Random ruminations on this led me to discover that entertainment too lies in what the beholder chooses to perceive. This epiphany, unlike Newton's, was not triggered by a falling apple; rather, it came as one surfed through a dozen Indian channels looking for that elusive needle in the haystack: news. Surprisingly, not a single news channel seemed to have any news!
What every channel had on-air was some sort of discussion amongst multiple people. Disappointment and dismay that news channels had no news, gave way to curiosity. However, the challenge of deciphering the topic was tougher than solving a five-star Sudoko puzzle. Focussing, instead, on who might win the debate, it seemed the competition was about who is the loudest and most aggressive. Of course, it took only a few viewings to figure out that the winner in each one was the channel anchor.
Soon, one was almost addicted to watching this: not for the content (that was vague, and hardly seemed to matter to any of the participants; in any case, none had any special expertise), but for the sheer entertainment of the screaming, shouting drama that unfolded day after day. In the heyday of educational TV, one of the approaches was "education as entertainment". Here was "news as entertainment" - except that there was no news, leaving the viewer to savour pure, unadulterated entertainment!
NEWS AS ENTERTAINMENT
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Denne historien er fra September 24, 2022-utgaven av Businessworld India.
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SHAPING INDIA'S ENTREPRENEURIAL LANDSCAPE: KEY INITIATIVES AND CHALLENGES AHEAD
THE Hon'ble Finance Minister made history in July 2024 by presenting her seventh budget, surpassing the record previously held by Morarji Desai. Beyond this historic milestone, the budget stood out for its trans-formative measures aimed at fostering India's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
BUDGETING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
AFTER last year's parliamentary elections, the Budget for FY2026 was presented in July 2024, which provided a glimpse of the government's priorities. In a few weeks, the government of India (GoI) will table the Union Budget for FY2026, which is expected to expand on these plans, and provide the new medium-term fiscal path as well.
A VISION FOR 'VIKSIT BHARAT'
INDIA stands at the threshold of a transformative journey toward 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
Constitutional Musings
A LEGAL DOCUMENT, even if it sets down the constitution of a country, is at the end of the day, just that – a document.
Turning Stress into Strength: A Path to Purposeful Living
Khera on transforming stress into strength, fostering resilience, purpose for meaningful living, and other insights from his new book Live While You're Alive
BUDGETING FOR BETTER FUTURE
AFFORDABILITY challenges persist for homebuyers; tweaking tax relief on home loans and capital gains in the Union Budget could significantly improve housing accessibility.
"NORTH AMERICA IS OUR LARGEST MARKET
Sona Comstar fully supports the government's vision for localisation and self-reliance in manufacturing under the PLI scheme, asserts SUNJAY KAPUR, Chairman, Sona Comstar & Deputy Chairman, CII Northern Region, during a chat with ASHISH SINHA. Excerpts from the interview
MAHAKUMBH 2025
NOTWITHSTANDING the never ending debate about the beginning of the festival - year and founder - and the dates when it is to be held, there's general agreement that it was started by the 8th Century vedic scholar, philosopher, saint and teacher of Advaita Vedanta Adi Shankara Acharya and that the 12 yearly celebration dates are synchronised with every completed revolution of the planet Jupiter (Brahaspati); also that the venue is mostly in the river bank towns of Prayagraj (Allahabad) at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical invisible Saraswati, Haridwar (Ganga), Nasik (Godavari) and Ujjain (Shipra).
CATALYSING INDIA'S DIGITAL-FIRST ECONOMY: THE SMART WEARABLES PERSPECTIVE
INDIA'S electronics industry is set to play a key role in the nation's economic growth with domestic production expected to reach $300 billion by 2026.
"THE DELHI MODEL OFFERS THE SUREST ROAD MAP TO BUILDING A DEVELOPED INDIA"
JASMINE SHAH, then vice-chairman of the Delhi government think-tank, the Dialogue and Development Commission, conceived the idea of writing a book about the Delhi Model of governance while Aam Admi Party (AAP) convenor and Delhi's former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia were both at Tihar Jail for the alleged liquor scam in the state. By the time The Delhi Model – A Bold Road Map to Building a Developed India was released, campaigning for the Delhi legislative assembly elections were in full swing. The AAP leader though, stole some time out to discuss the book with BW Businessworld 's Madhumita Chakraborty. Excerpts:
