'સફારી'ની સફરના seven wonders!

ઓગસ્ટ ૧, ૨૦૧૧ના રોજ 'સફારી'ના ૩૧મા જન્મદિન નિમિત્તે ફેસબુકના www.facebook.com/safari.india પેજ પર 'સફારી'ના પ્રકાશનને કેટલીક જૂની યાદો તાજા કરી હતી. ત્રીસ વર્ષના સમયગાળામાં 'સફારી'ને થયેલા સારા/નરસા અનુભવોના પ્રસંગો તો જાણે અનેક છે, પરંતુ તે પૈકી સાતેક પ્રસંગો ફેસબુક પર વાચકો માટે Flashback ના શીર્ષક હેઠળ પોસ્ટરૂપે મૂક્યા હતા. આ બ્લોગના અમુક વાચકો તે પ્રસંગો વાંચવાનું કદાચ ચૂકી ગયા હોય તેવા અનુમાન સાથે અહીં તેમને રજૂ કર્યા છે. સમયની તાણ હોવાને લીધે ગુજરાતીમાં તેમને ફરી લખવાનો અવસર મળી શક્યો નથી, માટે copy & paste નો શોર્ટ-કટ અપનાવ્યો છે.

FLASHBACK-1

'What kind of magazine is this? A knowledge magazine; in India? Believe me, this magazine has no future! Publishing the 2nd issue of this magazine would be a suicide.'

Some experienced magazine agents of Gujarat gave this piece of advice, to the editor of 'Safari' when he 'dared' to publish the first issue on August 1, 1980.

Moral: Some advices better not entertained

FLASHBACK-2

Since its 'birth' in August 1980, many changes have been made in 'Safari' during 3 decades. The only prominent thing that did not change is its logo, which has become 'Safari's brand identity.

The unique logo of 'Safari' was designed, in 1979, by an artist named Raman Panchal. He charged Rs.200/- for the design--this amount was considered quite hefty in those days.

'Safari' thanks Mr. Panchal on this day for giving us 'non-aging' logo.

FLASHBACK-3

'Safari' was perhaps the first magazine in Gujarat to switch over from manual hand compose process to computer typesetting in 1989. In those days, Apple Company's Macintosh SE computers were available. Preparing each page on this computer would cost around 100 rupees.

'Safari's issue no.9 was the first issue which was completely prepared with the help of computer. 'Safari' was ahead of time.

FLASHBACK-4

બાઉન્ડ ફાઇલમાંથી સ્કેનિંગ કર્યું હોવાથી છેક ડાબી તરફના મેટર સુધી સ્કેનરની દ્રષ્ટિ પહોંચી શકી નથી.

In August 1994, issue number 34, 'Safari' carried an article on Gateway of India. The article was ready, but the photo of Gateway of India was not available in 'Safari's library. The search for the photograph lasted for weeks--and the issue came to standstill. Finally, one picture of Gateway of India was obtained, but that was not a photo--it was a drawing.

How difficult it was in those days to get desired information. Today, if one types Gateway of India in Google, he gets millions of web pages.

FLASHBACK-5

When an earthquake struck Gujarat on January 26, 2001; the whole issue of 'Safari' was complete and was in print. To cover the article on science of earthquake in the same issue (No. 89), the editor of 'Safari' cancelled the printed pages and cover page. New article and new cover page was prepared, and finally the issue with new cover page went to newsstands on 1st of February.

Team 'Safari' worked for continuous 39 hours for these preparations. As it was risky to sit and work in 'Safari's office situated in a high-rise building which was damaged in earthquake, the work commenced at the editor's residence.

A good example of team 'Safari's dedication to work!

FLASHBACK-6

‘I am really happy to see that there is a science magazine in Gujarat, but I am more surprised to learn that it survives!’

These words were uttered by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam when a copy of ‘Safari’ magazine was put in his hand by Harshal Pushkarna.

FLASHBACK-7

‘Safari’ set a unique record of sales on the newsstand in July, 1995, when issue no.41 was published. The issue carried the first part of the series of articles on introduction to computers. As soon as the issue hit the newsstands, it was completely sold out within 8 hours. Issue no.41 was re-printed, not once but 4 times!

In those days, computer was an object about which most people had only heard of.

A question frequently asked by the readers of ‘Safari’: Where does ‘Safari’ (the content) really come from?

‘Safari’s answer: Out of thin air! ‘Safari’ is not a magazine, at Harshal Publications, we call it an IDEA!