At the annual general meeting of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS), held in New Delhi on Monday, Karan Rajendra Darda from the publication Lokmat was elected as president for the period 2026–2027.
INS is the apex body uniting newspaper, magazine, and periodical publishers in the country. The society announced that Darda takes over the duties from Vivek Gupta of Sanmarg.
Darda, who serves as the Executive Director of Lokmat Media Group, stated his intention to work towards protecting press freedom, strengthening the newspaper industry, encouraging innovation, and ensuring equal representation for all members, regardless of the scale of their operations. He emphasized: 'Together we will make Indian journalism stronger and ready for the future.'
Darda joined the family business in 2005 and has made significant contributions to the development, transformation, and diversification of Lokmat Media Group, with a particular focus on technology, operational efficiency, and seeking new business opportunities. He also actively promoted projects such as Project Butterfly, aimed at transitioning to cashless documentation, and Project Sky, focused on automation and enhancing organizational efficiency.
Furthermore, Darda holds an MBA from New York and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Owner/President program. He is also involved in education, sports, and social development, having completed several IRONMAN 70.3 races and a full marathon.
Other leaders were also elected for 2026–2027: Tamney Maheshwari from Amar Ujala became vice-president, Harsha Mathew from Vanitha was elected vice-president, and Anant Nath from Grihshobhika was elected honorary treasurer. Mari Paul will continue to serve as the society's general secretary.