Andhra Jyothi Payment gateway - Happy news

Andhra Jyothi joins illustrious list of Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, The Times (London) from tomorrow - Oct 15th, 2010. Well our own Telugu Daily - that we have been reading for free all these years, is going through the payment gateway.  Andhra Jyothi charges $20 for year and is giving $10 discount during "inaugural offer". Personally, I am really happy with Andhra Jyothi decision. It was always a great temptation for any NRI to know what is happening back at home and specially in Andhra Pradesh.

While it is free, we find plenty of time to read all the news from top to bottom. Back at home in Andhra Pradesh, start the day picking up the print edition news paper, and with a cup of home made Coffee (no Latte or expersso) read from top to bottom (MS Subbalaksmi Suprabhatam in background with no attention!). Only difference while abroad, it is in the laptop and (iTunes) in the ears!.

I have spotted the specific note in the advertisement. It specially mentions "Non Resident Telugus". Unless some one is on a temporary relocation abroad, for all those NRI Telugu's who hold Green cards or citizenships all these news are of no use. Yet, all our great Telugu people are keen to read the (hot & sensational) news because, the weekends pulp is easily available to discuss, debate and moan with the rest of "community".

I always wondered, what I am getting out by reading these great publications like Eenadu, Saakshi or Andhra Jyothi? (except my wife complaining the I am not paying attention to other import home related stuff). Since 2004, when YS Rajasekhar Reddy became CM, both Eenadu and AJ allocated 90% of the space for attacks, scams, corruption, and "deadly" administration. Prior to 2004, it was Chandrababu Naidu bhajan. After YSR death, it is one to one attack on YS Jagan. And of course, the great Telangana (and KCR) stories. Most of the days, there are hardly any news that  would make a reader proud (of home land), happy (about the politics) or think (about the future).

All these newspapers have become mouthpieces for the respective political parties or moved into paid journalism. It is a known fact since these papers appeared in web, NRI's Telugu connected well with the developments according to their affiliations . But, the key is weakness and temptation for nothing. Curiosity, to know something, that something which would never help to work with local community or career or future in anyway.

Why to waste all the time? Because it has been free, temptation would push towards opening the www.andhrajyothy.com or www.eendadu.net. It has been irresistible.

Now the payment gateway is introduced, the first resistance is the cost (or no automatic availability). $20 dollars may be worth a week worth of Starbucks coffee. But, this first resistance is perhaps, good enough to stop the temptation.

I just want to thank Andhra Jyothi for offering the web edition for free all these years. At the same time, I blame my weakness for spending (wasting) 100's of hours reading "really" useless material of no use to me (well, there is some good stuff - may be it is around 10% but hard to find each day). I am sure Eenadu would join this illustrious list soon.

Now my wife is very happy because, from now on we have plenty of time for more productive or otherwise relaxing activities.

Good bye and good luck to Andhra Jyothi!