In 1969, when I was 29 years old and had spent five years as an Assistant Editor of the Times of India, I applied to become the first Editor of the Indian Reader’s Digest (IRD)—and was selected from many candidates. After my selection, I had to spend a year in London with the British Reader’s Digest (BRD), getting to know how the Digest was brought out. My job was to ‘Indianize’ the IRD, just as many editions all over the world were already localizing their contents to an extent, with articles and jokes originating from that country itself.
During that training period with BRD, what struck me most was how RD ensured that everything they published was absolutely accurate. Even the jokes sent by readers were carefully checked for their originality. For that, there was a separate research department, which spared no effort or expense to ensure accuracy. Which is why a common refrain to end an argument in those days was, “But I saw it in the Reader’s Digest.” RD had great credibility, and was trusted by its readers—essential for a successful publication. The other unique nature of RD was the supremacy of the Editor. He or she did not report to the management, only to the International Editor (a Frenchman, Alain de Lyrot, at my time). That was how the Digest founder, Dewitt Wallace, an Editor himself, wanted it.
My first major challenge as the IRD editor came when censorship was imposed in 1975 during Indira Gandhi’s infamous Emergency rule. Every month, I had to appear before the Chief Censor, and show him what we were going to publish that month, for him to check that there was nothing that the government could object to. It was a humiliating experience for anybody who believed in freedom of speech and expression.
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Reader's Digest India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Reader's Digest India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Have Child, Will Travel
Bringing my kid on my around-the-world adventures helped me see her in new and unexpected ways
As Gods Among Us
A photographer explores the gamut of India’s ritual performers who embody deities as a form of worship
My stutter, Myself
If others don't notice my stutter, can I really call myself a stutterer?
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Modification
A Queensland mechanic customizes bikes so veterans can get riding again
I Tried It...Exercises to Relieve Tech Neck
I STARE AT MY phone for five hours a day.
The Upside of Getting Lost
I was in the woods with my family and we'd lost our way. My phone was dead. It was getting dark. How could this possibly be a good thing?
A MOTHER'S CONVICTION
AFTER ALL FOUR OF KATHLEEN FOLBIGG'S CHILDREN DIED IN INFANCY, A COURT FOUND HER GUILTY OF MURDER. TWENTY YEARS LATER, SCIENCE FINALLY UNCOVERED THE TRUTH
KITT THE COURAGEOUS K-9
Officer Bill Cushing needed a partner. His dog needed a purpose. Together, they rescued each other
Lite, Unplugged
Could you get through seven days without looking at a device? I tried—here’s what happened
GET A GREEN(ER) THUMB
Whether you love digging in the dirt, planting seeds and reaping the bounty that bursts forth, or find the whole idea of gardening intimidating, this spring offers the promise of a fresh start.