Press in the North - East takes the reader through a historical journey of print journalism right from its inception in North East India more than a century ago.  

The author has, painstakingly, collected historical information related to print journalism in the North East and the book stands as a one of the first of its kind in the region that has a comprehensive compilation of rare information and given historical facts on the press in the eight states of the North East together.

The book has a compilation of rare photographs of veteran journalists from the past and successful contemporary print media members along with their profiles that makes it all the more interesting. Professor Pandey has also collected old editions of some pioneering newspapers of the region that have long gone out of print, which has been a very challenging task since these are rarely available now.

The book also provides information on senior journalists from all the eight states of the North East.

The book focuses on the study of developments of the press on the basis of the geographic, cultural, linguistic and ideological richness and diversities of the region. The eight chapters are dedicated to the eight states of the region each. It talks about the growth of Khasi, Garo, Hindi, Bodo, Nepali journalism in Assam and Meghalaya and also touches on the growth of Bengali press in Southern Assam, then under Sylhet. It talks of challenges of the press in Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and its growth in Sikkim and Tripura.

The author hopes that as the reader goes through the book, he or she will be able to grasp the perception of the writer himself and get a holistic view of the press in this vibrant region and also this comes as a great help to the students of journalism.

The author explains that he thought of coming up with this kind of a book mainly to help students of journalism, researchers and also media professionals. “History is very important for the sake of preserving culture and civilization. And if we assess the role of the press not only as a mass educator but also as a sensitizer, such a book is very commendable as the book includes the history of newspapers and journalists of the North East who have made very important contributions in the development of the press of the region and the country,” says Professor GP Pandey, Dean and Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Assam University Silchar.

By Rashmi Sarmah