Do I want to know whether the results of the NRS survey are authentic or not. You bet, I don’t. I am just not interested. I as a reader am interested in what my newspaper offers me each morning.
“ I change with The Times”
Yes I do. Every morning the newspaper transports me to the pinnacle of satisfaction. The feel of the newspaper is incredible. (I like to use my tactile nerves a lot).The Times of India is a daily I can’t do without. People may cry hoarse about the fact that the paper doesn’t cover the news that is important. It is a very subjective thing. Bobby Jindal may be trivial for me but there may not be a person who would want to take pride even in a wee bit achievement from someone who is remotely Indian.
Being as objective as I can, I conclude that The Times of India is my friend, philosopher and guide. One of the reasons being it gives me what I want unconditionally, save my monthly newspaper bill. I don’t want to mull over the credentials of Bennett and Coleman. Right from the cover page to the sports page I lap up every bit of news, however trite. That is the power of the WORD and black and white. (Look at MS) can’t get over it for anything in the world. Television can never render the print media obsolete.
I start with the Edit page because that is my favourite especially ‘The speaking tree’ and ‘the sacred space’ The view and the counterview makes for good reading as well. After improving my share of vocabulary for the day I move on to the sports page. To tell you the truth I just read about cricket.(thankfully 75% news is on cricket, much to the disgust of people grumbling about the extensive coverage of cricket.)
One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Though I peruse the headlines to know about Sania Mirza, Anju bobby George and Anjali Bhagwat, not to be left behind in a discussion about games other than cricket. I like Politics, religion, sports, and culture, everything except economics. I was petrified of Economics at college. No prizes for guessing that I don’t read the ET. But I do buy it on Wednesdays because I can’t give Brand equity( the supplement) a miss. These supplements( ascent, education times, times personal et al) make life so colourful and interesting.( And may be boring to a few who have to read it first to criticize it)The special supplements during festivals are like icing on the cake.
Now ‘Bombay Times’ is going to be the bone of contention. Page 3 has become a cult. My highbrow & educated side of my mind ( if it exists) would dismiss it as trash because it offers no intellectual stimulation. However, I love to glance through the pictures. I like a mix in everything I do. If we can accept the duality in things , even the most complex problem will seem like a piece of cake.
I read the newspaper in the comfort of my room in college. It is not a plush and air-conditioned cabin but a small room in which the fan creaks perpetually. But with the Times in my hand I feel like a princess. (that’s a poor hyperbole)
This daily for me is an antidepressant. (Please suspend disbelief for a while) . Amongst the plethora of newspapers available on the stands I choose the Times. I read the Hindu online though . These days everything is a click away. May be some day it can also give the real feel. Can anything virtual be as pleasurable as the real touch and feel (of the newspaper) I know your answer is not in the affirmative. Whenever I feel low I look at the caricature by laxman titled ‘You said it’. That makes me tick.
The above was not a scholarly opinion but a layman’s perspective.
I am proud of brand India and the brand that brings all of India to my home every day ‘ The Times of India’
Indians do want to express myself
I am not a ‘hindu’ because I love all religions
I am neither a statesman, nor a states woman.
Has Asia(n) come of age
Afternoons are boring
I detest telegraphs
I am busy in the middle of the day
Frontline is not my line
I change with the Times.