Photo: John Lang (Courtesy: Mulini Press)
Raju Gusain
Mussoorie, January 10
'Go boldly forth Mofussilite
My glory and my great delight.'
The inaugural issue of the Mofussilite newspaper began with this verse by the editor and publisher John Lang. Local people believe that John Lang also published his newspaper here. But, a new biography on Australia's first novelist John Lang that was released recently in Australia has unpleasant news for people of Mussoorie. 'John Lang: Australia's larrikin writer by Victor Crittenden clearly states that Mofussilite was never published from Mussoorie.
The biography published by The Mulini Press (Canberra) is an extensively researched work by Victor Crittenden. It claims that Mofussilite made a humble beginning on 2 August 1845 in Calcutta. In 1846 Lang decided to publish it from Ambala and later it was shifted to Meerut and Agra. On 1 March 1859 Mofussilite again moved from Agra to Meerut. 'John Lang: Australia's larrikin writer has extensively quoted from the Mofussilite. Incidentally, John Lang is buried at the Camel's Back graveyard in the hill station.
Lang was involved in creative work here during his stay. But he never established his press here. On this the biography writes, "Here (Mussoorie), looked after by his Indian servants, he (Lang) could settle down and write. He could send down copy for newspaper to be printed in Meerut and occasionally make a short visit to check things, essentially leaving the business to his printer Mr Gibbons who continued to act as an assistant editor."
On moving the newspaper from Calcutta to Ambala the book hints one possible reasons, "The Mofussilite means 'up country man' and it possibly indicates that he intended to move the newspaper eventually 'up country' to the less enervating climate of upper central India.' John Lang found taking out a newspaper in India not an easy job. Commenting on this he wrote in article published in 'Household Words' (UK) that it was easier to do so in England. All one had to do there was to sign a contract with a printer, advertise in newspapers and journals, employ staff who were readily available, and go to work. It was different if you wished to establish a newspaper outside the main cities in India.
Garhwal Post
January12-18, 2006
Dehradun
Uttaranchal (INDIA)
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