Current State of Affairs of Indian Print Media

 

At the present juncture we find that the current state of affairs of Indian Print Media is in dire utterly straits. As time flies off, we find that the halcyon glory of Indian Print Media is on the verge of getting covered under the debris. But why this is so? Is there not a probable solution which could be earthed out for its resurgence? To answer to it, our mind will be in a midway phase. To be more on the positive side, I find that evolution of science and technology heralded digitize move in India. Instead we find some citizens still accept Print Medias, which means newspapers in English. India being a vast nation, we find quite a huge sections of Indian populaces are more prone towards Print Medias. But we find that the trend is on the reversal front.

 Surprisingly Modern generations are more prone to digitized Medias. The reason behind is wide. Some might analyze the situation from one angle, whereas other side might view it from other angle. However whatever the pros and cons of the situations might be, Indian Print Medias till date has not lost its luster. Younger generation opine that they have to race against time, not just leisurely glancing over English and vernacular newspapers. This they read before they set out for day’s work. Despite all the odds, there has been sharp craze for fortnightly magazines in both English and various other mother languages of India. Logic of younger generations of the country is quite logical. They feel as the economic and social situations are so tense. Hence it is quite pertinent to save as much time in reading newspapers rather contributing towards the company’s growth in which they are employed. Thus in the subsequent paragraph it is my humble task to probe deeply about the current state of affairs of Indian Print Media.

To write about Indian Print Media is not an easy task for this writer. However with the best of my ability I shall try to throw light about it with the best of my knowledge and dexterity.

As per the data available with this writer, it is found that Indian Print Media has its origin way back from the late 18th century. Around that period of time India was under the clutches of colonial ruling. The actual year of the beginning of Indian Print Media was during the beginning of the year 1780. Real beginning of Media in India, began with the opening of Radio broadcasting during June 1927. Along with its opening, the every reputed and historical All India Radio began its operation in Kolkata. Legendary figures like Birendra Krishna Bhadra, Nalini Kanta Sarkar, Nalini Kanta Gupta, Nripendra Krishna Chattopadhyay etc are still regarded as historical figures. In the world of Indian Print Media and Broadcasting Media. Now what we find that scenarios are extremely depressing and dismal.

Before going into my real analysis, let me state some of the prominent Print Medias of India. As per the historical data which I could gather is that, first print media in India began in the year 1780 named Hickey’s Bengal Gazette. The daily has been named by James Augustus Hickey. Around that period of time British ruling was in full swing. Later on Madras Courier (previous name of Chennai), in the year 1785 and Bombay Herald (previous name of Mumbai), in the year 1789 followed suit. Afterwards there were several print Medias (newspapers) appeared on the scenarios.

As there has been proliferations of Social Medias in India, hence it has been complicated for our citizens to which newspaper to read, which one to be omitted. Economic situations in India (especially after Covid 19) transformed the lives of citizens into utter tenterhooks. At present entire nation, are in a rat race to opt for financial prosperities. Hence Social Medias like Face Book and You Tube Channels are dominating the show. On account of deceleration of Print Medias, we find there quite sizeable sections of our populaces, are on the verge of becoming financially bankrupt. They are our paper vendors. Hence during the Durga Puja time in Kolkata, there are many vendors who earn some money by selling Puja Sankhyas. By selling newspapers vendors hardly earn any profit.

The same problem has cropped up in Bangladesh. As this writer is well familiarized with capital city, Dhaka. In India, as per statistics I have in my kitty, there are vernacular publications of 22 scheduled languages of India along with other native languages of the nation. However Hindi language publication has the largest publication followed by English and Telegu languages. However it would be indecorous on my part, if I ignore reputed Bengali publications from Kolkata. Among the Bengali publications, Ananda Bazar Patrika group has the highest number of circulations. Followed by Bartaman, Sangbad Pratidin, Aajkal, Uttar Banga Sangbad and Dainik Sangbad. In India, there are around 14,000 English language publications existing at present in the nation. As against the above, there are around 50,000 Hindi publications existing in India. Hence number of Bengali publications are around 44. Among all the Bengali publications, only 7 are most popular among the masses.

Taking into account, I find that in Dhaka and other cities of Bangladesh, there are in all 45 English language newspapers. Bengali language newspapers are just 1200. Among all the Bengali newspapers, most of the readers prefer Bangladesh Pratidin in Bangla and Daily Star in English. Though Daily Sun, Daily Observer, Bangladesh Post, The Asian Age, etc are performing quite well.

My revered online readers might wander that why did I state about Bangladesh. The reason behind is to generate academic interests among my readers. I know that modern erudite sections of Dhaka and other cities of Bangladesh are all well concerned about Indian Print Media.

As per the current state of affairs of Indian Print Media is concerned, it is in a dire strait. After the scourge of pandemic Covid-19, there has been mass shedding of manpower. Plus the availability of advertisements have badly dipped in. now craze has moved greatly to digital journalism. That means new portals are being launched by reputed business houses. Among all India Narrative based at Defense Colony, New Delhi have flourished remarkably. It is being carried on with the assistance of a reputed business tycoon of India. Only among the print Medias of India, I found that citizens of India, always keep in hand with them prominent English dailies like Times of India, The Telegraph, Hindustan Times, Indian Express, The Hindu etc various other popular publications of India. Among vernacular dailies of the nation, citizens mostly read Dainik Jagaran, Jansatta, Ananda Bazar Patrika, Bartaman, etc. Despite the above dailies there has been a severe temptation on the part of Indian readers to be prone towards digitization. In the same manner digital media has found niches among Indian readers. There is a logic centered among average Indian that as time has become the key criteria in our life, hence we are become nudging more towards digital media. The objective has been already highlighted to my readers. Just to save time rather devoting time towards productive affairs.

The same trend has been noticeable by me in Dhaka. As because I am well familiarized with the basic trend of readership in that city. Starting from students to office goers plus University professors all are deeply pronged towards digitization. This is good in one sense but not always.

Hence as per evaluation of current state of Indian Print Media, I feel that one has to reorient in tune with the changing scenarios. Though it might be fruitful to certain extent but not in its fullest spheres. In some circumstances I feel Print Medias are still of utmost relevance to most of the Indians.

 Especially to young generations who are in various colleges, universities, research institutes and corporate cum academic bodies, to them Print Medias are of utmost relevance. Also those who are writers in English and various vernacular languages of India, Print Medias stands of as utmost relevance to them. Hope similar trend is followed in Bangladesh too.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.