In these times, when all that we find on the front pages of newspapers are ads and more ads, there was a special cover page that HT did for a very special person named Shrishti. Shrishti is a Class 12 topper. She wrote in to HT sharing her wish to be featured in the newspaper because she felt that her parents would be very proud of her. The team at HT felt that the girl deserved more than that. So, they not only did a personalized first page for her but to give her memories of a lifetime – they arranged a helicopter ride for her to fly above the city. The day was special for her, one I am sure she and her family will cherish for a long time to come. Do see the video that captures this heartwarming story.
This experience served as a kick-off point for HT’s #SayThanks campaign that revolves around the idea of thanking loyal readers for their support and patronage. It is the brand’s effort to acknowledge that behind every successful initiative are silent supporters who walk with you every step of the way. This is a feel-good initiative that is aimed at promoting goodwill.
I think this is a beautiful initiative. Personally, I feel that those who are close to us and are our biggest motivators often go unacknowledged. Think about it. How many times do we actually take time out to #SayThanks to our pillars of strength – our family, our dear friends, our colleagues and those who enrich our lives with their generosity helping us achieve our dreams?
Practicing gratitude is so important in life. It helps in spreading the halo of positivity in the Universe. God knows, we have too much negativity bombarding us on a daily basis. We need to actively share happiness and sunshine. What could be better than expressing gratitude to every person who touches our lives or means something in this journey of life to us? I am happy that a newspaper like HT is putting its might behind this initiative. I hope they also consider having at least a couple of pages in their newspaper sharing motivational tales and feel-good stories on a regular basis. That would be such a treat for their readers. Unfortunately our newspapers have mostly ended up becoming agents of doom and gloom with good stories often gathering dirt in some hidden corner.
I say, it is time to harness the power of Good, the power of positivity. Let this campaign guide us in acknowledging good in the people around us.
This is a great initative. She must be on cloud 9 and she deserves it. Acknowledging good in others is a quality and I hope people indulge in it more often.
Amen to that, Saru. I am sure, she must be delighted.
Showing gratitude to all those special people in our life. Our source of energy n those who propel us to sail in the high seas of life needs to regularly shown our gratitude…#SayThanks…Nice article…
Thanks so much, Deepankar, for your warm comment and share.
What a heartwarming gesture! If newspapers printed only good news on the front page wouldn’t that be a great start? More power to responsible and generous media. May their tribe grow.
I hope they do take this thought forward and work on having specific pages for good news. More power to responsible media as you said.
Good initiative by HT. I couldn’t watch the video, courtesy high speed Internet of Iran. Will watch it once I reach home.
I feel a mere gesture of gratitude kill the Negativity, Ego etc in us and it motivates the other person to initiate more such good efforts in their lives.
Yes, you must try and catch the video. It is quite lovely.
I agree with you. Sometimes just a few words of unadulterated gratitude feel like balm and destroy negativity. Thanks for reading.
Showing gratitude definitely seems to be a forgotten art! I’m glad a major newspaper decided to change that!
Me too, Rosh. Such a lovely campaign.
🙂 I simply loved this concept Rachna! I am glad to see the positive vibes being spread by HT. What a great way to give back!
Love to you!
I completely agree, Vids. Such a lovely campaign. Love to you too.
Think I need to subscribe to HT now. Already ToI is on its way out of this house…
Me too. I am trying to figure out from my newspaper vendor if he supplies HT.
What a timely initiative. With so much negativity around we need to harness all the positivity.
Love your blog look. Looks so pro. Just perfect.
Thanks so much, Alka. I like this look too. I agree, this is a lovely initiative especially from a newspaper.
So important to spread the positive vibes in this time when everybody’s business seems to be to make money & name out of negativity…An effort worth being appreciated.
I agree. It’s a wonderful initiative.
Indeed! How often do we thank our family for all the small gestures that make such a big difference to our lives.
A mere acknowledgement goes a long way in cementing relationships.
I guess being conscious of it and doing it often does strengthen relationships.
Rachna, I agree with you that one should show gratitude, but it should be from the bottom of heart, not out of habit. I believe the feeling of gratitude should reflect in one’s behaviour too.
Great post! Thanks for spreading positivity. 🙂
Yes,of course. The gratitude must be heartfelt. It is pointless if it is feigned. But to make it a habit to vocally appreciate things and people is actually good.
Thanks, Ravish.
This is such a beautiful initiative. Also, kudos to Shrishti, for thinking of her parents. She sparked of a wonderful campaign. What HT did is commendable. Imagine waking up to positive news everyday, what a wonderful start to the day that would be 🙂
I completely agree with you, Jaibala. Hope that becomes a reality some time soon.
Lovely post as usual and there is still enough goodness around to be acknowledged!I am happy that I have not flinched my loyalty to the decent HT from the times I ever started reading:)
I wish I could get HT here. Apparently they don’t deliver it in Bangalore.
Wow. Amidst all the negativity that mainstream media seems to be focussing on these days, this is such a good gesture and a wonderful initiative by HT. Inadvertently we tend to take a lot for granted and this is a nice way of saying thanks to those whom we’ve been meaning to, and to tell them that their support is valued. Very very nice 🙂
I agree, Ashwini. Coming from mainstream media it is even nicer.
You are so right.We fail to thank the pillars of support–don’t know why.And when we remember,it is sometimes too late.But we never fail to thank those outside the inner circle,like anyone who gives us a ride or helps us in a shop.
Aptly summarized, Indu. Thanks for reading.
Such a sweet initiative and sweet post. I read it the day you published the post but couldn’t hear the video…so did it today 🙂
Glad to see something in our papers finally something that is positive and promising amidst all the negativity.
Yes, I agree. Sad that HT is not delivered in Bangalore but we have kicked out TOI.