Cover of last edition of The Ravenshavian. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 11: Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, is set to bring out the second edition of its magazine, The Ravenshavian, after a gap of two years. The issue would be released on November 15, the university’s foundation day.

Although the magazine was supposed to be brought out annually, just one edition could be published in 2009, three years after Ravenshaw College was elevated to the status of a university. Before that, the magazine used to be brought out every year.

Stating that the interest of students in literary activities has taken a backseat, reader in political science Asima Sahoo, who was earlier involved in production of The Ravenshavian, said: “The articles and poems contributed by the students and staff are usually sent to eminent litterateurs for review. However, they told us that most of the write-ups were not worth publishing. The quality expected of them, sadly, was lacking. The vice-chancellor did not want a prestigious institution like Ravenshaw to bring out a ‘below-par’ magazine.”

However, this time, vice-chancellor Devdas Chhotray hopes that the new issue would not disappoint readers. “Some students are very creative and write extremely well. But, in general, there is a huge deficiency of good writers. The younger generation expresses itself better through text messages and e-mails,” Chhotray, who is also the editor of the magazine, said.

“Non-availability of printing matter and regular students’ agitations are other factors why we could not bring out the magazine every year. But now the editorial team is busy giving final touches to the new edition. The current issue has the form of a handsome notebook and offers a cocktail of the old and the new with amalgamated writings of students, faculty and invitees and an interregnum of interesting visuals,” he added.

The magazine begins with an “invited” section in which eminent personalities such as, writer Manoj Das, Odissi dancer Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi, administrator Lakshmidhar Mishra and sociologist Andre Beteille have written.

Sam Pitroda, chairman of National Commission for Innovation Council and advisor to the Prime Minister, who visited Ravenshaw University earlier this year, has also written a piece titled “Shifting Paradigms – Blueprint for a Knowledge Society”.

An attractive feature in the current issue is “The Rear Window”, which showcases articles and visuals from its old editions of the last century. Oriya writings by Mayadhar Mansingh, Ramakanta Rath, Sitakanta Mohapatra and Ramakrushna Nanda (some dating back to the 1930s and 1950s) have been included in the issue.

It also has a brief entry of activities on the campus since March 2009.