Essays

By far, books, magazines, newspaper and other printed matter carry the largest and most varied kinds of information to their readers. We can get books on almost any subject that we care to read on. There are books on sports, cookery, fashion, language, education, etc. You name the topic and the likelihood is that somebody has published d book (or books) on that topic.

We get all kinds of information via magazines and newspapers. We come to know about various anti-social happenings through the print media and are able to keep ourselves alert. We also read about the rise and fall of certain politicians, the cricket matches, the state of the stock exchange, the grand sale going on in a supermarket, and also about the various kinds of jobs available. The amount of information that we can gather from a newspaper is enormous. To read the whole newspaper completely would take hours. Since everything printed in newspapers is not interesting to everyone, we usually read the sections we like. for example, the sports and cartoon pages and leave the rest.

In our country, newspapers are published daily in various languages to cater to various linguistic groups. Each newspaper gives its own version of the hottest news items plus other items that is its particular preferences.

Thus an average person can be reasonably "well-informed about the current goings-on in this everchanging world; and only at the price of a few rupees.

The last century, and especially during last few decades, witnessed the tremendous strides made in the field of electronic technology. The simple telephone of long ago has been joined to sophisticated television sets, computers, stereo music, mobile phones and internet. The television and the radio die two very effective channels through which the masses could be reached. The incredible number of radio stations, both local and foreign, that can be tuned-in on the radio gives us an idea of how much information is dissipated through the radio. The 'air-waves' are practically jammed.

Through the television comes all manners of soap-operas, talk-shows, news, documentaries and the ubiquitous advertisement clips. Large number of people are reached daily in this way. A whole new generation of people is created based on the ideals and dreams that are propagated by the television. Political groups and manufacturers make extensive use of this mode of communication to communicate

with the people. Television has become so effective as a means of transferring information that. even criminals and terrorists know its value. So, the news on television is filled with tales of death and destruction, turmoil, and strife, sports and games, fame and notoriety.

The invention of communication satellites now allows us to witness any event around the globe at the touch of a remote. Even Internet is playing a huge role in the transfer of information at present.