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Sakal
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Sakal (lit. “Morning”) is a Marathi-language daily newspaper published by the Sakal Media Group. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, it is among the most widely circulated Marathi newspapers in the state. As of recent estimates, Sakal has a daily circulation of approximately 1.3 million copies, distributed across major cities including Pune and Mumbai.
Key Information
The Sakal Media Group also publishes several regional newspapers, magazines, and an online news portal, eSakal, which reportedly reaches over 300,000 Internet users worldwide.
It was founded by Nanasaheb Parulekar Pratap Pawar, while Pratap Pawar, who joined the board of Sakal in 1985, currently serves as the and is the chairman of the group.
History
[edit]Sakal originated during the pre-independence nationalist period.[3] Its founder Nanasaheb Parulekar was influenced by American newspapers during his time at Columbia University. Although it was started as part of the nationalist cause, after Indian independence the Sakal newspaper transitioned into a commercially viable publication by focusing on reporting local and rural issues around Pune.[4]
By the 1960s, Sakal had appointed full-time correspondents, each equipped with a phone, in every town in its coverage area. It organized training camps for journalists, promotions, and cultural events for readers, and published letters to the editor on its front page.[3] Under Nanasaheb Parulekar, the paper was described as maintaining political neutrality and endorsing candidates for local, state, or national elections when deemed suitable.[citation needed]
When Nanasaheb Parulekar died in 1973, the paper continued operating with practices established during his tenure. It survived the initial changes brought by advancements in newspaper technology and continued for over 10 years. Pratap Pawar took over Sakal in 1985.[5][6] Pawar converted the paper into a public limited company in 1989, becoming the managing director.[7]
List of editors
[edit]- N. B. Parulekar – 1 January 1932 to 31 December 1943
- Ramchandra Balawant (also known as Babasaheb Ghorpade) – 1 January 1944 to 20 February 1951
- N. B. Parulekar – 21 February 1951 to 8 January 1973
- Shridhar (S. G. Mungekar)– 9 January 1973 to 9 February 1985
- V. D. Ranade – 10 February 1985 to 30 April 1987
- S. K. Kulkarni – 1 May 1987 to 31 July 1987
- Vijay Kuwalekar – 1 August 1987 to 7 August 2000
- Anant Dixit – 8 August 2000 to 15 July 2005
- Yamaji Malkar – 16 July 2005 to 9 May 2009
- Uttam Kamble – 10 May 2009 to 31 July 2012 (Editor in Chief)
- Shriram Pawar – 1 August 2012 to 28 February 2018 (Editor in Chief)
- Nand Kumar Sutar - 1 May 2013 to 16 June 2019 (Executive Editor)
- Rahul Gadpale – 1 March 2018 – to date (Editor in Chief)
Operations
[edit]Abhijit Pawar is currently the managing director of the group.[1] In 2021, the group launched Agrowon, described as the first and only agriculture daily. The official website states that it is the "first media company to organize events & exhibitions as well as the first media group to implement 6-sigma processes across the company." The company recently launched 515 agriculture marts in Maharashtra under the name of Agrowon Agrotech.[8][9]
Events
[edit]The group organizes events and activities that target a variety of sectors such as education, agriculture, travel-tourism, and business. Its international event, 'EDUCON', serves as a forum for Vice-Chancellors from across India to present their vision for Indian higher education.[10] Other events include Property Mahayatra, Education Mahayatra, MPL, Pune Shopping Festivals, Family Health, Sakal Edugain, Sakal Investneet, Sakal Vastu, and Sakal Shagun. The Group has established clubs for specific audiences, such as Madhurangan (मधुरांगण) for women, Young Buzz and Sakal NIE (Newspaper in Education), and Family Doctor Club.
Pune Bus Day
[edit]Pune Bus Day was an event organized by Sakal Media Group. The initiative, led by company managing director Abhijit Pawar, aimed to address traffic congestion in Pune.[11] For Pune Bus Day, Sakal Media Group aimed to arrange 1,500 buses to supplement the existing fleet of 1,650 PMPML buses, demonstrating how using a sufficient number of buses with high frequency could potentially reduce traffic congestion. The tagline for the initiative was "Come, let's travel by PMPML bus on 1 November 2012".
At the time,[when?] the perceived lack of sufficient buses prompted commuters to opt for private vehicles, contributing to issues like traffic congestion, vehicular pollution, and accidents. According to a study conducted by city-based NGO Parisar in 2009–10, the bus service run by the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) was found to be comparatively expensive, with lower service quality and a higher breakdown rate when compared to transport utilities in Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Delhi.
A web portal developed by a Pune-based IT company provided information about bus routes and other details, utilizing real-time information on bus schedules from the PMPML.
