TEZU :  Book lovers in Tezu were treated to an engaging evening of storytelling as students from six schools across Lohit district participated in the first Amar Chitra Katha Storytelling Contest, themed “A Hero(ine) I Admire”.

Organised by Bamboosa Library and the Forum of Library Activists, the event was held to honour the memory of renowned Amar Chitra Katha scriptwriter Kamala Chandrakant and journalist Mypalli Chandrakant of Mumbai.

Students from Classes VI to X captivated the audience with inspiring narratives drawn from the lives of admired personalities. Tezu District Transport Officer Dr Asmi Mega and Government Higher Secondary School No. 2 teacher Arindam Sarkar served as judges for the competition.

Addressing the participants, Dr Mega praised their enthusiasm and confidence, saying that experiences gained through such activities would benefit them throughout their lives. Sarkar, a library activist, observed that similar training sessions in schools could significantly strengthen students’ learning and communication skills.

Tezu District AIDS Control Officer Bitchey Rijiju, who attended as a special guest, congratulated the participants and encouraged them to speak from the heart rather than rely solely on memorised presentations.

Speaking on the occasion, Lohit Youth Library Network Coordinator S. Suresh recalled his five-decade association with Kamala Chandrakant and the guidance she provided during his formative years as a writer.

“Kamala aunty was an ever-energetic personality. It was due to her encouragement that I was able to write the story of Kanaklata for an Amar Chitra Katha title in the early 1980s, bringing her inspiring life story to a national children’s publication for the first time,” he said. He added that Chandrakant remained a steadfast supporter of the youth library movement even after the establishment of Bamboosa Library.

In the junior category, Solong Krong of Nimkay Vidya Niketan secured first place. The second prize was jointly awarded to Ome Olung Tatak and Kalung Odi, both from Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV) Sunpura, while Rehanso Kathak of Nimkay Vidya Niketan finished third.

In the senior category, Arpita Ram of Government Higher Secondary School No. 1 won first prize for her narration on Dr Varghese Kurien. Kanyan Jami Kham of VKV Sunpura secured second place, while Asni Yun of VKV Tafrogam finished third.

Earlier, senior volunteer and storyteller Manisha Halai proposed the vote of thanks. She expressed gratitude to Maharishikaa Preeti of Goa, daughter of Kamala Chandrakant, for sponsoring the annual contest in memory of her parents. Halai also commended teachers and parents for encouraging students to participate in creative activities such as storytelling, noting that such a contest was being organised in Tezu after nearly a decade.