“Power of Himmat was the power of ideas it represented. Small size did not matter; Gandhiji’s Harijan was also small but it sent waves across the world. Today, we need such small but determined voices more than ever,” said Kumar Ketkar, Editor of Loksatta, the largest circulated Marathi daily. He was the Chief Guest at the launch of ‘Saying it with courage: The HIMMAT Story 1964 to 1981’ He said, “Himmat was fearless in its coverage and people trusted it. As someone who also ran a small paper during the days of the Emergency, I appreciate the role played by such small journals. Today’s media shows very little interest in the world of ideas. Even news has become entertainment.”

Himmat compilation coverBhanu Kale, who worked with Himmat Weekly for two years, explained the reason for this compilation: 1. Documentation of a significant journalistic venture; 2. Researchers, media professionals, students of mass communication can benefit from it; 3. It could inspire individual journalists by reminding that small size need not mean irrelevance… There is a clear need today for the spirit of Himmat and speak with courage, clarity and conviction.

The publication is dedicated to the memory of V.C. Viswanathan, one of the three who worked on the compilation. In her message, Thankam, his wife, said: “Vish was a humble, sincere, loving, able person, a good listener and excellent communicator.”

Several nationally acclaimed journalists like Kalpana Sharma Himmat’s editor for five years, Neerja Chaudhury, Sanjoy Hazarika and Rupa Chinai started their careers at Himmat!

R. M. Lala, eminent writer, the founding Editor of Himmat, traced the genesis of the Weekly, in response to the request of 6000 people who asked to keep in touch when they were inspired during the 1963-64 March on Wheels led by Rajmohan Gandhi across the country. “We had very little resources and hence everyone had to be multi-skilled. It helped in their (many young people on Himmat) all round training.”

Khorshed Gandhy, a Trustee of Himmat Publications Trust, proposed the vote of thanks.

-from a report by Bhanu Kale