Paperman Media | Sambalpur
A unique Newspaper Heritage Exhibition showcasing rare and historic newspapers from India and across the world will be held for the first time in Sambalpur and Western Odisha on Monday during the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi September 14, at Nari Seva Sadan.
The exhibition will feature a remarkable collection of newspapers personally preserved by renowned newspaper collector and Guinness World Records holder Shashanka Sekhar Dash, popularly known as the “Newspaper Man”. Newspapers from 176 countries, along with rare publications from India, Odisha and Sambalpur, will be displayed at the event.
Visitors will get an opportunity to see old and historically significant newspapers from different parts of the world, along with information about their major headlines, publication history and the evolution of the newspaper industry. The exhibition aims to highlight the historical role of newspapers, their contribution to social transformation and the changing landscape of journalism.
Among the major attractions will be a 1929 specimen issue of Odisha’s pioneering and first printed newspaper Utkal Dipika, the 1894 Sambalpur Hitaishini, the 1840 Kathiawad Times, and copies of The Statesman and The Times of India published on August 15, 1947, the day India attained independence. Several other rare and historic newspapers will also be on display.
Special emphasis has been given to newspapers published from Sambalpur and various districts of Western Odisha. More than 100 newspapers carrying the names Odisha, Utkal and Kalinga are expected to be part of the exhibition, said Shashanka Sekhar Dash.
The exhibition is being organised through the joint initiative of senior journalists Rajaram Padhi, Ramakanta Biswal and Bijay Kumar Khuntia.
Organisers said the exhibition will provide an important opportunity for students, researchers, journalists and the general public to explore history, society and the evolution of journalism through the pages of old newspapers.
The exhibition will remain open from 11 AM to 8 PM at Nari Seva Sadan, Sambalpur.
