Centenary of “Doot” (Gujarati Monthly Magazine)

In the history of Gujarat periodicals and literature “DOOT” has the unique distinction of being the second Gujarati magazine completing a centenary of uninterrupted publication, besides Gujarat Vidyasabha’s 155 year old magazine “Buddhiprakash”.

Published from Gujarat since January 1911, “DOOT” was started by a German Jesuit mission superior, Fr.Herman Zurhansen, S.J., in Gujarati with only 12 pages with the name “ATI PAVITRA ANTAKARANNO DOOT”, later shortened to ‘Doot’ in 2000. The first issue of the magazine was printed at the Examiner Press, Mumbai.

“Doot” reflected the life and culture of the Christian community of Gujarat and its integration, growth and development over the years. The significant contribution of the magazine is that it has brought many words spoken in Central Gujarat to the main stream and these have found their way into the Gujarati dictionary. The Editors of the magazine have thus been in the forefront in enriching the Gujarati language by introducing new words.

In earlier times “Doot” catered mainly to Central Gujarat and to those who have migrated from Anand and Kheda District to other parts of Gujarat and to Mumbai. Over the years other parts of Gujarat were also covered like Saurashtra, Kutch-Bhuj and the tribal belts of Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Panchmahals, Dahod, Narmada and Dangs. Today “Doot” is poised to reach 10,000 paid subscribers.

India Post commemorates the completion of 100 year of “Doot” Magazine with issue of a postage stamp.