Pune Half Marathon
[edit]The Pune Half Marathon is another event organized by the Sakal Media Group. The event was launched in 2018 with a focus on promoting wellness and fitness among Pune residents. The second event was held on 22 December 2019, and saw participation from over 20,000 runners.[12] US Olympian Janet Cherobon-Bawcom was the event ambassador for the 2019 race, which focused on supporting the Indian running community.[13]
The first event in 2018 collaborated with Jack Daniels, a former Olympic medalist described as a prominent running coach. The event collaborated with Daniels' project, "The RUN Smart Project", which devised free training plans for participants. Daniels provided training talks and mentored aspects of the event execution.[14][15] In addition, American runner Ryan Hall was the event ambassador for Pune Half Marathon 2018.[16][17]
Bajaj Allianz were the title sponsors for the first two editions of the race.
Publications
[edit]The Group's publications include the English-language daily (which replaced The Maharashtra Herald), Gomantak, and Gomantak Times, Marathi and English language dailies published from Goa, respectively. Agrowon is a daily dedicated to agriculture. The group also publishes several supplements, such as Pratibimb, Young Buzz, positive (Financial supplement), and Job Buzz.
Sakal also has a book publishing division that covers various subjects, including health, entertainment, sports, spiritual, and children's literature. Published titles include Ayurvediya Garbhsanskar by Shri. Balaji Tambe and Timeless Inspirator edited by Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, as well as a comic strip book of Chintoo.[18]

Magazines
[edit]Sakal Group publishes several magazines, such as Sakal Saptahik (सकाळ साप्ताहिक). According to a 2010 Indian Readership Survey, Saptahik Sakal was the most popular magazine in Maharashtra.[19] Tanishka (तनिष्का) is a monthly magazine for women, and Premier (प्रीमियर) is a monthly magazine covering the entertainment industry.
Sakal Social Foundation
[edit]Sakal Social Foundation is a social initiative wing of the Group that works primarily in Maharashtra, focusing on areas such as health, poverty, education, environment, and governance.
Controversies
[edit]In 2005, the Supreme Court of India ruled against Sakal in a case involving the unauthorized transfer of shares belonging to Claude-Lila Parulekar, daughter of the founder. In conclusion, the court ordered the company to pay ₹3 crore rupees in compensation.[20][5][21]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Official website of Sakal Media Group Archived 30 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine (Accessed on 24 September 2013)
- ^ "Highest Circulated Dailies, Weeklies & Magazines amongst Member Publications (across languages)" (PDF). Audit Bureau of Circulations. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ a b Jeffrey, Robin (1997). "Marathi: Big Newspapers Are Elephants". Economic and Political Weekly. 32 (8): 384–388. JSTOR 4405111.
- ^ Goel, Karuna (2016). ""A Critical Study & Review of Marathi News Papers in Pune Region"". Online International Interdisciplinary Research Journal. 6 (6): 1.
- ^ a b "SMT. CLAUDE-LILA PARULEKAR versus M/S. SAKAL PAPERS PVT. LTD. & ORS". rishabhdara.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
- ^ Pal, R. "Smt. Claude-Lila Parulekar vs M/S. Sakal Papers Pvt. Ltd. & Ors on 18 March, 2005". /indiankanoon.org. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
- ^ "A Critical Study & Review of Marathi News Papers in Pune Region" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2021.
- ^ Pune based consultany to launch India's first agri collective Archived 2021-11-10 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Helping Farmers With Smart Solution | Sakal Media Group | Agrowon Mart". www.agrowonmart.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021.
- ^ "Educationnewsindia.com". educationnewsindia.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
- ^ "Transformation Through Respect: 5 Questions with Abhijit Pawar". Business Insider.
- ^ "Bajaj Allianz Pune Half Marathon sees massive turnout". Sakal Times. 24 December 2019.
- ^ "US Olympian Janet Cherobon-Bawcom joins Pune Half Marathon as ambassador". The Times of India. 16 November 2019.
- ^ "Dr Jack Daniels to conduct workshops in Pune". Sakal Times. 17 October 2018.
- ^ "Pune Half Marathon returns on December 22". Outlook India.
- ^ "Ready, get, set and go". Pune Mirror.
- ^ "Ryan Hall to be in city for Pune Half Marathon". 6 December 2018.
- ^ Pawar, Abhijit. "News and Publishing | Sakal Media Group". Sakal Media Group Website.
- ^ "IRS 2010 Q1: Top Regional Magazines". bestmediainfo.com. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "SC orders Sakal to pay Rs 3 crore to its director". Business Standard. India. Press Trust of India. 12 April 2005. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
- ^ S. K. Aggarwal (1989). Media Credibility. Mittal Publications. pp. 227–235. ISBN 978-81-7099-157-1.
