22/07/2020
NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS IN COLONIAL DARJEELING HILLS
Newspapers and journals are an important part of our society. They reflect our intellectual capacity and consciousness at the time. They also reflect a lot about our societies, whether it be our social conditions, the popular demands, our religious beliefs, economy, our advancement in technologies, and our political thinking. They have played an important role in many societies of the world, in shaping beliefs, and in arousing awareness amongst the masses. Darjeeling Hills is no exception. The newspapers and journals of the day, had tremendous contributions in shaping the political, social and economic views, of the Hills.
In the year 1892, following newspapers and journals were in circulation in Darjeeling district – The Darjeeling News (English Weekly), News and Notes (Monthly), and Darjeeling Standard (English Weekly). Between 1897 and 1898, we find the following journals and newspapers in circulation – The Darjeeling Times (English Weekly), and Darjeeling – Kalimpong – Sikkim News (Monthly).
The role of Tea Planters in publication of the newspapers and journals were very important. The Tea planters from their commercial outlook and necessity inspired these publications. They also used the printing press for printing handbills, cash book, and some other commercial and official documents.
The late 19th century and early 20th century also witnessed the increase in publications of vernacular newspapers. The first journal in Nepali language in India was called Gorkha Bharat Jivan, and was published in the year 1886. The publication was started by Motiram Bhatta, printed by Babu Ram Krishna Verma in his press Gorkha Bharat Jivan at Varanasi. But in 1950s, with the decline of Banaras as a Nepali literary and political center, after the overthrow of the Rana’s in 1950, Darjeeling became the second most important town in the Eastern himalayas for Nepali writers.
Gorkhe Khabar Kagat (1901)
The first Nepali newspaper in Darjeeling was called Gorkhe Khabar Kagat, published in the year 1901. It’s first issue was published in the year 1901 and was edited by Rev. Ganga Prasad Pradhan. Rev. Ganga Prasad Pradhan was an active worker of Scottish Baptist Mission. The paper mostly focused on the missionary activities in the Darjeeling Hills. This was also the time when there were efforts to achieve literary qualities in Nepali, and as a result of which many publications came out within a short period of time. Between the year 1912 and 1939, the main concern of the newspaper published was investigation in different aspects of Nepali society, culture and language, propagation of Republican ideas and condemnation of social evils such as child marriage and polygamy. They also propagated education for women, and advocated for a radical change in social outlook.
The Gorkhe Khabar Kagat continued publication for 30 years. During the 30 years of its publication, it rarely sold more than 50 copies of each issue.
Chandrika (1918)
The publication could not survive for long and continued for 2 years only, but based on this publication, a small literary group emerged in Darjeeling. Chandrika, was edited by Dr. Parasmani Pradhan, and played an important role for the growth and development of modern Nepali literature. The paper was printed in the Hari press in Kurseong.
In an editorial column in Chandrika, it was proclaimed that the Gorkha language, had it’s origin in Sanskrit or Deva – Vani, which was being spoken by 52 lakhs Gorkha.
Adarsha (1930)
Adarsha, a monthly, edited by Sesh Mani Pradhan, was published from Kalimpong. It was the only newspaper that published articles on the financial situation and economic activities of the Hills. The paper got a good response from the people of the Hills.
Nepali Sahitya Sammelan Patrika (1932)
Nepali Sahitya Sammelan Patrika, was a monthly publication of Nepali Sahitya Sammelan, an association formed in the year 1924. The paper was edited by Padma Prasad Pradhan, and renowned advocate Rupnarayan Singh and Parasmani Pradhan were it’s main contributors.
In the year 1959, the name of the paper was changed from Nepali Sahitya Sammelan Patrika to Diyalo. Diyalo was published for the first time in 1964.
Nebula (1935)
The association of three communities, i.e, Nepali, Bhutia, and Lepcha, published their own literary interest, titled Nebula in the year 1935. The paper was edited by K. D. Pradhan, and was to an extent political. They involved themselves with the political activities. The publication also helped in creating an intellectual and political group in Darjeeling Hills.
Between 1935 and 1939, there were many nepali newspapers that were published. Gorkhali Rabi was published in Darjeeling, where as, Gaum Sundar Patrika was published in Kalimpong.
Khoji (1940)
It was published as an initiative of Gorkha Dukha Nibarak Sammelan, a social organisation, patronised by individuals such as Maan Kumar Chettri, K. B. Gurung, Keshab Bahadur Chettri, and Dr. Sushila Pradhan, and was edited by Rupnarayan Singh.
Khoji played an important role in promoting social organisations such as Gorkha Dukha Nibarak Sammelan as well as in generating public opinion.
We also witness the rising political awareness in the late 1940s with the publication of newspapers such as Gorkha (published in 1945), a regional political mouthpiece of Gorkha League, a regional political party.
Another publication was Himadri published in 1948 from Kalimpong.
We can somehow compare these with the present scenario in Darjeeling Hills, where we seldom have such diversity in newspaper publications. It also reflects very poorly in our political, social, and economic consciousness in the 21st century. The first half of the 20th century witnessed the birth of many new publications, where as, we cannot say the same for the first half of the 21st century in Darjeeling Hills today, where many regional newspapers have been shut down, many due to financial reasons. It is a matter worth giving a thought.
