How the newspaper reputation was built – during the pandemic - The Noel D'Cunha Sunday Column
The Dainik Bhaskar (DB) group has produced a 204-page cloth newspaper to celebrate 15 years in Bhilwara. The inside story about how the newspaper group published bumper issues, against all odds.
The Sunday Column picks 10 mega issues from 10 cities across the country
31 Jan 2021 | By Noel D'Cunha
On 22 December 2020, DB’s Sikar edition published a blockbuster 172-page newspaper issue
Sikar edition and Sikar plant
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City edition: The Sikar in Rajasthan was established in December 2003. Workflow DB's feedback on the print job: On the occasion of Sikar edition anniversary, this mega edition was planned covering all-around development plan of Sikar with rich content for the reader |
The 168-page mega issue was published on 22 December 2020 by the Jhunjhunu city unit in Rajasthan
Jhunjhunu edition and Jhunjhunu plant
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City edition: Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan established in December 2003 Factory established in which year: September 2017 Team behind the machines: Dinesh Meghvanshi has a team of 22 personnel. Design element for the special edition (Colour pages / any special print element): All colour pages product, product was pre inserted for delivery to readers at plant Workflow DB's feedback on the print job: On the occasion of Sikar edition anniversary, this mega edition was planned covering all-around development plan of Sikar with rich content for the reader |
The Sirhind city in Himachal received the 144-page newspaper on 20 October 2020. The Himachal, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and HP (CPHH) education was established in May 2000
Himachal edition and Himachal plant
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Team behind the machines: The team of 86 is headed by Deepak Kumar Design element for the special edition (Colour pages / any special print element): All colour pages product, were pre-inserted at the plant for delivery to readers. Workflow Paper: Import, Indian Make Ink: Huber, DIC |
The Indore edition with 128-page hit the stand on 17 September
Indore edition and Indore plant
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City edition: Indore in Madhya Pradesh established in March 1983 Factory established in which year: November 2008 Team behind the machines: Shachikant Birthria has a team of 83 to run the production at the plant Design element for the special edition (Colour pages / any special print element): All colour pages product, were pre inserted at the plant for delivery to readers. Workflow Paper: Kondapoga DB's feedback on the print job: For the first time in the history of the newspaper industry, a 128-page single-book was published at Indore. Registered in the Limca Book of Records. Theme Atmanirbhar, Indore has received huge appreciation from the reader and advertisers. This mega edition became the talk of the country and set new trends in the Indian newspaper media to publish mega editions. |
On 16 October 2020, DB published a 110-page mega issue in Bikaner
Bikaner edition and Bikaner plant
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City edition: Bikaner in Rajasthan, established in October 1997 Factory established in which year: October 1997 Team behind the machines: Suresh Ojha manages 23 personnel Design element for the special edition (Colour pages / any special print element): All colour pages product, were pre inserted at the plant for delivery to readers. Workflow Paper: Imported DB's feedback on the print job: On the occasion of Bikaner Anniversary this mega edition was planned with the rich content covering overall development of Bikaner |
A 100-pages issue was what the citizen of Aurangabad woke up to on 13 November 2020
Aurangabad edition and Aurangabad plant
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City edition: Aurangabad in Maharashtra, established in May 2011 Factory established in which year: May 2011 Team behind the machines: Dipak Chougale manages 48 personnel Design element for the special edition (Colour pages / any special print element): Out of 100 pages, 72 pages were in tabloid format and 28 pages broadsheet, all in colour. Workflow Paper: Import and DB's feedback on the print job: On the occasion of Diwali poojan, this mega edition created a buzz in the market. While the competitor Lokmat published a regular 16-page issue, this 100-pages DB edition was a first in Aurangabad local market |
On 17 October 2020 DB published 84-page newspaper issue in Khandwa
Khandwa edition and Khandwa plant
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City edition: Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh, established in October 2010 Factory established in which year: October 2010 Team behind the machines: Sunil Salvi and his 23 personnel Design element for the special edition (Colour pages / any special print element): All colour pages product, were pre-inserted at the plant for delivery to readers. Workflow Paper: Solicam DB's feedback on the print job: On successful attempt of mega edition publication at other DB units, the team at Khandwa published the mega 84-page Anniversary edition. The edition was based on the renewable energy potential of the Khandwa region,. It presented the vision document of Urjawan Omakareshwar and received huge appreciation from the readers and advertisers |
DB hit newspaper stands of Ahmedabad with an 80-page issue on 20 September
Ahmedabad edition and Ahmedabad plant
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City edition: Ahmedabad in Gujarat, established in June 2003 Factory established in which year: Jun 2003 (SG Highway plant) and Nov 2009 (KBA Plant) Team behind the machines: Sundeep Upadhyay with a team of 111 Design element for the special edition (Colour pages / any special print element): All colour pages product, were pre inserted at the plant for delivery to readers. Workflow Paper: Kondopoga DB's feedback on the print job: This was a first of its kind attempt in the Ahmedabad market. The whole of the market was trying to come off from the jolt of pandemic and this initiative brought life to the market. Was the talking point in the city. Special comment from readers and advertisers that "only Bhaskar can do it" brings smile and satisfaction to the team |
On 12 October 2020 saw an 80-page issue in the city of Raipur
Raipur edition and Raipur plant
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City edition: Raipur in Chhattisgarh, established in October 1992 Factory established in which year: October 1992 Design element for the special edition (Colour pages / any special print element): All colour pages product, were pre-inserted at the plant for delivery to readers. Workflow Paper: Russian Solicam DB's feedback on the print job: The content was based on Yashashwi Raipur theme and this edition printed on imported newsprint was appreciated, both by readers and advertisers |
On two consecutive days, the city of Rajkot saw DB publish 80-page issues. It was on 1 and 2 November 2020
Rajkot edition and Rajkot plant
City edition: Rajkot in Gujarat, established in November 2006
Factory established in which year: November 2006
Team behind the machines: Yogesh Patel with a team of 31 personnel
Team behind the edit pages: Arjun D with a team of 35 personnel
Design element for the special edition (Colour pages / any special print element): It was Rajkot unit's Anniversary issue - 160-page mega edition (80+80 on 2 November 2020, the subsequent day). It included two super panoramas, 8-page each. All the products were packed in a clear poly envelope online for distribution.
Workflow
Pre-press system + CTP system: Indesign Software, Arkitex/Graphix Workflow, Krause SnE CtP
Press: Orient 36 (24-page/22 colour)
Print schedule (starting time to deadline): Start 1:30 Finish 4:30
Post-Press: Manual system
Number of distribution hubs: 2
Paper: Kondopoga
Plate: TechNova
Ink: Bombay Wellprint
DB's feedback on the print job: To mark the Rajkot Anniversary issue, the team planned to rock the market by unleashing two back-to-back editions. To add to the delight, two exclusively designed super panorama were added. The newspaper and supplements were inserted and poly-wrapped to make the distribution easy while keeping the freshness intact. The objective was to add a ‘wow’ factor to the product when it reaches in the hands of readers. It was indeed a huge success and talk of the town. This was a never-attempted-initiative in the Rajkot market.
Dainik Bhaskar uses fabric to publish a 204-page newspaper
On 28 January 2021, Dainik Bhaskar’s (DB) Bhilwara edition marked its 15th anniversary with a massive 204-page foundation day issue. DB printed the first page of the 204-page issue on fabric, highlighting the progress the ‘Textile City of India’, Bhilwara had made, emerging as India’s largest fabric manufacturer.
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