Shillong, Aug 31: Manas Chaudhuri, the proprietor of Salantini Janera, a Garo daily newspaper, has been a pivotal figure in the region’s media landscape for over 25 years.
Manas Chaudhuri, a recipient of Padmashri award and also the owner of The Shillong Times with a deep-rooted passion for journalism and a commitment to serving his community, Chaudhuri’s journey into media was fueled by a desire to provide Garo Hills with a reliable source of information and a platform for local voices. For him, print media is not just a business—it’s a tool for social change and empowerment.
Chaudhuri’s perspective on the future of print media is shaped by his extensive experience in both regional and national journalism. He acknowledges the challenges posed by digital media but believes that print will always have a place, especially in regions like Garo Hills, where people still appreciate the leisurely, in-depth experience of reading. Unlike the rapid-fire updates of social media, print allows for more nuanced, reflective journalism—a quality that Chaudhuri believes will never go out of style.
Having started Salantini Janera cautiously, beginning as a weekly and gradually transitioning to a daily publication, Chaudhuri has overseen the newspaper’s growth, despite numerous obstacles. Initially, the paper was in black and white, and it only introduced color pages later on. This slow and steady approach reflects Chaudhuri’s methodical vision—one that values quality over speed and looks toward a sustainable future for regional journalism.
For Chaudhuri, the evolution of Salantini Janera is about more than just technical upgrades. He is determined to raise the standard of the newspaper by ensuring that every page is visually engaging and reflects the quality of reporting that readers expect in today’s media landscape. As he puts it, “Today’s readers demand more—color pages, visual appeal, and content that speaks to them in new, creative ways.” The print media, according to Chaudhuri, cannot afford to simply replicate what is already available on social media. It must find new angles and explore stories more deeply, offering insights that digital platforms might miss.
Despite the inherent challenges of running a print publication in an increasingly digital world, Chaudhuri remains confident in the future of print. “Print media will never die,” he asserts. “It offers something that electronic media cannot—a record of information that readers can revisit and reflect upon at their leisure.” For Chaudhuri, this aspect of print is crucial, particularly in the Garo Hills, where the community values its local publications.
However, Chaudhuri also acknowledges that the region’s population and the limited commercial advertising opportunities make it difficult to sustain a large-scale media operation. The state’s population of 35 lakh is small compared to other parts of the country, and while the readership base is dedicated, it remains somewhat limited. This means that media houses like Salantini Janera face constant financial pressure, with minimal support from government bodies and few prospects for commercial revenue.
One of the biggest challenges for Chaudhuri is the lack of local talent. Despite his efforts to encourage young people to enter the field of journalism, many are more inclined to pursue other careers or competitive exams. “The demand for journalism is simply not there,” he says, pointing out the passive attitude of the community, where people often outsource their concerns rather than actively fight for their rights. “The youth are not as assertive as they should be. There’s a difference in mindset. In other parts of India, people stand up for their rights vocally; here, they call their local MLA or politician and ask for help. They don’t demand it collectively.”
In an effort to counter this, Chaudhuri has taken a proactive role in encouraging local youth to pursue careers in journalism. He believes that fostering a culture of independent thinking and public service is vital for the community’s growth. “Journalism isn’t just a job,” he emphasizes. “It’s a vocation. You must be passionate about the people you serve.” This passion, Chaudhuri argues, is what sets good journalists apart from the rest.
Education is another area where Chaudhuri sees room for improvement. Despite the presence of several journalism schools, he’s disappointed with the quality of training offered in the region. Many students graduate with degrees but lack basic skills—such as writing, critical thinking, and understanding what constitutes news. He firmly believes that journalism schools should focus on making students employable, rather than just awarding them degrees. “If you want to be a journalist, you need to learn the craft,” he states. “You can’t teach journalism through theory alone. You need real-world experience.”
In addition to his commitment to improving local journalism, Chaudhuri is passionate about promoting the Garo language. He believes that in today’s world, while learning English is important, there’s immense value in also mastering Garo—especially for those who want to work in the state. This dual language approach, he argues, will create more job opportunities for young people in Garo Hills. “If we train people in the Garo language, it will open up job opportunities within Meghalaya. We need skilled people who can report, write, and edit in Garo.”
To help improve the quality of journalism in the region, Chaudhuri is working on plans to send young aspiring journalists for training programs outside the state. These courses would focus on improving their writing, editing, and reporting skills, and the government would sponsor their education. “By investing in their training, we can ensure that the next generation of journalists is well-equipped to meet the demands of modern media,” Chaudhuri says. “The key is to make them employable and to ensure they know what quality journalism is.”
Despite these hurdles, Chaudhuri remains optimistic about the future of Garo Hills’ media landscape. He envisions a stronger, more vibrant local media that not only reports on events but also engages with the community, telling the stories that matter most. “We need to move beyond just reporting the basics. We need to create journalism that resonates with people—stories that are personal, that are meaningful.”
When asked about the future of Salantini Janera, Chaudhuri shares his plans to make it a more engaging, reader-centric publication. One of his goals is to make all pages of the paper color, a significant technical upgrade that will not only enhance its visual appeal but also cater to the tastes of modern readers. Additionally, he is committed to helping local languages thrive, especially Garo, through a series of initiatives aimed at improving literacy and language skills among the youth.
“Through all of this, we want to create a generation of Garo-speaking journalists who are not only skilled but also passionate about their craft,” Chaudhuri explains. “Journalism is about serving the people, and we need to cultivate that spirit in our young journalists.”
For Chaudhuri, the essence of journalism is clear: it’s about the people. His advice for aspiring journalists is simple: “You must love the people. Journalism is not just a career; it’s a commitment to telling the truth and serving the community.”
Ultimately, Chaudhuri sees the future of Garo Hills’ media as one where print media and digital platforms coexist, where the community is actively engaged, and where local voices have the opportunity to shape their own stories. His vision for Salantini Janera and the local journalism scene reflects his deep belief in the power of the press to empower individuals and inspire change.
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