Navjivan to publish a first-of-its-kind comics formed life story of Gandhiji

Ahmedabad

Navjivan Trust, the Ahmedabad based publishing house founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1929, which has to its credit publications of more than 800 titles in English, Gujarati, Hindi and other languages so far, is going to take out the complete life story of Bapu in comics book or graphic form, a first of its kind in Gujarati language.

The Trust, which would release 10 more editions including a corporate and four e-book editions of Hind Swaraj the only book in Gandhiji’s own handwritting, tomorrow, is also working on a kindle like tablet with 200 books on the great leader pre-loaded in it.

The Amar Chitra Katha like Bapu’s life story would be an 11 inch X 11 inch sized book of 150 pages initially in three languages Gujarati, Hindi and English.

Mr. Apurva Ashar, Consultant , Digital and Print Publishing, of the trust said that the comics like book would on some pages also have excerpts of Gandhiji’s own words.
‘The Gujarati version is almost ready and the Hindi and English ones are being worked upon. The book will have on an average nine graphical picture frames per page. It would cover the complete life story of the great leader. It would be first such book in Gujarati,’ Mr. Ashar said.

Managing Trustee of the historic publishing house, Mr. Vivek Desai said that with changing times readers are also moving to other platforms. ‘We have already forayed in to e-books and in last two years have sold 10500 copies. So far 170 books have been put in e-book format. We are working on preparing a kindle like tablet. We would also take out a comics book with complete life story of Bapu on his next birth anniversary ie October 2 to make the children aware of his achievements and contribution to the nation in a simple way.

Talking about the release of 10 more editions of Hind Swaraj, Mr. Desai said that the book was written by Gandhiji during his travel to London in 1909. He penned his thoughts in his handwriting,in his mother tongue Gujarati.It was later known as Hind Swaraj.Gandhiji himself translated this book in English.It is the only book in Gandhi literature completely penned by Mahatma Gandhi.

– DeshGujarat