Sakal began its publication in Pune on January 1, 1932 in a novel way. Its founder, Dr. N. B. Parulekar, who with his dynamic personality rose to eminence in Indian journalism, announced a competition inviting suggestions for titles for his proposed newspaper. He created considerable enthusiasm among newspaper readers at that time. No less than 1500 persons sent in 4000 suggestions. The title "SAKAL'', which means `morning' in Marathi, was selected and the prize was won by a college student. Sakal made its appearance as a small 4-page daily.

Sakal's birth coincided with the beginning of Gandhiji's mass movement and Sakal wholly supported it. But from its first day, from its first editorial, it proclaimed its role as an independent daily, not tied to any political party, or to economic or parochial interests. It has maintained this stance unchanged for all these years and has built up traditions that assure that it would continue to be an independent newspaper. Thus it never sought assistance from any political party or any industrial house even during its earlier days of financial difficulties.

In the editorial of the first issue, Dr. Parulekar said : "A newspaper is a medium of public education and of social change. A few intellectuals of the earlier generation in Maharashtra selflessly adopted this profession with that purpose in mind. We deem it essential to carry forward that tradition".

And carry forward he did, in pursuit of the basic objective of educating the masses and working as a catalyst for social change. In addition, Dr. Parulekar created new traditions in Marathi journalism.