Modi to inaugurate 98th All India Marathi Literature Convention in Delhi

Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate 98th All India Marathi Literature Convention in Delhi, celebrating Marathi culture and literature.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 98th All India Marathi Literature Convention (Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan) in New Delhi from February 21 to 23, marking the event’s first stint in the national capital since Maharashtra’s formation in 1960. The announcement was made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday (January 30, 2025) during the inauguration of the convention’s camp office at the old Maharashtra Sadan.

Mr. Fadnavis underscored the event’s historical significance, noting that Delhi last hosted the convention in 1954, under the leadership of Sanskrit scholar Lakshman Shastri Joshi and with former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as chief guest. “This is not just a literary meet but a celebration of Marathi identity and its contributions to India’s cultural mosaic,” Mr. Fadnavis stated.

This year’s convention will be presided over by Dr. Tara Bhawalkar, an acclaimed writer and folk culture researcher, who becomes only the sixth woman to lead the event in its 128-year history. Dr. Bhawalkar, known for her work documenting Maharashtra’s rural traditions, emphasized the convention’s role in amplifying marginalised voices and fostering literary innovation.

In a tribute to Maharashtra’s legacy, Talkatora Stadium will temporarily be renamed “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sahitya Nagari” during the event. The main hall will bear the name of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, while entry gates will honour freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak and Maharashtra’s first Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan.

The three-day convention is expected to attract over 5,000 delegates, including authors, scholars, and cultural ambassadors. Sessions will explore themes ranging from Marathi literature’s digital evolution to the preservation of folk arts, alongside exhibitions and performances showcasing the state’s artistic heritage.

Mr. Fadnavis drew parallels between the 1954 and the 2024 editions, stating, “From Nehru’s vision of unity in diversity to PM Modi’s Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, this convention bridges generations and ideologies.”