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.

• 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 130 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.

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.

The affluent strata, middle and higher-educated class of the Kerala society form the bulk of the Deepika readership. Many of its readers have distinguished and established themselves at the summit of virtually all fields of economic, social and political activities. Top educationalists, bankers, jewellers and gold merchants, planters, share brokers, industrialists, etc. of the state are its regular readers.

This is the Company's flagship publication and has been a trendsetter among newspapers of the State, pioneering innovation and new technology. It has ever stood out for equality, truth, justice and human rights in society as well as persistently fought for obtaining fair prices for agricultural commodities - the backbone of our economy as well as encouraged the use of high-yielding crop varieties and scientific fertilizers.

Deepika has always supported the poor, the downtrodden and the oppressed, both through its columns and in diverse other ways. The establishment of the Deepika Educational and Charitable Trust' and the 'Helping the Helpless' scheme are examples of recent projects in this regard, which has enabled countless readers to reach out and directly or indirectly support thousands of deserving people through the newspaper.

Pope John Paul II inaugurated Deepika's year- long centenary celebrations in 1986 during his maiden visit to India. In 1987, late Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi was the chief guest at the centenary concluding ceremony.

Deepika, now into its 130th year of publication, persistently strives to achieve its primary noble goals, overcoming hurdles in a fast- moving and challenging world. Its talented editors continue to win laurels and awards, both National and International, for outstanding features published, year after year. Perhaps no other newspaper in India has won so many awards for creative writing and other related subjects over the years, in recent times.

The newspaper revolution in India started in the late 18th Century, The first major newspaper in India The Bengal Gazette was started in 1780. Other newspapers such as The India Gazette, The Calcutta Gazette, The Madras Courier (1785), The Bombay Herald (1789) etc. soon followed. These newspapers carried news of the areas under the British rule. The Times of India was founded in 1838 as The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce by Bennett Coleman and Company, a colonial enterprise now owned by an Indian conglomerate. India, consuming over 100 million newspaper copies in 2008 is the second largest market in the world for newspapers, after China.

The main national newspapers of India include the Times of India, The Indian Express, The Hindu, The Hindustan Times, The Ananda Bazaar Patrika etc. In Kerala, Deepika was started as the first Malayalam Daily in 1887 followed by the Malayala Manorama in 1888. Other prominent Malayalam newspapers include Mathrubhoomi, Kerala Kaumudi, Deshabhimani and Mangalam.

The newspaper's founding fathers envisaged the evolution and advancement of literacy in Kerela through the rich and educative columns of the newspaper. The management, 130 years later, today remains committed to the noble goals had put forward at the inception of the newspaper,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.

Deepika also pledges to remain standing out as a voice of the voiceless; perpetuating truth, justice, freedom and equality. It always aims at being a credible, authentic, secular and dignified newspaper, committed to genuine social, cultural and ethical values. It further serves as 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; leading by example from the front.

• Our reader comes first. We commit ourselves to their service and will ensure their satisfaction in every service we offer.
• We will stand by the people for social justice and security by providing accurate and objective information on time. We will also strive to influence public opinion for positive social change.
• Our employees are our assets. We will ensure transparent and professional work environment and constantly assist our people to grow along with the Company.
• We cherish the contribution of our business associates in the value addition of our products and services. We will treat them as partners in our continuous effort for quality improvement.
• We recognize the plurality of our society and our role in it. We will promote and undertake social and cultural activities that will educate, enrich, and synergize the society we leave in and bring people closer.
• We appreciate the confidence our shareholders have in us. We commit ourselves to protect their interests in the Company and will strive to increase shareholder value in both monetary and prestige terms.
• We will ensure, as a team, quality and consistency in every task we undertake. Also we will always conduct ourselves in a manner that befits the dignity and image of our organization.

• Excellence in performance.
• Best Service to all our readers and customers.
• Respect for ourselves, our colleagues, our company, our products and our customers.

The newspaper and company was taken over by and is under the direct management of the Kerala Catholic Church as of January 2008. Since then, its circulation has more than tripled and its advertisement revenue also increased substantially. Special value added publications have been brought out in recent years such as The Indian Christian Directory, Exotic Eastern Paradise, Higher Studies and Nursing Directories, Exclusive volumes on Blessed Chavara and St. Alphonsa etc.

The quality and content of Deepika Daily and its seven allied publications have also significantly been improved. More qualified and experienced personnel have joined various departments. Several professionally qualified and eminent persons have also joined the management team as Directors to further strengthen its base.

Deepika is a newspaper with valued principles and ethics but a predominantly regional newspaper. It would be ranked as the third largest in Kerala in terms of sales volumes, preceded by Malayala Manorama and Mathrubhoomi. It hopes to improve its position to the second position in an organized and systematically planned manner over the next few years.

The Rashtra Deepika Ltd. Group has many well qualified personnel working at its various printing units and offices all over Kerala and India in different capacities. Matters related to personnel are handled by the Human Resources Department at the company's Head office in Kottayam.

Deepika has a distinction of being one of the top newspapers of the state and has several distinct advantages like:

• Being read by an educated class of people.
• Being read by people with ample purchasing power.
• Being read by people who belong to the noble Christian and Catholic communities.
• Being read by people who are considered market movers and market makers and more open to new products and processes.
• Being read by those who prefer quality and brand name to quantity or price.
• Being a newspaper with remarkable influence in several core commercial towns and districts of Kerala.

These and other such factors give it a competitive edge and enhanced strength over other newspapers as well as enable it to receive more advertisements.