Aniket is a Hindi weekly newspaper started by Ramesh Pahari on 2 October 1977. With a vision to make news accessible and affordable, Pahari independently launched Aniket to serve the common people of Uttarakhand (a state carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000 and known as Uttaranchal till 2007). Under his editorship, from 1977 to 2017, the newspaper became the voice of grassroots movements, notably the Uttarakhand Sangharsh Vahini and the Chipko Andolan, reporting on the region’s daily struggles and events.
What set Aniket apart was its in-depth coverage of local events, from on-ground protests and campaigns to accountability for decisions impacting the region. While mainstream media often overlooked these stories, Aniket alone brought attention to the injustices faced by the people of Uttarakhand. It particularly highlighted issues related to women, children, water, forests, and land, all of which were central to the region's socio-political context yet underreported elsewhere.
Over the years, Aniket evolved from a weekly publication to a bi-weekly and even an alternate-day paper, reflecting the urgency of the issues it covered. It became known as the voice of the youth, amplifying protests against injustice, oppression, exploitation, and inequality. Beyond just reporting, it gave a platform to the people’s movements, covering various dimensions of Uttarakhand’s struggles and triumphs across decades.
Ramesh Pahari’s leadership ensured that Aniket remained steadfast in its mission to advocate for the region’s marginalized communities and its environment, capturing the pulse of the state's evolving political and social landscape.
About the Collection: The back issues of Aniket, a Hindi weekly magazine were donated by its editor, Ramesh Pahari. The collection includes issues from December 1977 to 2017 and is crucial for understanding the socio-economic challenges and developments in Uttarakhand over the years. The weekly was instrumental in shedding light on issues affecting the region, offering a platform for discussions on topics such as rural development, environmental concerns, and economic conditions of Uttarakhand.
Acquired from Rudraprayag, the collection also includes issues of other Hindi magazines such as Dharti Par Utro, Jal Sanskriti, Jalagum Khabrein, Suchetna and Lok Suchna. Each of these publications provides unique perspectives on topics ranging from water resources and environmental sustainability to social movements and local governance. This collection is a crucial source for scholars exploring the region's history, its challenges, and the voices that shaped its narrative over the last 40 years.
Donor: Ramesh Pahari
Acquisition: 2024