Hindu Philosophy

Like every great newspaper, the Hindu has accreted to itself legends of various kinds illumining its unique qualities. My own favourite is the one told me by the late Professor Bhaskaran ‘Oh! the Hindu! They won’t print an obituary without first checking with the deceased.’ (So soon after the incredible muddle over the announcement in Parliament of J.P. having passed away when he was still alive, this may sound elementary precaution rather than an exaggerated passion for accuracy!)

The Hindu has indeed a well-deserved reputation for accuracy, even if on occasion it has been at the expense of the other great ambition of all newspapers to be ‘the first with the news’. The story is told of loyal readers of The Hindu not believing an Express report of a tornado washing away the Pamban Bridge some years ago until it appeared the next day in The Hindu!