Cancer-stricken publisher languishes in Penury

PARADIP: Bijaya Kumar Mohapatra aspired to bring out a children’s magazine in 300 Indian languages. Somewhat successful in his attempt, Mohapatra secured a mention in the Limca Book of Records for bringing out the magazine in 50 languages till 2007. However, the road ahead seems to have blurred, with a cancer stricken Mohapatra languishing in penury in Pakanpur village of Jagatsinghpur district.The adulation from the literary figures around has not fetched this dreamer, who has already sold every resource in disposition to realise the magazine dream, a penny to fund his treatment. Bijaylaxmi, his wife, makes a benign appeal for financial assistance. “The treatment would cost about Rs 1 lakh. There is no other earning member in my family hence no money for his treatment,” says Bijaylaxmi. “My husband needs operation and medicines. If he misses the medicine even for a day the suffering increases,” she adds.Mohapatra has always been a lone crusader, pursuing his dreams with vigour. Financial crunch was no stranger when he started out in 1992, publishing ‘Suna Bhaunei’ in Oriya with a loan from his brother-in-law.  He stands out in publishing the magazine in languages with little prominence - Angika Bajika, Magahai and Ho.Mohapatra has also set up a library-cum-museum in Pakanpur which houses old publications, manuscripts apart from publishing a children’s magazine - The World Children’s Literature - in English, Oriya and Hindi since 2001. And all these happened with no assistance from the government.“Poverty is no bar but this disease is a deterrent,” Mahapatra rues.District Collector Narayan Chandra Jena has promised to lend a helping hand in accumulating funds for Mohapatra’s treatment. Mohapatra and Bijaylaxmi can be contacted over phone at 9438279824. Those interested can also deposit money in The State Bank of India, account number- 30503432890.