Palai Diocese declares campaign months to boost newspaper readership

PALAI, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — The Diocese of Palai has designated November and December as “Deepika Intensive Campaign Months,” aiming to enroll every family as a subscriber to Deepika, the Church-run daily newspaper.

Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt of Palai announced that the diocesan-level inauguration of the campaign will take place on Nov. 16, 2026, at the Forane Church Pravithanam located in the Kottayam district of Kerala. The letter was published in the November issue of Santhwanaprakasham, the Palai diocesan newsletter.

Describing the newspaper as a vital organ, the announcement noted that “Deepika, the premier Malayalam daily newspaper of Kerala, has stood as a beacon of vigilance for our Church and society over the past 140 years”.

Historical role and community impact

Bishop Kallarangatt emphasised the publication’s legacy in advocating for local communities, particularly regarding agricultural challenges and educational milestones.

According to the directive, “Deepika has consistently raised its voice against agricultural crises and for the rights of farmers”.

The publication has also addressed critical regional concerns, bringing “various issues confronted by farmers in our high-range regions, such as the menace of wild animals and the collapse of rubber prices, to the attention of the administration”.

Furthermore, he stated that “Deepika has perpetually remained at the forefront of accurately presenting these educational advancements and the achievements of the children of the Church to the world”.

Campaign Directives and Implementation

To ensure broad participation across the region, the diocese outlined several structural steps for parishes. Principal directives mandate that “the election of office-bearers for the ‘Deepika Friends Club (DFC)’ must be completed expeditiously in all parishes”.

Additionally, campaigns during the two-month period will be conducted “under the leadership of parish vicars by coordinating DFC office-bearers and other organisational representatives”.

Key community figures—including members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, church wardens, catechism teachers, educators, and family unit leaders—are “earnestly requested to set an example by becoming subscribers to Deepika”.

The initiative concludes with the hope that “the values of truth and justice upheld by Deepika may become the possession of every single one of our families”.

Founded on April 15, 1887, as Nasrani Deepika by Father Emmanuel Nidhiri, Deepika is the oldest Malayalam newspaper still in publication and stands among the oldest active daily newspapers in India. Nasrani refers to local Syrian Christians — followers of Jesus of Nazareth.

Originally managed by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, a Kerala-based Religious congregation, the publication transitioned in 1989 to a public limited company, Rashtra (national) Deepika Ltd.

Today, the prominent daily—printed across major centres in Kerala—is governed by the Catholic Media Trust under the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council.

Full statement available: original Malayalam and AI‑generated English translation.