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After 22 Years, a Last Hurrah!

DUBAI - ‘Celebrating the Spirit of Youth’ was its tagline and that’s exactly what Young Times did. For over two decades, as the only magazine for youngsters in the country and the region, it was a part of their formative years, their growing up. It was easily the best and edged out its competitors to dominate the youth scene. With today’s issue, the curtain comes down on the magazine.

It is the last time that Otto, Totto and Dots — the much-loved mascots — will flash their toothless grins. It marks the end of an era.

Since 1986 YT was a friend, a confidante and a companion.

It began life as a humble pullout that came along with the broadsheet. Brainchild of its first editor, Dilip Raote, and Khaleej Times Director Muzammil Ahmed, it was the first inhouse family enterprise of the newspaper. The readers embraced it instantly and soon it had its own identity and individuality.

When the editorial baton passed on to Padmanabhan Iyer, the magazine evolved under his stewardship. Then came Joyati Das, followed by B. Surendar, who took it to another level. Since 2001 it flourished under the watchful eye of Roopa Kurian.

The dedicated editorial team had one motto — respect for the young. They are people too. And they deserve the best.

As Young Times bids goodbye in its current form it is once again time to celebrate the spirit of youth and for a job well done. This is, however, not the end as Otto, Totto and Dots could soon reappear in a different shape. Watch this space.