Although the only Sanskrit newspaper in the world, Sudharma, published from Karnataka will mark its 47th anniversary, the newspaper is facing an extensive financial crisis.

The owners of the newspaper, a couple, KV Sampath Kumar (editor) and his wife S Jayalakshami said that the daily newspaper desperately needs support and their patience is running out. However, their isn’t an end for the newspaper at the current point.

Jayalakshami said, “Sudharma is not revenue-generating venture for us. It’s fruit of our passion for journalism and Sanskrit.”

Kumar said to the Times of India in 2012 when UPA was in power, “Though there are funds reserved for such publications, neither the state nor central government is ready to help out”.

In NDA power as well the story remains the same for the paper. The Modi government otherwise seems to be promoting Sanskrit all over the world but its help is yet to reach, Sudharma.

“A year ago, we wrote to HRD minister Smriti Irani and PM Modi to bail us out. But we haven’t got any reply till the date,” Jayalakshami said.

They have published a donation request with bank account and other details to public in their newspaper, which is trending on social networks.
Jayalakshami

The newspaper had the circulation of 4,000 four years ago, while currently its circulation is 3,000. The subscription charges are only Rs. 400. To cope up with the present, the newspaper is also available on the internet as e-edition and it has viewership of one lakh, according to the owners.

Jayalakshami said that they own a printing press named as Sree Kantha Power Press and their main business is to print letterheads and bill books. The press was founded in 1945 and was first which got digitized in Mysore in 1988.

By Prajakt K.