I can’t claim to be a veteran Economic Times (ET) reader since its only been two years since I got into the habit of reading it every morning. AFter all, other hardline ET fans have been at it for decades. Since I’ve decided to tell you all about myself by reviewing things that I use daily, I’ve got to tell some things about ET that make me feel good.
I have been an IT professional all along. The sort of guy who you would associate with coding, staring at the computer screen for hours, churning out software applications from the back-room so that the marketing guys could cover themselves in glory in the front offices. I began to wonder why I was just churning computer code instead of being a bit more intelligent at my job. The first thing that struck me was that I knew nothing about the companies that would use my software. I knew nothing about what applications would actually click in the market. In short I knew nothing about anything in the business of Information Technology, except coding on my PC. I decided things had to change.
Thats when I made it a habit to pick up the ET every morning from our front office and give it a 10 minute read.
The more I read it, believe me, I feel in love with it. Being a Times of India baby all my life, I was pleasantly surprised to see fewer ads and more news content. Barely a week later, I began to buy ET everyday and completely read it between day break and sun down.
News Content
This is a newspaper where the media group behind it uses its considerable influence and deep pockets, to deliver business news content of the highest order to the reader. ET is backed by some of the best brains working on its content. This core group of eminent economists and journalists churn out independent publications on practically every business segment of the economy, apart from our daily ET. ET’s easy access to captains of major business brings close-up reviews and interviews faster to its readers. Its special reports on practically every segment of industry is both in-depth and thoroughly informative even for the average reader. Its wide coverage of the latest in high-tech is surprising for a business newspaper. Its no-nonsense approach to bad economic decisions by the government boosts the confidence of the public when it feels powerless to stop the financial bleeding of the economy of the nation. Its wonderful tips and articles on personal finance are a must-read for everyone. Its optimum coverage of political issues, stock-market news and excellent editorials makes up for a complete business newspaper thats come to be regarded as a reliable watch-dog for all its readers.
The Supplements
Brand Equity and Corporate Dossier, are two gems of examples of how supplements should be like. Any english newspaper ought to study these two supplements to see how they really ’supplement’ the news content in the main section. These supplements actually contain news and information. Most of the times they are collectors items. They are not just superficial colour pages but contain in-depth analyses and interviews about the latest in business.
Entertainment
Being a business paper it doesn’t provide much by way of comics and games. There are two cartoons - ’On the other hand’ by the famous Mario Miranda and ’Dilbert’ by Scott Adams. Both keep me in good humour throughout the day. And then theres the crossword on page 2; and believe me its a real brain teaser. I consider myself successful if I solve 5 clues!
Price
This full load of high-q news comes at just Rs.2 Mon-Fri!!! 2 ridiculous rupees for something so wonderful? Yup. The Times of India group apparently subsidizes the cost of ET by running some really wonderful ads in its pages. In fact watching the ads is a good pass-time in itself; you can see the cream of corporate india advertising on ET with award winning ads.
And so it has come about that I have woken up to an ET every morning and slept at night with the ET at my bedside. The other newspaper at home, Times of India, gets a glance-over from me now!