India: A one-day special program will be organized in Kolkata, India, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Udant Martand (“The Rising Sun”), the first Hindi-language newspaper in India.

The event is being organized by the SAARC Journalist Forum India Chapter and is scheduled to take place on May 30, 2026.

According to Dr. Anurudh Kumar Sudhanshu, President of the SAARC Journalist Forum India Chapter, the program will focus on the 200-year journey of Udant Martand and discussions related to the memory and legacy of its founding editor, Pandit Yugul Kishore Shukla.

Udant Martand (“The Rising Sun”) is regarded as the foundation of Hindi journalism. First published on May 30, 1826, from Calcutta (now Kolkata), the newspaper represented a historic milestone in the Indian media landscape and laid the groundwork for the development of Hindi-language journalism.

The weekly newspaper was founded by Pandit Yugul Kishore Shukla, originally from Kanpur and a lawyer by profession. At a time when English and Bengali media were rapidly expanding, Shukla felt that Hindi-speaking communities lacked a dedicated voice, prompting him to launch the publication from Calcutta.

The title Udant Martand symbolically meant “The Sun of News,” with “Udant” meaning news or report and “Martand” meaning sun.

Published every Tuesday, the newspaper managed to release only 79 editions. Its first issue appeared on May 30, 1826, while the final edition was published on December 4, 1827.

In the last edition, Pandit Yugul Kishore Shukla expressed his sorrow through a famous emotional verse: “Udant Martand Hoye Ast Ab,” meaning “The Sun of News is now setting.” He blamed public and governmental indifference for forcing the newspaper to shut down prematurely.

Dr. Sudhanshu said the story of Udant Martand serves as a reminder of the resilience required in journalism. He added that the event aims to revive and honor the legacy of the pioneering publication.

“As we work with the SAARC Journalist Forum to strengthen regional cooperation, Pandit Yugul Kishore Shukla’s vision of uniting diverse communities through the power of the printed word continues to inspire us despite the economic and political challenges he faced,” he said.

MD Abdur Rahman, General Secretary of the SAARC Journalist Forum, said journalists affiliated with the forum from SAARC member countries are expected to participate in the event.

He also announced that applications have been opened for the “Pandit Yugul Kishore Shukla Honor 2026,” established by the SAARC Journalist Forum India Chapter to recognize outstanding journalists from the SAARC region.