Readers recall The Hindu’s influence on reading habits, careers, and public discourse

Readers of The Hindu gather at the Hyderabad office on Thursday (September 3, 2026) as part of Hyderabad’s golden jubilee celebrations. | Photo credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

For generations of readers, The Hindu is more than just a morning paper. At a readers’ gathering at the newspaper’s Hyderabad branch as part of the Hyderabad Press Golden Jubilee celebrations, readers recalled how headlines, editorials, current affairs coverage and a distinctive style of journalism influenced their reading habits and, in some cases, their careers.

Chandupriya, a civil services aspirant, said The Hindu was helpful in preparing for the UPSC Mains exam. “Introductory articles help us understand the main issues in development and provide arguments and perspectives that can be used to build responses,” she said.

Director of the Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE) S. Sreenivasa Murthy recalled the anticipation with which his generation awaited the arrival of the newspaper every morning.

Director, Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad, S Sreenivasa Murthy at the celebrations of 50 years of Hindu pinting in Hyderabad at the newspaper office in Hyderabad on Thursday (September 3, 2026). | Photo credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

Recalling one particular headline from the early 1980s, Mr Murthy said he once asked his English lecturer the meaning of a headline published during the political turmoil following the assassination of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. His lecturer explained the pun and the context behind the headline. Mr Murthy said the experience stayed with him and illustrated how newspaper headlines and language can make readers look beyond the immediate news and delve deeper into its context.

MV Nagavender Rao, former managing director of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), said newspaper editorials often helped him identify the underlying issues behind news developments. He said the importance of credible journalism has become particularly apparent amid growing concerns about misinformation.

Hyderabad 50yrs Logo Inside | Photo credit: negotiable

Several readers also emphasized that the newspaper emphasizes factual reporting. They said they relied on The Hind for political news because they found its reporting credible and less sensational. Referring to the spread of disinformation during Operation Sindoor, readers said The Hind has an important role in helping the public distinguish verified information from false or misleading claims.

For some readers, the connection with newspapers began in childhood. Uma Spurthi said that she has been reading The Hindu since childhood. She recalled picking out short articles from newspapers and reading them carefully to improve her vocabulary. She also praised the news analysis and said the “Word of the Day” feature helped her build her vocabulary.

Published – 03 Sep 2026 22:07 IST