Voices of Youth Volume II, the fifth publication of Yai Publication, was launched at Meitei Leikol, Langjing, promoting emerging young literary voices.
Imphal, June 21: Voices of Youth – Volume II, the fifth publication of Yai Publication, was formally launched on Saturday at Meitei Leikol, Langjing, bringing together writers, academics, student leaders, journalists and literary enthusiasts to celebrate emerging voices in literature.
The launch programme was presided over by Dr. Naorem Thoinu, Founder of Yai Publications. Dr. Reena Nongmaithem, Field Publicity Officer of the Central Bureau of Communication, attended the event as the Chief Guest.
The newly released volume was introduced by Dr. Jayalakshmi Phurailatpam, Associate Professor in the Department of English and Cultural Studies at Manipur University. Bruce Pebam, President of AMSU Headquarters, and Romesh Oinam, President of DESAM Headquarters, attended as Guests of Honour.
Several prominent personalities also addressed the gathering, including Dr. Indramani Keithellakpam, Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Dhanamanjuri University; Dr. Bhabananda Takhellambam, Principal of MB College; Athouba Khuraijam, former convenor of COCOMI; Naorem Mohen, journalist with India Today NE; and Bobo Naorem, Secretary of DMCC.
In her address, Dr. Reena Nongmaithem spoke on evolving gender roles in contemporary Manipuri society. She reflected on changing social responsibilities and expectations while linking the discussion to youth engagement, creativity and public awareness.
Encouraging aspiring authors, Dr. Indramani Keithellakpam urged young writers to remain committed to their craft despite challenges. He said perseverance and discipline were essential for achieving meaningful results in literary pursuits.
Dr. Bhabananda Takhellambam stressed the importance of guiding young voices towards a constructive understanding of society. Literature, he said, should inspire young people to critically engage with their surroundings and contribute positively through writing.
Naorem Mohen highlighted the role of literature as a repository of public memory. He observed that books should document social realities and help counter misinformation through responsible and thoughtful writing.
Athouba Khuraijam spoke about the significance of youth voices in shaping contemporary discourse. He also discussed the role of book clubs in nurturing reading habits, intellectual engagement and literary growth.
Addressing the impact of technology on literature, Bruce Pebam spoke about artificial intelligence and creative writing. He stressed that writers should continue documenting society, noting that literature often reflects the realities and conditions of the communities from which it emerges.
Romesh Oinam encouraged young writers to continue pursuing their literary interests and expressed hope that the publication would help nurture future literary talent.
The programme also featured sharing sessions by several writers, who spoke about their personal experiences, creative inspirations and challenges encountered during their writing journeys.
In her presidential address, Dr. Naorem Thoinu reaffirmed Yai Publication's commitment to promoting youth-centred literature. She said the publishing house would continue to provide a platform for emerging writers and encourage young talent to express their ideas through literary works.
Voices of Youth – Volume II showcases the creativity, perspectives and aspirations of young writers. The publication aims to encourage greater youth participation in literature while fostering reflection, dialogue and public discourse through writing.
