President of India addresses 95th All India Marathi Literary Conference
President of India
addresses 95th All India Marathi Literary Conference
The
President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind graced and addressed the 95th All
India Marathi Literary Conference through a video message today (April 24,
2022).
Why is it in news?
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.
Highlights
· 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 17th 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.
· Speaking about valuable and
extraordinary contributions of women-power in Maharashtra, the President
remembered Queen Naganika of Satavahana dynasty who lead her empire after the
untimely demise of her husband; Veermata Jijabai who had not only built the
character and personality of her son Veer Shivaji but also gave new heights to
the Maratha pride through her able leadership; Janabai who composed a number of
musical abhangas challenging caste and gender-based discrimination in the
14th century; Baija Bai who fought against British 40 years before the
struggle of 1857. He also mentioned the contributions of Savitribai Phule,
Sagunabai Kshirsagar, Fatima Shaikh, Mukta Salve and Tarabai Shinde to society,
literature and education in 19th century’s Maharashtra. He said that Tarabai
Shinde wrote a book 'Stree-Purush Tulna' in the year 1882 which is considered
to be the first article written on the topic of women's liberation in India. He
said that the example of Dr. Anandibai Joshi who was among the first women of
India to become a doctor, gives an introduction to a progressive society. In
the 20th century, social workers like Pramila Tai Medhe have contributed
nationwide.
· The President said 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 noted that according to the 2011
census, Maharashtra was ranked 14th in terms of female literacy and 22nd on
the sex-ratio parameter. 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.