Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
AMID beating of dhols and lezims and a grand welcome to a ”granth dindi,” as many as 1,200 people, which mainly included authors, writers and literary enthusiasts, left for Delhi to attend the 98th Marathi Sahitya Sammelan organised by Sarhad Pune and Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal.
A special train ‘Mahadji Shinde Express’ was arranged for the attendees, which departed from Pune station around 3pm on Wednesday. Accompanying them till Ahilyanagar was none than other Maharashtra minister Uday Samant, who holds the Marathi language portfolio.
The Marathi Sahitya Sammelan is being held in the national capital after 71 years for three days, starting from February 21. The Sammelan will be held at Talkotra, which has historical significance as it is the site of the 1737 battle in which Maraths led by Bajirao Peshwa defeated the Mughals. The last conference was held in October 1954.
The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Vigyan Bhavan on Friday. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP (S-P) chief Sharad Pawar will attend the sammelan. Pawar is the head of the reception committee for this year’s Sammelan.
”To travel along with 1200 people from the literary community is a world record. When four litteratuers come together, we get to hear some good thoughts. At the same time, there is a possibility of verbal duels as well. But for the sake of positivity, disagreements is a sign of liveliness. Literature is a part of Maharashtra’s culture. The Sammelan is helping preserve our culture,” said Samant on board the train as it left for Delhi. The train is expected to reach Delhi on Thursday afternoon with two halts at Ahilyanagar and Jalgaon.
”Though the formal inauguration of the Sammelan will happen at the hands of the Prime Minister on Friday, its unofficial opening happened on board the train. Minister Uday Samant did the honours and in no time, authors, writers and poets took the centre stage,” Sanjay Nahar, who heads Sarhad, an NGO, told The Indian Express.
Literary enthusiasts lapped up every moment on board the train. ”I feel like the sammelan has already started. The train is full of literary community. There is an intellectual exchange going on,” said Manju Awalkanthe, a Puneite. “Everyone is keen to be in Delhi and attend the Sahitya Sammelan. The atmosphere was already created on board the train,” said Shirish Shinde, another Puneite.
When Samant inaugurated the ”sammelan” on board the train, Dr P D Patil, Chancellor of Dr P D Patil deemed university, veteran litteratuer Dr Sangeeta Barve, Marathi ”Sahitya Yatra” Sammelan chief Sharad Tandale, executive president Vaibhav Wagh, treasurer Sharad Gore, among others, were present.
As prominent literary figures and enthusiasts started arriving in the afternoon, the Pune railway sttation wore a festive look. At the start, tributes were paid to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary. The ”granth dindi” which arrived from Pandharpur was given a rousing welcome. The ”dindi” also left by the train to Delhi.
Stating that backing litettratuers was equivalent to backing Marathi manoos, Samant said, ”Supporting Marathi manoos means supporting entire Maharashtra. By naming the special train after Mahadji Shinde, it has given us a moment of pride.This sammelan will help take Marathi language across the world.”
”Marathi Sahitya Sammelan is a glorious tradition of literature and culture. Through this sammelan, we are saluting the bravery of Mahadji Shinde. His courage, patience and leadership makes every Marathi manoos feel proud,” said Dr P D Patil.
Nahar said, ”1,200 people left from Pune by a special train. We have made all arrangements for their stay and food for three days. We are expecting at least 5,000 Marathi manoos to attend the event.”
