India acquires the world

Today's front pages of The Times of India and Indian Express:


I've never understood why what we Indians do on the global centre stage should be worth more than a few words in the back pages of a national daily, if at all. I mean what's the logic of relegating the Punjab riots news to some corner, in the face of Bharti's plans? With all due respect to Mr. Mittal, the market doesn't like his acquisition plans (if you go by the stock price's 10% fall in the last two trading sessions).

But obviously the TOI thinks Bharti's plans are of burning importance to it's readers. Why? The Economic Times had a section on Thursdays called The Great Indian Takeover. Who are we taking over? When? Where? And why should I care?. Oh wait, is the explanation this - with the newspaper market moving to smaller towns and cities, the aspirational reader has to be served with these 'feel-good' news. Perhaps this fits in with the overall theme (as I call it) of Shining India versus Chee Chee India. And this theme, I think, was best displayed in TOI's India Poised campaign. While I found that campaign fit in very well in the WTF tag, the Amitabh-over-the-sealink video was forwarded enthusiastically by everyone's aunt, cat and dog. It found its target.

And now look at the front pages today. One India is planning to takeover the world. The other India keeps fighting. Which India do you want?