Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Wangkhao Government College, Mon & Writers International Network, Canada organised an International Literary Gala with the theme Celebrating Literature Across Borders at Wangkhao Government College, Mon on February 7.
Ashok Bhargava, Poet, Writer, Translator, Community Activist & President, Writers International Network Vancouver, Canada was the Guest Speaker. He expressed his gratitude and said that he was so honoured to be a part of this programme. He said that poetry, beauty, dreams, aspiration exist in every one of us. He said each one is unique, and it all depends on how we influence our environment and how our environment influences us.
He also challenged the gathering to stand up for what they are, and not what other people want them to be. He urged them to keep the tradition, literature, poetry, and environment alive because being different is not inferiority, being different means you are proud of what you are. Later, he also introduced Writers International Network.
Bhargava also presented the Writers International Network (WIN) Canada Literary Awards 2026 to the following: Mhonlumo Kikon, Poet, Author & Public Policy Analyst Distinguished Poet & Writer Award; Vishu Rita Krocha, Poet, Author, Journalist & Publisher, Distinguished poet & Writer Award; Kemya Yanlam, Writer, Artist, Social Activist & Art Therapist Emerging Writer & Artist Award and Dr. Tialila Kikon, Poet Author & Educator, Distinguished Poet & Global Poetry Ambassador Award. Writers International Network (WIN) Canada also acknowledged IQAC Wangkhao Government College, Mon.
Vishu Rita Krocha, the Naga Literary Renaissance and a publisher shared her past experiences and said the environment where she grew up influences her to be a writer. After publishing more than 115 books from Nagaland including a few titles from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, over the last decade she said that Naga Literature is on a growing trend.
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She said the State as whole is yet to fully realise the potential of Naga literature because writing itself is a lonely endeavour and most Naga communities do not seem to understand how important this endeavours, as a shared commitment towards preserving our very identity. But there are definitely individual literary enthusiasts whose passion and determination are ensuring that we keep the growing literary scene in the state alive.
She also stated that many researchers are going back to tracing our history and roots, which only points to the fact that literature plays a crucial role in documenting and preserving our rich cultural traditions including our folklore, myths and legends. When there is a growing body of writers as well as readers, there is a growing recognition of the importance of preserving and sharing our unique cultural narratives and that continue to tell our stories to the world, she added.
Principal, Wangkhao Government College Mon, Dr Tialila Kikon, who is also a Poet, Author & Educator, Distinguished Poet & Global Poetry Ambassador Award said in her keynote address that literature serves as a vital bridge that connects the world by promoting cross-cultural understanding, empathy, friendship and shared human experiences across borders. It enables readers to explore diverse perspectives, historical contexts, and global issues transcending geographical limitations and uniting people through the universal themes of love, humanity, struggle, hope and aspiration.
She said through literature, the world becomes more than just a collection of nations, but a shared community interlinked by narratives and emotional connections. Literature is a versatile ambassador. It is considered a “melting pot” of all subjects because it acts as a mirror to society, covering every aspect of human life though and experiences.
A Book Talk on the book, His Majesty’s Head-hunters: The Siege of Kohima that Shaped World History, authored by Mmhonlumo Kikon, Poet, Author & Public Policy Analyst was held in conversation with W. Wangjin, Assistant Professor, Department of History
Kemya Yanlam, Writer, Community-builder & Art Therapy Practitioner gave a PowerPoint Presentation on Beyond Words: The Art of Visual Storytelling.
The programme was chaired by Manyei Kuhmeishu N, Assistant Professor of Wangkhao Government College, Mon. Opening remarks was proposed by Dr. Esther P Konyak, Vice Principal, Wangkhao Government College. A Student Ensemble presented Wanghe Ongching, while the closing remark was made by Honjem Konyak, IQAC Coordinator, Wangkhao Government College.
