A few weeks back I was pleasantly surprised when I came across an Instagram profile that was named, "Let's Build a Library" that seemed to have been initiated for a village in Manipur. From what I gathered then, it was a crowd-sourced initiative, appealing to people to donate books and financial support in order to set up a physical library in the village.
In this episode, I chat with Nambi Panmei who is a part of the team running this project for a village called Chaengai in Tamenglong district of Manipur. After he gives a brief introduction on the project and their vision through it, we chat about reading culture in rural Tamenglong, the challenge to be creative in a fast-paced & shifting environment, and the responses of people to support and stand together for the sake of society.
We conducted this conversation virtually, with Nambi in his village, Chaengdai after having returned from an overnight camping trip, and me in Edinburgh (under lockdown!). The conversation was made even more special by the rural soundscape (rooster crowing and all) that could be caught if you listen in carefully!
Nambi is a good storyteller! You will get a glimpse of the life of a rural boy who grew up listening to the stories of Huckleberry Finn, learning to read Sidney Sheldon, and now doing what he can to meet the needs of his village.
If you would like to learn more or participate in it, you can reach out to them at their Instagram pages.
@lets_build_a_library
@nambi_panmei
#thecontemplativetribal #naga #tamenglong #manipur #northeastindia #indiapodcast #tribal
