Biography of CA Aroon Purie: Editor-in-chief of Livin Media -Life Journey
Early Life and Education
Aroon Purie, born in 1944, is a prominent figure as the
founder-publisher and editor-in-chief of India Today. He also served as the
chief executive of the India Today Group and holds key roles as the managing director
of Thomson Press (India) Limited and chairman and managing director of TV
Today. Recognized for his contributions, he has been honored with the Padma
Bhushan award. Additionally, he served as the editor-in-chief of Reader's
Digest India. In October 2017, he entrusted control of the India Today Group to
his daughter, Kalli Purie.
Education and Personal Life
Aroon Purie graduated from The Doon School and earned a
bachelor's degree in economics from the London School of Economics in 1965.
Notably, his youngest daughter is Koel Purie, a well-known Bollywood actress.
Founding Thomson Press and the India Today Group
Aroon Purie embarked on his career in 1970 at Thomson Press,
initially serving as Production Controller. Over the years, he remained a
guiding force in the company's operations, eventually passing on leadership to
his son Ankoor Purie. Thomson Press, with five facilities across India,
maintains a prominent national presence in the printing industry.
Establishment of India Today Group
In 1975, Aroon Purie founded the India Today Group,
launching the eponymous magazine 'India Today'. This marked the beginning of
what would become India's most diversified media conglomerate. Today, the India
Today Group encompasses 32 magazines, 7 radio stations, 4 TV channels, 1
newspaper, multiple web and mobile portals, a leading classical music label,
and a book publishing arm.
Expansion of India Today Group
Following the success of India Today, Purie expanded the
India Today Group, which now includes a diverse range of publications,
television channels, and digital media platforms. Serving as the Chairman and
Editor-in-Chief of Living Media since 1975, he has been instrumental in shaping
the group's growth and influence in the media industry.
Biography of Aroon Purie: Editor-in-chief of Livin Media -Life Journey/founder-publisher and editor-in-chief of India Today/MD Thomson Press/TV Today
Evolution of India Today Magazine
During the Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi, India Today magazine was introduced by Vidya Vilas Purie, Aroon's
father. Aroon Purie served as the publisher, with his sister Madhu Trehan as
the editor. The magazine aimed to bridge the information gap for those
interested in India abroad and has since become the most widely-read
publication in India, maintaining this position for over a decade with a
readership exceeding 11 million across editions in five languages.
Influence in Broadcast Journalism
Aroon Purie's influence extended to broadcast journalism
with the introduction of the 24-hour news and current affairs channels Aaj Tak
in Hindi and Headlines Today in English. These channels set new standards in
news reporting, reflecting Purie's commitment to delivering credible and timely
news content to audiences nationwide.
Aroon Purie: A Lifetime of Achievement in Journalism and
Media
Awards and Recognitions
Aroon Purie, a stalwart in Indian journalism, has garnered
numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. Notably, he was conferred
with the Padma Bhushan in 2001, one of India's highest civilian honors, for his
significant contributions to journalism. His accolades include the B.D. Goenka
Award for Excellence in Journalism (1988), 'Journalist of the Year 1990' by the
Indian Federation of Small and Medium Newspapers, the G.K. Reddy Memorial Award
for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism (1993–1994), the Hall of Fame Award
from the Advertising Club of Kolkata (2002), and the NT Award for Lifetime
Achievement from www.Indiatelevision.com (2008).
Association with Industry Bodies
Aroon Purie has been actively involved in various industry
councils and associations. He served as the Chairman of the Council of
Management at the Audit Bureau of Circulations (2000–2001) and continues to
contribute as a board member of the Global Editors Network since its inception
in April 2011. He has been a Special Invitee on the Council of Management at
the All India Management Association and held the position of Chairman of the
CII National Committee on Media (2001–2002).
Leadership Roles
Currently, Aroon Purie holds the esteemed position of
Chairman of FIPP (Federation of International Periodicals and Publications),
further solidifying his leadership in the global media landscape.
Recent Recognition
In March 2022, Aroon Purie was honored with the ABLF
Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional contributions to journalism,
marking yet another milestone in his illustrious career.
A timeline with dates and brief explanations of key events
in Aroon Purie's life:
1944: Aroon Purie is born.
1965: Graduates with a bachelor's degree in economics from
the London School of Economics.
1970: Begins his career at Thomson Press, eventually
becoming the guiding force in the company's operations.
1975: Founding of the India Today Group, launching the
magazine 'India Today'.
2001: Awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest
civilian honors, for his contributions to journalism.
2017: Entrusts control of the India Today Group to his
daughter, Kalli Purie.
2022: Receives the ABLF Lifetime Achievement Award for
exceptional contributions to journalism.
This timeline highlights Aroon Purie's significant
achievements in journalism and media, from founding the India Today Group to
receiving prestigious awards recognizing his impact on the industry.
