A two day National Seminar on "Thomas Lewin's Legacy and Contributions to Mizo Literature"
Mizo Department, Pachhunga University College organized a two day National Seminar on Thomas Lewin's Legacy and Contributions to Mizo Literature on 6 - 7 February 2025.
The inauguration of the seminar was chaired by Pi Enid H. Lalrammuani, Asst. Professor. Dr. H. Laldinmawia, Head of the Department (UG&PG) delivered a warm welcome speech and Dr. Lalrammuana Sailo, Coordinator of the seminar states a brief account of Thangliana and Prof. H. Lalthanzara, Principal of PUC also delivered a moving speech.
The Chief Guest of the seminar Pu H. Lalengmawia expressed his view about the account of Thangliana and states that his work and contribution to Mizo nation has to be explored and studied more precisely. The question that needs to be answered is whether Thangliana really loved and cared for Mizo people or is it just a part of his policy and diplomacy. His marriage with Dari needs to be re-thought because there could be another motif which could be that he tries to fit in the Mizo society.
Thangliana (Thomas Herbert Lewin) was the first to write Mizo history and the first to translate Mizo folktales into English. He was the one to take back Zoluti (Mary Winchester) in The Lushai Expedition 1871-1872, he was a good friend of the Mizos, and in 1872 he accompanied seven Mizo chiefs and 27 of their entourage to Kolkatta. He married a Mizo woman Dari and made many plans for the development of Mizo hills. His life has been written and featured in several books, but this is the first time a seminar is organised on his works and contributions.
The seminar on 'Thangliana Kutchhuak leh Sulhnu Zir Chianna' was attended by 30 scholars from Mizoram and abroad.