Intro: Malati Murmu, a member of the Santhal tribe, is a proud recipient of Adivasi Pratibha Sanman and Tata steel award among others. Doing her bit to preserve the language, she is the first tribal woman of the state to launch a Santali newspaper Fagun both as editor and publisher. Currently, she exhibits her work at Adivasi Mela 2019 in the capital. In an interview with Chaitali Shome of Orissa Post, she threw light on her forte and future plans. Excerpts:
Brief us about Fagun.
Well, it’s the only Santali newspaper published in the state as well as country. I am proud to be the publisher as well as editor of the daily. Fagun covers all the majou events of Mayurbhanj. Apart from this, it covers news related to the Santhal tribe prominently. It’s a monthly newspaper. We sell over 2000 copies in a month.
Were there any impediments in its launch?
Being a Santali woman, it was tough for me to find news and print it. My husband Mangat Murmu helped me to print it as we are both from Mayurbhanj. Initially, the financing was quite difficult. However, my enthusiasm to start a monthly newspaper was reinvigorated when Santali was recognised as a language in 2003. My friends and family members helped me out financially as well as with finding news.
Describe your emotions when Fagun was finally published.
The first publication of Fagun was April 9, 2008. Memories of that day still give me goose bumps. Now, the paper has completed 11 successful years in publication with a circulation of over 2000. Our readers are from across the country, including states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, New Delhi, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Maharashtra, and even Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
How is Fagun different from other newspapers?
Well, the paper is quite different as it’s published monthly with articles, short stories, events, women affairs, news from state and country among others. In fact, many tribal people from my area send me news and information. I try to publish as much of it as I can.
How do you keep such a diverse readership engrossed?
First and foremost, I want people to understand that it’s a monthly paper that’s trying to preserve a language. I don’t deny the presence of other popular papers. However, Fagun is a newspaper that talks about tribes and their plight for survival in the wake of modernism. We try to change our taste in news making to keep our readers loyal to us. Finally, I wish Govt of Odisha offers us financial assistance in order to save this traditional tribal newspaper.
Would you like to say a few words to policy makers who would shape tribal affairs of the country?
I believe people who usher changes are the common people. So, educate yourself, live your dream, even though it seems impossible. Once you have confidence in yourself, work hard and strategise to make everything else fall into place.
