Mathrubhumi Daily's Gulf edition was launched in Dubai on March 18, 2013 as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations. It was the accomplishment of a long-cherished dream of Gulf Malayalees as well as Mathrubhumi.The Dubai edition is going well on its track. As part of the initiative to launch editions in all Gulf counties, Mathrubhumi is starting an edition from Qatar, a country that accommodates tens of thousands of NRI Malayalees.

With Qatar edition becoming a reality, we are well aware that a great responsibility is being undertaken. Within a short span of time, this small country had made significant advancement and stamped its mark in Gulf sector as well as the global economic scenario.

The massive oil and natural gas reservoirs and fast growing business and trade entrepreneurships are expanding Qatar's horizon of development. Malayalees here have made remarkable contribution to the growth of Qatar.

At this juncture, Mathrubhumi is giving priority to feed them comprehensive and impartial news stories from India, especially Kerala. Mathrubhumi will be a permanent and lively presence in the business and trade circles.

We have to thankfully note that the government of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has been encouraging and admiring technically efficient, talented and hardworking Malayalees. It may also be noted that worshipful Emir's father, the great SheikhHamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, managed to transform Qatar from mere stretches of deserts to an enviable hub in the international arena in just 18 years. Further, the visionary and farsighted leader handed over the reigns to his son Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and has been repeatedly proving that he is a great son of a great father. This 35-year-old has already earned the reputation as a wise and resourceful administrator, who needs special mention among the young rulers in the current world.

Now, Qatar holds the third largest natural gas reserve in the world. In gas export, it is in the first position. Also this small nation has made significant earnings in the form of investments in other countries and has scaled great heights in education and health sectors. In diplomatic arena too, Qatar has earned its place. Doha, the capital of Qatar, is the base of trade negotiations at international level known as the Doha round. The fascinating Doha city competes neck-and-neck in facilities, infrastructure, tradition, class and exquisiteness to any other capital cities. On several occasions, I had the opportunity to visit Doha and several other parts of Qatar. Being a guest, I relished the country's cordial and warm atmosphere.

The relation between Qatar and India is exploring newer horizons of cooperation. As part of this, the respectful Emir visited India recently. The NRI Malayalees always upheld the pride of the country through their dedicated works. The Malayalees, who were lucky enough to become part of the development of Qatar, are discharging their duties and responsibilities in the most laudable manner. The integrity they earned is a token of appreciation for them and also the country.

On this auspicious occasion, I would like to mention here some facts from Mathrubhumi's rich past. The daily was launched on March 17, 1923 as part of the Indian freedom struggle. The paper was printed at a small press in Kozhikode under the light of a kerosene lamp. A Mathrubhumi family member handed over the first copy to founder editor K P Kesava Menon in the presence of Manager K Madhavan Nair. This marked Mathrubhumi's humble beginning and the history of its astonishing development.

I may note that Mathrubhumi was the lone newspaper institution visited by Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, mentioned Mathrubhumi as his own publishing firm. Also, leaders at national level, showered praises on Mathrubhumi's role in the freedom movement. All these are instances from history that Mathrubhumi only can cherish.

Standing firm on its righteous policies, Mathrubhumi made its humbling start as a three-days-a-week publication and further went on to become a daily. With the addition of fair number of publications, Mathrubhumi has clinched a respectable position it holds now.

Riding high on the success of its editions from Kozhikode, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kannur, Kottayam, Malappuram, Kollam, Palakkad, Alappuzha, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, New Delhi and Dubai, Mathrubhumi is launching the 16th edition from Qatar.

Publications such as Mathrubhumi weekly, Grihalakshmi, Mathrubhumi Thozil Vartha, Mathrubhumi Sports Masika, Balabhumi, Mathrubhumi Arograyamasika, Mathrubhumi Star and Style, Minnaminni and Chithrakadha add variety and richness to Mathrubhumi's arsenal in the literary world.

Mathrubhumi later ventured into the audio-visual media scripting notable landmarks in the growth of the institution. Mathrubhumi's Club FM 94.3 has won many a hearts. Also, Mathrubhumi News has won the appreciation of viewers. The Kappa Channel, the specialty channel, also attracted enough share of young viewers in a short span of time. In online sector, a notable achievement was made through Mathrubhumi Online.

The Mathrubhumi Books that carries the rich tradition of publishing works of eminent leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr S Radhakrishnan now is the foremost player in the publishing sector in Kerala with innumerable books and modern bookstores. The K P Kesava Menon Hall located adjacent to the Mathrubhumi Books showroom in Kozhikode, is Mathrubhumi's tribute to its founder editor. It is also a meeting place of eminent members in social and cultural circles in Kozhikode.

The SEED environmental awareness programme initiated by Mathrubhumi to ensure active participation and cooperation of students in eco-preservation, has won national and international recognitions. Around 8,000 schools have joined hands in this initiative to conserve mother earth. Also the Grihalakshmi Vedi and Mathrubhumi Study Circle are instances of social commitment of Mathrubhumi.

Apart from this, the Mathrubhumi Literary Award has been acknowledged as a coveted recognition at national level. With delight, I would like to state here that Mathrubhumi has played a crucial role in recognizing and moulding talents from the onset itself.

Mathrubhumi is bestowed with the painstaking mission of binding together various sections of society and leading them to newer hopes. From the time of its launch itself, Mathrubhumi has remained as guiding light for the youth by enriching them. On this occasion, Mathrubhumi is saluting the Qatar government, the citizens, the Malayalees and all establishments. Bless us and pray for us.