TRIVIA

The daily crosswords made their appearance in The Hindu in the early 1970s. (For some time, when there was a shortage of newsprint, the crosswords appeared thrice a week.) The paper had the distinction of being the first to have crosswords compiled by an Indian six days a week. Some other newspapers also had Indian-origin puzzles, but only once a week. The first setter was Admiral R.D. Katari, who took up this task after he retired as the first Indian Chief of the Indian Navy. His creations were admired for excellent craftsmanship; but the composer remained anonymous. It was only in the obituary notice for the Admiral that this role found mention.