1956: The Beginning
Darshan, a weekly newspaper, was launched in Belagavi. It continued its weekly publication for seven years.
About Lokadarshan
From a Belagavi weekly to a multi-platform media organisation
Lokadarshan began in 1956 as Darshan, a weekly newspaper launched in Belagavi. Seventy years on, it reaches readers through its daily newspaper, its e-paper and website, and an expanding digital presence, carrying forward its commitment to journalism across generations.
Lokadarshan, 8 June 2021
- Darshan weekly launched in Belagavi
- 1956
- Lokadarshan launched as a daily
- 1963
- Districts of North Karnataka covered
- 9
- Website and e-paper launched
- 2021
Who we are
Rooted in Belagavi, reporting across North Karnataka
Lokadarshan’s story is one of steady growth: from a weekly to a daily, from one edition to four, from black and white to colour, and from print to digital.
It began in 1956 as Darshan, a weekly newspaper launched in Belagavi. After seven years of weekly publication, Darshan was renamed Lokadarshan in 1963 and launched as a daily newspaper.
Editions followed in Ballari, Vijapura and Koppal, taking its coverage into Bagalkot, Gulbarga and Raichur districts. New printing machines (its own press in Ballari, an offset machine and later a colour press) changed how the newspaper was made.
In 2005, the Editor, Mohan Basavraj Desai, handed the newspaper to his son, Sharatchandra Desai, on one condition: that it be printed in colour. Since then Lokadarshan has moved into colour, onto the web with Lokadarshan.news and its e-paper, and in 2026 onto Instagram, YouTube and the new Belagavi Insider platform.
What has shaped Lokadarshan
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Belagavi at the centre
Darshan was launched in Belagavi in 1956. Belagavi remained the main edition, printed the Ballari edition from 1990, and became the edition into which the regional editions were merged.
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Regional editions
Between 1978 and 1996 Lokadarshan added editions for Ballari, Vijapura and Koppal, extending its coverage into Vijapura, Bagalkot, Gulbarga, Koppal and Raichur districts.
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Printing technology
From its own printing press in Ballari to its own offset printing machine, and then a Prakash Webtech machine capable of printing six pages in colour, Lokadarshan kept adopting new printing technology.
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From print to digital
Lokadarshan.news and Lokadarshanepaper.com launched in 2021. In 2026 Lokadarshan expanded to Instagram and YouTube and launched Belagavi Insider.
Our journey
Seventy years of Lokadarshan
The milestones that took Lokadarshan from a weekly newspaper in Belagavi to a multi-platform media organisation.
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1963: The Birth of Lokadarshan
In 1963, Darshan was renamed Lokadarshan, marking the beginning of a new chapter. Lokadarshan was launched as a daily newspaper.
- Weekly → Daily
The Lokadarshan nameplate, as printed on the 8 June 2021 edition. -
1978: Expansion to Ballari
Lokadarshan expanded its reach with the launch of the Ballari edition, along with its own printing press in Ballari.
- Ballari edition
- Own press in Ballari
Editions in 1978 -
1987: Embracing New Printing Technology
Lokadarshan entered a new era of printing technology with the acquisition and installation of its own offset printing machine.
Representative image
Representative image of an offset printing press. Photo: Bornil Sarker / Pexels. -
1990: Strengthening the Ballari Edition
A separate Ballari edition was started, with printing carried out from Belagavi using the new offset printing technology.
- Printed in Belagavi
The Ballari edition, printed in Belagavi from 1990 -
1993: Expansion to Vijapura
The Vijapura edition of Lokadarshan was launched, extending coverage across Vijapura, Bagalkot and Gulbarga districts.
- Vijapura
- Bagalkot
- Gulbarga
Editions in 1993 -
1996: Expansion to Koppal
The Koppal edition was launched, covering Koppal and Raichur districts.
- Koppal
- Raichur
Editions in 1996 -
1996 – 2008
Four editions
For nearly a decade, until 2008, Lokadarshan operated with Belagavi as its main edition, along with separate editions for Ballari, Vijapura and Koppal.
- Belagavi (main)
- Ballari
- Vijapura
- Koppal
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2005: A New Generation Takes Charge
In 2005, Mohan Basavraj Desai, Editor of Lokadarshan, handed over the reins of the newspaper to his son, Sharatchandra Desai, with one important condition: that the newspaper should be printed in colour.
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2006: Entering the Era of Colour
In 2006, Lokadarshan entered a new era with the installation of a Prakash Webtech printing machine, capable of printing six pages in colour and six pages in black and white.
The three separate editions, which were earlier being printed in four pages, were eventually merged under the Belagavi edition. This led to the launch of a 12-page newspaper, expanding Lokadarshan’s coverage to nine districts across North Karnataka.
- 6 colour + 6 black-and-white pages
- 12-page newspaper
- 9 districts
Lokadarshan in colour: a page from the 8 June 2021 edition. -
2021: Lokadarshan Goes Digital
Lokadarshan took its first major step into the digital world with the launch of its website and e-paper, Lokadarshan.news and Lokadarshanepaper.com, bringing its journalism to a new generation of readers while making the newspaper accessible to audiences online.
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2026: A New Digital Chapter
In 2026, Lokadarshan expanded its digital presence across Instagram and YouTube, marking a new chapter in its journey from print to digital media.
Alongside this, Belagavi Insider was launched as a new digital platform by Lokadarshan, created to bring local stories, people and perspectives to a wider audience across Kannada, English, Marathi, Hindi and other languages going forward.
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A journey of continuous evolution
From a weekly newspaper in 1956 to a multi-platform digital media organisation in 2026, Lokadarshan’s journey has been one of continuous evolution: adapting to changing technology, expanding its reach, and carrying forward its commitment to journalism across generations.
Awards & recognition
Recognised for journalism and service
Over the years, Lokadarshan has been recognised for its contribution to journalism, regional reporting, social responsibility and public service.
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State Patrika Academy Award
Received in recognition of Lokadarshan’s contribution to journalism.
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Sri Veera Sangolli Rayanna Sadbhavana Award
Presented by the National Sports and Cultural Youth Institution, Gadag.
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Andolana Prashasti
Lokadarshan was recognised as the Best Regional Newspaper by the Media Academy.
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More Hanumanthrao Award
Regarded as one of the highest honours in the state’s journalism sector.
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Chalukya Vikramaditya Award
Presented by the Koppal District Citizens Forum on the occasion of Itagi Utsav.
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Sevaratna Award
Presented by the Shankargouda Patil Social Service Foundation in recognition of Lokadarshan’s contribution to society.
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Karnataka Rajyotsava Award
A prestigious honour recognising Lokadarshan’s contribution to journalism and public life in Karnataka.
A legacy of recognition
From state-level journalism honours to prestigious cultural and public service recognitions, these awards reflect Lokadarshan’s longstanding commitment to responsible journalism, regional voices and service to society.
Read Lokadarshan today
Read today’s newspaper on the e-paper, follow the latest news on Lokadarshan.news, and find Lokadarshan on Instagram and YouTube.