Good-bye to all that

There comes a moment in the life of a paper, as in the life of many an individual, when the sense of purpose is in danger of being lost by the constraints of circumstances. Such a moment has come today for Mainstream, after more than fourteen years of toil and tribulations, of successes as well as setbacks.

Throughout these fourteen years, there has never been any questioning of the cherished values, the ideals and principles, born out of the struggle of this nation for freedom, democracy and a new social order. To strive for such an objective, the unity of forward-looking forces has been and shall be the essential pre-requisite. As it has grown over the years, Mainstream has, in its modest way, endeavoured to bring about such a unity without fear or favour. It has faced many an ordeal and it can humbly claim that it has never deviated from the path of fearless and independent journalism.

Times have changed, and with them, the values. The political process, its semantics and its very style and purpose, pose questions which Time alone can answer. And to face such an extraordinary situation requires courage—courage not of the foolhardy but of the patient and the silently alert. Battles may be lost but wars are won by firm adherence to clear perspective. In this week of the birth of Christ, it is well to remember his words:

Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be that go in thereat.

Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it.

If the changed landscape of today nips the prospect for Mainstream to continue, there is no regret on the part of those who have served it as also of those who have helped it. The labour itself has had its own reward. To those who have stood by us through many a storm, we acknowledge their support and affection with unreserved gratitude. Today Mainstream closes its present chapter with the proud satisfaction of having tried to serve the right cause in the right spirit and with no dearth of dedication.

There is no room for depression. As winter has come, spring cannot be far behind. And with the first sproutings of spring shall Mainstream reappear.
We shall overcome.

December 21 Nikhil Chakravartty

(Editor’s Notebook in issue of December 25, 1976)