Dubai: Nostalgia is always a welcome break for Diwakar Shenoy, especially when it comes to talking about his favourite newspaper - Gulf News.
A financial controller by profession, Shenoy arrived in Dubai, 25 years ago, with his wife and daughter. He has been a Gulf News subscriber since then.
Shenoy said: “Back home, I used to read the Times of India, but after coming to Dubai, it was hard to look for a newspaper that gave an overall understanding about what is happening around the globe. That is when I came across Gulf News and from then on, I have been following the newspaper.”
Shenoy was impressed at receiving all the news under “one package”.
He said: “The newspaper was in a broadsheet format when it was first delivered at my doorstep, in 1988.
“Gulf News has been very informative, because at the time when I arrived, there weren’t many magazines or proper newspapers in Dubai. News on the internet was nonexistent, too.”
Shenoy was happy that Gulf News has been a major source of information for him. He said: “The local and world news, a different page for stories from several countries, cookbook magazine, and the entertainment section; all have played a major role in bringing out the information that I always wanted to read. The business section, Classifieds and appointment pages add to the stream of information.”
Shenoy reads the newspaper regularly, with the business section being his favourite. He said: “There is a business review page, which was added to this section, along with other business-related stories, that has been of my personal interest.”
As a subscriber, Shenoy has never been disappointed with the service of the newspaper, but he is not too keen on the new Berliner size. He said: “Gulf News has been delivered on time every morning, but over the years, I believe the size of the newspaper has reduced and the text looks crammed in a small space.”
For Shenoy, the newspaper has not merely been an informative read, but has been helpful for him in his day-to-day life. He said: “The newspaper has provided various tips on business related issues [such as business articles, financial status of the market and stock exchange], and this has kept me informed about the business world.
“Additionally, the health section [Carousel] helps me a lot. Usually, I find myself thinking what I would do if I did not have these tips available. After reading the health supplement, I find most of my questions answered.”
It came as a surprise that Shenoy has not contributed to the newspaper over the past 15 years. Previously, he wrote Letters to the Editor. Even though he has not written much, he reads the newspaper thoroughly, section to section. He hopes to continue being a Gulf News subscriber.
He said: “Due to time constraints, I am unable to contribute my thoughts to the newspaper. But, I would surely write something, sooner or later.”
The writer is a trainee with Gulf News.
