Rajendra Darda

Editor-in-Chief, Lokmat Group

Rajendra Darda is the Editor-in-Chief of Lokmat Media Group and spearheads 17 editions of newspapers in Marathi, Hindi and English languages. He has been responsible for making Lokmat the largest circulated and read Marathi daily and one of the most powerful brands of India. He is an ace journalist, erudite editor, well-known author and dedicated social worker.

He is a keen student of different languages and is well-versed in English, Hindi and Marathi, languages. He has authored books like Zumbar and Vibrant Vignettes. He has authored a number of articles on a variety of issues and personalities. He is an expert in graphic arts and has completed two-year Advanced Course in Graphic Arts from London College of Printing.

In his capacity as a journalist, he was invited by the United States Information Service (USIS) to witness the presidential election and report the close fight between Michael Dukakis and George Bush (Senior) in 1988. As an editor, he accompanied the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi twice during his tours to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Indonesia in October 1986 and later to Belgrade in the then Yugoslavia in September 1989 for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit. He also accompanied the then PM Atal Behari Vajpayee in February 1999 during his tour to Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Morocco. He accompanied Hon. President Pratibhatai Patil during her official visit to Brazil, Mexico and Chile (South America) from 13th April 2008 to 24th April 2008.

As a senior cabinet minister of Maharashtra, he handled important portfolios like Industry, and School Education. He was the Minister of School Education, Government of Maharashtra from 2010 to 2014. He was the Minister of Industries, Employment and Self-employment, Government of Maharashtra (2009-2010) and Minister of State for Energy, Finance, Planning, Home, Tourism and State Excise (1999-2004).

Mr. Darda has always been committed to the cause of social justice, health and environment. In 1984, he mobilized relief funds for the flood-affected people of Nanded and Parbhani and constructed school buildings. After the severe earthquakes of Bihar (1988) and Killari (Latur, Marathwada 1993), he made a significant contribution through Lokmat Relief Fund towards giving relief to the affected people. Under his leadership, the Lokmat Group of Newspapers raised Kargil relief fund for the families of the martyrs and constructed hostels for the children of the martyrs at Aurangabad, Nagpur, Latur and Solapur.