An explosion of Western magazines has hit newsstands in India in the past 12 months, pitching a familiar mix of consumption and gossip, relationship advice and expensive goodies, according to the New York Times.

That’s the good news.

Now for the bad news.

As someone who delivered newspapers growing up, I found this part of the article disturbing to say the least.

“If on a particular day my sales are poor, then I am abused by my employer, at times beaten as well,” said Sonu Kunar, a 12-year-old boy selling a variety of local and Western titles at the intersection of two busy New Delhi roads.

Sonu says he works from 9 in the morning until 8 in the evening, and earns about 1,000 rupees, or $23.15, a month.”

For the complete piece, click here.

Posted by: Mark Pasetsky

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