Media moguls powwow in Moscow ...

With over 1,500 publishers, chief editors, managing directors, CEOs and senior newspaper executives from 103 countries convening in Moscow, it is billed as the world's largest gathering to chart the industry's future. The 59th World Newspaper Congress, 13th World Editors Forum and Info Services Expo which opens today in the Russian capital will run until Wednesday. The Congress will focus on the immense wave of innovation that continues to sweep through the global newspaper industry, bringing success to companies that are seizing the new opportunities and embracing change. It provides key developments in the industry, with the latest data and information on global newspaper trends. The congress will also examine new publications, new advertising and circulation strategies, new digital product development and new business practices. The Editors Forum, on the other hand, will focus on what newspapers can do to adapt to the changing habits of the "free generation" - readers who are accustomed to getting their news from free newspapers and free internet sites. The conference will look at such topics as embracing citizen journalism, offering broadband services, developing weekend editions and supplements and protecting newspaper credibility. Alongside these events, Info Services Expo 2006 will showcase the new services and technologies which are shaping the newspaper of the future. Among the registered participants is Sanjay Gupta, CEO of the Indian daily Dainak Jagran, which has the biggest readership in the world -- some 21 million. Founder of the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, will attend a forum on "citizen journalism".

Love is blind, marriage an eye-opener...

The young couple looked radiant as they mingled with their guests who congratulated them on their marriage. They are among the many across the country who are taking advantage of the on-going school holidays to tie the nuptial knot. For the newly-weds, it is everyone’s hope that they have a blissful life albeit an uncertain future. The journey could be rough, at times, depending on the route they take. If both could stick to their promise during courtship to overcome the challenges together, come what may, then married life could be smooth-sailing. After all, love is what makes two people sit in the middle of a bench when there is plenty of space at both ends. Sitting among the guests, I could only admire the couple -- Linda and Kumaran, whom despite their different background, have taken the big step forward to settle down as husband and wife. I’m sure they are aware that a marriage does not mean just accepting the other as a life partner but to be part of his or her family. For their families too, it also means having to make adjustment to their lives as they open their hearts to accept a new member of the family. Love is blind and marriage is an eye-opener.