Tabloid for social issues

Umesh Anand is clear that he doesn't want Civil Society to look like a jholawallah publication. "We have consciously chosen this format. It is trendy as well as serious in its content," says the publisher of the latest monthly tabloid to hit the news stand.

"Ours is basically a media linking tool for various NGOs," he adds. Civil Society, priced at Rs 25, was launched in September this year, and is run by Umesh Anand (as publisher) and his wife Rita Anand (as editor).

With an investment of a couple of lakhs, the two pooled in their resources to start Civil Society. Says Anand: "Our point is that with the requisite skills and new technology it is possible to create small businesses that serve information needs." The publisher believes that there is enough space for niche publications to flourish.

Civil Society has started out by printing about 2,000 copies and hopes to peak at 7,000. The target readers are members of NGOs, residents' welfare associations, students and people who are interested in social issues.

Anand's organisation has been fortuitous in tying up with ActionAid India Society's programme Karm Mitra. Another co-branding exercise is with Oneword.net, one of the largest information providers, where the dotcom will help the tabloid set up its own site and facilitate the exchange information between like-minded organisations.

A journalist with Business Standard and Times of India in the past, Anand says that their publication will highlight issues that are not tackled by mainstream media.