Walter Nandalike
Editor-in-chief
May 8, 2014
Mangalore
In our 14th year of journey in online journalism, we are stepping into a new place from this Friday, May 9, 2014, a 'move' which we had never dreamed of, but have today realised with the support of all our well-wishers.
Our new corporate office, spread over an area of 4000 sq ft, with modern facilities and easy access, located on Airport Road, opposite St Lawrence Church, Bondel, will be inaugurated on May 9 at 9.30 am.
Ronald Colaco, NRE entrepreneur and philanthropist, Sudhir Shetty, COO of UAE Exchange, Sayed Abdul Kader, chairman, Green Valley School, Shiroor, Rohan Monteiro, MD of Rohan Corporation and director of Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd will be the guests for the function.
Daijiworld had a humble beginning on January 14, 2001; and in 2003, on March 29 it opened its first office in Mangalore in a space less than 400 sq ft, with just a couple of staff. In the next few years, daijiworld witnessed a phenomenal growth in online journalism, and went on to become the undisputed leader in web media - a status which is still maintained today, ranked among the top news portals in India.
The growth of the web portal encouraged us to establish a private limited company in 2007 and we moved to a bigger office of about 1,000 sq ft at Emporium Complex, Kankanady, Mangalore.
Later, when the web portal became self-reliant, we thought of diversifying into the print media. 'Daijiworld Weekly', launched in the year 2009, will be celebrating its 5th anniversary with the unique 'Swabhiman Awards' on June 8 in Mangalore. Hemacharya is the editor-in-chief of Daijiworld Weekly.
With further growth in the readership, commercials and our team, we needed a much bigger place for us. Rohan Monteiro, who is part of daijiworld, generously announced the 'Daijiworld Residency' project in Bondel, and thanks to instant trust and response from the people all over world, all 72 flats were sold-out within no time. In the same premises, now we have our new address, new location and new direction.
Today we are proud to say that we have about 400,000 unique and loyal readers, who are our greatest asset, and more than 250 individuals and companies around the world supporting us through advertising. The trust placed in us by our readers has helped us to raise over Rs 8 crore for the less privileged people through online appeals. This has become an opportunity for generous people and philanthropists to reach out directly to the needy without any middlemen. Also, today Daijiworld is being seen as a mainstream media in the entire Karnataka state, whether in political, cultural, religious, social or any other area of news. The impact created by our reports speak of the authenticity and credibility of daijiworld.com.
Daijiworld 24x7 - A new initiative in the form of TV channel
After successful web and print media experiments, we are now stepping into television media. We will soft-launch (on experimental basis) our 24-hour infotainment (information and entertainment) channel in Kannada, Tulu, Konkani and Beary languages with English news bulletins, on the same occasion as the office opening.
Oneil D'Souza, who was running the popular 24-hour music channel 'Request TV' is joining us as managing director to run the channel. The new company will operate under the name of 'Daijiworld Television Pvt Ltd'. In a few days time, the TV channel will be available on Android, iOS (Apple), Blackberry and Windows mobile app with free-to-download option, and also on daijiworld website for worldwide readers. The channel will be available through satellite in the next few months.
More details on the TV programmes will be provided in the coming weeks.
We will bring more innovation in online journalism as well as in print and TV media in the days to come. That's promise.
Cordial invitation
Every reader is important to us, and is our valued asset. We have tried to personally invite people, but haven't been able to reach out to all. Those who can make it to Mangalore on May 9, kindly treat this humble request as our personal invitation. Be part of our joy, bless us, support us and be with us.
If we see this day of success and happiness, it is because of you, our readers, well-wishers, supporters, sponsors, contributors, team members, dedicated staff, and each and every one who has prayed for and guided us. We love you all, and are grateful for everything you have done for us, and for being there every step of our memorable, exciting journey.
As we take another significant stride, we begin a whole new chapter in our journey, and we are confident that you will be part of it, as you have been all these 13 years.
Watch live coverage of the inaugural ceremony of Daijiworld's new corporate office on daijiworld.com and Namma Kudla channel from 9.30 am on May 9.