Nanasaheb Parulekar, Journalist
Journalist

Nanasaheb Parulekar

Born 20 September 1898 · Maharashtra — Died 8 January 1973

Founded the Marathi daily newspaper Sakal in January 1932.

Narayan Bhikaji Parulekar, commonly referred as Nanasaheb Parulekar, was the Founding Editor of Sakal, a Marathi daily newspaper, launched in January 1932. He also remained the Chairman of the Press Trust of India.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Nanasaheb Parulekar’s daughter, Claude Lila Parulekar, became a prominent animal rights activist, linking his family legacy to social causes beyond journalism.

The Story

1
🗞️ In January 1932, Nanasaheb Parulekar launched Sakal, a Marathi daily newspaper from Pune that would grow to sell over 1,000,000 copies across Maharashtra decades later.
2
In the mid-20th century, Parulekar served as Chairman of the Press Trust of India, overseeing news dissemination during the turbulent post-independence era.
3🏅 He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, recognizing his role in shaping Marathi journalism before and after independence.
4Parulekar married Shanta Genevieve Pommeret, a Frenchwoman, reflecting a rare intercultural alliance during his time, and together they raised Claude Lila Parulekar, who became a noted animal rights activist.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1969
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1932, Sakal was launched during British colonial rule, a period when Marathi newspapers faced censorship, making Parulekar's editorial leadership a bold endeavor.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth of Narayan Bhikaji Parulekar
Born in Maharashtra on 20 September 1897, later known as Nanasaheb Parulekar.
1897
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Career
Launch of Sakal Newspaper
Parulekar founded the Marathi daily Sakal in January 1932 in Pune, marking a milestone in regional journalism.
1932
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Death
Death of Nanasaheb Parulekar
Passed away on 8 January 1973, leaving a lasting legacy in Marathi journalism.
1973
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Parulekar married a Frenchwoman, Shanta Genevieve Pommeret, an uncommon cross-cultural union for an Indian journalist in the early 20th century.

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🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Sakal, under Parulekar’s guidance, grew to sell nearly 300,000 copies in Pune alone, illustrating the massive regional reach of Marathi journalism.

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🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

The Press Trust of India, chaired by Parulekar at one point, is India's largest news agency, impacting how news was aggregated and distributed nationally.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Nanasaheb Parulekar established Sakal as a major Marathi daily that sustained and expanded regional language journalism in Maharashtra, influencing public opinion in a multilingual India. His tenure as Chairman of the Press Trust of India helped shape the structure of national news reporting during a formative period for the Indian media. His legacy continues through the Sakal Media Group, which remains a key media institution in western India.

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