An interview with the publishers of the Secular Citizen by Ladislaus L D’Souza for Matters India
“Publishing is a business. But journalism never was and is not essentially a business, nor is it a profession.” The person who said this knew what he was saying for he went on to become one of the greatest American press magnates of the early 20th century: Henry Robinson Luce, who gave the English speaking world some of the finest magazines of all time, notably, TIME, LIFE and FORTUNE to name but a few, publications that have stood the test of time.
Simply put then, journalism is the science of communicating news and views in the light of truth to all without prejudice in a spirit of cordiality. Seen against this background, The Secular Citizen (TSC) that hit the stands barely 25 years ago might seem small fry. But 25 years in the context of the Indian ethos is no mean achievement for a couple who’ve given their life to the cause of authentic journalism. In a free-wheeling interview the Founder-Owner-Publisher, Mr Lawrence Coelho (LC) and his wife, Susan (SC) tells about things either not known or long forgotten.
Matters India: Congrats Lawrence and Susan! How does it feel to have your publication strike silver?
Lawrence Coelho: It is just about beginning to sink in…. Didn’t quite realize how time had flown!
MI: What an achievement – 25 years in the publishing line with no signs of slowing down as you begin the trek to gold. What would you say is the secret behind your success?
LC: Two things: one, sincere, hard work! And the other: A hard working wife!
MI: But what was it that led you to start this venture anyway?
LC: Sometime in the year 1990 a need was felt for a secular publication for the Christian community, of the Christian community and by the Christian community across the country. That’s when the idea of TSC was born. Today, the need is even stronger given the kind of situation the community is facing nationwide. We need a powerful voice to express the community’s feelings and fears, its hopes and expectations, and its aspirations and disappointments in relation to its all-round growth and progress vis-à-vis society in general. In fact with over 10 lakh Christians in fast expanding Mumbai alone, we now need a ‘daily’ to have our voice heard even louder all over India.”
MI: When exactly did the first issue of TSC hit the stands?
LC: The first issue of TSC was published in April 1992 – in magazine format. This of course was preceded by an issue in December 1991 under the masthead of THE NEW HORIZON, as a quarterly. The 25 silvery years gone by have seen TSC through varied change. TSC converted to Tabloid format before returning to magazine format with the 25 March 2013 issue (Vol 22 / No. 12). From Vol 5 / No. 11, November 1996, it went on to become a fortnightly in magazine format. From Vol 7, January 1998 it emerged in Tabloid format. From Vol 8 / No. 28, December 1999 it ran as a Weekly in Tabloid format; from Vol 22 / No. 12, 25 March 2013 it reverted to the Magazine format in which it continues to reach our readers till date.
MI: That sure is no mean achievement. What about the capital investment? How did you handle that?
LC: My wife, Susan, and I have managed that entirely on our own, whereby we have no loans waiting to be cleared, no borrowing awaiting return.
MI: What about the Church – has any assistance been forthcoming?
LC: No way! TSC is a purely private venture and involving the Church in its finances has been and will always be out of the question.
MI: And does the Church approve or disapprove of what you publish?
LC: There hasn’t ever been a difficulty from that point of view. But of course, we do observe self-imposed norms whereby we studiously maintain the Christian character of our publication. For example, we do try in the measure possible to publish seasonally relevant material – which is how we even have a Christmas Bumper issue every year! A recent issue of TSC even carried a photograph of His eminence, the Cardinal-Archbishop of Bombay browsing through an issue. Indeed, Cardinal Gracias has been very appreciative and supportive in his reaction.
MI: The month of February is traditionally observed by the Church in India as ‘Press Month’ while November is observed as ‘Communications Month’, the focus of which is the electronic media. Being the Year of Mercy, the theme set for Communications month by the Church Universal this year is Communication and Mercy: A Fruitful Encounter. What theme are you taking?
