Avid ST reader of 47 years scores an All-in-One

The Straits Times All-in-One package is just right for Mr Ganwani and his wife - he prefers the print copy while Madam Sirya likes to use her tablet to access the digital version. PHOTO: TIFFANY GOH FOR THE STRAITS TIMES`

Mr Lachman Ganwani has been an avid reader of The Straits Times for close to five decades, and he has just opted to keep on reading.

The 57-year-old sales manager took up a new subscription recently at a booth in Suntec City.

Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) is holding a subscription drive at various locations until July 20.

Mr Ganwani, relating how he got started, said: "My father used to read the paper every day, and he passed on the habit to me. I started reading The Straits Times regularly when I was about 10 years old. I think, between the two of us, we have about 60 years of readership."

The Sembawang resident chose the popular All-in-One (AIO) package, which comprises both print and online editions of the newspaper. The online edition is accessible through digital platforms such as smartphones and tablets.

  • Subscription perks

  • Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) subscription drives are being held at various locations until July 20, with gifts and prizes for new subscribers.

    The Straits Times offerings include the print and the All-in-One (AIO) package, which comprises print, smartphone, tablet and Web versions of the paper.

    There is also the All-Digital package, which gives access via the smartphone, tablet and Web; and the One-Digital package, which is a choice between the smartphone, tablet or Web subscription.

    Subscribers can also opt for bundles such as The Straits Times and The New Paper or The Straits Times and Lianhe Wanbao.

    Upon signing up, they can choose a gift depending on the duration of their subscription.

    The Asus ZenPad C tablet (Z170C), Panasonic air purifier (F-PXJ30AHS), Panasonic rice cooker (SR-ZG185SSHM) and Philips handheld vacuum cleaner (FC6149/61) are the gift choices for a three-year subscription.

    Those subscribing for two years can choose from a Panasonic stain-removing toothbrush (EW-DL82), Samsung Gear VR virtual-reality device, Up2 fitness tracker by Jawbone, and a YI Smart Dash in-car camera.

    The popular AIO package also offers new subscribers a chance to win a trip to their dream destination or a retreat at Resorts World Sentosa.

    Subscription drives will be held at the Singapore Expo Hall 6 until tomorrow, the AMK Hub Food Fair from next Monday to Sunday, Century Square Food Fair (July 8 to 14) and Waterway Point, The Kidz Academy (July 11 to 17). The promotion is valid until July 20. Interested readers can visit stsub.sg/win or call 6388-3838 for more details.

Mr Ganwani said his wife Sirya Marthenis, 57, who is self-employed, prefers the digital version.

"My wife uses her tablet a lot, and The Straits Times online is more accessible to her. I personally prefer the print edition," he said.

He cited a preference for local news, saying his favourite sections are Home and Top of the News.

The current subscription drive offers a variety of gifts to new subscribers. A three-year subscription to The Straits Times, for instance, offers an Asus Zenpad C tablet as a gift while a two-year sign-up offers a YI Smart Dash in-car camera.

New subscribers to the AIO package during this period also stand a chance to win a trip for two to their dream destination or a retreat at Resorts World Sentosa.

While many new subscribers contacted said the gifts were attractive, they were also enticed by being able to pay via credit card when switching to a direct subscription.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 25, 2016, with the headline Avid ST reader of 47 years scores an All-in-One. Subscribe