Vanneihtluanga- Journalist and Social worker

This video series has been undertaken by the Department of English, Mizoram University in connection with the departmental UGC SAP DRS II project entitled "Situating the Mizo/Zohnahthlak in Mizoram and Manipur : A Study of the Historical and Socio-Cultural Process of Emergent Identities from Orality to Writing". The series has also been launched in commemoration of the Ruby Jubilee celebrations of the Department of English (1979 - 2019), Mizoram University.

Vanneihtluanga is a prominent journalist, social critic and social worker. After serving as a Programme Executive at All India Radio for some years, he started LV Art, a printing press. He is the editor of a Lengzem, a monthly magazine in Mizo and is one of the founder owners of Zonet Cable TV Pvt. Ltd.

His publications include Neihfaka Rilbawm (2002), Keimah leh Keimah (2002), Rawhtuina Mei (2004), Hringnun Volume 1 & 2 (2011 & 2012) and Hnehna Hlado Volume 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 (2013 – 2017). Besides these, he has written and translated several short stories, plays, essays and articles. Some of his works have been translated into English and Hindi. He has also travelled to several places in and around Mizoram to promote integration among the Zohnahthlak. His travels are documented and broadcasted on Zonet. He also founded Book Mission which aims at distributing donated books in Mizo language to different places in and around Mizoram.

He is frequently invited as a motivational speaker by educational institutions, NGOs and churches in different parts of Mizoram. A majority of the talks he delivers are on issues related to preservation and enrichment of Mizo language, employment, wildlife preservation and education. He has been Honorary Wildlife Warden, committee member of North East Zone Cultural Centre, committee member of Green Mizoram and is currently the Treasurer of Rokunga Memorial Society.

In this interface, Vanneitluanga focuses upon, amongst other perspectives, the following aspects;

The reading culture of the Mizos in the 70s and 80s where most of the reading material available then were text books, magazines like Kristian Tlangau and magazines published by Mizo Zirlai Pawl and Young Mizo Association. Books were scarce and the ones that were available were expensive and thus the readers relied heavily upon libraries. He also denotes that storytelling was a common activity in most households. Oral tradition was passed on from one generation to the next through word of mouth. Mizo myths, legends, proverbs and folktales were narrated to children during bedtime. Such narratives prove to be informative, especially as they reflected intrinsically upon the way of life of the Mizos in the pre Christian era. The narratives also help children learn the Mizo language from a young age.

Since Mizo is a tonal language, knowledge of Mizo would be incomplete without the aspect of the oral tradition as written documents cannot depict the different tones and stresses that are the essence of the language. Many people often lack the confidence to speak Mizo if their knowledge of Mizo has been acquired only through written texts. It is imperative for everybody to speak Mizo while adhering to linguistic nuances that are deemed proper and coherent, so as to pass on the Mizo language to the next generation in its correct form. People who pursue careers in the mass communication industry within Mizoram must be particularly aware and well versed in the Mizo language.
The current literacy rate of Mizoram is a result of Christianity, the religion introduced to the Mizo people by Welsh missionaries. However, one major setback of the influence of the religion is that many people restrain themselves from writing too honestly as the teachings and principles of Christianity dominates the thought process to a great extent. Therefore, many writers try to make sure that their stories stay in line and do not cross certain limits. Some writerswrite books that will not be refused by the Synod Book Room, the biggest bookshop in Mizoram run by the Presbyterian Church of India, Mizoram Synod, because of its content or language. Books are published with the Synod Book Room in mind since it has several branches spread out across Mizoram. Many people write while keeping the market in mind. It is important for individuals to detach themselves from societal expectations at times, to productively create works of art. The youth of today must conduct research on different aspects of Mizo culture and heritage essentially because the knowledge garnered through such studies will prove to be useful for all Mizos.

Видео Vanneihtluanga- Journalist and Social worker канала mizoram university