The dawn of April 15, 1887 witnessed a rare moment in the history of publishing in Kerala 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 Kerala over a quarter century before then. This event further marked the epoch-making but humble dawn of organized, elite, free press journalism in Kerala. 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 Kerala. 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 Kerala.

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 135 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 Kerala 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 135th 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.

Kuttikalude Deepika was launched as the first Malayalam monthly for children in 1952 with a view to publishing a worthy magazine for the new generation. It is now a popular fortnightly. Children all over eagerly read it and enjoy its assorted contents, which include stories, puzzles and features of all kinds.

Children's Digest, an English monthly for the young and the young at heart, was launched in January 1997. It has been a winner from its very first issue and is today second to none in quality and content.

Highly popular and cherished all over India and abroad, the Digest has an array of interesting, amusing, educative and mind-testing features that make it the largest selling magazine in its class.

Youngsters and elders alike enjoy the magazine and enthusiastically look forward to reading it, month after month.

www.deepika.com made history in October 1997 by becoming the first Malayalam Daily on the World Wide Web. Receiving over three million hits per day and combined with its unique features including easy accessibility, personalized websites .Our Internet edition is today the largest read online Malayalam Daily reaching 125 countries.

english.deepika.com , the English edition is one of the premier Internet English editions in South India. 'Helping the Helpless' the online charity fund promoted by deepika.com, continues to receive tremendous response and to-date, under its auspices, over five million rupees has been given to the needy and deserving in society, on behalf of well-wishers and philanthropists from all over the world.

The company has in recent years brought out several special publications in the better interests of readers including Business Directories, Health Directories, Annual Agricultural Directories & Higher Studies Directories, The Indian Christian Directory 2000 & 2006 editions, 'Jeevitha Vijayam', a book on inspirational thoughts for better living, and more recently 'Kerala Vignana Deepika' a compendium on Kerala on the 50th anniversary of its formation, 'Exotic Eastern Paradise' a book on tourism in Kerala, 'Bon Voyage' a handbook for overseas employment seekers and several other value added publications.

The special volume on St. Alphonsa brought out in 2008 in connection with her canonization, is a marvelous contribution from the Deepika group. All these have all been well received in the market

The Deepika Children's League was set up in 1952 as an extension of Deepika's commitment to society. The aim has been primarily to train school children, irrespective of caste or creed and imbibe in them noble virtues and principles to enable them to become responsible citizens and confidently face the emerging challenges of the developing world. DCL has since its inception enrolled and trained over 6 lakh youth, of whom many are today successfully placed in various walks of life. DCL organizes diverse, training and leadership camps, competitions and workshops, wherein children are provided opportunities designed to help them achieve a positive sense of self, sense of community, and stronger success skills. It also publishes better living books and conducts scholarship examinations.

Deepika Daily is printed from our Kottayam, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram units. We have our own presses and premises at Kottayam,Thrissur and Kannur whereas we use rented presses for printing at other Units. Kottayam Unit covers Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts. Trivandrum unit covers Trivandrum and Kollam Districts. Thrissur unit covers Thrissur and Palakkad. Kozhikode unit covers Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad. Kannur unit covers Kannur, Kasaragod, Bangalore and Mangalore.

RD Eveninger is printed from Kottayam, Kochi, Thrissur, Palakkad, Mallappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.

In an increasingly aggressive and dynamic market, Rashtra Deepika Ltd. has significantly enhanced its reader base, advertisement revenue and popularity of its publications. Professional Directors with considerable business experience have joined the organization, giving it added vitality and vivacity. The company also has some of the finest journalistic talent in Kerala, many of who have won laurels; regional, national and international.

The Internet edition, with value- added features and several million hits daily, habitually makes waves and is a major source of news and information for Keralites the world over. Added to this, the unstinted support of its readers together with the invaluable support and confidence reposed by shareholders has helped the organization grow in strength and stature over the years. Equipped with all these, Rashtra Deepika Ltd. gallantly marches on in the twenty first century, continually setting landmarks and milestones in its relentless pursuit for excellence.

The company is mulling the revamping of its Daily and other publications in a phased manner. More improved output quality, professional coverage of news, starting of new editions, effectively and economically developing its infrastructure, publications quality, news sources, personnel output etc. are being planned. Improved business promotion techniques and strategies are on the anvil.

Ways of facilitating faster productivity and reducing production costs as well as other overheads are being planned. The company further aims to enhance its readership portfolio and become an even more forward looking, progressive, popular and profitable newspaper in the days ahead, living up to the myriad expectations of its discerning readers.