Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), successfully organized the Marathi Language Conservation Fortnight. The event commenced from January 14 and concluded on January 28.
As part of the initiative, NMMC conducted various competitions and literary programs to encourage the use of Marathi in daily life. Additional Commissioner Sunil Pawar, during the prize distribution ceremony, urged citizens to go beyond formal celebrations and integrate Marathi into everyday communication.
“The event has reinforced the administration’s commitment to the preservation and promotion of the Marathi language. Now even residents should own up to promoting the language and this will happen when the language is used on a daily basis,” he emphasized.
Three major competitions held during the event were the Self-Poetry Recitation – Judged by poet Ashok Gupte, Biography and Autobiography Reading – Judged by actor Ashok Palve and Oratory Contest on Future of Classical Marathi – Judged by orator Prof. Ravindra Patil
For the final program present at the ceremony were Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kailas Gaikwad, Municipal Secretary Smt. Chitra Baviskar, and Deputy Commissioner of Stores Department Shankar Khade. Winners received books related to their respective competitions as prizes.
“the announcement of the prestigious Padma Shri Award to renowned calligrapher Achyut Palav was a moment of pride for Navi Mumbai during the fortnight celebration. The award recognized the artist contribution to the development of Marathi script and literature,” said an official..
Over the past 15 days, NMMC also organized insightful lectures and discussions, including: Lecture by Retired Secretary Vasant Chaudhary on "Appropriate Use of Marathi in Official Work, Discussion by Dr. Mahesh Keluskar on "Our Classical Marathi, Special tribute to legendary writer Jaywant Dalvi on his birth centenary, featuring writer Dr. Nirmohi Phadke, actor Yogesh Kelkar, and Vandana Gujre.
On the concluding day, the oratory competition on "The Future of Classical Marathi" saw 18 participants presenting their perspectives on the language’s future. Judge Prof. Ravindra Patil stressed the need for increased government funding for Marathi education, advocating for greater recognition of the language at a national level.
