Nose for News

Read with interest Times of India  news about Vijay Shekhar collecting newspapers of events across the world in the past 20 years. I am happy that this has been noticed and also mentioned as a news item- hats off, yes not only to the collector but also to the news reporter. To appreciate this habit, one should first realize how difficult it is to have this interesting hobby, as one should not only have lots of passion but also a nose for major events across the globe.

I got addicted to capturing news ever since I started preparing for some competitive examinations in 1976. Over a period of time, even after these milestones have rolled over, I got stuck with looking for major events and also started preserving anything available about the event- be it in Newspaper or in periodicals.

I think the first of these started with the famous Cricket World Cup in 1983, when I followed through the event and collected all the Sportstar weekly, which was famous at that time for its clear pictures. When India won the cup, somewhat surprisingly, I went around Mylapore and collected whatever magazines , periodicals & Newspapers that carried the news. To top it all, I also created a thick bound volume of this collection, with Kapil Dev holding aloft the World cup, adorning the cover. After some years I passed it on to my brothers' sons and recently it came to back me. I am surprised that even now I am keen to read them again and am  too happy to keep it in my showcase.

Similar memorable collections I have are on :

1984 - Assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi

1991- Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi - special issue

1994- Kapil Dev's world record of 432 wickets

1997- Introduction of MRTS at Mylapore

1998 - France triumph at World Cup Football

         Sportstar special on Don Bradman

1999- Kumble's 10 wicket world record

         Australia winning World cup

2000- Special Issue of India Today on its 25th year completion

2001- Sep 11 attacks - India Today, TIME, Newsweek

         Sachin reaching 10000 runs

         Laxman's epic 281 at Kolkatta

         India's triumph at Eden Garden, coming from behind

         Sachin's demolotion of Shane Warne, Steve Waugh's handling the ball

         Stock Market crash - Indian Today issue

2003 - Australia winning world cup

2004- Shewag's 300 at Multan

         Historic win over Pakistan

2006- Special Issue of India Today on its 30th year completion

2007- Junior Vikatan - 25th Year Issue

         India's T20 World Cup championship

         Viswanathan Anand , World Champ crown

2011- World Cup Triumph

No doubt, a unique hobby, driven by passion. Like a Diary, whose pages could always be flipped through , whenever we want.