My  Association with The Hindu

Disclaimer: This is written purely with an intent of sharing my own story and not for the purpose of advertising or marketing. 

And you may find this feature as one of a kind!

The Hindu, a well known daily seen in most of the Indian households, from the hands of intellect retired grandpas perching their eyes through their nose-glasses to young government exam aspirants. The daily is not only a takeaway of news in and around the world, but it also brings out facts and non-biased (I hope) quality news to the readers.

Just a tit-bit of history:

The newspaper dates back to nearly 146 years old emerging around 1878, at the time of Great Famine (1876-1878) and Vernacular Press Act (1878) during the long period colonisation of British-rule in India. 

Founded by Mr. G. Subramania Iyer and Mr. M. Veeraraghavavacharian, both are considered to be eminent Indian-journalists and Freedom fighters of all-time.

                                             
When people enquire me about my hobby or what I like to read, newspaper comes to my mind, apart from reading story books or sports. Its not that I'm sounding like nerd, its because in a newspaper, you could find anything apart from important breaking news in and around the world, be it sports, education, spiritual, finance, quotes, to comics, and mind-challenging puzzles. And that's how it have been grown and still growing even after social media came into into play to get instant feed news.

My Association with The Hindu

Reading of newspaper started in my early childhood, where my father used to read an English (The Hindu) and a language daily every morning. I along with my elder sibling have to sit near him, initially lurching over the paper, its fonts, photos, and advertisements. Then we were made to read a paragraph each from both the papers, where he insists us not to skip reading the any headlines of each news. 

Then, we started reading on our own and use dictionaries for words that are brand new, mostly The Hindu makes us ponder for meanings by fetching us interesting terms to describe, classy idioms and synonyms every time. 

For some time, we subscribed for The Hindu Young World, a children's magazine curated with interesting facts, stories, puzzles, tit bits, arts corner, etc. It is an amazing medium to instil creativity and curiosity at young age. Then, my father got me into STEP, an English e-learning platform which I attended only for a short period, was yet again interesting and useful. 

Through The Hindu main paper and also Metroplus, its supplementary paper, is where I was able to participate in some amazing workshops and courses that shaped on of my best days in my career which fuelled me with good exposure and knowledge. 

First, is the Vandalur Zoo Summer camp, which just begun the from the year I attended, those 3 days of the camp watching every animal inside the zoo, interacting and learning with wildlife experts was surreal. 

Second, being the Post Office Workshop at the GPO, Anna Salai. I don't know whether we will be normally allowed inside the GPO and take glimpse inside the working area. There we got exposed to the working of a post office, learned about letter writing, and Philately from a well-versed Philatelist and also got stamp collecting kit as bonus. 

Third, an another wonderful camp, YOCee, as it says 'the newsroom of young people', is an e- news platform with news produced by young reporters trained by the team of YOCee. I got the opportunity to learn reporting skills, write features, interviews, prompts and experience a fun news podcast under an incredible guide. The ad regarding this camp published as a small column in the Metroplus caught my father's eyes, made me join luckily in the last moment as the last person in their slot.

Fourth, is a writing contest organised by the Tulika Books, though I didn't win, I had a good experience reciting my poem in front of eminent authors and young people surrounded by me and getting appreciated while valuing others works.

Fifth, being the tour at Raj Bhavan with my family, that was allowed in rare occasions; luckily we got our invites after booking and had an amazing experience.

If we haven't read or noticed those ads, I couldn't have created those good memories!

Next, comes my collection of goodies from various contests, exhibited my The Hindu, during occasional events in recognition for the same.

The very first being the Metroplus Photo contest, Guesswho, where a renowned person will be blurred and we need to guess the person rightly but it doesn't exist now. Once, in this contest where I correctly guessed the person, who was,  'Yuzvendra Chahal', and my name got published in this very paper read by millions through out my city. Apart from my name being published, I got a two thousand rupees worth Sting gift voucher, where my father bought his first short kurta!

Second, is a Sports quiz contest, I happened to make right answers for the 3 questions, of which I had known answer for only 2 and the other being the right guess. I got selected in the top 3 for the day, for which, I got an exclusive, recycled handmade envelopes and a lovely bookmark made by an artist. 

Third, is again Sports Quiz contest which I barely made right guess and answered questions for that day help of my peers, I received an exclusive Sportstar printed T-Shirt with 'The Hindu' logo, which I happily wore for the first time to watch India vs Malaysia Asia Cup Final Hockey match at Rajarathinam Stadium, where luckily I got to view my country's winning performance along with my father.

Fourth one is MadeofChennai quiz contests, and this one too is quite special as my father's, mother's and my name got printed in the newspaper for getting top three quick and correct answers on different days within the time period. And we received Amazon gift vouchers in return. 

Fifth one is CurrentAffairs Quiz contest, believe me I knew all the 3 answers that day and luckily again I came in one of the top 3 daily winners and got another Amazon gift voucher if I remember correctly.

