Struggle continues to save 151-year-old magazine

DHARWAD: Why can't the government, which doles out crores of rupees for populist schemes to gain political mileage, grant some funds to save a 151-year-old magazine? This is the question litterateurs and educationists from North Karnataka are asking. They are referring to the condition of "Jeevana Shikshana", a monthly published by the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), which is on the verge of closure due to financial crunch.
Joining the litterateurs and educationists is the alumni of Government Training College for Men (now renamed DIET), who have made a fervent appeal to chief minister Siddaramaiah and primary and secondary education minister Tanveer Sait, requesting a one-time grant of Rs 1 crore and Rs 25 lakh every year to bring out the magazine. Gurumurthy Yaragambalimath, an alumnus of DIET who is coordinating the publication of "Jeevana Shikshana" for the past several years, said that the government should announce the grant as a Rajyotsava gift.
Carrying the heritage
Launched in 1865 by visionary educationist Deputy Channabasappa, "Jeevana Shikshana" emerged as a guide for teachers as well as others. Channabasappa got the initial 'Deputy' as he was the deputy director of public instruction. "Jeevana Shikshana" was the only magazine dedicated to the cause of education and had been playing a key role in ensuring quality teaching. It has been published without a break.
During the BJP's regime, the then minister for water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai had assured a delegation that he would ensure regular funding for the magazine. He had promised to take up the matter with then chief minister Jagadish Shettar. However, no development took place thereafter.
Several legislators and ministers had promised help to bail the magazine out of crisis, but nothing tangible has happened till date.
The magazine is being circulated in the nine education districts under the additional commissioner of public instruction, Dharwad. "Jeevana Shikshana" is facing financial crunch due to non-payment of subscription fee arrears by some government departments.