Asia’s oldest newspaper turns 198; Mid-day celebrates 40th anniversary

While the print media across the world has been showing signs of fatigue, two Mumbai-based newspapers are celebrating their decades of success in the field of printing; a testimonial to the power of print.

09 Jul 2019 | By PrintWeek India

Nilesh Dave, editor at Mumbai Samachar

Asia’s oldest newspaper Mumbai Samachar (previously known as The Bombay Samachar) celebrated its 198^th anniversary on 1 July 2019 by hosting a series of events and programmes in Mumbai to mark their astonishing achievement. Established in 1822 by Fardunjee Marzban and currently owned by the Cama family, the Gujarati newspaper is one of the oldest newspapers in India in circulation today. With a circulation of 1,50,000, Mumbai Samachar is one of the leading vernacular newspapers in India read by a large section of Gujarati-speaking community.

“It is a matter of immense pride for all of us at Mumbai Samachar to reach this milestone,” said Nilesh Dave, editor of the paper. “There are very few publications across the world that have managed to survive for 200 years and continued to stay relevant.”

Mumbai Samachar April 03, 1937 edition

Meanwhile, Mid-day, an English tabloid based in Mumbai and a part of Jagran Prakash, celebrated its 40^th anniversary with a 152-page ‘Milestones Mumbai’ special edition delivered in an exclusive paper bag.