Tamil Murasu appoints Jawharilal Rajendran as editor

Mr. Jawharilal Rajendran takes over the helm from Ms Nirmala Murugaian, who has been editor since 2005.

Mr Rajendran began his journalism career in 1981 as a reporter with the Straits Times before moving to The New Paper in 1991, holding various supervisory roles in his 14 years there. He was appointed Tamil Murasu's deputy editor in 2006 and two years later helped launch tabla!, a weekly English paper for the Indian community. tabla! is part of Tamil Murasu Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings.

Said Mr Rajendran: “Tamil Murasu is 75 years old and an institution in the Tamil community. I am deeply honoured by the appointment. One of my biggest challenges is to plug into a generation that is growing up with Facebook and Twitter while remaining relevant to older readers who want nothing to do with either. I have my work cut out for me.”

Ms Murugaian, who will be involved in a book project for Tamil Murasu before returning to the English and Malay Newspapers Division, said: "It's been a privilege to be editor of Tamil Murasu for almost six years and to see circulation grow to new highs. I must thank TM readers for their tremendous support."

Associate Editor G. Krishnan, a lawyer by training, will step up to be Tamil Murasu’s deputy editor.

Mr Patrick Daniel, Director of Tamil Murasu Ltd and Editor-in-Chief of SPH's English and Malay newspapers, said: "I must place on record our thanks to Nirmala for the great job she's done in taking Tamil Murasu to where it is today – a profitable paper that is well supported by the community. I also have every confidence that Rajendran will take TM to fresh heights."