"Whenever two or three Malayalis come together, they will either think of forming a union or bring out a publication." It is an often-used cynical quote to underestimate the consciousness of Keralites towards various socio-economic developments. Kerala is having the highest literacy rate and produces the largest number of periodicals, magazines and newspapers in India. One of the largest circulated newspapers in Inida, the Malayala Manorama is coming from Kottayam, the town of periodicals and pulp magazines. If one considers the number of periodicals brought out by small associations, clubs, religious bodies, schools and the student community, the total number of publications from the state will be one of the highest in the world. Despite the aggressive encroachment of the visual and Internet media, Malayali community still respect the printed woRDK and continue to welcome new publications and periodicals. Even when the Malayalis leave their homeland in search of greener pastures, they will continue their love affair with the media.
"Rediscover Kerala" (RDK) is one such publication, which was started way back in September 1992 by Xavier Kavalam, who is a Non Resident Keralaite (NRK) now. The magazine, which was initially focusing on development issues, devoted its second issue on Changanacherry, a small town in Kottayam district, which is famous for its centuries old market place. Tracing the origin of the market to 1805, Rediscover Kerala featured the history of Changanacherry's emergence as a major trading hub through the water and land routes after Veluthampi Dalava established it in the early 19th century.
The inaugural issue of the magazine was released by the then Revenue Minister K.M.Mani by giving a copy to Dr.K.C.Joseph, a Kerala Congress leader. Even though the editorial content of the initial issues included a mix some light and serious articles, the colour front and back pages gave it a commercial look. The magazine contained a number of advertisements by traders, educational institutions etc from the small town. However, it was not a commercial success due to lack of advertisement support. Xavier used to run an advertising agency, viz. Adventure Communications, which was closed down when he went to Muscat.
The Second issue featured Parvathi Mohan on the cover. Even after reaching the Gulf, Xavier, the original printer and publisher of RDKK, continued his best efforts to bring out the magazine from there. Due to a number of reasons including severe restrictions on overseas publications, the magazine appeared quite irregularly and in December 1998, it made a dramatic reappearance as an eight -page tabloid with a front page picture of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the King of Oman. The International Malayalam Edition of Rediscover Kerala has been trying desperately to appeal to the traveling public, but could not evoke much interest. Xavier says the magazine come out with 24 issues in ten years. Even celebrity writer like Thakazhi Shivashankara Pillai contributed articles to RDKK. Retaining his self-confidence, Xavier is now planning to bring out Rediscover Kerala in a new shape and style with an editorial focus on what he called the "Traveling Public". The plan is to bring out 5,000 copies with a cover prize of 100 baizas (equivalent to Indian Rs. 12 per copy.)
Since he has been associated with the Gulf-Kerala travel business, his intension is to develop RDKK into a magazine useful to many passengers, who are not aware of various rules regulating air travel, customs, luggage and visa norms. "Harassment by customs officials is a regular feature and many common folks carry some foreign currency to satisfy (bribe) the customers officials on duty," he says. This happens because many of them are not aware of the customs. Xavier says the revised RDK will cover many other areas of interest to the NRKs, mainly insurance, banking, medicine and a section to teach English to the Malayali Nurses in the Gulf. "There won't be any controversial reports as the idea is not create sensation," he says. Already special arrangements are made with a newspaper distribution company to supply RDK to different parts of Oman. Xavier cannot be compared with Mamman Mappilai or Rupert MuRDKoch but his continuous effort to keep his publication alive is to be appreciated. There are four Malayalam channels vying with each other to get a pie of the Gulf Malayali viewers. Scores of newspapers, English and Malayalam are also targeting the NRKs. There is no dearth of light publications targeting the NRK community. Whether Xavier will succeed in his new initiative depends much on what RDKK has to offer specially for the NRK readers, who have less time to read newspapers due to fast changing life styles.
K.M.Mani releasing the first issue of Rediscover Kerala Magazine in 1994 by giving a copy to Dr.K.C.Joseph. Young editor Xavier Kavalam is also seen (left) A Graduate from St. Berchmans College, Chenganacherry, Xavier Kavalam is the son of P.C.Jacob, a former official of Ruby Rubber Works. From Cheeranchira in Changanacherry. A former student of SB High School, Changanacherry, he is also trying to develop a Gulf alumni association of the college. Married to Ansamma, a medical professional, he got a daughter Vinaya. Xavier who has worked with the Moon Travels, Mezoon Travels and Skyline Travels knows. Best Wishes to Xavier and his team in this new venture -keralamonitor.com Contact Rediscover rediscoverkerala@hotmail.com
Free Media Vital for Development -World Bank
A free press can reduce poverty and boost economic development. The success of newspapers, radio and TV stations in spurring development depends on their independence, quality, and their ability to reach a wide audience. "The innovation of radio and television changed the political strength of different groups by affecting who was informed and who was not," says none other than the World Bank "Today, the spreading use of the Internet is likely to have a similar impact, creating both losers and gainers." Read the Full Report
Journalists Deserve Better Treatment from Society, Community Leaders Malayalis all over the world respect newsmen. In the Gulf region, journalists are not respected the way they are treated in other parts of the world. The society at large is still not prepared to give due respect to journalists. In this respect, even the behaviour of some of the Gulf based Indian community organisations and their leaders need much to be desired. No professional journalist would like to get a larger than life image or expect to get undue respect. But senior journalists like Prasad Panicker, editor of Times of Oman deserve better treatment.. Full Report
