The first Hindi newspaper Udant Martand started publishing on 30 May 1826.
Two hundred years ago, on May 30, 1826, the first Hindi newspaper Udant Martand started being published. People had forgotten it. The Hindi world remembered him fifty years ago in 1976 by the famous litterateur Late. Thakur Prasad Singh had got it done through a big event. This newspaper, which was closed within a short time, had completed 150 years since its birth. In those days Late Apart from being an officer associated with the Information Department of Uttar Pradesh Government, Singh was very close to the then Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari. On his initiative, an important event of journalists, litterateurs and thinkers from across the country was organized on 5th and 6th December 1976 at Rabindralay in Lucknow to commemorate this first Hindi newspaper.
In this event, it was decided to celebrate the publication date of Udant Martand on 30th May as Hindi Journalism Day. Since then, in the events of Journalism Day, the condition, direction and challenges of contemporary journalism remain at the center of debate by looking into the past.
Pandit Jugul Kishore Shukla of Kanpur was the editor/owner of Udant Martand. The newspaper got a short life. Its last issue was published on 11 December 1827. There were not only financial difficulties. It was a foreign rule. His superiors had a slant on the newspaper. There were also limits on access to readers. Under adverse circumstances the newspaper had to be closed. But in a short time the newspaper opened a path for Hindi lovers. This newspaper played the role of a torch for the subsequent Hindi newspapers. Obviously, Udant Martand’s place in Hindi journalism is of historical importance.
Hindi Journalism Day is celebrated on 30th May, the publication date of Udant Martand.
The Hindi world generally remains indifferent in remembering its ancestors. There was a similar situation of neglect towards remembering the contributions of Udant Martand and Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla. But at the time of completion of 150 years of the newspaper, its memory was given to the famous Hindi poet-writer Late. Thakur Prasad Singh got it done nicely. His efforts proved fruitful. Since then, every year Udant Martand and Pandit Shukul Kishore Shukla are remembered on 30th May.
Forgotten Udanta Martand got headlines like this
Late, who has a special place in popular poetry collections like “Vanshi aur Madal” and “Haree Hui Laday” and other genres of Hindi literature. Thakur Prasad Singh became associated with journalism through the daily “Aaj” during his student days. His literary talent gave him the opportunity to get a position in the information department of the state government and edit magazines like “Gramya”, “Uttar Pradesh”. Later he was also the Director of the Information Department.
As the founding director of Uttar Pradesh Hindi Institute, he played an important role in the promotion of Hindi, publication of books and magazines as well as in honoring and encouraging litterateurs and journalists for their special contributions. Thakur Prasad Singh, while reminding the then Chief Minister of the state Narayan Dutt Tiwari of the completion of 150 years of the first Hindi newspaper “Udant Martand” in 1976, had suggested organizing a big event on this special occasion. Tiwari ji happily accepted this and gave him complete freedom to make the event memorable.
Thakur Prasad.
Journalism Day started with the initiative of Thakur Prasad Singh
Interestingly, the year 1976, when one hundred and fifty years of the beginning of Udant Martand were being completed, was the period of Emergency. There were many restrictions on speaking, writing and publishing. Electronics, digital and social media had not arrived then. Radio was under government control. Newspapers, the only medium of information, were in the grip of censorship. Even in that environment, through his wide contacts in the world of literature and journalism, Thakur Prasad had organized a big and successful Hindi Journalism Festival in the memory of Udant Martand at Rabindralay in Lucknow on 5th and 6th December 1976.
According to the prominent litterateur Bandhu Kushavarty who participated in this function, along with Pandit Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Shankar Dayal Singh, Manohar Shyam Joshi, Kanhaiya Lal Nandan, Balashouri Reddy, about three hundred prominent journalists, litterateurs and Hindi lovers from Lucknow and different areas of the country were present in it. Bandhu recalls that on the initiative of Thakur Prasad along with other proposals, it was decided at that time that Hindi Journalism Day should be celebrated every year at least in Uttar Pradesh on 30th May, the publication date of Udant Martand. This sequence started from 1977.
Later, this event changed from Hindi Journalism Day to Journalism Day and it expanded not only in Uttar Pradesh but in the entire Hindi belt. Bandhu ji insists that when you remember Udant Martand and Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla, then give credit and fame to Thakur Prasad Singh ji, who has kept the memory of this forgotten newspaper and its founding editor alive forever through Journalism Day.
Two hundred years journey from mission to industry
The journey of two hundred years of Hindi journalism starting from Udant Martand is not the story of journalism in just one language. This period is also the history of the development of public opinion, democracy and social consciousness in India. Hindi journalism had a brilliant role in fanning the flames of the freedom struggle. Like other classes that took part in this struggle, journalists also made great sacrifices. Newspapers were the voice of the people. He used to question those in power eye to eye.
The readers’ trust in him gave direction to the society. He was a true reflection of public sentiments. But the world has changed in these two hundred years. Journalism has also changed. Journalism was once called a mission, then it came to be called a profession and now it is largely seen as a media industry. Newspapers once held almost a monopoly on information and news. But the expansion of technology has changed everything. Through TV channels, digital platforms and other means, information reaches every corner of the world in a moment. Mobile phones have turned every person into an unofficial correspondent. Social media has opened the way for democratization of information. Sometimes journalists ask questions. Now he is under question. But with this expansion and coverage have come many serious challenges.
crisis of trust
The biggest strength of journalism is the trust it has among its readers, viewers and listeners. It has been eroded in the last few decades. The cracks in the walls of trust have widened. The line between news and advertising is becoming blurred. In the race for breaking news, patience for verifying facts has diminished. TRP and click based competition has pushed serious journalism to the margins. Noise in debates has increased. Communication has reduced. News has been replaced by sensationalism. Not just the printed words, the agenda behind the live telecast is discussed.
There was a time when editors were considered the soul of the newspaper. His ideological independence and moral reputation were the hallmark of the newspaper. Today, corporate structures and market pressures have limited editorial freedom. The economic interests and political equations of big media organizations also appear to influence the direction of news.
challenge after challenge
Digital media has given new possibilities. Voices coming from small cities and towns have got a platform. Alternative media has raised many important issues which the mainstream media used to ignore. But in this digital world, the danger of fake news, troll culture and incomplete information has also increased rapidly. In this era of artificial intelligence, it is becoming difficult for the common reader to differentiate between real and fake content.
The safety of journalists is also a matter of great concern. Especially from small places, writing the truth becomes quite risky amid the nexus of power, crime and economic interests. Journalists, especially those working in small towns and rural areas, work amidst lack of resources, economic insecurity and pressures. On the other hand, job instability and contract based system in media organizations have also affected the professional independence of journalists.
Not a celebration but an opportunity for introspection
Still, hope is not lost. Journalism has always been synonymous with challenges. It has struggled through every phase and crisis and has proved its worth. Despite adverse circumstances, many journalists and institutions are honestly doing factual and pro-people journalism.
The desire to know the truth is still alive in the society. The need for independent journalism can never end in a democracy. Technology may change, mediums may change, but journalism’s basic religion of discovery of truth and accountability to the public remains the same. The truth is that amid increasing distrust towards various institutions of democracy, society’s expectations from journalism have increased further. Two hundred years of Udanta Martand and fifty years of Journalism Day are not just occasions for celebration. This is also a time for introspection. It is time to think whether journalism will stand closer to power or with society. Will it create noise or dialogue? Will she become a market commodity or will she remain a sentinel of democracy?
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