MB#59: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧.

[MemoirBlogthon #59] My father's daily hour with the Telugu and English newspapers wasn't just a habit; it was a silent lesson in civic awareness. This ritual inspired my own contributions to the "Letters to the Editor" column, one of which unexpectedly became the focus of my banking interview, proving that reading—and contributing—to the newspaper was the most vital 'certification' of all.

MB59 With newspapers from time to time

My father, Sri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry, maintained a ritualistic engagement with the world. Every morning, over his coffee, he would spend an hour reading both the Telugu daily, Andhra Prabha, and the English paper, Indian Express. His unwavering habit instilled in me the understanding that staying informed was an essential part of adult life, even though he never insisted we join him.

I emulated him not just by reading but by adopting his habit of cutting and preserving important and useful clippings. For him, this was about future reference; for me, it became the foundation of my early career as a freelance journalist. The newspaper wasn't just a source of news; it was a companion, a professional tool, and ultimately, a lifeline.

The Interview that Hired a Contributor

My early journalism focused on contributing to the "Letters to the Editor" columns, using human stories to disclose the public pulse about burning issues. This habit unexpectedly became the focal point of my bank job interview.

The interview process, as I recall in my book, Career Boost: 9 Certification Advantages, was like a roller coaster. When Mr. B, one of the panel members, challenged my academic record, he abruptly brought up a published letter I had written to the editor of the Indian Express.

The clipping, dated August 31, 1980, detailed the frustrating experience of candidates during the Banking Service Recruitment Board (BSRB) exams:

"The examination commenced one hour behind the scheduled time."

"While the examination was in progress, announcements were made, much to the disturbance of the candidates."

"There were printer’s devils in the question papers, and the paper supplied for answers was poor."

Mr. B asked, "Why should we choose you?" He was skeptical. But another member, Mr. A, recognized something deeper. Beyond the complaint, he saw civic engagement, communication skills, and a drive to contribute. My participation in college activities, my radio experiences, and my journalistic submissions were recognized. It was Mr. A who swung the pendulum in my favor, concluding: "Your certifications are outstanding... Carry your certifications with pride. They speak volumes," a phrase that stayed with me forever.

That single published letter proved that I was not just a reader but a contributor—a key differentiator that secured my job.

A Lifelong Lesson in Etiquette and Integrity

Today, my reading habit continues, though the papers have changed to Eenadu and Times of India in Hyderabad. I read for the same reasons my father outlined: improving critical thinking, increasing knowledge of current events, and enhancing vocabulary and language skills.

My father’s perspective was profound: "Never feel alone; if a newspaper is with you, it becomes more than a life companion." This wisdom explained why, despite his weakened sight, he continued to read the papers until his last breath.

This lifelong relationship with the physical newspaper led me to explore a relevant question: Newspaper Etiquette: Ways to Retrieve What’s Yours.

In a personal moment, I realized the awkwardness of having someone casually "borrow" my newspaper in a public place. This small scenario raises a big question about etiquette: How do you politely retrieve your belongings from a stranger?

I explored this subject online, gathering responses from around the world that ranged from assertive directness to gentle humor:

Polite Directness: A response from 'Ugandia' advised, "I need to be on my way; can I even have my newspaper again?"

Assuming Correct Intentions: 'Paula H.' from Ireland suggested, "I would simply ask if they knew what happened to your newspaper—you must have misplaced it."

Humor: 'AmazerQ' from Taiwan joked, 'Excuse me, I noticed my newspaper seems to have ended up with you—did it inform you about the winning lottery numbers?"

These responses affirmed that politeness and clarity are universally powerful. As I concluded in my own article on the subject, coping with awkward moments does not have to result in conflict.

The newspaper, whether physical or digital, remains a central part of my life—a tradition started by my father over morning coffee, which gave me not just the news but also the skill and confidence to shape my own headlines.

[MB#59] Quiz

[MB59] Question: Which two specific daily newspapers did the author's father maintain a ritualistic one-hour engagement with every morning?

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• A. The Hindu and Andhra Jyothy.
• B. Times of India and Eenadu.
• C. Deccan Chronicle and Andhra Bhoomi.
• D. Andhra Prabha and Indian Express.

MB#59: Quote

"A newspaper is a circulating library, of which the many thousand readers perceive every day a fresh book." – Thomas Carlyle