Hindu names K Asokan as editor for its Tamil daily

Asokan, is the former editor of Ananda Vikatan, a leading Tamil weekly published from Chennai

Kasturi & Sons Limited (KSL), the publisher of 'The Hindu' newspaper, has roped in industry veteran K Asokan as the editor of its yet-to-be-named Tamil daily, which is expected to be launched before or during the upcoming festival season.

Asokan, 46, is the former editor of Ananda Vikatan, a leading Tamil weekly published from Chennai, and now the publisher of the Vikatan group that brings out seven magazines including the flagship Ananda Vikatan.

N Ram, director of KSL and former editor-in-chief of The Hindu, has confirmed the development. He said KSL was in the process of recruiting people for the new venture.

While sources in the board said the launch could be before the festival season, Ram did not confirm the timing, saying: "We are working on it and it will be (launched) soon."

Sources also said it was decided not to go with the name Kamadhenu a proposed earlier, and KSL was looking at titles which have the word Hindu. "We may not be able to reveal the name at present," said Ram.

According to sources, Asokan was considered based on his long tenure (26 years) with a single organisation, the Vikatan group, which he joined in 1987. He had good news sense and has been practical, said a KSL source.

Asokan was one of the faces for the Rs 125-crore Vikatan group, which has seven magazines spanning politics, investigation, women, spiritual, agriculture, finance and auto. All put together, the publications have a circulation of around 1.4 million.