Bhubaneswar: Here’s some good news for children interested in Odia story books. The colourful Odia magazine Sisulekha will be republished after a gap of seven years. This time as a e-magazine.
The e-magazine will be viewed by Odias beyond the State’s boundaries, said Ranjan Kumar Das, Director , Culture Department.
Once a popular choice among the children for its fluid narrative and creativity, the e-magazine is likely to gain more readership. Finding the necessity to promote Odia reading in an interesting way, the Odia language, Literature and Culture department decided to republish the magazine in a new format.
The magazine was first published in 1971 by the State School and Mass Education Department. Then its publication was stopped in 1992-93 and was republished in 2004-05 and 2010.
It was published regularly since July 8, 2010. In the first phase, 48,000 copies of the colourful book were published, out of them, 10,000 were sold out in market. Rest of the books were distributed in schools. In 2013, the publication was stopped once again.
Some writers had requested the Chief Minister seeking republication of the magazine. They highlighted the necessity of the magazine in the current situation when students are less inclined towards Odia literature which is losing its importance. Their voices were heard and the book is set to get a digital lease of life.
