AT SRIJHAR ASHRAM - DEC., 2004
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
THE FIRST INDIAN NEWSPAPER
I was not aware that January 29 was an important day in the history of newspapers of India. According to a recent newspaper article by M. J. Akbar, January 29 is Indian Newspaper Day. On this day in 1780, the first Indian newspaper was published. It was a weekly called Hickey’s Bengal Gazette (aka Calcutta General Advertiser).
The paper’s motto sums up the nature of the media business: “ A Weekly Political & Commercial Paper, Open to all Parties, but Influenced by None.”
James Augustus Hickey, one of the most colourful stars of a resplendent era, launched the Gazette in January, 1780. He became famous for reporting the scandals of his day. His paper’s circulation soared when he reported on the first adultery case to reach the Calcutta High Court. If the laws of libel made it difficult to publish a story, Hickey had no qualms about using transparent pseudonyms like “Hooka Turban” or “Chinsurah Belle.”
The Gazette, however, did not live to celebrate its first birthday. On 14th November, 1780, a diktat was issued by Warren Hastings from Fort William: “Public notice is hereby given that, as a weekly newspaper called the ‘Bengal Gazette” or “Calcutta General Advertiser”, printed by J.A.Hickey, has lately been found to contain several improper paragraphs tending to vilify private characters and to disturb the peace of the Settlement, it is no longer permitted to be circulated through the channel of the General Post Office.”
Hickey responded with fiery rhetoric: “Before he will bow, cringe, or fawn to any of his oppressors … he would compose ballads and sell them through the streets of Calcutta … Shall I tamely submit to the yoke of slavery and wanton oppression? No!”
As M.J.Akbar commented: “And how many journalists have responded in the manner Hickey did? Enough to guarantee the honour of the profession.”
The paper’s motto sums up the nature of the media business: “ A Weekly Political & Commercial Paper, Open to all Parties, but Influenced by None.”
James Augustus Hickey, one of the most colourful stars of a resplendent era, launched the Gazette in January, 1780. He became famous for reporting the scandals of his day. His paper’s circulation soared when he reported on the first adultery case to reach the Calcutta High Court. If the laws of libel made it difficult to publish a story, Hickey had no qualms about using transparent pseudonyms like “Hooka Turban” or “Chinsurah Belle.”
The Gazette, however, did not live to celebrate its first birthday. On 14th November, 1780, a diktat was issued by Warren Hastings from Fort William: “Public notice is hereby given that, as a weekly newspaper called the ‘Bengal Gazette” or “Calcutta General Advertiser”, printed by J.A.Hickey, has lately been found to contain several improper paragraphs tending to vilify private characters and to disturb the peace of the Settlement, it is no longer permitted to be circulated through the channel of the General Post Office.”
Hickey responded with fiery rhetoric: “Before he will bow, cringe, or fawn to any of his oppressors … he would compose ballads and sell them through the streets of Calcutta … Shall I tamely submit to the yoke of slavery and wanton oppression? No!”
As M.J.Akbar commented: “And how many journalists have responded in the manner Hickey did? Enough to guarantee the honour of the profession.”
THE REPUBLIC DAY PARADE – 50 YEARS AGO
According to newspaper reports of the time, Republic Day was celebrated in much the same way as it is today. On 26th January, 1955, the President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, took the salute at a march past of troops, workers and school children on Delhi’s Rajpath (‘Kingsway’ in colonial times).
In those days, there was no particular ‘Chief Guest’ as is the custom today. However, there were prominent invitees who sat next to the President during the ceremonial parade. In 1955, the most prominent guest of the Government of India was the Governor-General of Pakistan, Mr. Ghulam Mohammed! I don’t think there have been any invited VIP’s from Pakistan since then (I am open to correction).
Later, at a state banquet held in his honour, the Governor-General said: ‘ Let us put an end to our disputes. We owe this as a duty to posterity not to leave them a legacy of misunderstanding and bitterness. There is no alternative to the two countries acting in a spirit of truth and sincerity without which it seems difficult for them to achieve real prosperity.’
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It might have been an extract from a speech of one of the politicians of today. Things really haven’t changed much in the half century that has passed since Mr. Ghulam Mohammed spoke those words. Where did we go wrong? Perhaps the time has come to invite Gen. Musharraf to be the Chief Guest at the next Republic Day parade!
In those days, there was no particular ‘Chief Guest’ as is the custom today. However, there were prominent invitees who sat next to the President during the ceremonial parade. In 1955, the most prominent guest of the Government of India was the Governor-General of Pakistan, Mr. Ghulam Mohammed! I don’t think there have been any invited VIP’s from Pakistan since then (I am open to correction).
Later, at a state banquet held in his honour, the Governor-General said: ‘ Let us put an end to our disputes. We owe this as a duty to posterity not to leave them a legacy of misunderstanding and bitterness. There is no alternative to the two countries acting in a spirit of truth and sincerity without which it seems difficult for them to achieve real prosperity.’
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It might have been an extract from a speech of one of the politicians of today. Things really haven’t changed much in the half century that has passed since Mr. Ghulam Mohammed spoke those words. Where did we go wrong? Perhaps the time has come to invite Gen. Musharraf to be the Chief Guest at the next Republic Day parade!
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