Tidings Media and Communications, which published the Bengali daily Ei Samay, has acquired the Siliguri-based Nepali daily Himalaya Darpan.
This is the second major acquisition for the advocate Sanjay Basu and Anurag Chaudhury-led Kolkata-based company that had acquired Bengali daily newspaper Ei Samay from the Times Group last year. Established on 18 April 2024, Tidings Media owns East India House in Kolkata.
E4m and other media outlets reported that Tidings Media wants to connect with the Gorkha community in North Bengal, Sikkim and the global diaspora. Himalaya Darpan, with its current circulation of 15,000, aims to reach an estimated 60 lakh Nepali-speaking individuals, a LinkedIn post shared by Sanjay Basu says. The same post by Kolkata Callings says an investment of Rs 15 crore has been announced to enhance digital and physical outreach, ensuring wider distribution and enriched content.
The post quoted Sanjay Basu as saying, “Our investments in Himalaya Darpan and Ei Samay are not merely business decisions but our humble ode to the rich history of Indian languages such as Nepali and Bengali. Let us nurture our mother tongues to keep their legacy alive for generations to come.”
Basu told another media outlet that the publication has the potential to reach an estimated 60 lakh Nepali-speaking people in the region and beyond. Himalaya Darpan currently serves the Nepali-speaking population in Sikkim, West Bengal, and Assam. He said the present employees of Himalaya Darpan would continue after the arrangement.
Its digital platform has also introduced a dedicated North Bengal section, showcasing its commitment to regional journalism.
The reports said Tidings Media plans to build on its success with Ei Samay, which launched its North Bengal Edition. Aquilaw advised Tidings Media in this acquisition as well as that of Ei Samay last year.
