Jagran Prakashan to publish facsimile edition of The Independent in India

Jagran Prakashan Ltd (JPL), the publishers of the country's largest circulated newspaper, has today announced an in-principle agreement under which it will publish the facsimile edition of the UK-based broadsheet, The Independent's international edition from New Delhi.

Jagran Prakashan publishes Dainik Jagran, a Hindi newspaper that is also the country's largest circulated daily with a readership of about 19.2 million readers per day. The company started operations in 1942 and today publishes 31 editions across 10 states. It also publishes Sakhi, a monthly magazine targeted at women, and Jagran Varshika, an annual general knowledge digest.

"Strategic partnership between JPL and INM enables us to offer a quality international newspaper to Indian readers," says. Mahendra Mohan Gupta, chairman and managing director, Jagran Praksahan .

"The Independent is known for providing unmatched editorial insights into global businesses, markets and economies and has maintained unrivaled journalistic standards worldwide," added Gupta.

The Independent Group is planning to increase its stake by 1 per cent to 3 per cent in the Indian publishing company, from the 20.8 per cent it currently holds. Jagran Group is also in talks to sell 20-per cent stake in its radio arm to the Independent Group.

Jagran Prakashan is also in process of finalising its plan to launch the second brand, with a lower cover price in regions where Dainik Jagran has presence. The intention is to attract customers who would otherwise have gone in for other papers. The Times of India had made a similar move in Mumbai with the launch of Mumbai Mirror but has not been successful.

The group also owns the internet portal, jagran.com, which it says is the world's most visited site among all Hindi categories. The company also provides a short-code service for news in Hindi and English.