The Guardian tells the story of Raju Narisetti; Indian-born, American-trained, former editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe and now repatriated to help the Hindustan Times Group launch a business paper.

"There are three countries where starting a paid-for newspaper is now possible. They are Brazil, China and India. China is not open yet, I do not speak Portuguese and India is, well, home in a way," said Narisetti of his decision to use his skills in his native land. 

He tells of his experience in Europe where 2% growth was seen as positive and compares it with the 35% growth in which Indian news groups are revelling. Some other main points from the article:

• because of the growth in newspapers in developing countries, Narisetti has been contacted by Western journalists looking for work
• 12.6 million Indian's became newspaper readers within the past year in a market that now reaches 204 million people.
• Western publishers are investing heavily realizing the potential for growth
• literacy rates are climbing steadily adding more potential readers
  
• Internet penetration is not nearly as high as it is in the West

Still, newspaper production costs are rising in India as they are the world over.

Indian quality newspapers are also not immune to the "tabloidization" of newspapers: a shift away from hard news to celebrity gossip and entertainment.

Source: The Guardian