It was an Aha! moment for me, when I read this news yesterday. The first thought that came to my mind was that here’s a person who is spreading smiles and happiness just like #WATWB, a project which is close to my heart.
As you know, We Are the World Blogfest, is a monthly blog event created by Damyanti Biswas and Belinda Witzenhausen to showcase stories of hope and light. And here we have a youngster who believes in sharing positive stories too.
Meet Piyush Ghosh, one of the founders of The Optimist Citizen, India’s First Positive Newspaper. In a mission to stop the overflow of negative information, this young man has dared to go against the tide by bringing India’s First Positive Newspaper to people. The Optimist Citizen is India’s first purely positive newspaper presenting only positive news and optimistic stories from all around the world. The mission of The Optimist Citizen is to initiate and stimulate positive actions by positive stories.
Piyush along with his co-founders Tennyson Matthews and Tuhin Kumar Sen believes that it is necessary to show people that there is so much good happening around because it inspires them to do good and give them the courage to fight in difficult situations or help people in need. It increases acceptance and tolerance among people, which contributes a lot to a peaceful society.
Through this newspaper the team of enthused youngsters wants to infuse more positivity in the society by demonstrating the best of human race and human experience. The Optimist Citizen seeks to bring to light those inspirational stories that are often not picked up by the TV Channels or newspapers since they do not create sensation and drama. They are on a mission to ignite faith in people’s hearts and help them strengthen their withering belief about this world being a good place.
So, go on and read The Optimist Citizen and WATWB posts for a dose of feel-good to last you a whole month.
This post is part of the We Are the World Blogfest, a monthly blogging event created by Damyanti Biswas and Belinda Witzenhausen to showcase stories of hope and light. This month I’m helping out as a co-host, along with extraordinary bloggers : Eric Lahti, Inderpreet Uppal, Mary Giese and Roshan Radhakrishnan.—please hop over to check out their WATWB posts as well as from other WATWB participants for a dose of feel-good to last you a whole month. You’ll be happy you did!
Click HERE to check out the intention and rules of the blogfest and feel free to sign up at any time. You are always welcome!
18 Responses
This is an excellent initiative, Shilpa! There used to be Good news India, the portal that only published positive news stories from all over India.
Such youngsters renew my faith in the future of this world.
Thanks for cohosting this month!
Wow thats a great initiative shilpa, love the idea of spreading positivity through the newspaper:) thanks for sharing.
Great initiative. Thanks for sharing this info Kudos to The Optimist Citizen team!
Yes, Shilpa, I agree that we do need to be aware of the types of news we consume daily. Interesting that this young man committed to this valuable project.
Of late there are many such people who are spreading the good word and good news. Why aren’t they becoming mainstream? I think all newspapers should only focus on GOOD NEWS rather than the bad. I for one enjoyed reading about the wedding of Eugenie rather than reading about Sabarimala.
This is so great Shilpa! MANY years ago there was a newspaper called The Christian Monitor which had a similar purpose but closed – unsure why. Kudos to Piyush along with his co-founders Tennyson Matthews and Tuhin Kumar Sen for this! May it be contagious! Thank you for co-hosting this month and have a great weekend!
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This is wonderful news. We are often told of the ‘copycatters’ who copy the not-so-good things we see in the media. I’ve often said they should include good things so the copycatters copy them. 🙂 He’s someone who’s helping that happen.
This, and situations like it, speaks so strongly that people are tired of only hearing the negative in the world. They see positive things happening and are sick of having them overshadowed by the latest scandal. I love this!
So they are doing what WATWB is doing, but in print! Kudos to them!
I love this, Shilpa! The Optimist Citizen is a paper that should go global. I have often thought how cool it would be to have a TV station that only presents positive news, with no political or negative ads. There is so much good in the world, yet we always focus on the bad and ugly. Thanks for bringing this newspaper to the forefront.
Oh lovely! I will go check them out. Thank you Shilpa.
What a lovely initiative – more power to these young men. News of goodness does inspire others to believe in doing good!!
Since by default everything is supposed to be good and correct in this world, news traditionally, and by definition, is about something going wrong. For example, if a train or flight leaves on time, then that is not news. Because that is the way it is supposed to be. But when a train or flight is delayed, then that becomes news.
Today, such positive news (an oxymoron, in a sense) has become important and very much highlighted, because, in today world what is by default is not what is right and good. The right and good have unfortunately become the exceptions rather than the norm!
All the more reason, that we need a lot more of highlighting of the good so that before too long, that becomes the norm, like it used to be once upon a time.
Interestingly, traditional media is now making efforts to highlight such positive news items. Mathrubhoomi TV channel in Kerala has a programme called Nalla Vaartha, meaning Good News. So it is catching on.
I went through The Optimist Citizen, and bookmarked the page. Interesting collection of articles. I have also liked their Facebook page. More such initiatives the better.
Hi Shilpa – so good to learn about this … I’ll follow and keep an eye on the amazing people he highlights who are helping others … brilliant WAWTB post – thanks … Hilary
Just had a glimpse of the Optimal Citizen. Great content and positive work. Thanks for spreading the information. This needs to come out in the limelight.
Thanks for sharing Shilpa. Such initiatives to promote good news is very important in today’s current context.
Excellent initiative taken. I am grateful to you for providing this information Kudos to the team at The Optimist Citizen!