CALM – Meghalaya’s first literary and music fest gets underway
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary said that the ongoing demand for introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the State is due to the feeling of insecurity of the people. This is the reason why they oppose everything from dams to railways and push for regressive ideas like the ILP, Mr Mooshahary said.
“Protective ideas like the ILP show that people want to remain isolated but no one can progress in isolation. Openness to new ideas is the key to progress. However, the sense of insecurity of being overwhelmed by outsiders has to be dealt with. This can happen through exchange of art, culture and literature,” Mooshahary said while delivering
his keynote address at the inaugural session of the first ‘Creative Arts Literature & Music’ (CALM) Festival, 2012, at the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture here on Wednesday. The Governor exhorted the people of the region to come out from this negative mindset for the overall growth and development. Mr Mooshahary however admitted that the region suffers from all the problems that beset India and more due to conflict, lack of skills, distance from the mainland and insecurity. Speaking as the guest of honour, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma emphasized on “convergence of ideas” to realize the full potential of the state and region. The Chief Minister believed that such literary and music festivals would provide a platform to budding writers, artists and musicians. “I have met many enlightened people in Shillong who are ideating but are not able to translate those ideas into black and white. It is befitting to have a platform of this nature where our own talented writers, musicians and artists can perform before other successful peers,” Dr Sangma said. The chief minister informed that summer and winter camps would be initiated for school and college students awaiting their results so that they do not waste their time during vacations. “There are many things in the offing and Government is keen to identify partners to work with,” Dr Sangma said. He expressed hope that the CALM festival leaves its mark nationally and internationally and said that the state government had formed District Art and Culture societies to hone the “hidden talents” and “untapped genius” of the youth and provide them with “positive direction”.Earlier, Deputy Commissioner East Khasi Hills, Sanjay Goyal welcomed the audience while Sambha Lamarr, the President, Sahaki Society spoke on the vision of CALM and how it came to fruition on Wednesday. Noted writer Chetan Bhagat, Sudeep Sen, Editor ‘The Harper Collins Book of English Poetry, Prajwal Parajuly author of The Gurkha’s Daughter, Indrajeet Hazra and Kishalay Bhattacharya are in Shillong for the fest. A stand up comedy show by Neville Shah, Aditi Mittal and Kunal Rao is slated for Thursday evening.