LC: All literature, whether print or electronic, that aims to spread knowledge and awareness, in effect goodwill, serves as both a means and a meeting point of fruitful encounter between hearts and minds of diverse sections of society, thereby communicating love and compassion. This is precisely what TSC has been so conscientiously doing, not merely during February and November but all through the year these last 25 years!
MI: I agree. It’s plain to see that the covers of every succeeding issue of TSC keep getting better and better, each spelling class. Who does that for you?
LC: Frankly, periodicals are known to hire professional help specifically for the layout and cover design of their publications. I have never felt the need for such an arrangement as I have, over the time, developed a feel for the creative element in the Desk Top Publishing operation and so have been enjoying doing it all by myself!
MI: You obviously are a stickler for perfection, Lawrence—for I can see that you take great care of the editing and collation of material for each issue (not excluding advertisements). The result of such finesse cannot but be a delight to the eye! In fact your success with TSC seems to have propelled you to start DIVO – am I right?
LC: That’s right! In fact, DIVO is already in its 22nd year of uninterrupted publication! But of course, the credit for that largely goes to my wife, Susan!
MI: Julius Henry Marx, an American comedian and film and television star of the last century, professionally known as Groucho Marx, has said: “Behind every successful man is a woman!” Could you say something more about Susan’s involvement, Lawrence?
LC: Let me put like this – Susan is an extremely hard working woman, both on the home front and in the office. Her involvement in the TSC group is total, her dedication amazing. In fact, ever since the launch of TSC and DIVO as well as the various projects and activities, she has been a strong pillar of support. She has all information concerning subscribers and the postal service at her fingertips and it is she who ensures timely dispatch of every issue of the two publications across the length and breadth of the country. Apart from handling DIVO virtually singlehandedly, she has played the role of public relations officer, finance controller and even decision-maker with aplomb — so much so that she has been representing the group at various events and meets. Indeed, but for Susan’s help, I would have been at sea!
MI: Susan, What have you to say to that?
SC: You see, with my husband I am part and parcel of all that he undertakes. He is the brain behind every project and activity of the TSC Group, all of which reflects nothing if not his deep love and concern for the community. The totality of my involvement in thought, word and deed stems from the full trust I have in him!
MI: What would you have to reveal as regards the contribution of writers?
SC: Well, it might interest you to know that Mr Coelho, through TSC and DIVO, has always been highly encouraging towards up and coming writers and their texts. In fact numerous are the writers who’ve cut their milk-teeth on writing for TSC.
MI: Could you throw light on what else the TSC group has been doing apart from publishing TSC and DIVO?
SC: TSC has studiously promoted individual talent in the community and interacted with various social and religious organizations. In association with Royal Christian Family [RCF], it has been bringing together large numbers of marriageable boys and girls in a successful search of a suitable life-partner.
TSC has also given immense exposure to small businessmen and entrepreneurs in the community, even helping some of them launch their business activities.
MI: If I’m not mistaken, TSC has also been giving out awards to achievers in various spheres of life. Could you throw some light on that and other things?
SC: Yes – In May 2005 we gave Mr Anthony Parakal of Malad, the well-known King of Letter-writers, a Lifetime Achievement Award (Citation, floral bouquet, ceremonial shawl & Rs 50,000 in cash.)
*In 2011, the Writer of the Year Award was given to Mr Marshall Sequeira (a citation, memento, ceremonial shawl and Rs 20,000 in cash.)
*We also organized social and cultural meets, apart from Leaders in the Making and Reaching to the Top seminars for youth (LIMRT).
*Both TSC and DIVO are now available as e-editions.
*E-Learning website portal www.limrt.com, online learning website to help develop skills and to learn more on academic and corporate topics, launched to mark the completion of 25 years of TSC’s existence
MI: And lastly, what about the award TSC won some time back?
SC: We were felicitated for TSC’s silvery feat by the Indian Catholic Press Association during ‘Press Month’, February 2016. It was an experience.