With changing reading habits and reduced attention span in the era of the Internet, good content needs to look and feel good to catch the eyes of readers.
To meet the changing needs, Navjivan Trust, the Ahmedabad based publishing house founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1929, is now planning to bring out the complete life story of Mahatma in graphic form or as a comic illustration. This, primarily, to catch the attention of readers and make his autobiography work as a bridge for further reading of Mahatma’s work.
“It would be more on the lines of Amar Chitra Katha. This is meant for young adults and for those looking for a light-hearted read. It would have autobiographical inserts in a number of pages,” Apurva Ashar, Digital and Print Publishing consultant with the Trust said. “Unlike other comics where dialogues are written, our version would carry words of Bapu himself. It would be more authentic.”
The Trust, that has to its credit publications of over 800 titles in English, Gujarati, Hindi and other languages, seeks to publish the Bapu-centric comic book in Gujarati and English. “We hope to launch it by the coming birth anniversary of Mahatma on October 2. The hindi version may get a bit delayed but we should release Gujarati and English versions nationally on that day,” Ashar added.
The Trust has been working on the project for almost a year now. Ashar said that the pictures, drawings and storyline are already in place, with authentication by a panel of experts associated with Navjivan Trust. “We are now in the process of correcting errors, enhancing language. The Gujarati version should be ready in 10-15 days,” Ashar said.