Rahul wants Mahatma's journal

The Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi has decided to acquire

the copyright of "Young India" from National Archives of South Africa. The journal was launched by Mahatma Gandhi during his initial years in South Africa as a mass leader.

For the purpose, the young Gandhi has roped in the Union minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor as the pointsman to liaison with the South African government to acquire the rights of the "Young India". The National Archives of the South African government currently owns the copyright of "Young India".

Sources in the party circle revealed that the Congress general secretary has entrusted the task to acquire the rights of "Young India" to Mr Tharoor, who is expected to initiate negotiations with the South African government soon.

Mr Gandhi intends to relaunch "Young India" as a magazine in India after acquiring the rights, sources added.

Meanwhile, when contacted by this newspaper Rahul Gandhi's office declined to either confirm or deny the young leader's desire to acquire the rights of Young India.

The move comes after Mr Gandhi scrapped the proposed magazine of the Youth Congress, which was named "Youth March". Mr Gandhi had reportedly found the dry run of the magazine dissatisfactory and had told its editorial board that he would revisit the proposal on a later date.

To work on the project to publish a magazine for Youth Congress under the banner of  Young India, the Congress general secretary has constituted a task force, which has been asked to study the journal launched by Mahatma Gandhi and decide on the possible contents, sources said, adding that the proposed magazine will not carry any advertisements.

The plan is to sell the copies only through subscription. Sources also revealed that Mr Gandhi has shared his vision for the new magazine with his team, which includes an objective coverage of social issues. "The proposed magazine will also cover politics but emphasis will be on social issues," sources said, adding that the

professionals from the media industry will also be taken on board.

(The Asian Age. October. 2)

Correction: Mahatma Gandhi had taken over as the editor of "Young India" after the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre. He had not launched Young India. Error is regretted.