in photo (L-R) – Dharmendra Singh Gehlot and Mohammad Zaheer

The forte of Language is to facilitate effective communication to the common mass, while a Newspaper is the best source of media to ease this transportation of thoughts, information and news to its readers.

While a large number of people in Rajasthan prefer to speak in the local language, very few newspapers serve news in the local dialect.

To fill this gap, Sajjan Kirti, the Rajasthani language monthly newspaper has been launched today in Udaipur. This eight page tabloid size newspaper will specifically focus on all big and small stories of Rajasthan and the rest of the world.

The newspaper has been started by two friends who have an unusual passion and affection for the local Mewari dialect language. Mohammad Zaheer (30) and Dharmendra Singh Gehlot (26) hail from non-journalistic backgrounds, still their awareness towards their initiative is very stable.

Mohammad Zaheer is a professional tour guide while Dharmendra has his own business in Udaipur. “When I went to Pune for my tour guide course in 2009, I saw how dedicated people are for their mother language, Maharashtrian. They would not speak in any language except Marathi while South Indians strictly talk in their own language, but what are we doing?”

“I, with a few of my friends in Pune pledged to talk in our own Mewari language and that’s how the seeds of Sajjan Kirti were sowed, which turned into what it is today” says Zaheer, smilingly.

Dharmendra Singh, co-editor of Sajjan Kirti said, “This is our small initiative for our Rajasthan and for all Rajasthanis worldwide. I believe language is our identity and we should not lose it. I am sure Sajjan Kirti will serve its purpose.”

Mohammad Zaheer said “Sajjan Kirti is a name inspired from ‘Sajjan Kirti Sudhakar’ a daily newspaper started by Maharaj Sajjan Singh ji.”

At the inaugural launch ceremony, Raghuveer Singh Meena blessed the newspaper, while many prominent personalities were present to grace the occasion. Dr. Wasim Khan from RNT Medical College, representatives of many NGOs and members of Sajjan Kriti were present on the occasion.

‘Sajjan Kirti’ has its headquarters at Pahada, Udaipur and has started off with a small team of 5 reporters in different cities of Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer, Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur and Jodhpur.

The newspaper will be available on a membership subscription of Rs. 150/- per year. The retail price of the newspaper has not yet been decided.

inputs by Kali Garg