Mangaluru, Jan 14, 2021
Walter Nandalike
Founder
Daijiworld Group of Media
Dearest readers,
Today marks the 20th auspicious Makara Sankranti ever since we launched daijiworld.com on January 14, 2001. What began as a tiny step in Dubai, inaugurated by NRI entrepreneur Ronald Colaco, is now 20 years old. As has been the tradition every five years so far with us, we had planned events to celebrate our success, but due to the prevailing situation, we have decided not to celebrate the milestone. But there is no meaning to this milestone if we do not thank our readers and each and everyone who has supported us right from day one.
Starting with just 50 to 100 unique visitors during the initial days, daijiworld.com today records an average 1.3 million unique monthly visitors. This has been a phenomenal journey, and 'thank you' is too small a word to express our gratitude to our dear readers, our sponsors, contributors, team members, and all those who have helped us grow, directly or indirectly, without mentioning any name. We are immensely grateful for all the support, constructive criticism and constant words of encouragement we have received over the last two decades that have fuelled our passion and enabled us to grow.
‘Localwood’ - OTT platform for local languages:
From the very beginning, Daijiworld has been a pioneer in coastal Karnataka's media sphere. Now, to mark our milestone year, we are announcing the launch of OTT (over-the-top) platform for Tulu, Konkani, Beary and Kannada entertainment content, the first of its kind in coastal Karnataka. 'Localwood' OTT app will be available for public within the next few days. We are delighted to launch Tulu, Konkani movies, web series, musical shows, and content on both free and paid modes. This mega project is possible thanks to our partnership with ATC Online, a pioneer IT solutions company headed by internationally renowned corporate professional Ivan Fernandes in Dubai. 'Localwood' would be a joint venture by Daijiworld and ATC Online. More details on this will be shared in the next few days.
Also, we would like to announce the upgrading of the technical structure of daijiworld.com portal. We are pleased to announce the shift from dot net system to Linux. Once again we have joined hands with ATC Online for all our IT related solutions. You find user-friendly mobile app, mobile version of website and faster browsing experience in the coming days. You may face some inconvenience like interruption of service during the migration of our portal from dot net to Linux.
Our social concern continues even during lockdown:
Our motto of enabling direct help from donors to beneficiary has continued, and we are happy to share with you that assistance to the tune of Rs 23 crore has been generated through the appeals published on daijiworld.com during the past 20 years. More than a thousand individuals and families are beneficiaries of direct help from our readers who contribute to noble causes like medical, education, housing and other needs. Our charity mission will continue and we will do our best to help the deserving.
During the sudden and unprecedented lockdown when thousands were left in the lurch without access to food and medicines, Daijiworld TV channel launched a campaign to reach out to the needy people in the coastal cities. Thanks to direct contribution to the cause by hundreds of our readers and viewers who responded wholeheartedly, over 6,000 families received timely assistance in the form of groceries, food, medicine and even cash to their account. The campaign initiated by us under the title 'Naavu Nimmondige' has been hailed by citizens, government departments and leaders of various political parties. Today we would like to thank each and everyone who joined hands with us to reach out to the needy during this most difficult time.
Daijiworld TV - Next level entry:
We are delighted to announce that Daijiworld TV started in the year 2014 has now scaled a new height, thanks to viewer-friendly programmes we presented with a positive attitude. Our TV channel is now available on JIO platform, and our reach has extended to greater parts of Kerala, Sakleshpur, North Canara and other places.
Very soon, our channel will be available in Bengaluru and Mumbai through set-top boxes. At present all our other viewers can watch our live programmes through our mobile app, YouTube LIVE, Facebook Live and JIO platforms.
Challenges ahead:
As all of us know, almost every establishment is going through challenging times due to the pandemic. At Daijiworld, we have resolved to move ahead with a clear and positive vision. Apart from providing news and entertainment, our motto is also to reach out to the needy by effectively using our media. Fighting for social causes and justice is also part of media’s mission. We are thankful to the administration, and the departments concerned for positively accepting our approach. We want to create a difference in the media environment. We want to walk a new path while upholding time-honoured media ethics and traditions. We look forward to continued support from our readers, well-wishers, agencies, advertisers, sponsors, and team members. With your support, we hope to accomplish our goal.
This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication and sacrifices of our staff members who have served us during the last 20 years and the current team members who are our strength and backbone. Our directors are our inspiration, we have been able to achieve this success due to their support.
We remember with grief Victor D’Souza (54), our director who passed away due to heart attack on November 20, 2019, and Richie John Pais (51), our editorial head who passed away last year on March 1 due to cancer, and Anna Mascarenhas (55), Daijiworld Print co-ordinator who succumbed to cancer on May 2, 2020. We miss them dearly. May their souls rest in peace.
May this new year 2021, and this decade, bring us lots of happiness, peace and prosperity.
For your feedback, suggestions and other info you may contact us on our helpline WhatsApp number: +91 6362321633