End of an Era: Nagaland Page Bids Farewell After 25 Years

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Posted in Featured, Nagaland, Northeast
NET Web Desk

Guwahati, January 08: Nagaland’s second English daily, Nagaland Page, has officially ceased publication after a 25-year run. Founder and editor Monalisa Changkija announced the decision at a press conference in Dimapur on January 7. The paper, which first hit the stands in May 1999, printed its final edition on December 21, 2024.

Citing financial and personal challenges, Changkija said the decision to shut down the tabloid-sized, black-and-white newspaper was inevitable. “The reasons are financial and personal… Nagaland Page was never on a strong financial footing right from the beginning, but somehow we managed for over twenty-five years mostly on love and fresh air,” she stated, adding, “Love and fresh air alone, however, is not enough.”

Changkija described the closure as “a tough call” but emphasized that it was a necessary one. Acknowledging her nearly four decades in journalism, she felt it was important to make the closure public. “I wouldn’t like anyone to think that I have slunk off like a coward. Mine is not the first paper to fold, nor will it be the last,” she remarked.

The veteran journalist expressed gratitude to her team, the “Page Family,” and to everyone who supported the paper over the years. “I cannot ever adequately thank my team, who stuck with me and borne with me through thick and thin from day one,” she said. While some individuals have expressed interest in taking over the brand, Changkija revealed that discussions have not progressed. She ruled out the possibility of launching an online edition, adding, “Sustaining brands need financial support.”

Changkija also cited her health as a factor in the decision, stating that it was time to focus on personal well-being.

Despite Nagaland Page folding, Changkija assured that her journey as a journalist is far from over. Known for her incisive commentaries and hard-hitting journalism, she plans to continue writing and pursuing her creative passions as a poet. “I was a journalist, I became a newspaper owner, and now I’m going back to being a journalist again,” she said, adding with a smile, “In the process, I will probably make some people unhappy.”

Changkija concluded by expressing confidence in the growth of media in Nagaland, stating that the closure of Nagaland Page marks the end of an era, but new and better institutions will emerge in its place.

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