This story is from November 12, 2019

Children’s magazine growing in popularity in Raichur’s Sindhanur taluk

School magazines are usually released during annual gatherings and stored away in cupboards for the rest of the year. They are never available for students, teachers and parents. However, ‘Pencil’, a bi-monthly published by students of Upper Government Higher Primary School in Belagurki village, Sindhanur taluk, Raichur district, is not only reaching students but also attracting parents and people at large in the region. Though this remote village is still far from any daily newspaper, residents have become regular readers of this four-page publication.
Children’s magazine growing in popularity in Raichur’s Sindhanur taluk
Pencil is a bi-monthly magazine was started by kotresh B, a teacher at the government higher primary school in Belgagurki in Sindhanur taluk in Raichur district.
HUBBALLI: School magazines are usually released during annual gatherings and stored away in cupboards for the rest of the year. They are never available for students, teachers and parents. However, ‘Pencil’, a bi-monthly published by students of Upper Government Higher Primary School in Belagurki village, Sindhanur taluk, Raichur district, is not only reaching students but also attracting parents and people at large in the region.
Though this remote village is still far from any daily newspaper, residents have become regular readers of this four-page publication.
Kasimsab Kariganur, a class 7 student and among 11 editors of the magazine, told TOI this publication was launched five years ago. “Our teacher Kotresh B Sir started it with his own money. We carry reports of festival and community events, stories, poems, essays, articles on social issues and even paintings. They’re all works of our school students,” he said.
Ankita Basavaraj, Kavya Nagaraj and Vidya Tippanna said discuss what’s should be carried. “If necessary, we tell the student writer student to rewrite or reduce the number of words. Often, we keep some pending for the next issue. We also interview folklore singers and other talented persons and achievers of the village. We also highlight the problems of our school. As our magazine reaches officials of the education department, they addressing our grievances,” they said.
They said their seniors like Mallikarjun Hanumant come to school when they get time and guide them on selecting write-ups and drawings. Paramesh Chintamanadoddi, school head master, said he sends complimentary copies to all higher officials of education department. “All officers like CRP, BRP, BEO, DDPI have been encouraging this publication by referring it at department’s meetings and programmes,” he said.
Venkatesh Nayak, president, School Development and Monitoring Committee, said ‘Pencil’ has become a favourite among villagers. “It’s educating and motivating parents and public of village on many social, environmental, cultural issues,” he said.
Kotresh said he was inspired by ‘Balaknama’, a newsletter for and by street and working children in Mumbai. “Normally, we distribute 500 copies to villagers through students. When we get orders from education enthusiasts and school managements of the region, we print 1,000 copies,” he said.
Enthusiasts from other villagers are sponsoring publication of the magazine on family events like birthdays, marriages, etc. “As my wife gave birth to a girl baby, we’re sponsoring the next issue to mark the occasion,” said Yenkanagouda of Gandhi Nagar village. Ashok Gaji and Mallappa Uppaladoddi said they sponsored previous issues to mark birthdays of their wards. “We spend a lot of amount for these celebrations. Instead of that, we sponsored the issue by giving Rs 3,000,” they said.
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