Nepal Bhasa Patrika (Nepal Bhasa: 𑐣𑐾𑐥𑐵𑐮 𑐨𑐵𑐲𑐵 𑐥𑐟𑑂𑐬𑐶𑐎𑐵, नेपाल भाषा पत्रिका) was the first daily newspaper in the Newar language. It launched on 28 September 1955 from Kathmandu, Nepal.Maharjan, Harsha Man (2014). Linguistic and Cultural Activism of Inap: A Search for Cultural and Linguistic Recognition. In Citizen, Society & State: Crafting an Inclusive Future for Nepal. Deepak Dorje Tamang and Mahesh Raj Maharjan, eds. pp. 49-70. Kathmandu: Mandala Book Point. The first editor and publisher was Phatte Bahadur Singh.Press Foundation of Asia (1978). Asian Press & Media Directory. Press Foundation of Asia. Page 252. Nepal Bhasa Patrika (meaning "Nepal Language Periodical") ceased publication in 1983.
Singh (1902-1983) was a Nepal Bhasa writer and suffered persecution for his literary activities. In 1939, he edited and published an anthology of poems by various poets entitled Nepali Bihar. For this act, the Nepalese government sentenced him to life in prison.Shrestha, Siddhicharan (1992). Siddhicharanya Nibandha ("Siddhicharan's Essays"). Kathmandu: Phalcha Pithana. Page 73. He was in jail from 1941 to 1945, and was released with the other people arrested with him.Tuladhar, Prem Shanti (2000). Nepal Bhasa Sahityaya Itihas: The History of Nepalbhasa Literature. Kathmandu: Nepal Bhasa Academy. . Page 105. Nepal Bhasa poets Chittadhar Hridaya and Siddhicharan Shrestha were also in prison with Singh for a similar offence.Lienhard, Siegfried (1992). Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of Nevar Folksongs and Hymns. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. . Page 4.
Nepal Bhasa Patrika was an effort to develop Nepal Bhasa that was emerging from a century of official persecution. Page 10. Language activists wanted a publication offering news to diversify from literary publications. The overthrow of the Rana dynasty and establishment of democracy in 1951Brown, T. Louise (1996). The Challenge to Democracy in Nepal: A Political History. Routledge. , . Page 21. gave freedom to publish material in Nepal Bhasa. The open environment led to publication of newspapers and magazines. The first magazines in Nepal Bhasa were published from India because the government banned their publication in Nepal.Lienhard, Siegfried (1992). Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of Nevar Folksongs and Hymns. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. . Page 4.
Nepal Bhasa Patrika was among the few newspapers in the early days of journalism in Nepal and in the area in general.Angel, Juvenal Londoño (ed.) (1967). The Handbook of International Business and Investment Facts and Information Sources. World Trade Academy Press. Page 282. It championed language rights and also reflected the interests of Nepalese business.Rose, Leo E. (1971). Nepal: Strategy for Survival. University of California Press. , . Page 211.
In 1962, Singh was elected president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists.
References
See also Buddha Dharma wa Nepal Bhasa (magazine) Dharmodaya Nepal Bhasa journalism Nepal Bhasa renaissance Sudarshan Mahasthavir