You are on page 1of 3

Rashtra Deepika Ltd.

At A Glance

A Legacy Unfolded...

The dawn of April 15, 1887 witnessed a rare moment in the history of
publishing in Kerela when Deepika, (Nazrani Deepika- as it was initially
named) India's first Malayalam Newspaper was first published. A marvel at
that time, it was the realization and fulfillment of a long-cherished dream of
many, which its Founder Editor Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiry (Nidhirikal Mani
Kathanar), a renowned priest and perceptive, creative thinker of those
times, initiated and shaped.

The newspaper was initially printed on a crude, hand-made wooden press


built by the legendary and far-sighted visionary Carmelite monk, Fr.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara (now Saint Chavara) at Mannanam; a remote
hamlet near the town of Kottayam in Central Kerela over a quarter century
before then. This event further marked the epoch-making but humble dawn
of organized, elite, free press journalism in Kerela. The Carmelites of Mary
Immaculate (CMI) congregation managed the newspaper till 1989, when it
was converted into a Limited Company with public participation named
Rashtra Deepika Ltd.; with a view to giving it fresh impetus, added
professionalism and new ethos.

The newspaper's founders had high and noble ambitions for this unique
project that served as a major milestone in the evolution and advancement
of literacy in Kerela. Under the dynamic leadership of Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiri,
(a versatile genius and renowned philosopher of those times) and his team
of thinkers, Nazrani Deepika marched unflinchingly over the years into the
20th Century, growing in stature and spreading its wings further. The
printing frequency gradually increased from weekly to twice a week and later
thrice a week. Correspondents and contributors were from virtually all
segments of society.

On January 3, 1927, Nazrani Deepika was converted into a Daily, the


first ever of the State, re-emphasizing the noble goals that its
founding fathers had put forward in its very first issue, namely :

To represent the needs of the common man to the rulers.

To protect and safeguard the inalienable rights of the people.

To fight for Truth, Justice and Freedom and to unite the separated
brethren of Kerela.

On August 1, 1939, the newspaper shifted to Kottayam, which has since


become a nerve center for printing and publishing in the state. To give it a
more secular outlook, its name was also then changed to Deepika. Over
the years, Deepika has continued to make a strong impact on the masses,
becoming the voice of the voiceless, staunchly standing out for truth, justice,
freedom and equality for all. It is today a credible, authentic, secular and
dignified newspaper committed to genuine social, cultural and ethical values.
It is a mouthpiece of the oppressed, a source of inspiration for many and has
carved out a distinctive personality for itself in the world of newspapers in
Kerala; bravely and boldly leading by example from the front.

In 1986, Deepika's year-long centenary celebrations were inaugurated by


Pope John Paul II and the newspaper commemorated its 100th year of
publication in April 1987. Well over the past 128 years, Deepika has grown
in strength and stature, standing out boldly for the people, fearing and
favoring none. It has relentlessly fought for the well being of farmers, the
weaker sections and the rights of the minorities, irrespective of caste or
creed. It has also maintained a neutral political stand, earning the
appreciation of politicians and leaders, both national and regional, which has
helped it earn added credibility and respect.

In August 1989, Deepika was converted into a Public Limited


Company, Rashtra Deepika Ltd.
This was to facilitate the organization to gain corporate dimensions,
stimulation and new ethos so as to enable it to meet the myriad challenges
of the ever growing and highly competitive world.
The event has been the turning point in the history of the organization,
which has grown leaps and bounds,ever since.
Class of Readers...

Rashtra Deepika publications have the distinction of being widely read by the
affluent, educated and influential class of Kerela society, mostly middle and
upper middle class Christian families, who form the bulk of its readership.
Many of our readers have distinguished and established themselves at the
summit of diverse fields of economic, political and social activities. Top
engineers, doctors, bankers, jewelers, share brokers, industrialists,
businessmen, agriculturists, etc. are regular readers.

Our readers are also receptive as well as widely considered market creators
and market movers.

You might also like