New Delhi, May 30: Journalism is a powerful tool that can empower even the most vulnerable individuals in society. Every year on May 30, Hindi Journalism Day is celebrated across the country. This date holds significant importance in the history of Hindi journalism, as it marks the publication of the first Hindi newspaper, ‘Udant Martand’, in 1826.
This newspaper not only gave a voice to the Hindi language in journalism but also played a crucial role in becoming the voice of the common people. The inception of Hindi journalism occurred during a time when the country was under British rule, and English, Persian, and Bengali dominated the newspaper landscape. At that time, there was no dedicated newspaper for Hindi speakers. In this context, Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla made the bold decision to publish a newspaper in Hindi.
A resident of Kanpur, Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla was a lawyer by profession, but his passion for society and language led him to journalism. He established his base in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and launched the weekly newspaper ‘Udant Martand’ on May 30, 1826. The newspaper was published every Tuesday.
The name ‘Udant Martand’ translates to ‘The Sun of News’. True to its name, it brought new light not only to the common people but also to Hindi journalism. At that time, this initiative was extremely challenging due to the limited number of readers who could read and understand Hindi. Nevertheless, Jugal Kishore made efforts to deliver news to Hindi speakers in their own language.
The first issue of the newspaper had around 500 copies printed. However, from the outset, it faced numerous challenges. Being published from Calcutta, far from Hindi-speaking states, the newspaper had to be sent via postal services to various regions. At that time, postal costs were very high, leading to financial difficulties.
Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla also appealed to the British government for relief from postal charges, but his request was denied. The financial crisis escalated to the point where ‘Udant Martand’ could not continue for long and ultimately ceased publication on December 4, 1826.
Although it lasted only a year and a half, this newspaper laid a strong foundation for Hindi journalism. Following its closure, many newspapers and magazines in Hindi emerged, playing vital roles in the struggle for independence and social awareness.
Numerous prominent figures contributed to the advancement of Hindi journalism. Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi started the ‘Pratap’ newspaper in Kanpur, providing new direction to journalism. His writings and ideas strengthened the independence movement. Similarly, journalists and writers like Balakrishna Sharma Navin and Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi enriched Hindi journalism.
During British rule, many newspapers and magazines were seized by the government for raising the voice of the people. Despite this, journalists continued to spread awareness through their writings.
Over time, Hindi journalism expanded significantly. In the 20th century, newspapers like ‘Aaj’, ‘Pratap’, ‘Abhyuday’, ‘Vishwamitra’, and ‘Bharatmitra’ gained popularity. Later, several major newspapers emerged, elevating Hindi journalism to new heights.
Today, in the digital age, Hindi journalism is rapidly advancing. Hindi news reaches millions through television, websites, and social media. Thus, Hindi Journalism Day is not just a date; it is an opportunity to remember the struggles of those journalists and writers who earned respect for the Hindi language in journalism.
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