About this issue
Hi Friends, I usually have this debate with myself—what makes us the people we are? Abilities and talents we are born with? Or what we make of ourselves with the opportunities given to us? I have to admit, I tend to lean towards the latter. Simply because nature gives us no choice about what she gifts us. However, it is in our hands to make the most of our opportunities. For example, I love writing but I am not great at sports. But I would love to learn horse riding or archery (though I am the biggest klutz around! ). So am I going to throw up my hands and say ‘oh well’? Nuh-uh. I’d like to at least try. Even if I may not turn out to be the best rider or archer, I would be delighted that I learned some new skills. We may think we have the worst environment or have skills that we may think are useless. However, we have the choice to learn and work hard to better ourselves. It is not an easy task. It is tough and it is challenging. But that is what separates the achievers of our world, for even if they fall tomorrow, they know to pull themselves up again. I hope this new year brings you many opportunities to test yourself, better yourself. Moving on, we begin the year with the theme—Weird and Wonderful. For what is a day, a year, a life without wonder? I got my recent dose of wonder, when I saw the most amazing water birds sanctuary in the desert that is Dubai! And did I mention we have some great surprises for you in this issue? No? One surprise waiting for you is the first ever Tinkle Awards! Be sure to check it out! Wish you all a wonnnnderful new year!
About TINKLE
Tinkle started as a fortnightly children’s comics magazine, in 1980. Under the guidance of editor-founder, Anant Pai, the brand evolved the tagline ‘Where learning meets fun’. It was one of the first few children’s comics magazines with Indian content at that time. Till then children were reading syndicated foreign comics, – Archies, Phantom, Mandrake – translated into Indian languages. In Tinkle, children could read folktales from all over the world as well as stories revolving around the Tinkletoons. Many of these characters have evolved into icons such as Suppandi, Shikari Shambu, Tantri the Mantri, Kalia the Crow, etc. Over the years, newer characters have stepped into the Tinkle pages. These include the Defective Detectives, Butterfingers, Sea Diaries, etc. Apart from comics, the magazine also engages readers with several educative non-fiction pages including puzzles, do-it-yourself crafts, solve-it-yourself mysteries, knowledge features on a wide range of subjects and contests. Though intended as a magazine for children between the ages of 8 and 14, Tinkle’s reach goes far beyond. Families eagerly look forward to the magazine, every month, across the length and breadth of the country. It is probably not just the entertainment but the unexpected insights that the magazine gives their children that families value. Owing to Uncle Pai’s efforts, Tinkle is also welcomed by educators and school principals and thus holds a position as a recommended magazine for wholesome edutainment.