Shillong, Nov 22: An author from Garo Hills, I. Sengwat A. Sangma felt discouraged and disheartened after he was reportedly ignored by the organisers of the Shillong Literary Festival.
Sengwat, hailing from Chapahati –Nogorpara village, authored a book titled, ‘Falling Star Love: A Tale of Enchantment’ but was not included in the festival that celebrates literature, culture and the power of storytelling.
According to Sengwat, the book is available on various national and international platforms that has gained readership in Germany, Korea and several regions across Asia and Europe.
He said he had reached out to the organisers but received no follow-up communication.
“I completed this book at the age of 17, making me one of the youngest authors from Meghalaya and the Northeast. While many readers have expressed appreciation for my work, I felt deeply discouraged when the Shillong Literary Festival, our own state’s literary platform, did not acknowledge my efforts,” Sengwat said.
He said as a young writer, recognition matters not only for personal motivation but also because his work is a contribution to Meghalaya and India’s literary presence. “Being unnoticed by the very festival that represents our state was disheartening,” he added.
“I do not know the exact reason behind this neglect. Perhaps it was done with good intentions or even to protect my identity. Still, I must be honest: it felt as though my inspiration and motivation were buried. This experience has shaken my confidence so deeply that I am unsure whether I will continue my literary journey,” he lamented.
Sengwat in a letter urged the organisers to not neglect aspiring writers from humble backgrounds. “People like me, who come from the “lower level,” dream of growing, contributing, and eventually standing among the “high level.” We need encouragement, not silence,” he said.
Despite his disappointment, Sengwat hopes that the festival will support and uplift new and emerging authors in future.
