Two books, “My Mother's Mekhela” by Dr Mary N Odyuo and “The Story of Robo” Season I by her son Janthungo Ngullie, were formally launched by Prof Jungmayangla Longkumer on November 6.
Dimapur, November 7 (MExN): Two books, “My Mother's Mekhela” by Dr Mary N Odyuo and “The Story of Robo” Season I by her son Janthungo Ngullie, were formally launched on November 6 by Prof Jungmayangla Longkumer of Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, who said the works celebrate the enduring bonds of family, the power of remembrance and the courage to imagine new worlds.
Speaking at the launch, Prof Longkumer said the two books together form a bridge between generations, one preserving the cherished wisdom of yesteryears, the other giving wings to the possibilities of tomorrow.
Dr Mary N Odyuo, Associate Professor at Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, traces the inspiration for “My Mother's Mekhela” to her grief over losing her mother. Unable to touch her late mother's belongings for eight years, she finally wore her mother's favourite Mekhela set after it unexpectedly emerged alongside the one she had chosen, a moment she interpreted as a sign from her mother.
Prof Longkumer, her teacher, colleague and mentor, encouraged her to transform the experience into a book about cherished memory and the quiet ways in which grief finds its path towards healing.
Dr Mary expressed the hope that, through the book, her children would inherit and cherish a part of their grandmother, preserving her memory across generations despite never having had the opportunity to know her.
Her nine-year-old son Janthungo Ngullie, a Class IV student of Delhi Public School, Dimapur, conceived “The Story of Robo” during his summer vacation, inspired by a teacher's challenge to spend a day away from technology and engage his imagination. Encouraged by his parents, he developed the idea into a complete comic book over the holidays.
According to Sentinaro Longkumer, Chief Editor of 6th Finger Publishers, Kohima, Janthungo independently created the entire comic book, from its front and back covers to every page within, making it a completely original work.
The launch programme was chaired by Wondangbeni Kikon Odyuo, with a book review by Kedale Sebu Kapfu. Nzanbeni Odyuo Patton rendered a special song and Mathung Odyuo performed a saxophone solo.
