Rajendra Jawaharlal Darda is the Editor-in-Chief of
Lokmat
''Lokmat'' ( ) is a Marathi-language newspaper published in Maharashtra, India. Founded in 1971 by Jawaharlal Darda, it is the largest read Marathi-language newspaper in India. and has presence in print, digital, TV and events.Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (ISO: ''Mahārāṣṭra Vidhāna Sabhā'') is the lower house of the bicameral legislature of Maharashtra state in western India. It consists of 288 members directly elected from single-seat constituenci ...
from
Aurangabad
Aurangabad (), officially renamed as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023, is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarters of Aurangabad district and is the largest city in the Marathwada region. Located on a ...
,
Maharashtra
Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...
. He was a Cabinet Minister for Education and Minister of Industries in the
government of Maharashtra
The Government of Maharashtra is the executive branch of the Indian states of india, state of Maharashtra. The government is led by the List of chief ministers of Maharashtra, chief minister (currently Devendra Fadnavis since 5 December 2024) ...
.
Education
After graduating from Nagpur University, Darda received his diploma from the Government Institute of Printing Technology,
Mumbai
Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...
. Darda also attended a two-year advanced course in Graphic Arts from the
London College of Printing
The London College of Communication is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London. Its origins are in education for the printing and retail industries; it now specialises in media-related subjects including advertising, animation ...
.
Career
Darda is editor-in-chief of the
Lokmat
''Lokmat'' ( ) is a Marathi-language newspaper published in Maharashtra, India. Founded in 1971 by Jawaharlal Darda, it is the largest read Marathi-language newspaper in India. and has presence in print, digital, TV and events.Nagpur University.
Art and literature
Rajendra Darda published his first Marathi book "Zumbar", a travelogue narrating his experiences as a student in Europe and America in the 1970s. He has also penned a book "Vibrant Vignettes" in English. In the book "Aamche Vidyapeeth" eminent journalists threw light on his contribution to journalism. He has authored a number of articles on a variety of issues and personalities. He is an expert in graphic arts and has completed two-year Advanced Course in Graphic Arts from London College of Printing.
Ministerial tenures
* October 31, 1999 – Minister of State for Energy and Tourism (Chief Minister Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh)
* March 9, 2001 – Minister of State for Energy, Finance and Planning (Chief Minister Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh)
* January 27, 2003 – Minister of State for Home (Urban) (Chief Minister Mr Sushilkumar Shinde)
* July 12, 2004 – Minister of State for Energy and Excise (Chief Minister Mr Sushilkumar Shinde)
* November 8, 2009 – Cabinet Minister for Industries, Employment, Self-employment (Chief Minister Mr Ashok Chavan)
* November 19, 2010 – Cabinet Minister for School Education (Chief Minister Mr Prithviraj Chavan)
Awards and recognition
* September 16, 1984: Rajendra Darda selected for Best Jaycees Yavatmal Cotton City award.
* January 31, 1986 – Lokmat Editor Rajendra Darda honoured by Maharashtra Jaycees for being Outstanding Young Person.
* May 10, 1992: Lokmat Times Editor Rajendra Darda received Matrusri Award from Former President of India Giani Zail Singh for Lokmat Times (Best Regional English Newspaper).
* December 24, 1993: Giants Federation International president Nana Chudasama felicitated Rajendra Darda for the good work in newspaper industry during the 19th convention of the Giants International.
* September 29, 1996: Rajendra Darda received Shakahar Shiromani award of Shri Bhagwan Medical Foundation from former Union Minister and champion of vegetarianism and animal welfare Maneka Gandhi.
* February 14, 2000: Rajendra Darda received 'Acharya Atre Award' from renowned cartoonist R K Laxman at Ambejogai, Beed.
* October 3, 2007: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh presented Indian Language Newspaper Association’s (ILNA) award to Rajendra Darda for high standards in journalism and his contribution in national development.
* June 28, 2008: Rajendra Darda received Late Suvalalji Wakekar award at Parli Vaijnath in Beed.
* February 10, 2009: Rajendra Darda honoured with Veer Ratna award by Mahavir International to mark completion of its decade of work.
* June 29, 2009: Rajendra Darda, MLA awarded the Best Orator in the Legislative Assembly (Maharashtra) award by the then President of India, Pratibhatai Patil.
* March 21, 2010: Association of Business Communicators felicitated Industry Minister Rajendra Darda with Excellence in Strategic Business Communication award. • March 30, 2018: Sakal Jain Samaj president Rajendra Dada felicitated with ‘Bahubali Award.’
* July 29, 2022: Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Leh, Ladakh honoured Lokmat Editor-in-Chief Rajendra Darda with Goodwill Ambassador certificate.
*The World Record of Excellence Award (England) for journey in journalism, politics & social causes over the past five decades.
Social service
Mr. Darda has always been committed to the cause of social justice, health and environment. In 1984, he mobilized relief funds for the flood-affected people of
Nanded
Nanded is a city in Maharashtra state, India. It is the List of cities in Maharashtra, tenth largest city in the state and the List of cities in India by population, seventy-ninth most populated city in India. It is the second largest city in ...
and Parbhani and constructed school buildings. After the severe earthquakes of Bihar (1988) and Killari (Latur, Marathwada 1993), he made a significant contribution through Lokmat Relief Fund towards giving relief to the affected people. Under his leadership, the Lokmat Group of Newspapers raised Kargil relief fund for the families of the martyrs and
constructed hostels for the children of the martyrs at
Aurangabad
Aurangabad (), officially renamed as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023, is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarters of Aurangabad district and is the largest city in the Marathwada region. Located on a ...
, Nagpur, Latur and Solapur.
Politics
In 1999, he was elected a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Aurangabad Assembly Constituency, Maharashtra. Darda became the Minister of State for Energy, Finance and Planning, and later the Minister of State for Home. He was re-elected MLA from
Aurangabad
Aurangabad (), officially renamed as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023, is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarters of Aurangabad district and is the largest city in the Marathwada region. Located on a ...
(West) Constituency in 2004 and Aurangabad (East) Constituency in 2009. He became the Minister for Industries in the newly constituted Cabinet of Maharashtra Government in November 2009 and later served as the School Education Minister.
Personal life
Darda has two sons Karan and Rishi, and a brother Vijay Jawaharlal Darda who is Chairman of Lokmat and has served 3 times as an MP.
He is married to Ashoo Darda, who is the chairperson of ''Lokmat Sakhi Manch''.