GENERAL was founded in Thrissur , the Cultural Capital of Kerala on 21st May,1976. The beginning of GENERAL came from the thought to start a newspaper for Congress Party from Thrissur with a view to uphold value-based journalism. First meeting was held in the Meeting clerk’s room of Thrissur Municipality. A.T. Thomas, who was a nominated Municipal Councilor as well as a Chartered Accountant, Advocate P.A. Antony, who was the Municipal Standing Councilor and M.L.A Municipal councilor P.A. George, Meeting clerk Joseph, K.D.Joseph and Raghavan Moothedath attended the first meeting to formulate GENERAL. Among several names suggested, the name GENERAL was permitted by the Press Registrar, Delhi within 15 days of giving application. In the beginning P.A. Antony was the Printer, Publisher & Editor. Under the Chairmanship of Therattil J.Antony, who was the Thrissur Muncipal Chairman, a company was registered in the name of Swathanthra Bharatham Printing and Publishing Company. For printing the Company bought a Cylinder Press from the great poet Mahakavi Vallathole, Cheruthuruthy.