New magazine for school children?

Kloud9, a national magazine for school children, was launched in Bhubaneshwar on May 2, 2012. The first issue of the magazine was released by Padma Vibhushan Mahasveta Devi, noted author and social activist; Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Hon’ble Member, Planning Commission of India and National Advisory Council, Dr. Sunil Gangopadhyay, President, Kendriya Sahitya Academy and eminent poet and novelist and Padmashree Ruskin Bond at a glittering ceremony held at Hotel Mayfair Lagoon.

Kloud9 is a novel literary venture of KIIT International School, a leading international school of the country. The quarterly magazine is a unique children’s magazine where school students from all over the country get the opportunity to articulate their creativity. Ruskin Bond, the iconic children’s author, is the Chief Editor. It is an open platform for students to showcase their literary talents and is published by KIIT International School.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Dr. Jadhav said that India is witnessing rapid growth, but we have to accelerate educational skill development and provision of health care. Two years from now, there will be significant improvement in the field of higher education, he said. Expressing her satisfaction over KIIT & KISS, Mahasveta Devi commended the efforts of Dr. Samanta for establishing these two institutions. KISS provides educational and livelihood opportunities not to tribal students from Odisha, but also West Bengal and other neighbouring states, she remarked.

Dr Mona Lisa Bal the editor of the magazine said, there has been an overwhelming response from school children for the first issue,  adding that literary works poured in from schools located in all corners of the country.

Kloud9 has 68 colourful pages mostly containing the contributions of the students. The maiden issue contains an eclectic selection of short stories, poems, articles, folktales, plays, jokes, puzzles and mind games. Contributors are mostly school children studying in different grades of schools located in Hyderabad, Indore, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and other cities of India. A few foreign contributions are also featured in the issue. Three thousand copies of the first issue would be given complementary, informed Surendra Mohanty, Publisher, adding that in house staffs are involved in composing, layout and designing of the magazine.                (FOC)?