Reader’s Digest, now here’s a magazine that I can sit and relax on any day of the week and read on. RD as its lovingly called is truly a magazine for just anybody who has a positive interest in reading, just like a delectable feast which can be enjoyed by all and any age group (toddlers excluded). In India it has a wide customer base who have easily been intoxicated with just one puff (I guess), and have remained as devoted followers ever since.
I started reading this magazine when I was in school, although I would surely confess that some of the articles really bounced off my head, but I still wouldn’t miss the part of “Laughter the Best Medicine”, “Humour in Uniform” and “Life’s like that”. As time progressed my interest in the magazine slowly grew (and so did my digestion for all that was printed). Now whenever I see it on any newsstand I head straight for the second page, which hoists the “Quotable Quotes”. My word power can mostly be attributed to this magazine; “It pay to enrich your Word Power” has surely paid me in time. I even bought the book for Word Power by Wilfred Funk, the guy who actually authors this page and the other one by his son Peter Funk (who went into the same trade). But I yet have to score a flawless on these ones; maybe few more issues would do the trick!!
The best part of this magazine is that it has some real great life inspiring articles of self-courage by people or the near ones of those who survived to narrate them, “Everyday Heroes” (I salute them). I myself think that to some extent, through the ages RD has helped me mould my life and how and what I have come to become. To that extent I like to quote what Paxton Hood once said.
“Be careful of the book you read, as the company you keep; for your habits and character will be as much be influenced by the former as by the latter.”
The magazine covers articles in almost every sphere Science, Medicine etcetera (mostly under the heading of RD Living) plus in a way that appeals to everyday person, not like a technical lingo magazine, it seamlessly bridges the gap between those who are just away from everyday technology, like a hidden mix, the knowledge of which only seeps through you without much taxing your brain and not sounding any more intellectual as it is supposed to be. I can almost compare it to a good teacher who knows how and what to explain in a manner that is concise and effective.
With articles from all around the world it’s a kaleidoscope of many hues that informs, entertains and glorifies life itself in the stories that others have shared with us. And I end it by saying that “Writing is an art” of which RD is a glorified example. 495, 000 in India alone vouch for it; I just stand as a witness to testify what seems apt to exemplify.