Sakal
View on GrokipediaSakal is a Marathi-language daily newspaper founded on 1 January 1932 by Dr. N. B. Parulekar as a four-page publication in Pune, Maharashtra, India.[1]
Published by the Sakal Media Group, it has established itself as a flagship title emphasizing independent journalism amid the Indian independence movement, free from political or economic affiliations.[1]
The Sakal Media Group, under which Sakal operates, has expanded into one of India's largest independently owned media entities, spanning print, digital platforms, television, podcasts, and events across Maharashtra and Goa, reaching over 125 million people.[2][1]
With a daily print circulation exceeding 1.1 million copies, Sakal maintains a prominent role in regional news dissemination, focusing on societal impact and unbiased reporting over nearly nine decades.[2]
Key developments include leadership transitions, such as Pratap Pawar's chairmanship since 1985, which propelled diversification while upholding the group's foundational commitment to credible media.[1]
History
Founding and Nationalist Roots
Sakal was established on 1 January 1932 by Narayan Bhikaji Parulekar, commonly known as Nanasaheb Parulekar, who served as its founding editor.[3][4] The newspaper, published in Marathi, began operations in Pune, Maharashtra, during a period of intensifying anti-colonial sentiment in India.[5] The launch of Sakal coincided precisely with Mahatma Gandhi's mass civil disobedience movement, a pivotal phase of the Indian independence struggle launched in 1930 and continuing into the early 1930s.[1] Parulekar, drawing from his exposure to American journalistic models during studies at Columbia University, modeled Sakal to emphasize factual reporting and public enlightenment while aligning with nationalist objectives.[4] From its inception, Sakal positioned itself as a vocal supporter of the freedom movement, extensively covering events and critiquing British colonial policies and atrocities.[4][1] This commitment reflected the broader role of vernacular press in fostering political awareness and resistance against imperial rule, though Sakal maintained editorial independence from direct political affiliations.[4] Parulekar's vision emphasized ethical journalism over sensationalism, establishing a foundation that prioritized truth-seeking amid the era's ideological fervor.[4]Post-Independence Commercialization
Following Indian independence in 1947, Sakal shifted from its pre-independence emphasis on nationalist advocacy to a model prioritizing financial sustainability through diversified content and revenue streams. The newspaper expanded coverage to include local governance, economic opportunities, agriculture, and entertainment, moving beyond ideological polemics to attract everyday readers and advertisers in Maharashtra's developing economy.[6] This adaptation reflected broader trends in the Indian press, where publications transitioned into profitable ventures amid reduced subsidies and the need for self-reliance post-colonial rule.[7] Management under the Parulekar family balanced editorial integrity with commercial pragmatism, leveraging founder N.B. Parulekar's business instincts to invest in printing infrastructure and distribution networks. By the late 1940s, professionalization efforts included establishing the Sakal Newspaper Reference Library in Pune around 1948, which archived issues and supported research-driven reporting to enhance credibility and market appeal.[8] Advertising revenue became central, with space allocated to local commerce as India's economy liberalized, enabling Sakal to fund expansions without external dependence.[9] A landmark assertion of commercial autonomy occurred in the 1962 Supreme Court case Sakal Papers (P) Ltd. v. Union of India, challenging the Newspaper (Price and Page) Act of 1956 and its supplements that capped pages to ration newsprint and limit advertisements. The Court ruled these measures violated freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a), striking down restrictions that indirectly curbed revenue from ads, thus safeguarding Sakal's ability to monetize increased circulation through paid content and promotions.[10] This victory underscored the publication's defense of market-driven operations against state intervention, positioning it as a resilient enterprise in a competitive landscape.[11] By the 1970s and 1980s, these foundations supported further revenue diversification, though core print advertising remained dominant amid rising literacy and urbanization in western Maharashtra. Sakal's model emphasized regional relevance over national sensationalism, fostering loyalty among subscribers and businesses wary of centralized media biases.[12]Expansion and Key Milestones
Sakal's expansion beyond Pune began in the post-independence era, with the newspaper establishing additional editions in key Marathi-speaking cities across Maharashtra, including Kolhapur, Solapur, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Aurangabad, to broaden its regional influence and readership base.[13] This geographical growth transformed Sakal from a localized Pune publication into a statewide entity, leveraging increased literacy and urbanization in the region. By the 1980s, under new management influences, the group pursued aggressive commercialization, which facilitated further infrastructural investments and edition launches.[1] A pivotal milestone occurred in 1985 when Pratap Pawar joined the Sakal board, ushering in a phase of substantial operational scaling and modernization.[1] In 2004, Abhijit Pawar assumed the role of Managing Director, accelerating diversification into specialized publications; this included the launch of Agrowon, an agriculture-focused daily, on April 20, 2005, as a 16-page tabloid with multiple editions targeting rural and farming communities.