Mumbai, October 23, 2000 : 123India.com India’s Premier Portal - launched http://cartoons.123India.com/. Eminent cartoonist Priya Raj created the cartoons for the cartoon channel, a first of its kind in the country. Dr. Edward de Bono, the global guru of creative thinking, inaugurated the cartoons channel at a launch event held on Saturday, October 21, 2000. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Edward de Bono said, “I have always considered cartoons as the best form of creative expression. I have the greatest regard for cartoonists as they are able to convert complex subjects into simple concepts and ideas.

Humour is by far the most significant phenomenon in the human mind and one of the very few ways we have of changing perceptions,” he added while addressing a select group of cartoonists, humourists, artists and corporate managers.

Mr. Priya Raj, the cartoonist behind the cartoons at 123India.com said, "Cartoons take a creative leap in expressing ideas and viewpoints through humor and satire. It is something everyone loves to look at and enjoy. 123India.com has launched an exclusive cartoon channel focusing on news and business.” He adds, "I was very impressed with out-of-the-box thinking of 123India.com management. My cartoons will have a wider reach through 123India.com and I will be able to implement my ideas to build a large community of cartoonists and cartoon lovers on the net."

Cartoons based on news, business and politics have always been a regular feature in newspapers.http://cartoons.123india.com/ covers a spectrum of topical cartoons with special focus on the Indian scenario. 123India.com is the first of its kind to launch a comprehensive online cartoon channel in India.

The channel has various columns including ‘Under the Pyramid’, 'Counter Point', 'Editoon' and 'Caritoons'. A daily Management Cartoon column that comments on management concepts and practices in the corporate world, 'Under the Pyramid' is especially targeted at corporate executives. 'Counterpoint' is a daily news based cartoon column based on business and politics. 'Editoon' is a weekly opinion cartoon with satirical comments on topical subjects related to politics, business and social issues. 'Caritoons' features a caricature of personality in news every week. 123India.com offers the facility by which, you can e-mail the cartoon you like to a friend, relative or colleague and let them enjoy 123India.com Cartoons. A special section titled 'Tutorials' will offers tips and techniques on cartooning to aspiring cartoonists. In addition the channel will include a lot of interactive features.

Dhruv Sharma, CEO, 123India.com comments “Cartoons are an extremely versatile medium of communicating ideas and opinions. I am very happy to announce the launch of our cartoons site with cartoonist Priya Raj. We have great plans for synergising our mutual strengths for extending cartoons in all its dimensions on the net."

In a short span of time, 123India.com, one of the most descriptive and informative of Indian sites, has grown its registered uses base from 50,000 users to more than 1.25 million registered users. The portal also enjoys more than 100 million page views per month.  

About 123India.com:
123India.com, India's Premier Portal, is an India dedicated Internet media site that offers branded web content, serving Indians worldwide. As the leading Indian online navigational guide to the web, 123India.com is one of the largest guides in terms of users, database and reach amongst the Indian community on the Internet. Visit us at www.123india.com.