Indian Newspaper Day 2024: Observed annually on January 29, Indian Newspaper Day is dedicated to the promotion and recognition of the importance of Indian newspapers.
Quotes on Newspaper by famous Personalities
These quotes capture various perspectives on the role and significance of newspapers in society.
“A newspaper is the center of a community, it’s one of the tent poles of the community, and the others are the schools, the religious institutions… they’re a very vital part of our society.” – Dick Burke
“A newspaper is a circulating library with high blood pressure.” – Arthur Baer
“The newspaper is the first rough draft of history.” – Philip Graham
“Newspapers are the second hand of history. This hand, however, is usually not only of inferior metal to the other hands, it also seldom works properly.” – Arthur Schopenhauer
“A good newspaper is a nation talking to itself.” – Arthur Miller
“The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.” – Thomas Jefferson
“The newspaper is a greater treasure to the people than uncounted millions of gold.” – Henry Ward Beecher
“The newspaper does everything for us. It runs the police force and the banks, commands the militia, controls the legislature, baptizes the young, marries the foolish, comforts the afflicted, afflicts the comfortable, buries the dead, and roasts them afterward.” – H. L. Mencken
“The newspaper is a powerful engine in the promotion of moral and social progress.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The newspaper is a great moral instructor.” – Joseph Pulitzer
Indian Newspaper History
- Early Beginnings (1780s): The first newspaper in India, the “Bengal Gazette,” was published by James Augustus Hickey in 1780. It marked the beginning of print journalism in the country.
- Seringapatam Times (1799): This was one of the earliest English-language newspapers published in India, and it played a crucial role during the British East India Company era.
- The Hindu (1878): Founded by G. Subramania Iyer, The Hindu is one of the oldest newspapers in India. It started as a weekly but later became a daily newspaper and has been a significant player in Indian journalism.
- Amrita Bazar Patrika (1868): Launched in Calcutta, it became one of the most influential newspapers of its time, playing a vital role in India’s struggle for independence.
- Mahatma Gandhi and Indian Opinion (1903): Mahatma Gandhi started publishing “Indian Opinion” in South Africa, using it as a platform for his views on civil rights and nonviolent resistance. He continued his engagement with newspapers upon his return to India.
- The Times of India (1838): Established by Thomas Jewell Bennett, The Times of India is one of the largest-selling English newspapers in the world. It has played a significant role in shaping public opinion.
- Freedom Struggle and Newspapers: During the Indian independence movement, newspapers became powerful tools for mobilization and dissemination of information. Notable publications during this period include Young India (edited by Gandhi) and Kesari (edited by Bal Gangadhar Tilak).
- Post-Independence Era: After independence in 1947, the Indian press continued to grow and diversify. Several regional newspapers emerged, contributing to a vibrant media landscape.
- Digital Era (21st Century): With the advent of the internet, Indian newspapers expanded their reach online. Many established newspapers developed digital platforms, and new digital-only publications emerged.
Today, India has a dynamic and diverse media landscape with newspapers in multiple languages, catering to a wide range of audiences and reflecting the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity.