In print

Ranu Bisht, a resident of dehradun has been doing her bit to make Garhwali literature available to the masses

Ranu Bisht was just 23 years when she willingly left her medical studies to provide emotional support to her mother after the sudden demise of her father. There were five younger siblings to be taken care of, though not monetarily. But Ranu willingly sacrificed her career for the sake of her family and decided to start from scratch. The year was 1997 when she started Samay Sakshi (Time as Witness), a printing and publishing unit, to give a platform to writers fighting the statehood battle for Uttarakhand. She herself became active participant in the movement and did all she could to give voice to the cause.

Though getting into the publishing business was not easy, she was learning by trial and error. But over the years in spite of several hurdles, she made a success of her venture and today has a staff of about 14 employees.

"It is difficult to earn their salaries every month but at the same time it is really challenging and truly fulfilling at the end of the day. I am glad that I opted for this work.” Ranu began her enterprise with a small loan of Rs.1 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojna. Initially I would go to people to get work, but gradually work began pouring in.” As most of the books that Samay Sakshi takes on for publication are not run of the mill, the distribution, too, has to be via several mediums so that they reach out to greater readership. "Some of our books have done exceptionally well. For instance, both the English and Hindi versions of Surendra Pundir's Gods of Jaunpur and Jaunpur Ke Teej Tyohar have sold well. Sangarsgnama on the Chipko and other movements by Sunil Kainthola is another book that did well. Chitthi Pattri, an annual Garhwali magazine by Duklan, has received rave reviews."

While working, Ranu says, she never felt like a woman working in a man's world. "But yes, I hardly get any governmental work as I can sense that being a woman people find it difficult to ask me for a 'cut'."