Maksam Tayeng

PASIGHAT, Jun 1: The Asam Sahitya Sabha (ASS) in collaboration with the Pasighat Sahitya Sabha (PSS) observed the 85th birth anniversary of literary doyen of Arunachal Pradesh, Late Lummer Dai at Govt. Gandhi Secondary School, Pasighat today amidst the presence of galaxies of dignitaries and literary experts from both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Before the starting of the grand celebration, a statue of late Dai was unveiled at the tri-junction of National Highway-Komlighat road by Dr. Basanta Kumar Goswami, President, Asam Sahitya Sabha in the presence of Ojing Tasing, Minister, RD, Panchayati Raj & Transport, Pasighat East MLA, Tapi Darang, State BJP President, Kaling Moyong, Former Education Minister, Bosiram Siram, Padma Sri Mamang Dai, DC East Siang District, Tayi Taggu, Supt. of Police, P. Lamba, Tobom Dai, former AAPSU President, noted Singer, Delong Padung and host of literary experts from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
During the celebration Lummer Dai Literary Award 2025 was awarded to eminent author and Padma Shri, Mamang Dai while also felicitating other honoured dignitaries from both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Ojing Tasing, Minister appreciated the organizers of the celebration from ASS and PSS and said that he felt truly honoured for the invitation. “Sharing my thoughts and opinions amidst the presence of great authors is a great opportunity and I understand literature is just not a word, it is a mirror that reflects our history, culture and human kind,” Tasing said. While appreciating the organizers ‘Asom Sahitya Sabha’, he said that Assam and Arunachal are two different states but since time immemorial both their heart beats for each other.
On the occasion, Mamang Dai in her speech appreciated the ASS President, Vice President, General Secretary and PSS office bearers for conducting such a beautiful function at Pasighat. “The misuse of language induces evil in the soul,’’ she said quoting Socrates on the occasion. Assam has great history and has contributed to literature to the world,” she said. Dai also emphasised that it has motivated writers of Arunachal too.  
Celebrated as a pioneering Assamese writer from Arunachal, Lummer Dai’s works remain a lasting source of inspiration, transcending regional boundaries and enriching Indian literature with themes of identity, vision, and social insight. The ceremony also included presentation and honouring writers and thinkers who have upheld Late Dai’s legacy of intellectual and cultural contribution. The beauty of the program was also contributed by various inter-state cultural dances from communities like Assamese, Adi, Mising, Nepalese etc.
Late Lummer Dai, born on June 1, 1940, in the remote village of Siluk under Mebo Sub-Division in East Siang District, is considered a cornerstone of Arunachal Pradesh’s literary and cultural identity. His debut novel Paharor Xile Xile (1961), written in Assamese, is widely regarded as the first novel by an Arunachalee and a milestone in the region’s literary history.
Dai's literary journey began during his student days, with the publication of his article Aboror Rup Nuguche Kiyo? in the handwritten school magazine Giribani. Over the decades, he became an indelible voice in literature, using his pen to reflect the ethos and aspirations of his people.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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