The 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan started in New Delhi Friday with Prime Minister Modi, who inaugurated the occasion, drawing applause from the viewers after he poured NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar a glass of water.
PM Modi first adjusted a chair for Pawar, who was led from the rostrum to his seat on the dais, in order that the NCP(SP) chief might sit comfortably. The Prime Minister then opened a bottle of water and poured a glass for Pawar.
Whereas the Uddhav Sena selected to remain away regardless of being invited, leaders of different political events, together with Congress, attended the occasion.
Whereas BJP was represented by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Pratap Jadhav, MP of Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, veteran Congress chief Sushil Kumar Shinde and Sharad Pawar — who’s the sammelan’s reception committee head — made their presence felt. The sammelan has been organised by the Sanjay Nahar-led Sarhad, a Pune-based NGO, and the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal.
The occasion is being organised within the nationwide capital after 71 years.
“We had despatched an invite to Shiv Sena (UBT) like we did to different events as effectively. The sammelan is for 3 days,” Narhar informed this paper.
Congress chief Ulhas Pawar mentioned, “I wished to be a part of the sahitya sammelan. I typically go to literary occasions… I don’t know something concerning the controversy. I don’t need to discuss it.” Shiv Sena’s Buldhana MP Prataprao Jadhav mentioned, “We had been invited for the occasion and I’ve made it.”
Referring to the controversy final week the place Sharad Pawar had feliciated Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde “for his decisive management,” Narhar mentioned controversies had been half and parcel of the sammelan. “With out controversies, literary occasions don’t get the eye they search for. Controversies are an integral a part of the sahitya sammelan,” he mentioned.
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Organisers had a tough time grappling with the overwhelming presence of Maharashtrians who travelled for the occasion. ”We had been anticipating over 1,000 individuals from the literary group together with authors, writers and fans. Nevertheless, 2,900 have landed up in Delhi for the occasion. Our total association collapsed. We struggled for lodging and making certain correct meals preparations final night. Our total crew salvaged the scenario as we obtained assist from varied quarters,” mentioned Nahar.
The organisers had roped in a particular prepare from Pune known as the Mahadji Shinde Specific. The prepare carrying 1,200 individuals arrived on Thursday morning.
Earlier than the official inauguration of the sammelan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Vigyan Bhavan, a granth dindi (procession of books) was held. The dindi made its option to Talkatora stadium — the primary venue for the occasion.
Fanatics had arrived for the occasion not simply from Maharashtra and different components of the state, however from international nations. ”My spouse and I’ve come from the US. I’m going to launch my e-book on the occasion,” mentioned 80-year-old Mohan Ranade.
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Sonika Chanu, a pupil from Manipur mentioned, “I research in Pune… I love Maharashtrian tradition and custom. I’ve come right here as a volunteer… I wished to get a really feel of the literary occasion and subsequently I’ve come to expertise first hand expertise the programme.”
At Vigyan Bhavan, there have been lengthy queues to achieve the corridor a lot earlier than the Prime Minister. The scheduled time of the occasion was 3.30 pm but it surely began round 4.30 when the Prime Minister entered the corridor to a standing ovation.
The Prime Minister delivered his speech in Marathi.
