TAMIL MURASU MARKS 75TH ANNIVERSARY IN SINGAPORE

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, July 6 (Bernama) - Tamil Murasu, Singapore's national Tamil
language daily, turned 75 today with a fresh, modern new look.

The paper was founded in 1935 by G. Sarangapany, a Singaporean Indian
business leader.

In 1996, the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) bought the paper which has grown
from a circulation of about 200 copies in the founding years to a current
average of 13,000 on weekdays and close to 20,000 on Sundays.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary, bumper issues of Tamil Murasu were
distributed free to the public Tuesday.

In a statement, SPH said Tamil Murasu had established itself as a voice for
the Tamil-speaking community in Singapore.

It was one of the main information sources for the community with its
wide-ranging coverage of local and foreign news, current affairs as well as
sports and entertainment, it said.

The paper has also made coverage of Tamil Nadu, a state in India, a special
strength.

SPH said the paper, aimed at catering to the needs of the growing Indian
diaspora in Singapore, circulated 30,000 copies on Fridays.

Tamil Murasu chairman S Chandra Das said: "I am proud that Singapore has
its own Tamil newspaper and that it is well-supported by the Tamil community in
Singapore."

Tamil Murasu editor M. Nirmala said: "The paper turning 75 is a significant
milestone in its long history. Readers and advertisers like it and their strong
support for the paper will help keep Tamil alive for future generations of
Tamils in Singapore."
-- BERNAMA