Bhubaneswar: This ephemerist has a collection of 25 lakh newspapers, watch
Bhubaneswar: Though it seems unbelievable, it is true. There is a newspaper collection hobbyist in the capital city of Odisha, who has a huge collection of 25 lakh newspapers at his home.
Meet Jaladhar Paikray from Ranga Bazar area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. The ephemerist has the hobby of newspaper collection that began in 2002. Back then, once he searched to know about a certain incident, but could not get any newspaper article on that happening. This incident inspired him with the idea that he would collect newspapers so that if anybody searches for any news in the later days, he can get it.
Mr Paikray is a soft spoken simple gentleman. He is always ready to help someone in distress. According to him happenings in the society are reported in the newspaper. And hence he has collected a huge number of newspapers.
He is inspired by former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. He has kept a photo of the former CM at his home and regularly lights incense stick in front of the photograph. He also is a social worker. He uses to help out madmen walking on the road.
Recently, Kalinga TV Digital met him when he informed that he has a collection of about 25 lakh newspapers. It sounded incredible, and we asked to witness it. Then he took us to his house.
At his house we were astonished to see the interior of the house. Newspapers were piled up everywhere including the cupboard, drawer and shoe stand. He spread the newspapers on the sofa and started to see what happened on which day.
At first, seeing this, we felt curious as well as strange. We asked him why he has kept all these newspapers at home. He nicely replied that everyone forgets incidents. Nobody recalls TV telecast. Even after reading newspaper, people forget the incident on the following day. But his effort will keep the happenings ready to be read.
In 2002 an important happening disappeared after a few days. He then tried to retrieve it, but in vain. And from that day he decided to collect newspapers everyday which turned out to be his hobby.
His job is to identify the incidents that happened at different times and keep them in the file. By doing this, he has kept millions of papers at home.
Watch the video here:
