Today on 14th April, Valerian Dalmaida — our Mentor and Advisor at Spearhead Media — will gracefully turn 65. For those who know him professionally, socially, or both, as all of us at Team Spearhead do, Valerian is an icon of integrity, innovation, philanthropy, and unwavering community spirit. But how did he get to be this icon, and what has it got to do with Spearhead Media, a 12-year-old media house in Mangalore? Well, that’s what this piece is all about. Read on; it may take a few minutes, but it will be well worth your time. We promise you that.
Coincidentally — or perhaps not — it is also the birthday of Dr B. R. Ambedkar. Dr Ambedkar is considered the father of India’s Constitution, and, Valerian Dalmaida is, in more ways than one, to all of us in Team Spearhead Media, a father figure, and what’s more, the father of Spearhead Media (SMPL) — the proud owner of popular brands such as NewsKannada.com, NewsKarnataka.com, Karnataka Today, and NKTv, all global media brands with their roots firmly planted in Karnataka, just like the man himself!
First Things First – A Very Happy Birthday Valerian!
So, Valerian, first things first — Team Spearhead, led by our dynamic Executive Director Brijesh Gokhale, wishes you a very happy birthday. As you gather with family and friends to celebrate the years gone by and ponder the years ahead, know that this article isn’t just about turning 65 — though there’s some of that, too!
It’s about the remarkable impact your coaching, backing, and leadership have had on Spearhead Media over the last decade — from your 55th to your 65th year. Maybe 53rd? A decade+ of dedication to an idea. An idea that has evolved into a powerful reality.
Feels like a lifetime, doesn’t it? Because of the challenges we overcame together along the way? For you, Valerian, it may be just a part of your lifetime. But for us at Spearhead Media, it IS our lifetime, and we are proud of it… the way we came through. The way you helped us come through…
Chicken 65 vs Life@65
Most of our readers are probably more familiar with Chicken 65 than Life@65, but they do share a few things in common. Both are spicy. Both are well-seasoned. Both leave you whistling! And after both, you need a little digestive help — one for the stomach, the other for the memories. Then, they look at each other and ask — How did we even get to 65? And what now?
Spearhead — Not 65, but Stronger Than Ever
SMPL may not be 65, and it’s certainly no chicken-hearted fledgling. Sure, it’s only 13— so it’s not a spring-chicken either. This media maverick from Mangalore has weathered the media storm with a heady cocktail of digital swag, fiscal resilience, glocal (Global+local) love (mutual, by the way), and integrity, which is in our DNA.
That’s a rare feat in today’s media landscape — thanks largely to Valerian Dalmaida, who has been an integral part of the company from its inception. At the outset, he laid down the law for Team Spearhead: Truth or nothing. And for us, this wasn’t about our innerwear — we wore it on our sleeves! Hence, Newskarnataka’s tagline: Truth Endures.
And so does Valerian, in the vibrant ecosystem of Karnataka’s most respected tiny news house. But to fully appreciate that, you must first hear the story of Spearhead Media / NewsKarnataka (if you haven’t already) — a story that, even today, defies belief.
A Seed that Became a Mini Oak!
Spearhead Media took root in 2012 when three young idealists planted a seed with a vision to be a voice for the voiceless and to uphold the truth, no matter the odds. And the odds were already stacked against the truth, as always. It’s not the IPL after all.
But idealism doesn’t pay the bills or the internet subscription. It soon became obvious that without a few spirited mediapreneurs to nurture the seed, that seed would be headed for a tragic obituary; an obituary we would have never been able to publish as it would be our own!
Indeed, in today’s media jungle, it’s not just about standing for truth—it’s about standing out. And for that, you need people, presence, and profits… preferably in that order, but we won’t judge. We can’t. We don’t write the rules. We only play the game, but we have been able to do both stand for the truth and stand out… because we stand for the truth!
Enter Valerian — Not Just a Number-Cruncher…
Enter Valerian Dalmaida — by then, already a towering figure of professional, personal, and social success in Abu Dhabi, UAE, a place he has called home away from home (Surathkal in Mangalore) since 1991. He stepped in at just the right moment in 2013 — was it fortuitous, or was it the Almighty’s plan?
Valerian is no ordinary number-cruncher, though his credentials as a Chartered Accountant are impeccable. He is a Data Visualizer. He looks at the Data and paints a picture. If the picture is not pretty, he works on it like a true artist. In 2013, that’s exactly what he did.
