Marathi literary meet: Writers speak on democracy, need to empower all sections of society

The 95th All India Marathi Literary Conference being held in Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Sahitya Nagari in Latur saw a seminar on 'Writers and Democratic Values' on Saturday with participants stressing on the importance of writing on environment, agriculture, unemployment and issues facing the poor.

Among the participants were state Chief Electoral Officer Shrikant Deshpande, environmentalist Atul Deulgaonkar, writer Dilip Chavan, writer-director Rajkumar Tangde, author Sonali Navangul, scholar Hemangi Joshi and journalist Halima Khureshi, while Deepak Pawar conducted the proceedings.

While Deshpande said his department had introduced 'Chat on Democracy' to strengthen people's participation in elections, Hemangi Joshi, a scholar on Adivasi issues, said writers must approach topics like health and education as these are fundamental needs of the common man.

Navangul said the rights of everyone, from the disabled to the deprived, must be kept in mind while empowering democracy, and Rajkumar Tangde, writer of the renowned play 'Shivaji Underground in Bhimnagar Mohalla', opined the right to equality would be protected only if literature is written to connect minds rather than to disconnect.

Balkumar Sammelan was inaugurated at the All India Marathi literary meet wherein children wore dresses bearing images of noted litterateurs Lakshmibai Tilak, Shantabai Shelke, Balkavi, P L Deshpande, and Sindhutai Sapkal.

The children's meet was inaugurated by renowned writer Veena Gavankar.

The meet was inaugurated in a unique way with dignitaries bursting firecrackers. Colorful balloons and fences of pencils around the stage were among other attractions besides teddy bears, floral trays of flowers. A large number children thronged the venue. At the entrance of the auditorium, a screen showcased rural culture and a panel displaying alphabets.

In her speech at another event, Gavankar said her writing was not reviewed by knowledgeable critics but readers always supported her, which was reassuring. ''It is my good fortune that my first book, 'Ek Hota Carver' received overwhelming response from many great writers,'' she added.