The trials and tribulations of Urdu dailies

Circulation figures put out by the government paint a picture of revival, growth and hope but the ground reality of Urdu newspapers is completely different.

Modood Siddiqui receives me outside his office in Daryaganj, Old Delhi, and ushers me to what, he says, used to be the VIP room for receiving guests at one time. Immediately after, he sinks himself in his newspapers. 

Main zara haath ka kaam nipta loon, fir aap se mukhatib hota hoon (I will get back to you soon as I finish the thing at hand),” he says.

I nod and take a seat. As he goes back to his morning routine, I can't help but notice the VIPs around us. The walls of the room are adorned with photos …

Author

Pradip K. Saha

Pradip is a co-founder at The Morning Context and leads our newsletters vertical. He has previously worked at The Ken as a staff writer, at Mint as an assistant features editor and the Deccan Chronicle as a copy editor. He works with a slew of expert newsletter writers across subjects and domains. His own writing spans the gig economy, farmers caught in the crossfire of technology, global warming and parents trapped in the edtech wave. Some of his best stories have come at the intersection of technology and human endeavour.

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pradip@mailtmc.com

Delhi