schools. The movement has been going on for the last two decades.

Secondly, they are planning to have two events for May and October. During May, they will release books (catering to children) of about 10-15 publishers from Northeastern states. In October, there will be northeast children-book publisher`s meet. The NBT has been publishing children’s books in 28 languages. Some have been translated in tribal languages as well.  The NBT has also published these books in Nepali and Lepcha language which is currently available in the stall at the book fair.

On being asked what are the major challenges faced during children’s events in similar book fairs, he replied that the biggest challenge in the country is the dearth of good children`s authors and suitable reading materials for student. Adding to that, he said that there are very few children`s authors these days because most are inclined to write for an adult audience. It is for this reason that Manas Mahapatra and his team have decided to convince the concerned authorities to include a creative writing program for children`s literature as a regular MA course in universities, so that future graduates from this program can frame proper guidelines to produce quality books for children.

He felt that it will take at least 5-6 years to achieve all the proposals they have in mind. “People should be patient. We cannot expect immediate results. Events like this Book Fair takes time for its positive results to be realized in a community. The time has come when we should make coordinated and organized efforts because the government cannot do everything on their own. Only through such collective efforts can a good result be expected in the future,” he concluded.

Manas Mahapatra, along with eminent writer Ruchi Singh and Kabita Lama, have planned to pay a visit tomorrow to Hema Choksi`s children`s library called “Through the Looking Glass”.

Through such children`s events organized by NBT, it is to be hoped that a slow and gradual change will be effected and that more children will be drawn into the world of books in a world of competing mediums like televisions and digital games.

Let’s get together and feel all right...

 

          Gangtok resonated Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowing in the Wind’ on this historic day, when the entire Sikkimese artists came together marching along the highway, urging the public to support local artistes and talents. The rally, starting near Hungry Jack hotel, careened through Zero Point raising banners and placards, strumming guitars and eventually the rally culminated at MG Marg. This initiative of OMAS was well supported with a turnaround of large number of artists and general supporters. Members of the worldwide acclaimed local bands like Girish and Chronicles and Still Waters including eminent singers and artists, were all there with their full-fledged support.  

         Organization of Musicians & Artistes of Sikkim (OMAS), is aiming to bring together all the artists, musicians, and creative heads of Sikkim under one crown. Formed by a group of artists, the organization is enveloping a wide range of activities like music, culture, art, fashion, and the whole thing related to performing arts and creativity.
          Setting up paradigms & role models, OMAS is changing the mindset of the people regarding not only the place of art in society but also a whole array of other issues. They are backing the young musicians and creative heads who crave to achieve and excel in their specific artistic passions. They also seek to bridge the generation gap that exists between parents and children so that children receive the support and encouragement they need to pursue their artistic goals. This initiative of OMAS promises to be a haven for artists and creative minds of Sikkim.
         Mega workshops should be held for artists and the government should lend support to the artists of Sikkim, said one from the horde. The professionalism of these artists needs the respect and acknowledgement, not only from the departments, organizing committees and the government, but the general community too. The event organizers should not be reluctant to invest in local artist.
         OMAS hopes to revolutionize this veracity for artists so that art will find the much-needed air to breathe in Sikkim. Here, the young artists are not getting major platforms and spotlight and their talents are restricted to small spectators. OMAS wants to make it economically viable for artists to stay alive with their talents. There are other issues which they hope to come upon as they begin to bring to the surface other problems that the artists face in society. In the future, they will try to make sure that every talent is not only acknowledged but also financially provided for and that they get to perform on big stages not only in the state but also outside.