Kachin Journal to Hit the Streets June 7, 2005
N’hkum Gam
Five thousands copies of the Kachin language Hparat journal will reach Kachin readers in the middle of June.
Hparat journal director Ah Tang said that the third issue of Hparat journal will be sold mainly to readers of Myitkyina, Bahmo, Kamai, Hpankan, Danai in Kachin State, some towns in Northern Shan State as well as Kachin community in Yangon. The price of the journal is 250 kyat (US $0.25) per copy.
“Now we’ve successfully published five thousands copies of Hparat journal for our beloved readers,” Ah Tang told The Kachin Post. “I hope the readers can heartily enjoy the Hparat especially local and international news and the specified role of culture, intellectual, and socio-economic development.”
The journal is organized by Kachin students who are members of the Kachin Culture and Literature Organization under the University of Yangon. The first issue of the journal was published in December 2003 and second issue followed in February 2005. The second Hparat journal published 3,000 copies with funding from Swissaid.
The main objectives of the journal are to preserve traditional culture and literature, to provide people in remote areas with local and international news, as well as to advance social and technological knowledge. The paper also aims to foster unity and solidarity among ethnic groups and support the development for highly intellectual and developed society.
The second edition of Hparat was delayed for 14 months due to lack of funding. The third issue was successfully published in June 2005 with the support of Swissaid totaling 40,000 kyat (US $40).
“We’ll try to publish one issue per month, however, we have some difficulties in communication and transportation,” Ah Tang said after publishing Hparat’s third issue. “But we have our Kachin readers who would accept Hparat more than we expected.”
Ah Tang believes that the journal will be run out as there are many marketing resources in targeting areas. “I've organized good marketing teams and distributors in every zone,” recalled Ah Tang. He notes that the journal’s success has encouraged him to publish the next issue with his own funds.
