Global headlines say ‘Great Depression 2.0’ is here. Ratings agencies say India’s GDP will grow at -1% and 0%. For 13 out of 15 newspapers, it is not front-page news.

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The banner headlines of newspapers across continents today are uniformly grim: Virus threatens to hit economy harder than war and flu 1918; Biggest economic shock in 300 years; Great Depression 2.0.

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Indian newspaper headlines today, by contrast, are understandably all about the extension of the “lockdown”. In all but two mainline dailies, IMF’s forecast that India’s GDP will grow by a mere 1.5% is hidden on the inside pages.

Astonishingly, as India looks at a humongous economic and social challenge following the 40-day shutdown, not one of the newspapers find the forecasts of a -1% growth (ICRA) or a 0% prediction (Barclays) worthy of notice.

Only The Telegraph (above) keeps the “economic lockdown” front and centre, although it uses it as an umbrella headline for two other stories.

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The Economic Times: second lead, front page

The Times of India, page 1 brief, IMF on page 9; Barclays in copy

Hindustan Times: page 1 brief, IMF on page 9, Barclays blurb

Financial Express: page 1 brief, IMF on page 2; Barclays in copy

The Indian Express: Not on front page, two-column on page 11, no Barclays

The Hindu: not on page one; IMF on page 13; no Barclays in copy

Deccan Herald: not on page one; IMF on page 9; Barclays in copy

The Tribune: one-line IMF blurb, page one

The New Indian Express: not on page one, nothing inside

Deccan Chronicle: not on page one, nothing inside

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As with nearly everything else, the disdain for news of substance in the language newspapers is apparent.

Dainik Bhaskar, Nagpur: not on page one, IMF on page 10

Eenadu, Hyderabad: nothing on page one, Barclays on page 10

Vijaya Karnataka, Bangalore: IMF brief on page 1

Dainik Jagran, Delhi: not on page one, nothing inside

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