[14] The group also expanded English-language offerings, introducing the 'Today' pullout in 2006–2007 across major Maharashtra cities to appeal to urban, bilingual readers.[15] In 2008, Sakal ventured into full-fledged English journalism with the launch of Sakaal Times on May 7, initially in Pune with a print run of 100,000 copies, marking its first standalone English daily and aiming to capture metropolitan demographics.[16] Digital expansion gained momentum with the development of esakal.com, which by 2025 had emerged as Maharashtra's most-visited Marathi news platform, amassing significant traffic and integrating multimedia content.[17] The group's reach extended to Goa through acquisitions like Gomantak, solidifying its presence beyond Maharashtra.[2] Circulation milestones reflect this growth: from modest beginnings, Sakal achieved a daily print circulation exceeding 1.1 million copies by the mid-2020s, with a reported 20% increase in the year leading to 2025 driven by hybrid print-digital strategies.[2] Independent audits, such as the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) report for January–June 2025, confirmed Sakal as the highest-circulation Marathi newspaper in Maharashtra, underscoring its dominance amid competition.[18] These developments positioned Sakal Media Group as a multifaceted entity encompassing print, digital, events, and television by the 2020s.[19]Ownership and Governance
Founders and Family Involvement
Sakal was founded on January 1, 1932, by journalist Narayan Bhikaji Parulekar, commonly known as Nanasaheb or Dr. N. B. Parulekar, as a Marathi-language daily newspaper in Pune, Maharashtra.[1] Parulekar, born on September 20, 1897, drew inspiration from American journalistic practices observed during his studies at Columbia University, emphasizing independent reporting and public service amid India's pre-independence nationalist movement.[1] He served as the publication's founding editor until 1943 and remained influential in its direction, establishing it as a voice for social reform and anti-colonial sentiment without direct affiliation to political parties.[3] Following Parulekar's death on January 8, 1973, control of Sakal initially remained with his family, including his wife Shanta Parulekar and daughters such as Leela Parulekar and Claude Lila Parulekar, who held significant shares through inheritance and estate executors.[20] The Parulekar family maintained involvement in governance during the 1970s and early 1980s, preserving the founder's vision of editorial independence, though internal disputes over share distribution emerged.[21] By the mid-1980s, ownership transitioned through share acquisitions by external investors, culminating in a contested battle in 1988 between Parulekar family members—led by Leela and Shanta Parulekar—and industrialist Pratap Govindrao Pawar, who secured substantial equity from estate executors, effectively shifting control away from the founding lineage.[20] Pratap Pawar, an engineer from BITS Pilani and brother of politician [Sharad Pawar](/page/Sharad_Paw ar), joined the Sakal board in 1985 and became chairman, integrating the newspaper into a broader media group while retaining family oversight.[1] Today, the Pawar family dominates Sakal Media Group's leadership, with Pratap Pawar serving as chairman since consolidating control and his son, Abhijit Pawar—a mechanical engineer—acting as managing director since 2004, focusing on expansion into digital and regional editions.[1] This intergenerational Pawar involvement has prioritized commercial growth and infrastructure investments, diverging from the Parulekar era's ideological roots, though the group upholds commitments to social initiatives aligned with its Maharashtra base.[4]Current Leadership Structure
The Sakal Media Group is led by a family-influenced executive structure, with Pratap Pawar serving as Chairman, providing oversight to the group's operations and strategic direction.[1] Abhijit Pawar, a mechanical engineer, has held the position of Managing Director since 2004, focusing on expansion into diverse media formats including print, digital, television, and events.[1][22] Janhavi Pawar acts as Director, contributing to governance and family continuity in leadership.[1] Uday Jadhav continues as Chief Executive Officer, managing overall business strategy, sales, and marketing with over two decades of experience in the sector; as of September 2025, he has shifted emphasis toward media consolidation and non-media revenue generation while retaining his CEO title.[1][23][24] Operational leadership includes Mahendra Pisal as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing day-to-day functions, and Vinod Bidwaik as Chief Human Resources Officer and Group Director for Human Resources, People, and Culture.[1] In September 2025, Sakal announced senior appointments to bolster growth in print, digital, and regional markets, with Rupesh Mutalik and Dinesh Oak assuming new leadership roles to support these initiatives, though specific position details were not publicly detailed beyond their contributions to expansion efforts.[24][25] Additional key executives include Nilesh Khare as Chief Editor and COO of Saam TV, Raviraj Vahadane as President of Finance, and Swapnil Malpathak as Business Head for Sakal Digital.[1]| Position | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Pratap Pawar | Provides strategic oversight.[1] |
| Managing Director | Abhijit Pawar | In role since 2004; drives diversification.[1] |
| Director | Janhavi Pawar | Family member involved in governance.[1] |
| Chief Executive Officer | Uday Jadhav | Focuses on strategy and revenue streams post-2025 realignment.[1][24] |
| Chief Operating Officer | Mahendra Pisal | Manages core operations.[1] |