Shri. Kiran Thakur
Founder & Chairman, Lokmanya Society, Advisory Editor, Tarun Bharat, Belgaum
Shri Kiran Dhondopant Thakur, also known as Mama, serves as the Chairman of both the ‘Lokmanya Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd’ and the ‘Tarun Bharat Trust.’ Born on April 7, 1952, in Belgaum, he is deeply involved in various social, cultural, and educational endeavors in the Belgaum region. Graduating in science, his passion for journalism ignited early, leading him to earn a Diploma in Journalism from the Rajendra Prasad College of Mass Communications, Mumbai. His journalistic journey commenced in 1968 as a Sports Reporter for his father’s newspaper, “Tarun Bharat,” and by assuming the role of Editor in 1979, he significantly modernized Tarun Bharat.”
Tarun Bharat
Shri Kiran Thakur, accredited by the Government of Maharashtra, began his journalistic career in 1968 as a Sports Reporter. By 1979, he assumed the editorship of 'Tarun Bharat,' overseeing its modernization with offset printing in 1980 and launching its Internet Edition in 1999. 'Tarun Bharat' dominates as the leading daily in Belgaum, Goa, Sindhudurg, and Ratnagiri Districts, with a circulation of over 150,000 copies and a readership exceeding 1.5 million. Kiran Thakur's international engagements include a German Government-sponsored tour for Asian Journalists. He is a member of ABC and INS and currently presides over the Maharashtra Press Institute in Nasik. Know More
The Legacy behind the Society
The legacy of two incredible personalities – Baburao Thakur and Mai Thakur – who gave their blood and sweat to India’s freedom struggle, the Sanyukta Maharashtra Movement, the Goa Liberation Movement, the Maharashtra-Karnataka Border Dispute, and many other social issues, has blessed Tarun Bharat newspaper and Lokmanya Society. Baburao Thakur, the Founder Editor of Tarun Bharat, built a legacy of fighting injustice by staying true to his principles of transparency and truth in both journalism and social empowerment.
From being a freedom fighter to a journalist fighting for the truth, and from a social worker who stood up against social evils to a philanthropist who worked for strengthening education and societal development, it is difficult to understand which of Baburao Thakur’s roles was the most impactful. His body of work is not just an inspiration but a guiding light for future generations.
Nurtured by Baburao Thakur’s dedication and hard work, Tarun Bharat recently completed its 100-year journey. His principles, commitment, and drive have been seamlessly passed on to the next generation. As Tarun Bharat’s Editor, Shri. Kiran Thakur has inaugurated many cooperative societies in Belgaum and its neighborhood. He has devoted himself and his life to empowering the underprivileged who have ambitions and a will to work hard.
Through health camps, free clinics, sports competitions, and village adoption programs, he has continuously tried to bring the underprivileged into the mainstream of society. Shri. Kiran Thakur and Lokmanya are driven by the idea of making this beautiful world even better.
Karmbhoomi Belgaum
Together We Can!
It gets bigger. It gets better
Words of appreciation from the change makers
Shri. Devendra Fadnavis
Dy. Chief Minister of Maharashtra
The progress made by Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-op Society in the last 2 decades is certainly commendable. The credibility maintained by society is important to ensure that their hard-earned money is safe while providing financial support to the common man.
Dr. Prabhakar Kore
Ex. MP Rajya Sabha, Chairman of KLE society
Mr. Kiran Thakur has a good public relations with the community. He brought like minded people along with him & founded Lokmanya society, which has achieved tremendous progress in the co-op financial sector. As a friend of Kiran Thakur, I am happy & proud to see the achievement made by Lokmanya Society.
Dr. Pramod Sawant
Chief Minister of Goa
Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-op Society is working for the promotion of culture in its truest sense & hence this organisation has gained popularity amongst the people as the name suggests