KM Mathew, Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama, passed away early on Sunday at his residence in Kerala, India.
He was 93.
Malayala Manorama is one of India’s largest read regional language newspaper with 1.8 million copies printed from 17 centres across India and from Dubai and Bahrain in GCC.
Born on January 2, 1917, Mathew joined the Manorama to assist his eldest brother, KM Cherian, soon after the death of their father, KC Mammen Mappillai.
Mathew assumed charge as Chief Editor after the death of Cherian in 1973. He launched the first English newsmagazine from Kerala, The Week, in 1982. He also started the publication of Manorama Yearbooks in five languages.
A veteran journalist who abandoned his business to join the media industry, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan, India’s highest civilian award in 1998. Among the other awards he won are the BD Goenka Award for the best editor, Ramakrishna Jayadayal Harmony Award for national integration, Foundation for Freedom of Information Award, Kerala Press Academy Honour for excellence in journalism, Durga Prasad Chaudhary Award, Swadesabhimani award, and Kerala Management Association's Leadership award. And he politely rejected a host of other awards.
He also became chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC), president of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS), and founder trustee and chairman of the Press Institute of India and Research Institute for Newspaper Development (RIND). Mathew is survived by three sons and a daughter.