The Hindu : Front Page : A red-letter day in Bangalore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 12, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

A red-letter day in Bangalore

Staff Reporter

Four distinguished guests visitThe Hindu's premises

PHOTOS: K. MURALI KUMAR

AT HOME: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy lights a traditional lamp during a visit to The Hindu's offices in Bangalore on Friday, along with (from left) Minister for PWD H.D. Revanna, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, The Hindu's Managing Director N. Murali and Editor-in-Chief N. Ram.

Bangalore: It was a significant day for The Hindu in Bangalore on Friday, in the 36th year of the launch of its publication in the Karnataka capital, when four distinguished guests visited its premises on Bhagwan Mahaveer Road: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, and Minister for Public Works H.D. Revanna.

The occasion coincided with a decision taken by the State Cabinet the previous day to transfer ownership of the land on which the offices and printing unit are situated to The Hindu. Since 1969, the land belonging to the State Government was with The Hindu on a long lease basis.

Editor-in-Chief N. Ram, and Managing Director N. Murali, received the visitors, and outlined the growth of the Bangalore edition, launched on March 27, 1970.

The Chief Minister made a special mention of the recently introduced design features of the newspaper, and Mr. Ram explained to him the process of redesign of the The Hindu and its other publications by Garcia Media, led by Mario Garcia, the renowned American designer.

The guests inside The Hindu Office.

Mr. Ram spoke of the special efforts being made by The Hindu to provide a balance between local, regional, national and international news.

The visit by Mr. Kumaraswamy to the office was the first by a Karnataka Chief Minister after Devaraj Urs' 1974 visit.

The visitors planted four saplings on the premises to mark the occasion.

Speaking to a gathering of employees Mr. Ram observed: "The planting of the saplings is symbolic of the excellent relationship between the press and the Government of Karnataka, particularly this Government. The relationship goes beyond party politics. We have been at this home for more than 35 years on a lease, which started in 1969, and on our application the government has effected a smooth transfer of ownership."

In a spontaneous reaction, Mr. Gowda got up to speak and appreciated the The Hindu's commitment to ethics in journalism: "I must express my deep appreciation to the management. In politics, power comes and goes; it is like a bubble on the surface of water. The Hindu, over the years, has maintained ethics in journalism. It is a model to all media managements. I never miss any `family' function... They [The Hindu] are serving the cause of the nation. The contribution of the family is unique. We are all grateful to them. Everything has eroded in the country today, every walk of life is eroding but I would like to thank your commitment to values."

Mr. Yediyurappa and Mr. Revanna showed keen interest in the visit.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page