Students of Utkal University go through the Vani Vikash. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, April 18: Vani Vikash, the mouthpiece of Utkal University students, is back with a bang after a two-year hiatus.

The publication of the magazine had been suspended for the want of an editor, an elected post, which is part of the university students’ union set up.

The new editor, Sahadev Behera, a post-graduation student of Odia, has pleaded for delinking the post from the students’ union, whose elections have been affected in the past because of campus unrest.

“The annual magazine could not be published for two years since elections were not held in 2009 and 2010 and, therefore, there was no elected editor for Vani Vikash. This post should be independent of the union since literary activities by their very nature are apolitical,” said Sahadev.

He said he would soon make an appeal to vice-chancellor P.K. Sahoo in this regard.

The latest edition of Vani Vikash was released last afternoon by university authorities. Around 3,000 copies have been published and are being distributed among students.

“It is usually brought out around July or August, but this year, we have been successful in completing the work by mid-April. The publication had been discontinued just once before this during the Emergency period,” said Sanskrit professor P.C. Mishra, who is the chief editor of the magazine.

Mishra said the magazine contained articles, poems and features in Odia, English, Hindi and Sanskrit contributed both by students and teachers.

“Though the number of entries has come down slightly, quality is being maintained,” he said.

However, Sahadev’s classmate, Bindulata Sandha, who had helped him with the editing, said students were no longer interested in literary activities and they had to persuade several students to write for the magazine. “But, only a few responded to our requests. Many of them contributed articles only to see their names in print,” she said.

“Besides, the magazine fund amount must be increased as the printing costs have shot up like anything. The money must be handed over to the editorial board instead of being diverted to the students’ union,” said Sahadev, adding that the fund balance of Rs 60,000 accumulated over the last two years has been used up in one go this time.

Some other students suggested that the editorial board of Vani Vikash should include not only the teaching staff, but also the students’ representatives.

“At times, the board tends to dismiss ideas coming from students. If more youngsters are involved in bringing out the magazine, it would be a good mix of serious and fun articles,” said Nupur Pattanaik, a former student of the university.