These Contests fuelled me to take up or read newspaper daily (which is what actually wanted or required), participate in the contest making right or wrong guesses, instilled me to search for the answers and their meanings and expand my curiosity and knowledge; also be aware and not having the notion of just getting gift vouchers for free. This also increased my competitiveness to make the right answer and that too quick and all correct, where I even tried answering contests (i.e. even before the paper reach our home), waking up early during my exams, because it didn't happen in just a day, but it took consistent efforts and patience, also with some shower of luck. There have also been many other contests or opportunities which I have tried and failed, and not reached the hem, but ain't stopped me from trying!

You may sound, its just a Quiz and not a big deal! 

But that's ok, atleast, I have tried and gained something in me is what I feel if they aren't historic feats to be proud of, and I consider it as my little happiness! 

I hope I will try to put the same efforts in other things too.

Wait! I'm not finished yet. 

Here comes another Treat, which I got from The Hindu through one of the MadeOfChennai special events organised during August month in recognition and celebration of Chennai city.

This was the amaaazinggg (just for stressing the feel) Stand up Comedy I have ever been in my lifetime and that too for the first time 'FREE'. I would count other Standup Comedy lovers, who have missed watching the show as unlucky (not exaggerating) but it was surreal to watch and have a break from our regular tiring life. I went along with my cousin, who was much in needed of a break to witness this Standup comedy show at the prestigious Music Academy here at Chennai. 

StandUp Comedy Show at the Music Academy on 23rd August, 2024

The show was special, as it had a line-up performances of several artistes one after the another. The performers included Mr. Vikkals Vikram, Mr. Praveen kumar (Family Man), Mr. BadavaGopi, Mr. Mervyn Rozz, and Mr. Ramkumar Natarajan (just to quote). Each of them presented us, with their best subtle of humour, mixed with relatable emotions and stories. We both had our best laughs for the day, maybe for that whole year, I could say. I even thought of mailing my gratitude note to The Hindu for organising such an event and how it meant to me the very night, but, somehow I missed the vigour, hope this may reach them, well.

Another one, that we got know through an article from Metro Plus, was the Zifo Open Quiz (Previously known as the 'Landmark' quiz) at the Music Academy, conducted by Dr. Navin Jayakumar, an Ophthalmologist and Quiz master, on every Independence day, for more than 3 decades. For the past two years, I've made it an ritual to participate in this quizzing community whether winning or not; first time, I went along with my parents and then in the following year I got accompanied by my school buddies. The question thrown upon you just pull your brains out to think out of the box, be steadfast and aware on various things in and around the world. We were lucky enough to witness the chief guests Mr. R. Ashwin and Dr. Palanivel Thiagarajan for the quiz. 

Zifo Open Quiz' 2024 and '2023

On the other corner, apart from fun and contests, I tried for Career counselling, in aiding me to choose and shape my career from the "Q&A Column by Ms. Nandhini Raman" and guess what, I got responded, but my bad, I had seen it later only after few years. 

Wondering about my Career option, huh?

Over the Sudoko corner which has certain exotic levels in solving, it was left untouched for many years due to my fear of numbers, notion of its complexity in cracking and thought only Einstein-minds could only track. But eventually I figured out ways and possibilities to solve. And I consider solving of the 5-start level of difficulty as one of my greatest feats, which I even signed and photographed as memory. But still, the Crossword seems a far reach for me and I will try working out even more better one day.

My Sudoko feat

Beside to the puzzles, we can find the Faith corner that fetch us insights from different epics, and wordings of saints that give us knowledge from different domains mainly of religious preaching and remind us to feel gratitude. 

There were also other occasional events, contests, and webinars conducted by The Hindu that I missed. The Literature fest is one of the main events, I regret missing attending, which showcased a dialogue and discussing platform with an array of eminent Indian and few International speakers along with few other workshops. The Hindu also had conducted contests like the Hindu Lit for Life, Marghazhi, Navrathi contests to name a few. Yes, these are also done by other platforms too. 

I was astonished to find Editorials written by the governing executives, like the MPs, CM, top opposition leaders, among other eminent professionals from various fields. Its indeed a guide or study material for the Government exam aspirants especially UPSC, as told by many toppers. I bet it really requires a lot more patience rather than just interest in reading read them. Sometimes it sound vague, other time mind-blowing to me.

My POV:

This is just written from my heart just to express my gratitude and an unofficial & unsolicited association that I was hinging upon; that have had great impact on my life till now rather than just acknowledging and appreciating.

 I do read other newspapers that also has its own uniqueness, but its just with this I had seen me grow atleast a little and find my way with. 

Hope you find this article interesting in some or the other way.

To my readers, I would like you to share your experience and feedback relating to my feature. Waiting to hear form you!

Happy Reading! 

(I am talking about my blog :p)

Signing off,

Katy :)