The Magazine Department of the Sant Nirankari Mandal held its first all-India seminar on ‘Ek Nazar’ on Saturday, June 4, 2011.  More than 100 delegates from across the country participated.

‘Ek Nazar’ is a fortnightly news-magazine published at present in Hindi and Punjabi from Delhi and in Marathi from Mumbai.  Their combined circulation today is 33,000 copies per issue.

Inaugurating the one-day seminar, the President of the Sant Nirankari Mandal, Rev J.R.D. Satyarthi said that every effort may be made to make ‘Ek Nazar’ the voice of every household of the Nirankari world.  The newspaper must reach every home so that the message of spiritual awakening goes to masses authentically and effectively.

Rev Satyarthi Ji said that ‘Ek Nazar’ had a modest start in 1972 with the initiative of Dr. O.P. Tandon followed by Sabir Jalandhari, Natha Singh ‘Sewak’ and then Vasudev Rai.  No doubt the newspaper had to pass through difficult times, but today it has already become a powerful house journal of the Sant Nirankari Mission.  It highlights the holy discourses by Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj at various Samagams and other congregations in India and abroad and also covers the other activities of the Mission in detail.  Its layout and the quality of printing have improved a lot.  Even then there is ample scope for improvement so far as the contents are concerned.  Rev Satyarthi Ji said that the present team of editors ably led by Rev C.L. Gulati, Member Incharge, Magazine Department is already moving in this direction and this seminar also is a step towards the same.

Rev C.L. Gulati said that ‘Ek Nazar’ is making its own contribution towards taking the Mission’s message forward. Its circulation, however, needs to be increased considerably.  He pointed out that the department may carry out a survey and step up its effort in the areas deserving attention.  He appealed to all concerned to cooperate in this direction.

Speaking on the occasion, the former Chief Editor of ‘Ek Nazar’ Rev Vasudev Rai shared his own experience with the delegates and explained the way this news-magazine moved forward gradually but steadily.  He expressed his happiness over its progress in the recent years and said that he would like to see it soaring still higher. Earlier, he was honored for his unforgettable services, with Dupatta, a memento and a memorandum on behalf of the Magazine Department.

Addressing the delegates, Dr. Vijay Sharma, Editor ‘Ek Nazar’ (Hindi) expressed his concern about the circulation of the newspaper and appealed to all concerned to cooperate in taking it further as widely as possible.  He also felt that there is ample scope for improvement in the matter of reporting.  He suggested that our emphasis should be on the Mission’s message rather than the names of individuals.

Rev Sulekh ‘Saathi’, Editor ‘Ek Nazar’ (Punjabi) also expressed his concern about the comparatively low circulation of the magazine, even though it has lot of scope not only in Punjab but other areas also.  He, however, said that efforts are already being made to improve its quality.  He also called upon all concerned to extend their cooperation.

Rev. Radhey Shyam, former Director, Printing Division, Lok Sabha elaborated the latest printing technology.  He also said that the Mission’s message should reach every home, for which everyone will have to cooperate.  Printer of the magazine Rev Vimlesh Ahuja acknowledged that there is scope for improvement in the quality but circulation increase must be our priority No 1.  This may reduce the cost also.

Speaking about the magazine’s approach towards advertisements, Rev Shyam Sunder said that the policy needs to be clarified.  Rev Narpal Singh an Executive from Indian Oil Company suggested that pages may be increased to accommodate more ads.  He was supported by Rev Kikander Singh, General Manager, Mandi Board Punjab.

Rev Chandrakant Jadhav, Executive Editor of ‘Ek Nazar’ (Marathi) said that necessary guidelines on ads may be issued from the Centre to all the states so that every one cooperates in this important aspect.

On this, Rev. C.L. Gulati informed the delegates that advertisement rates for all editions have almost been finalized and will be circulated shortly.  The some will be published also.  He also informed the participants that the Department is launching a country-wide scheme to promote the magazine’s popularity, its ads and marketing.  The Associate Editor of ‘Ek Nazar’ (Hindi), Rev Sriram Prajapati gave the details and stated that the country has been divided into seven zones for this purpose.

The seminar had a question-answer session also in which the delegates took keen interest. A special documentary on the journey of ‘Ek Nazar’ was also displayed.

Those who attended the inaugural session of the seminar included Rev V.D. Nagpal, General Secretary, Sant Nirankari Mandal, Rev Harbans Lal Arora, Member Incharge Sewa Dal and Foreign Department, Rev S.L. Khurana, Member Incharge Accounts and Rev Kirpa Sagar, Member Incharge Press and Publicity, Publications and Computer and Internet and the staff of the Patrika Vibhag.

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