95th All India Marathi Literary Conference held; President Kovind appreciates

The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, on Sunday, April 24, 2022, graced and addressed the 95^th All India Marathi Literary Conference through a video message. Appreciating the organisers for naming the venue of the Conference after Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, the President said that such a meaningful use of the name of Lata ji who has given a timeless legacy to the culture of India and Maharashtra, is appropriate.

Pointing to the fact that Maharashtra Udayagiri Mahavidyalaya of the Maharashtra Education Society is marking its Diamond Jubilee this year, the President congratulated the entire team of the college for making continuous contribution in the field of education for past sixty years. Noting that the college was established by the farmers and traders of Udgir region with their hard-earned money, he said that society and nation progress only with such extraordinary contribution of ordinary citizens. He said that we should gratefully remember the contribution of founders on this occasion.

Remembering the literary contributions of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Dr BR Ambedkar, the President said that Mahatma Jyotiba Phule wrote revolutionary books like 'Gulamgiri' and 'Tritiya Ratna'. The play 'Tritiya Ratna' is considered as an important work of social theatre. Babasaheb Ambedkar enriched the thinking of Maharashtra as well as whole country with the ideals of modernity and equality through his publications like 'Bahishkrit Bharat' and 'Mooknayak'. On that egalitarian ideology and spirit, talented writers of the deprived classes, in modern era, have composed literature in Marathi which is called Dalit literature.

The President said that equality and valour are the identity of Maharashtra. In the 17^th century, by flowing the streams of bravery and knowledge, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Samarth Guru Ramdas and Sant Tukaram, endowed Marathi identity and literature with extraordinary splendour which created a new self-respect in India.

He also shared valuable and extraordinary contributions of women-power in Maharashtra by remembering Queen Naganika of Satavahana dynasty, Veermata Jijabai, Janabai, Baija Bai, Savitribai Phule, Sagunabai Kshirsagar, Fatima Shaikh, Mukta Salve, Tarabai Shinde, Dr. Anandibai Joshi and Pramila Tai Medhe who have contributed nationwide.The President added that it is a matter of concern that the women of Maharashtra, who have been leading since ancient times in the fields of politics, social reform, thinking and literature, are lagging behind today.

He urged progressive citizens participating in the Literary Conference to take a pledge to encourage women to take lead in areas like health, education and literature.