Biggest book fest ever in Mizoram

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Aizawl, Mar 08 From the original copy of the first letter written in Mizo to some of world's greatest literatures-- Mizoram will showcase a wide range of books at Aizawl Book Festival.

The six-day book festival, starting from today, organised by the National Book Trust, India and the Mizoram government at the Mizo high school field.

Over 50 renowned book publishing and marketing companies are to participate at the six-day book festival.

The book exhibition was inagurated by Chief minister Zoramthanga.

The participants include Standard Literature, Prentiss-Hall of India and Penguin and other renowned companies, said Dr Laltluangliana Khiangte, co-ordinator of the festival.

The stalls of LTL Library & Archives, which contain various pieces from the pen with which L Biakliana wrote the first Mizo novel 'Hawilopari' to portraits of early Mizo literary figures to the original copy of the first letter written in Mizo by Sailo chief Khamliana, was one of the main attraction of the festival.

The letter dated July 16, 1897 was addressed to Queen Victoria of Great Britain to congratulate her on her 60th year as queen, the organiser added.

A special feature of the book festival is the children's pavilion where competitions on extempore speeches, drawings, story writing and telling and quiz would be organised. Apart from this, a seminar on literature will be organised by the All India Tribal Literacy Forum.

On Thursday, Governor A.R.Kohli will hand over the Bharat Adivasi Samman, 2005, to two tribal writers and will release books written by Northeast writers.

Dr Khiangte said the book festival mainly aims at developing literatures of the Northeast India. A seminar on this will conclude the festival on Saturday where books are sold at a discount of ten percent.

UNI