The journey of Rajasthan Patrika from
a local quarter size double-sheet evening
daily to a full- fledged sixteen page
newspaper started in 1956. The dream of
commanding a Rajasthan wide circulation
of over four hundred forty thousand was
given the form of reality by the founder,
proprietor and editor Late Karpoor Chand
"KULISH" who is the epitome
of unflinching courage, tenacity and perseverance.
The idea of starting daily newspaper originated
in his mind while he was working for Rashtradoot,
a prominent newspaper of that time. The
other two hindi dailies Lokvani (1946-1965)
and a Navayug (1955-1963), during that
time Delhi based newspapers dominated
the redearship of Rajasthan due to their
better resources and wide coverage of
news. While working for Rashtradoot Kulishji
realised the need of an independent newspaper
free from political affiliations and devoted
to the problems, hopes and aspirations
of the people. With the help and encouragement
of his well wishers, Kulishji ultimately
launched Rajasthan Patrika.
The success of any daily newspaper has
to be measured in terms of numbers of
its editions, its circulation and the
revenue it generates from the market.
Rajasthan Patrika on this count right
from its inception has not only come out
with flying colours but has achieved landmarks
on several occasions and has to its credit
several achievements in making history
in the newspaper journalism. The figures
themselves tell the history of such spectacular
development of the newspaper that is no
less than a miracle: 15 editions with
a readership crossing in a short span
of fifty years. To have a feel of this
success story one has to look back at
the fifty years of amazing journalism
that Rajasthan Patrika has to its credit.
1956-1965
The magnificent role the newspaper played
in the public agitation with regard to
establishing the Jaipur bench of the Rajasthan
High Court by way of its powerful editorials
including playing up the cause by publishing
news stories and reviews of the public
opinion earned the laurels of the people
apart from earning the credibility of
its ever increasing readership. This was
crucial and rewarding also. The image
of the newspaper went up in the eyes of
the masses. The circulation increased
by leaps and bounds and in 1964 i.e. Patrika
became a morninger.
1965-1975
By the third Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) Election
in Rajasthan, the journalistic expertise
that included unbiased and objective reporting
along with analytic reviews and articles
added four thousand copies to its ever
growing circulation. 1966 saw the introduction
of the new German Printing Machine that
awarded one additional column in the seven
column page. The honest objective and
right analysis of the 1967 Vidhan Sabha
(Assembly) Election made by Rajasthan
Patrika again proved what it projected
to be correct which led to its future
approach in the hearts of the people.
The credibility factor was rewarded in
the form of an increase of circulation
to 10,000 copies. At the same time the
newspaper got the membership of Audit
Bureau of Circulation (ABC) which helped
in boosting the revenue side thus making
the newspaper economically stronger. Steep
increase in the number of ads, quality
printing and journalistic expertise including
vast coverage of rural Rajasthan resulted
in a runaway success which was proved
in 1977 when its circulation crossed 30,000
copies. The development continued unabated
when circulation crossed 24000 in 1974,
26000 in 1975 and 33000 in 1976.
1975-1979
During the dark days of emergency from
1975 to 1977 Rajasthan Patrika played
its glorious role which will be written
in golden words in the history of journalism.
When the famous national dailies started
crawling in front of the powerful, congress
leaders of the Government, Rajasthan Patrika
without any fear carried on the crusade
for journalistic freedom. This caught
the imagination of the people, Rajasthan
patrika became the newspaper of the Masses.
By the end of emergency the circulation
figure went up to 53000 and in a short
span of three month the circulation shot
up to 75000. The emergency thus proved
to be a boon for the development and progress
of Rajasthan Patrika.
1979-1997
After the emergency the publishing of
the newspaper started from new premises
at Kesargarh, where in nearly 15 months
a history was created when the figure
crossed one lac while Patrika launched
its first Jodhpur Edition in 1981 and
with the starting of Udaipur Edition a
new milestone was achieved. All the three
editions got the national awards for printing
and designing. In March 1986 Kota Edition
and in August 1987 Bikaner Edition were
added to the newspaper. Patrika's grand
success continued and increased day by
day. In 1995 National Readership Survey
(NRS - 1995) showed that an astounding
84.68% (27.42 Lac readers) of the Hindi
Newspaper readers in urban areas of Rajasthan
read Rajasthan Patrika.
1997 Onwards
In 1997 Rajasthan Patrika readership continued
to soar high and touched 10 million mark
by 2000. In the year 2000 the new editions
at Bhilwara, Sikar, Sriganganagar were
started. On 11th August 2002 Ahmedabad
Edition and on 28th October Ajmer Edition
and in the year 2003 Surat Edition were
added in the list. This was not an easy
job but it was made easy by the capable
employees of Rajasthan Patrika. Its march
onward continues and many more achievements
in the field of journalism await it.
