The simple name board and the unassuming exteriors of the Sudharma office in Ramachandra Agrahara in Mysore makes it hard for one to believe that this is a “one of its kind” newspaper office in the world. Well, it is here that the world’s only Sanskrit daily is drafted and printed and that too from the last 50 years! A truly awe inspiring feat, thanks to the efforts and dedicated of K V Sampath Kumar and his wife K S Jayalakshmi.
Started by renowned Sanskrit scholar Kalale Nadadur Varadaraja Iyengar way back in 1970, Sudharma had its first issue releasing on 15-Jul that year at a cost of 5 paise including postage. The legacy is being contrinued by his son K V Sampath Kumar who is ably assisted by his wife K S Jayalakshmi, both of whom have studied and are highly qualified in Sanskrit.
The paper which is being printed daily ever since that day has close to 3500 subscribers currently. This includes subscribers from India and abroad including countries like Germany, Japan and Sri Lanka. The annual subscription stands at a very reasonable Rs. 500/-. All subscribers within India receive the paper by post. Mornings are spent in finalizing the content for the next day’s paper after which the paper is printed by evening.
The next day these papers are dispatched by post, a job that is wrapped up by afternoon each day. Sampath Kumar and his wife also introduced an e- paper 11 years ago that is available on the web for free.
The paper is two pages and while the first contains the news, the second contains feature articles by contributors from all over. K S Jayalakshmi has also been instrumental in introducing a Sanskrit calendar since the last 11 years which is totally comprehensive and compiled after going through as many as five Panchangams.
Inspite of the all the challenges, the zeal and enthusiasm displayed by the couple towards keeping Sudharma alive and kicking is something that is exemplary and commendable.
Read more about Sudharma in my article on First Post.
Contact: Sudharma No 561, 2nd Ramachandra Agrahara, Mysore – 570004
Ph: 0821-2442835, 9980027696, 9740158508