Where Literature Lives and Community Grows

The White Owl Book Lounge was founded with a clear vision: to create a space that nurtures the love of reading, encourages critical thinking, and builds a culture of lifelong learning in Nagaland and beyond. In a time when fast content often replaces deep engagement, we set out to reimagine what a literary space could be—a place not just for buying or borrowing books, but for building a vibrant community around them.

Our story begins with a belief: a reading society is an empowered society. Through books, people explore new worlds, question existing ones, and discover their inner voice. At The White Owl, we invite everyone—readers, writers, thinkers, and the simply curious—to join this journey of transformation, one story at a time.

Spaces designed for reflection, discovery, and connection.

Our Spaces

The White Owl is home to a curated bookstore, a quiet library, a vibrant children’s section, a cozy café, and the Mindful Nest—our dedicated space for dialogue and events. Each space is built to nurture different kinds of readers and thinkers, from the curious browser to the focused researcher. Whether you’re here to explore global titles or dive into Naga literature, our spaces welcome you to linger, learn, and feel at home.

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Literary engagement that goes beyond the page.

Our Activities

At The White Owl, literature is a living, breathing experience. Our activities include author meetups, storytelling sessions, workshops, book launches, reading circles, and school outreach programs. We focus on creating accessible, engaging events that promote reading, spark conversation, and build community. From early literacy events for children to creative writing sessions for teens and book clubs for adults, our programs are designed to make books relevant, joyful, and a part of everyday life.

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Guided by visionaries, educators, and literary champions.

Advisory Board

Our growth is supported by a dedicated Advisory Board composed of respected educators, writers, publishers, and community leaders who share our passion for reading culture. Their insight ensures that our initiatives remain grounded in local relevance while meeting global standards of literary excellence. With their guidance, The White Owl continues to evolve as a space that balances tradition with innovation, and cultural identity with global exchange.

  • Viketuno Iralu Rio

    Proprietor, The White Owl

  • Easterine Kire

    Poet & Author

  • Dr. Kethoser Kevichusa

    Speaker & Writer

  • Avinuo Kire

    Author, Poet and Educator

  • Peter Modoli

    Associate Vice President - Marketing and Publicity, Penguin Random House, India & Southeast Asia

  • Dr. Brainerd Prince

    Assistant Professor of Practise, Plaksha University

  • Atoho Jakhalu

    Director, Climate Studies & Knowledge Solutions Centre, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Nagaland, India

  • Kechangulie Rio

    Chairman, Niathu Group and
    Proprietor, Chabou & Co

  • Mmhonlumo Kikon

    Author and Poet

The people behind the pages.

Meet Our Team

The heart of The White Owl is its people—our passionate team of librarians, curators, event planners, educators, and volunteers who work tirelessly to bring the space to life. Each team member brings a unique perspective, but we are united by a shared mission: to make literature accessible, meaningful, and transformative. From recommending the perfect book to organizing a children's workshop, we’re here to serve, support, and grow with our community.

  • Albert Haig

    Inventory Supervisor & Senior Sales Executive

  • Melvin Yhome

    Program Coordinator

  • Kajini Eshena

    Store Manager

  • Teyongkilep

    Cashier

  • Meren Pongen

    Sales & Marketing Manager

  • Ranule Sapuh

    Asst. Barista

  • Thejavilie Terhuja

    Asst. Barista

  • Ketholeno Nagi

    Barista

  • Hasna

    Housekeeping

Reviews for The White Owl

Excellent

4.7

/ 5

based on 37 reviews. View all

Making its mark as one of the pioneering privatized libraries in the bustling commercial district of Nagaland, The WHITE owl is a haven for bibliophiles... Making its mark as one of the pioneering privatized libraries in the bustling commercial district of Nagaland, The WHITE owl is a haven for bibliophiles... Making its mark as one of the pioneering privatized libraries in the bustling commercial district of Nagaland, The WHITE owl is a haven for bibliophiles...

Avolü Thelü-o

As a tourist, I did really appreciate the collection at the store...I managed to buy a whole bunch of cool stuff (non-fiction, fiction, and one neat little... As a tourist, I did really appreciate the collection at the store...I managed to buy a whole bunch of cool stuff (non-fiction, fiction, and one neat little... As a tourist, I did really appreciate the collection at the store...I managed to buy a whole bunch of cool stuff (non-fiction, fiction, and one neat little...

