From the publisher

 

On September the first 1959 Raj and Romesh Thapar celebrated the launch of their ‘third child’, SEMINAR. The journal was conceived of as a space for free debate and discussion that embraced diverse and conflicting views in an attempt to create a dialogue that would work towards a consensus of both thought and action. India was at the time a fledgling nation state grappling with the processes that made for a secure and robust democratic framework for governance and for the socio-economic-political and cultural development, growth and transformation that would energise change, fresh ideas and daring interventions. It was a heady moment in the history of independent India. Thinkers, philosophers, scientists, historians, academics, institution builders, writers, artists, filmmakers, theatre persons, as also, artisans in whose personas were embedded some of the finest of human skills, had all come together to design an architecture from within which this extraordinary, albeit fragile diversity, would break through the shackles of past colonial repression and exploitation.

That was the mood then. SEMINAR soon became the anchor for those multiple and free ranging ideas that were debated and discussed with abandon, but within the constraints of the printed word bound within two covers. Subjects jostled for attention month on month. Over the decades, active minds, men and women young and old, some established and recognised, others unknown, professionals and entrepreneurs, shared their views, engaged with one another and SEMINAR extended the conversations taking them, through its pages, into the larger public domain.

When Raj and Romesh passed away in 1987, Tejbir and I took over the reins and carried the tradition forward without a break. For Tejbir it has always been a labour of love. His unflinching commitment to the idea of SEMINAR and his sound belief that the journal had a pivotal role to play in the fluid, ever-changing landscape of this country, through generations of post-independent India, kept it young and robust, reflecting a new time and age. Our office, like that of Raj and Romesh, was an adda for people to congregate, exchange ideas, argue and debate, devise interesting thematics for the magazine, and more. Partnerships and friendships ensued. The unexpected unfolded with regularity. We were never short of ideas for future issues of SEMINAR. We were constantly exploring, excavating and enjoying every moment of the privilege of being an island where conversation was free and where positions taken were respected. There was a generosity of spirit.

Today, having done 64 years of SEMINAR as a monthly publication, Tejbir and I have taken a tough decision to restructure and reboot the idea of SEMINAR for yet another moment in time. Therefore, this is not an endgame. We want to pause a while; design and share a valuable archive of the ‘mind’ of India as it evolved over sixty four years; and every four months, publish an issue of SEMINAR in January, May, September. I have no doubt other similar interventions will happen over time. We shall stay connected through our website (www.india-seminar.com).

I want to thank you all for having been an intrinsic part of this rare and special journey where we, together, explored the world of ideas through an orchestra of different divergent voices, that all stemmed from the same basic and fundamental note – truth and the freedom of expression.

 

 

Malvika Singh

Publisher, ‘Seminar’