Write your abstract here.
The Times of India, the oldest English
language daily
newspaper published in India, claimed a couple of months back that it was the largest circulated English language newspaper in the whole world. The claim was buttressed by comparative figures of circulation of daily newspapers in the USA and the UK. This may seem strange to many, as it did to me, when one remembers that in terms of income and literacy -- a few variables used to evaluate (English) newspaper readership -- India lags far behind USA or UK.
And yet, it is not so strange. Many
factors, some
external to the newspaper and some internal to it, have contributed to make it have a very wide circulation in India.
A prime external factor is the fast increasing middle class in the
country, which in terms of numbers, is more than the combined population of Great Britain and France, and which in terms of income and the knowledge and use of the English large equals, if it does not surpass the middle class in the UK. Another external factor is the fast growing economy which has integrated itself to the globalized economic environment and has become a much sought-after host to innumerable BPO firms from the USA. These factors, along with some others have boosted the readership and consequently the circulation of English language newspapers in the country. A third contributing factor to the widespread knowledge and use of the English language is that it is still the language of the Judiciary, the associate official language of administration and the medium of instruction in many high schools across the country and at the college and university levels of education.
The factors internal to the Times of India have enabled it to outdistance its competitors in their race to entice more readers. India is seen as a conservative nation in many areas of its life and action, including the print media -- slow to absorb new ideas and slow to change. As against this, the distinguishing feature of the Times of India has been an instrument of change as much as it has been a victim of change. It has reflected in its format, news and views and in its coverage of sports and business the changing trend of events. There was a time when political news and views were of national importance and many newspapers still think so. They have their place and the Times of India has given them that place; but for the young sports and entertainment take precedence over politics and for the rich business had a little priority over politics. The Times of India have assigned the news in these areas according as the new generation has seen them. This has given the newspaper an edge over many of its competitors.
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