He is also an expert networker — instinctively spotting those who share his compassion for people and passion for media and effortlessly weaving them into a community with purpose. Not just spotting. Attracting. Like moths to a flame, minus the fire hazard.
Over 12 years, he rallied 65+ shareholders (yes, that number again!) almost single-handedly. We call them stakeholders—our retaining wall during the monsoon. For over a decade, they’ve helped Spearhead Media not just survive but thrive. And who’s the glue holding them all together? Valerian Dalmaida. The man who turned a group of investors into a family. Our Family. One we all are proud of.
If Spearhead had a heartbeat, Valerian kept it steady. And if ever we felt disheartened, all we had to do is look in his direction—and maybe try to walk a mile in his well-worn, quietly determined shoes. And we would be up and running again! That’s all it took. That’s the measure of the Man!
In the Words of a Fellow Traveller…
Here’s what Brian Fernandes, Director and former CEO at Spearhead Media, friend, colleague, shareholder, and fellow traveller on Spearhead Media’s journey over the last 12 years, had to say when asked about Valerian’s contribution to SMPL. “For me, Valerian has always been more than just the leader of our pack — he has been a steady hand, a wise counsellor, and, when needed, a micro-manager who could spot a missing comma faster than a missing balance. Yet, he was always ready to back off from the old and back the new. Any idea that came out of a team brainstorm, he would make his own and see through to its logical conclusion. He put his money where his heart was — in positive journalism (when the rest of the world chased sensationalism to grab eyeballs and footfalls) — often rolling up his sleeves and getting his hands dirty for the cause. His belief in the power of truth and the need for technological agility (despite his senior citizen status — or maybe because of it!) and his knack for reminding us of it at just the right moments have been the heartbeat of Spearhead Media. I know I speak for Team Spearhead when I say: we wouldn’t have made it this far without him — or at least, not with our sanity intact. For all of this, I salute him and wish him the absolute best for the next 65 years and beyond!
Eye of the Tiger
So true what Brian says! To Team SMPL, Valerian is much more than just a stakeholder or mentor — though he plays both roles with his characteristic finesse. He is also a great business manager with the eye of a tiger — no detail escapes him. Even a camel can’t pass through the eye of a needle without him noticing! And that’s important too. For, as the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
He is the bedrock of our resilience, innovation, and growth. Over the past decade, he has navigated us through stormy waters with wisdom, optimism, calm, and determination — inspiring us always to endure, adapt, and evolve — with much self-sacrifice (we have witnessed it as has his family) and always walking the talk.
As a team, we know how difficult it has been for his family, for we were always consistently, if not constantly, in touch. This being a special occasion for them and us, we thought – let’s get their perspective too for this article. We spoke to Blanch, Valerian’s better and very supportive half, and this is what she had to say: “Seeing my husband stay so dedicated to his work over the years has been really amazing. I’m so grateful to News Karnataka for recognizing him today. Media has always been Valerian’s passion, but the road hasn’t always been smooth. He’s always been guided by a keen sense of purpose, a love for sharing stories, and a commitment to doing what’s right. We’ve seen that in everything he does, and we’ve celebrated the little wins and big moments together. Today, as he’s being celebrated, I feel so proud, not just of what he’s done but of everything we’ve been through together. Here’s to never giving up, to the people who help along the way, and to many more years side by side.” We second that!
This is echoed on the professional front by another stakeholder Prakash Ullegaddi, Mechanical Engineer – Oil and Gas Specialist, Dubai. “Mr. Valerian has been a pioneer and a pillar of support for NK. His profound knowledge and experience in the fields of media and accounting have elevated NK to new heights. He is the architect of administrative reforms; his exemplary ideas on organizational restructuring and diversifying the media portfolio have been phenomenally successful and have contributed significantly to NK’s positive growth. Moreover, his resourceful insights, coupled with wisdom and a kind attitude, make him a remarkable person and an inspiration to others. I wish him a day filled with joy and a year blessed with prosperity and good health.”
So, you can see, we did not simply sing paeans to the one who nurtured us. Truth only endures when we see and hear it through others —when their insights help balance our own and yours. And that marks our journalism, too.
Passion, Action, Ration
Indeed, what makes Valerian’s contribution unique is not just strategic insight but his deep personal involvement in all aspects of media operations. Be it anchoring shows, engaging with community leaders, mentoring and balancing the finances, or nurturing young talent, Valerian leads by doing. He does not ration his actions when it comes to his passion!
