Paperman Media | Sambalpur
Residents of Sambalpur today got an opportunity to explore a remarkable collection of old and new newspapers at the Global Newspaper Heritage Exhibition, inaugurated at the local Nari Seva Sadan.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Sambalpur MLA and former Minister Jayanarayan Mishra, who expressed happiness after going through the rare newspapers, particularly those associated with Sambalpur and Western Odisha. He appreciated the initiative and highlighted the importance of preserving newspaper heritage.
The exhibition, being organised for the first time in Sambalpur and Western Odisha, has been curated by renowned newspaper collector Shashanka Sekhar Dash, popularly known as a “Paperman India” and a Guinness World Records Holder.
A wide range of rare and historic newspapers from India and abroad has been displayed at the exhibition, along with information about their major news reports, publication history and the evolution of the newspaper industry. Visitors are also getting an opportunity to understand the historical role of newspapers, the contribution of the media to social change and the development of journalism over the years.
Among the major attractions are a 1929 specimen issue of Utkala Dipika, regarded as Odisha’s first printed newspaper, the 1894 Sambalpur Hiteishini, the 1840 Kathiawad Times, and historic editions of The Statesman and The Times of India published on August 15, 1947, the day India attained independence.
The rare collections have generated considerable interest among students, intellectuals and members of the public, many of whom expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to see newspapers carrying historical records and significant events from different periods.
The exhibition has been organised through the joint efforts of senior journalists Rajaram Padhi, Ramakanta Biswal and Bijay Kumar Khuntia, along with the initiative of Shashanka Sekhar Dash.
The organisers said the exhibition aims to create awareness about the rich heritage of newspapers and encourage younger generations to understand the role of print media in documenting history and shaping society.
