Telegram does not exist any more but the "Dina Thanthi" (daily telegram) continues to grow every day, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he showered encomiums on the popular Tamil daily.
"I came to know that Thanthi means Telegram. Dina Thanthi means daily telegram," he said recalling how the traditional telegram delivered by the postal department ceased to exist.
However, this "telegram (Dina Thanthi) continues to grow every day. Such is the power, a noble idea backed by hard work and commitment", he said.
Modi, who was speaking at the 75th year celebrations of the daily here, said the founder of "Dina Thanthi" S P Adithanar began the newspaper by printing on paper made by hand.
He commended the contributions by Adithanar for the daily which has completed 75 "glorious years" and said the efforts over the years had made Dina Thanthi one of the biggest media brands.
Modi said Dina Thanthi was offered in 17 editions not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Bengaluru, Mumbai and even in Dubai.
"This remarkable expansion over 75 years is a tribute to the visionary leadership of Adithanar who began this newspaper in 1942," he said.
The font size, simple language and easy to understand narrative made Dina Thanthi popular among people, he said.
Stating that the newspaper brought "political awareness" and "information" to the readers, he said, "people used to throng the tea shops to read this newspaper".
"Thus began the voyage that continues till today and its balanced coverage has made Dina thanthi popular from a daily wage earner to the highest political functionary in the state. And I can see here", he said.
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