A powerful example of his deep involvement and passion for uplifting others was his unwavering support for the #ReadKarnataka Mission. He sponsored 660 student subscriptions to Karnataka Today—Spearhead Media’s monthly English magazine (now discontinued)—demonstrating his belief that education is the most powerful tool for social transformation. His words at the launch of the campaign in the latter part of the previous decade, “A reading habit is the best gift,” continue to resonate with us and with the thousands of children whose lives were touched by the mission.
Staying True to the Mission
True to his belief in community-driven innovation, Valerian has spearheaded initiatives such as the Christmas Carols Video Contest—launched during the pandemic and now in its fifth consecutive year—and has inspired video programmes like Amazing People, Living with Corona, Namaste Teacher, and Subalterns, all of which he personally anchored. These efforts have ensured that SMPL remains true to its mission of empowering communities through meaningful and honest content. His establishment of the Village TV Trust, aimed at empowering rural youth through media learning and entrepreneurship, stands as a remarkable testament to his commitment to inclusive development.
In 2021, SMPL was awarded the prestigious Chanakya Award for Media House of the Year — a moment made possible largely due to Valerian’s mentoring and steadfast belief in positive journalism that rubbed off on all of us.
Valerian’s guidance has ensured that SMPL is not only technologically agile but also editorially independent and socially responsible. His consistent mantra to us has been: “Innovate, stay grounded, and always put people before profits.” And that’s exactly what we have done. We must confess, though, that we do have our eye on the latter — but it’s only our third eye!
Just for information: Valerian Dalmaida appeared as the star guest on the 50th episode of Sunday Celebrity in 2022, (yes, the title says it all), a talk show on NKTv hosted by Floyd Kiran, one of SMPL’s earliest investors and team members. He is still a stakeholder and one of the company’s loudest cheerleaders, and that says a lot. In the hour-long episode, Valerian speaks about his philosophy and purpose in life, his family, and what keeps him so infectiously busy. Curious? Watch it yourself—no spoilers here. You may not agree with everything he says, but you’ll walk away thinking differently. More positively. And that’s the point. It’s happened to all of us, hence the sharing.
Beyond Spearhead — His Global Impact
Valerian’s influence goes beyond media, Karnataka, and Abu Dhabi. A certified Barefoot Counsellor, philanthropist, and community leader, he wears many hats, including twice serving as President and currently as Vice-President and Trustee of the Konkani Cultural Organisation (KCO). His philanthropic and social efforts span education, healthcare, housing, culture, and social upliftment — both in Karnataka and abroad.
He has represented Spearhead Media on global platforms, facilitated cultural events, hosted countless shows, and been a tireless advocate for Karnataka’s heritage and people. He has helped Spearhead fulfil its tagline – Break Barriers and Engage Communities in a way that we wouldn’t have been able to do ourselves, for he can open doors, even Windows on a Mac!
So, what do you have to say, Valerian?
Every story is a square. It has more than one side. And if the truth is to both endure and endear, a news house must get all sides of a story. So, when we decided to do a piece on Valerian for his 65th birthday, we thought, “Why not ask the man himself?” After all, if you’re going to talk about someone turning 65, it’s only right to let them say their piece. So, “What do you have to say?” we asked—part curious, part mischievous, and this is what he said: “I sincerely thank NewsKarnataka for their warm wishes on my 65th birthday. It has given me a moment to reflect on this personal milestone and also the remarkable journey of News Karnataka. What began as a humble initiative has become the pride of our Karnataka community over the past 14 years. I am grateful to all shareholders, directors, especially Mr. Brian Fernandes, who has stood by the company for over a decade and continues, and the current Executive Director, Mr. Brijesh Gokhale, who has been leading from the front for the past two years, the wider team, past and present, and our readers and viewers who have made this platform what it is today. May we continue our mission alongside each other for many years to come.”
This is exactly what we wanted to hear: “May we continue our mission alongside each other for many years to come.”
A Toast to you Valerian@65
Valerian, from all of us at Team SMPL — thank you for treading this difficult path with us, for your belief, for your friendship, and for showing us that leadership is not about position but about impact.
As we raise a toast to you, Valerian, we recognise in you our best friend, philosopher, and guide — and may you continue to be so forever. This is our prayer. May it be yours too.
Happy 65th Birthday, Sir, from Team Spearhead Media.
