Journalist Vibeituonuo Kuotsu Solo’s debut book “The Light After The Storm”, a collection of 13 short stories, was formally released on October 31 at Ete Coffee, Kohima, by special guest joint director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Asangla Imsong, in the presence of family, friends and well-wishers.
Addressing the gathering, Asangla Imsong described The Light After The Storm as a deeply hopeful and evocative work that captures life’s resilience. She said the title itself conveyed the message that no matter how difficult life’s storms may be, there is always hope and something good waiting beyond them.
Imsong said that the stories touch on motherhood, love, the strength of women and cultural heritage. She noted that Naga stories have always been a source of strength, carried through songs, fireside conversations and now through books like The Light After The Storm.
The event, she said, was not only a celebration of Solo’s book but also of the ongoing effort to keep Naga narratives alive.
Speaking at the launch, PenThrill Publication publisher Vishu Rita Krocha described Solo as a “strong, courageous and resilient woman.” Krocha said it takes great courage to embrace life’s storms and even greater courage to overcome them. She highlighted that the 13 stories in the book, though unique and partly fictionalised, read almost like a single story or novella with a strong sense of connection and familiarity.
The stories, she said, reflect aspects of Naga life, from broken marriages and strained relationships to a mother’s sacrifice, social conflicts and land disputes that divide families. In her remarks, author Vibeituonuo Kuotsu Solo expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone present, crediting the Lord Almighty for her success and thanking her family and friends for their constant support. Sharing the essence of her book, Solo said The Light After The Storm was not a memoir but a blend of imagination and raw emotion, intertwining fiction with deeply personal truths. She said her deepest hope was that the book would serve as a key for people trapped in unhealthy relationships, showing them that breaking free is not wrong or taboo but an act of courage.
Solo described the book as her “plea to shatter the silence” particularly among women, encouraging them to speak openly about broken marriages and relationships without shame. She hoped it would help women find their voices and move forward with courage.
Solo expressed gratitude to her publisher and friend Vishu Rita Krocha for believing in her work and supporting Naga writers, as well as to Athole, the illustrator of her book, and everyone involved in making the launch possible.
The programme was chaired by Medolenuo Ambrocia Loucü while prayer was pronounced by Kezhakietuo Belho, associate Pastor of Khedi Baptist Church Kohima, and a song presented by Kekhrieyie Belho.
(Correspondent)
