Deepika (newspaper)

{{Short description|Malayalam newspaper in India}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = Deepika | logo = Deepika(newspaper)Logo.jpg | logo_size = 220px | image = Nasrani Deepika.png | image_size = 225px | type = Daily Newspaper | format = Broadsheet | founded = 15 April 1887 | founder = Nidhiry Mani Kathanar | owners = Rashtra Deepika Ltd. | editor = George Kudilil | managing_editor = Michael Vettickat | headquarters = Kottayam | sister_newspapers = Rashtradeepika | circulation = 5,00,000 daily | readership = 3.0 Million | website = {{URL|http://www.deepika.com}} | free = {{URL|http://epaper.deepika.com/}} | language = Malayalam, English | political_position = }} '''''Deepika''''' ({{Translation|Lantern}}; known as ''Nasrani Deepika'' till 1939) is an Indian Malayalam-language newspaper, which is one of the oldest newspapers published in India.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=b6HBACRQTFsC Press Inside Outside]</ref> It is a mouthpiece of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in the region. Started in 1887, it is the oldest Malayalam newspaper now in circulation.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NXK445Q1nIwC Encyclopedia of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh]</ref> ''Deepika'' publishes editions from Kottayam, Kochi, Kannur, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.deepika.com/cat13.asp?ccode=about |title=Deepika - About Us |access-date=26 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926220202/http://www.deepika.com/cat13.asp?ccode=about |archive-date=26 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History== ''Deepika'' newspaper was started in 1887 as ''Nasrani Deepika'' by a Syrian Catholic priest, Nidhiry Mani Kathanar. Jatiaikya Sangham, an organisation formed with the objective of uniting the Pazhayakoor and Puthenkoor communities among the Christians of Kerala, came up with the idea of a newspaper for all the various Christian communities in Kerala.

Although this project did not work out, the Catholics in this group sought the permission of Mar Marcelinos, the bishop of Veropoly and started a newspaper. The first issue of the newspaper was published on 15 April 1887. Initially, the newspaper was printed on a wooden printing press at St. Joseph's Printing Press, Mannanam, near Kottayam. The first editor-in-chief was Nidhiry Mani Kathanar.

Shortly afterwards, the ''Nasrani Deepika'' newspaper split from the Jatiaikya Sangham and was taken over by the Mannanam Ashram, the religious house of the congregation started by St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara.

Initially published twice a month, ''Nasrani Deepika'' became a daily newspaper from January 1927, going through various stages of publication, three times a month and three times a week. In 1939, the headquarters was shifted from Mannanam to Kottayam. At this point, the newspaper removed the name ''Nasrani'' and became just ''Deepika''.

In 1989, the ''Deepika'' daily was transferred to Rashtradeepika Limited, a public limited company with clergy, faithful, directors and shareholders. Later in 2005, the acquisition of a majority stake in the company by some individuals and the forced retirement of permanent employees, including journalists, led to much controversy.

''Deepika'' has been accused of extorting money from the CIA by former chief minister V. S. Achuthanandan. The newspaper announced that the Chief Minister would be paid Rs 1 crore if the allegations are proved.

The Deepika Friends Club, which includes ''Deepika'' readers, was launched in 2015. Fr. Benny Mundanattu is the Managing Director and Dr. George Kudilil is the Chief Editor of Deepika Group.

thumb|Rashtra Deepika Ltd., Kottayam ''Deepika'' was successful in initiating many new changes and innovations in Malayalam journalism. ''Deepika'' was and is the most popular newspaper among the Syrian Catholic community. ''Deepika'' has taken a strong stand for the farmers and the disadvantaged. ''Deepika'' is credited with being the first Malayalam newspaper to devote an entire page to sports and the first Malayalam daily to launch an internet edition. In April 1992 an evening edition, '''''Rashtra Deepika''''', was added to the newspaper group.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rashtradeepika : Malayalam Evening daily|url=http://www.zonkerala.com/Rashtradeepika-2324.html|access-date=2018-09-26|website=www.zonkerala.com}}</ref>

Currently, ''Deepika'' owns two news portals, www.deepika.com and www.rashtradeepika.com.

''Deepika'' completed 125 years of service in 2012.

== Subsidiaries == {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! Name ! Frequency ! Language ! Type |- | The Rashtra Deepika | Evening Daily | Malayalam | Newspaper |- | Business Deepika | Weekly | Malayalam | Business Magazine |- | Karshakan | Monthly | Malayalam | Agricultural Magazine |- | Sthreedhanam | Monthly | Malayalam | Women's Magazine |- | Rashtra Deepika Cinema | Monthly | Malayalam | Film Magazine |- | Kuttikalude Deepika | Weekly | Malayalam | Children's fortnightly |- | Children's Digest | Monthly | English | Children's Magazine |}

== Publishing Centres ==

Deepika publishes editions from :

* Kottayam * Kochi * Kannur * Thrissur * Thiruvananthapuram * Kozhikode

== Digital Platforms == • deepika.com (Online newspaper)

• deepikaglobal.com (Online English Newspaper)

• deepikaglobal.com Radio (Online radio)

== References == {{reflist|2}}

==External links== * [http://www.deepika.com Deepika Online] * [http://www.rashtradeepika.com Rashtra Deepika]

Category:Malayalam-language newspapers Category:Newspapers established in 1887 Category:Daily newspapers published in India Category:Christian media in Kerala Category:1887 establishments in India