TURA: The A·chik Literature Society (ALS) held its Annual General Conference cum Seminar on October 25 and 26 at Don Bosco College of Teacher Education, Tura. The society also observed its Golden Jubilee during the two day conference.
The ALS is the premier literary organization of the A·chiks which was started in 1963.
The aims and objectives of the organization is to promote A·chik language and literature, publication, research, preservation of A·chik culture and traditions, collection and preservation of records of historical importance, folklore materials and cultural exchange with other communities.
The society conducts seminars every year, publishes the literary journal A·chik Ku·rang, scrutinizes manuscripts, publishes and releases books and has reviewed all textbooks of MBOSE on A·chik words and spellings, contents and suitability of materials and illustrations.
Present at the Inaugural function as the Chief Guest, Pro Vice Chancellor, NEHU, Tura Campus, Prof Eugene D Thomas said that the ALS was rendering a yeoman’s service for the A·chiks preserving the art and culture thus contributing towards the development of A·chik society. He said that literature crosses the lives of one and all and shapes a youth’s moral and civil behaviour adding that true literature should surpass all human barriers of caste, creed and religion. He also said that in an era when the youth is rushing towards Information Technology, it was literature that offered the vision. Congratulating the ALS he hoped that the work of ALS would remove all misinterpretations and misconceptions of Garo tradition and culture.
The Chief Guest also released ‘Dakokni Sul’ (The Music of Dakok), a compilation of A·chik traditional oral literature, published by ALS and sponsored by Arts & Culture, Govt of Meghalaya. The Jubilee Journal and books by various writers were also released. Earlier the ALS also felicitated various scholars.
