India’s leading bi-monthly pharma journal - ‘The Pharma Review’ published by Kongposh Publications is of great historical significance
The Kashmiri Pandits who have now excelled in various fields were the first to take to journalism. Their contribution in the field of journalism within Jammu and Kashmir and outside has been very valuable.
Late Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz
One such Kashmiri Pandit, Prem Nath Bazaz, a renowned scholar, author, political leader, a veteran freedom fighter, President of the minority Kashmiri Pandits Yuvak Sabha, and later, the founder president of Jammu Kashmir Democratic Forum, introduced journalism in Kashmir by initiating the first newspaper of Kashmir ‘The Vitasta’ in 1932.
Along with Late Sheikh Abdullah, another popular political leader and former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Bazaz launched the Urdu daily ‘Hamdard’ which became a milestone in the history of journalism in Kashmir.
However, due to difference of opinion between the two leaders, they parted ways. In the subsequent years, during the political turmoil in Kashmir, Bazaz was sentenced to jail and was later debarred from entering the state.
Prem Nath Bazaz was the only journalist of his time, who also penned several books in English on Kashmir which continue to serve as reference material for research scholars even today.
After shifting his base to Delhi, he started ‘The Eastern Pharmacist’ when there was hardly any journal pertaining to the pharmaceutical trade. Over a period of time, with able support from his sons, Sh. Mohan C Bazaz, Triloki N. Bazaz, Bhushan Bazaz & Late Kishore Bazaz, ‘The Eastern Pharmacist ‘emerged as the most popular and sought after pharma journal in the country. Shri Prem Nath Bazaz passed away in 1984.
Owing to certain unavoidable circumstances, the publication closed down in 2001 while it was still hugely popular.
However, in the same year, one of his grandsons, Kongposh Bazaz along with his childhood friend Faroukh Debu, a publishing professional, continued senior Bazaz’s legacy by launching ‘The Pharma Review’ under the banner of Kongposh Publications.
Today ‘The Pharma Review’ and ‘The Indian Pharma Reference Guide’, an annual pharma directory are reputed publications pertaining to the pharmaceutical sector. The Pharma Review is ABSTRACTED & INDEXED in International Pharmaceutical Abstracts USA, Chemical Abstracts USA, Index Copernicus Poland and is listed in Ulrich Database USA for ‘Qualify of Content.’ The journal also provides media support to leading Pharma Exhibitions & Conferences worldwide.
LSW LifeScienceWorld spoke to the down-to-earth Kongposh Bazaz, the Editor-in-Chief of ‘The Pharma Review’ about his lineage, what inspired him to initiate his publication, his future plans and lots more. Here are a few excerpts from the interview:.
Kongposh Bazaz, Editor- in- Chief, The Pharma Review
How does it feel to be the grandson of Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz.
It is a privilege and honor to be Pt P N Bazaz's grandson. He was not only a renowned scholar, author, veteran freedom fighter but also a loving grandfather. The story of his struggle has been an inspiration for me. Books written by him even today are used as reference material by research scholars worldwide when ever they are writing about Kashmir. It is with great pride that I take his legacy forward..
You have succeeded in maintaining the periodicity of The Pharma Review. To have over 150 committed advertisers in this age of digital media is a miracle of sorts. What is the secret behind it?
A strong advertising base and excellent editorial content are the platform and lifeline of any publication. It has been our endeavor from day one to give the maximum possible mileage to our advertisers. Personalized interaction and constructive suggestions have always been incorporated. We have been lucky to have the support of the senior most personalities of the pharma academia, thereby ensuring quality of content.
The Pharma Review is one of the very few specialized Indian publications to have been associated with a number of international Pharma exhibition & conferences regularly. This must have created sizeable awareness about your publication.
We are the 1st pharma publication to venture into associations with international pharma expos and conferences almost 10 years ago. By distributing the journal at various venues in different countries we promoted the Indian Pharma Industry overseas. This created a niche area for The Pharma Review giving international exposure to our journal and in turn to our advertisers. Participating in over 15 National and International Exhibitions and Conferences each year has widened our reading base across countries and has created new international markets or our advertisers.
What is the response of your international readers about India's Pharma industry?
The Indian Pharma industry along with IT has been one of the major successes of post reform India. The Indian Pharma industry is the 3rd largest in terms of volume and 14th in terms of value. Rightly christened " the world's pharmacy'" India is one of the largest suppliers of generic drugs in the world. Multinational companies, research institutes and clinical trial organizations see huge potential for both investment and trade and are very bullish on the Pharma industry in India.
What inspired you to come up with The Pharma Reference Guide - IPRG on CD ROM?
In today's world, the voluminous IPRG (GUIDE) translates into major expenditure in terms of paper, printing and cost of postage and handling. Bringing out the guide on a CD ROM was the need of the hour. The historic background of the guide requires it to be in the market and the new platform was a must.
You are also into publishing books penned by scientists and researchers from the field of Pharma and medical research. What made you take up this venture? What are its prospects? What are your future plans?
Publishing books by eminent scientists and researchers was a natural progression. Publishing of technical books is a multimillion rupee industry and we saw it as vertical of great potential for growth. Interesting it also increases our interaction with such eminent authors which in turn benefits the journal. In the last couple of years India's growth story has taken a hit and organizations are venturing into different and off beat verticals from their main line of work. We however hope to make further inroads into publishing in the near future.
Sankar Iyer, LSW Lifescienceworld
www.lswlifescienceworld.com