Manisara Bartabaha Swabhiman
The last decade of the previous century saw sweeping changes in our economic policy in the way of globalisation, privatisation and neo-liberal capitalist approaches. These changes were against the basic principles of past economic policies as well as of the constitutional provisions. This led to a need for public spirited publications to voice people’s protest against the market economy controlled by global capital.
An occasional publication titled ‘Swabhiman’ was circulated privately in 1994 at the convention against the Dunkel Draft and Globalisation held at Brahmapur. This Odia-English bilingual issue was released by the noted environmental activist Vandana Shiva. The four issues that followed were in Odia only. Subsequently, it was registered under the title ‘Manisara Bartabaha Swabhiman’ and got published regularly from 1998 October 16 as a fortnightly magazine. Prafulla Samantara has taken up the responsibilities of being its editor and publisher from the beginning.
‘Lokasakti Abhijan’ was launched under the inspiration of Rabi Ray, former Speaker of the Loksabha to fight the anti-people economic policy as well as to seek an alternate development plan. Several movements came up at different places in Odisha for the protection of land, forest and water with the active involvement of Loksakti Abhijan. Another aspect of these movements was the conservation of natural resources and assertion of people’s rights. Manisara Bartabaha Swabhiman acted as a bridge between the movements and the public. It also aimed to spread a general awareness about the issues among common people.
This was a slim magazine with only 12 to 24 pages. But it found audience in remote places and among people not directly involved with socio-political issues. The magazine maintained a simple editorial style and focused on the needs of common people rather on theoretical discussions. It also mainatained a low profile – it never observed its birthday, no special programmes were ever organised in its name. It survived with the help and contributions from friends and well wishers. The circulation of Swabhiman declined after the publication of Samadrusti and it continued with an irregular periodicity.
Most of the issues of Swabhiman presented here were obtaied from its editor/publisher Prafulla Samantara. Unfortunately, there are still many issues missing. We are hoping that the visitors to the website will help us with these and gaps can be filled up.
Swabhiman Index
The table below provides links for downloading/opening the volumes of Swabhiman. Clicking on the image/volume will initiate download. The file sizes have been kept small, still it may take some time for dowloading depending on the internet connection speed.
Two indexes have been given below listing the articles in chronological order and according to the author name. This will help in browsing for the titles and/or author.
| ରଚନା ସୂଚୀ – ପ୍ରକାଶନ କ୍ରମ Index – Chronological |
ରଚନା ସୂଚୀ – ଲେଖକ କ୍ରମ Index – Authorwise |
An introduction, by the editor, to the magazine, its aims and objectives, importance and problems is available at the following link:
Manisara Bartabaha Swabhiman
| ଭାଗ Volume | |||
| ରେଜିଷ୍ଟ୍ରାର୍ ଅଫ୍ ନିଉଜ୍ପେପର୍ସ୍ଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ପଞ୍ଜୀକୃତ ହେବା ଆଗରୁ ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଇଥିବା ୧୨ଟି ସଂଖ୍ୟାକୁ ଭାଗ ୦୦ରେ ରଖାଯାଇଛି। The 12 issues published before getting registered with the Registrar of Newspapers have been marked as volume 00. |
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