With a vision, beyond any shadow of doubt, to depict the truth, and to uphold the lower strata of the society Dr. S A Mohamed Asharaf commenced Cochin Herald in 1992 as a Sunday Malayalam Newspaper from the land of Queen of Arabian Sea – Cochin – time immemorial known as a trade center of Arabs – Dutch and British. Keeping in mind the values and virtues, Mr. Asharaf wished his newspaper to become a voice for the voiceless. The Newspaper which was launched on auspicious day of the birth of the state of Kerala State – 1 November, 1992 by Shri.P P Thankachan, the then Hon’ble Speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly handing over its first copy to a business architect. Shri. K Shankaranarayan, who was the UDF Convener and present Governor of Maharashtra launched first subscription. The initial copy printed were 10,000 where Dr. S A Mohamed Asharaf was installed as the Chief Editor and also Managing Director. With a strong profile and handful of experience in different sectors that closely relates to the society, he deserves to hold the office.
The newspaper grows tremendously in its initial stage. The newspaper reflects the society and axiomatically prepared to fight against the odds. Mr. Asharaf accepted the investors and partners with an affirmative ambition that will help to cater the newspaper in the posterity. As the proverb says too many cooks spoil the broth, the ideological difference in the management creates convolution. The faction inside soar from bad to worse, the founder was not able to witness mishap happening to his newspaper. On 1995, Mr. Asharaf, stepped out of his much ambitious newspaper Cochin Herald.
Dr. Mohamed Asharaf is a man of wisdom, who holds a PhD in Islamic History from University of Kerala. His experience in different fields include, to begin with, Personal Assistant of the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, Kerala legislative Assembly, Officiated as Private Secretary to Member of Parliament, Chief Liaison Officer to Member, Kerala Legislative Assembly, Bureau Chief of INS News–Sydney-Australia and above all he is the Guest Lecture of Social Science – Islamic History and culture. Currently he is the News Editor for Swen News in English.
The spirit and enthusiasm were transferred to the father to his son. Ansif Ashraf, son of Mohamed Asharaf was a businessman who long to cherish his father’s dream. His retrospection leads him to buy back the old title in 2011, once his father coined. After much discussion and research he decided to bring Cochin Herald as an English Business Magazine to the limelight, which will initially be a bi-monthly and later to a monthly. The 30 year old Ansif Ashraf, desires to disseminate the crux of business, to the young talents who were waiting at the guidance, and dare to experiment with their ideas and confidence. Ansif traveled across the globe, over more than 18 countries and always updated with the current world business and market. His writings appear in some magazine in which he postulates, how to start business relation with different countries especially with China and Technology integration. Ansif assures that it will be a reference to young and emerging entrepreneurs and will usher them to find the opportunity to do business within and abroad.
Mr. Ansif Ashraf who was the founder and CEO of Paradise Group is an International Speaker, Moderator, Writer Entrepreneur and Editor. With his multiple talents he dares to experiment new things in life. Equipped with a graduation and Diploma in Information Technology from NIIT, he travelled different parts of the world with a view of imbibing and imparting new strategies and techniques in modern business and marketing. In 2008, he was awarded with Global Top-10 e-Business Champion, and Asia Pacific e-Business Champion. He was the first businessman in India who receives the award. His book “Vyaparathinte Puthiya Natappukal” published in Malayalam reflects his thoughts and experience.
Ansif was backed by a bunch of experienced hands in Journalism and business and encouraged and supported him to fulfill his dream. Anand Parthasarathy an eminent journalist by profession gives timely advice and suggestion were one of the mentors of the magazine. Avinash Naik who was the Brand Manager of Times of India helps Ansif to contract with Bizxchange, an Internet News Portal owned by TOI where the magazine will be provided with worthy information on business and market.
Unveiling the magazine in Cochin, the business capital of Kerala holding the name of the same place was a momentous destiny. While promising to be a guidance to the entrepreneurs, and young talents Cochin Herald innovates itself to move forward and ensures that it act as a catalyst in discovering your real potential in business.