Mrinalini

A must go place for all bookworms and coffee aficionados. They have a lot of great books by Naga authors including some books no longer available in the market. A must go place for all bookworms and coffee aficionados. They have a lot of great books by Naga authors including some books no longer available in the market. A must go place for all bookworms and coffee aficionados. They have a lot of great books by Naga authors including some books no longer available in the market.

Beltezzar Thong

Safe Haven! That's what I'd personally embrace this blooming corner in the busy streets of a commercial upgrading town Chümoukedima. Genuinely, love... Safe Haven! That's what I'd personally embrace this blooming corner in the busy streets of a commercial upgrading town Chümoukedima. Genuinely, love... Safe Haven! That's what I'd personally embrace this blooming corner in the busy streets of a commercial upgrading town Chümoukedima. Genuinely, love...

Leona Mhasileno Shüya

The lounge is very cozy. It has a good selection of books for all ages. Altogether, the ambiance was really good 👍 The lounge is very cozy. It has a good selection of books for all ages. Altogether, the ambiance was really good 👍 The lounge is very cozy. It has a good selection of books for all ages. Altogether, the ambiance was really good 👍

Zumongi Kikon

Offers a ton of collection and genre of international, domestic, and local books.At the same time, they've got quite a competent Marketing Manager... Offers a ton of collection and genre of international, domestic, and local books.At the same time, they've got quite a competent Marketing Manager... Offers a ton of collection and genre of international, domestic, and local books.At the same time, they've got quite a competent Marketing Manager...

Metas

An anticipated and prolonged great addition for readers in Dimapur. They have great study rooms, library, book store, conference rooms and kids room... An anticipated and prolonged great addition for readers in Dimapur. They have great study rooms, library, book store, conference rooms and kids room... An anticipated and prolonged great addition for readers in Dimapur. They have great study rooms, library, book store, conference rooms and kids room...

Jungshi Jamir

A lovely collection of books. You will get books of all genres here...even a separate section for northeast writers. They have a penguin store too...a beautiful place... A lovely collection of books. You will get books of all genres here...even a separate section for northeast writers. They have a penguin store too...a beautiful place... A lovely collection of books. You will get books of all genres here...even a separate section for northeast writers. They have a penguin store too...a beautiful place...

Tyoshmina Das

A place where I love to spend my time on books, environment with such an excellence condition. A place where I love to spend my time on books, environment with such an excellence condition. A place where I love to spend my time on books, environment with such an excellence condition.

Singyimchu Bruce

Neat. Stylish. Swanky. Neat. Stylish. Swanky. Neat. Stylish. Swanky.

Subir Ghosh

What a library should be is well described by the White Owl, book lounge. Ideally located have good collection of books,private reading areas also has stationary section... What a library should be is well described by the White Owl, book lounge. Ideally located have good collection of books,private reading areas also has stationary section... What a library should be is well described by the White Owl, book lounge. Ideally located have good collection of books,private reading areas also has stationary section...

I.V Chishi

An oasis for anyone looking to be surrounded by books and tranquillity. The cafe is good and the library staff are wonderful. A good place to study, work or read. An oasis for anyone looking to be surrounded by books and tranquillity. The cafe is good and the library staff are wonderful. A good place to study, work or read. An oasis for anyone looking to be surrounded by books and tranquillity. The cafe is good and the library staff are wonderful. A good place to study, work or read.

Alex Kostas

Fell in love with the aura of this place. There's ton of books – classic, modern, best-sellers, historical, you name it... Fell in love with the aura of this place. There's ton of books – classic, modern, best-sellers, historical, you name it... Fell in love with the aura of this place. There's ton of books – classic, modern, best-sellers, historical, you name it...

Seyie Medom

A heaven made on earth for all book lovers with a cozy cafe .The staffs are so friendly and approachable. A heaven made on earth for all book lovers with a cozy cafe .The staffs are so friendly and approachable. A heaven made on earth for all book lovers with a cozy cafe .The staffs are so friendly and approachable.

Lothung

Best place to read, purchase quality books and work as well 🙌 Best place to read, purchase quality books and work as well 🙌 Best place to read, purchase quality books and work as well 🙌

Sasha Theja