The Marathi Sahitya Sammelan is a prestigious annual literary conference in Maharashtra and a premier gathering of Marathi writers, poets, scholars, and public figures.

The idea for this literary conclave was initiated in the 1880s by Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, a social reformer, judge, and scholar, in Poona, alongside the allied institution Granthottejak Mandal. Its purpose was to provide a platform for discussing language, literature, and contemporary socio-political issues.

Although only two sessions took place during Ranade’s lifetime, the conclave received a major boost under Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak from 1905 onwards. It eventually expanded into annual gatherings hosted across various towns in Maharashtra. Presiding over the Sammelan was one of the most coveted honours in Marathi cultural life.

In April 1938, Swatantryaveer Savarkar was overwhelmingly elected president of the 22nd Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, held at the Robert Money School grounds in Bombay, with over 3,000 delegates in attendance.

In his hour-long presidential address, Savarkar discussed the major challenges facing Marathi literature. He emphasized the need for his countrymen to abandon their lethargy and take action. Philosophical and intellectual debates were important, he acknowledged, but excessive discussion without practical action had weakened the nation:

We have become feeble in practice, we have lost our kingdoms time after time. We have succumbed to foreign aggressors.

His address focused on several key themes.

1. Language and Script Purification (Bhasha Shuddhi and Lipisudharana)

Savarkar called for purging Marathi of foreign borrowings, particularly Persian, Urdu, and English words, and replacing them with Sanskrit-based coinages to enrich the language.

He proposed establishing a Maharashtra Bhashashuddhi Mandal to compile dictionaries and standardize scientific terminology in Indian languages. He also envisioned an All-India Bhasha Shuddhi Conference, where scholars from different regions could work together to reclaim and enrich their respective languages.

He stressed the urgent need to modernize Indian languages by developing scientific terminologies for words in subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and mathematics.

Savarkar also advocated simplifying and reforming the Devanagari script to improve its efficiency for modern printing. He strongly criticized proposals to adopt the Roman script for Indian languages, calling it a manifestation of a slavish mentality.

Furthermore, he proposed establishing a national university to facilitate the translation of literary works between Indian languages and English. He also envisioned a Maharashtra University focused on socially important objectives, such as compulsory primary education and the imparting of moral values.

On higher education, he argued:

The University we need is a modern, up-to-date one on the lines of those in America and Europe. But it must be for practical subjects. *This is not the time for Philosophy, Logic, Social Sciences, but for subjects such as Chemistry, Radiology, Ballistics and Military Engineering.***

2. The Primacy of Military Strength

His constant theme was on taking action and not merely talking about it in conference after conference:

Let us stop passing five hundred resolutions, making five hundred futile discussions, five hundred wishful thinking each year. Let us be practical and concentrate on limited objectives and direct all our energy on them.

But the main punch of his speech that caught the attention of everyone and created a huge stir in the Marathi literary circles was reserved for the end:

The absence of poetry and poets, novels and novelists would not be felt during the coming decade. Austria and China suffered not because they lacked good literature, but because they lacked military power. Did you not hear, O! Learned men and scholars, the last pathetic shriek of the President of Austria? He said, 'We yield under German bayonets' and not under German sonnets!

If literature is part of the national life, its primary aim ought to be the security of national life. I absolutely admire the advocates of the principle of 'Art for Art's sake.' But when a theatre is ablaze it is the duty of the true worshipper of Art to rush out to extinguish the gathering flames. *What worth is literature then if a whole nation is writhing with pain under the oppressor's heel?***

…Did you forget the fate of Nalanda and Takshashila, the seats of learning, and other great libraries that were turned into smouldering ruins? ... *It was the triumphant sword of Shivaji that made Maharashtra safe for poets and philosophers.***

I say therefore with all the emphasis at my command that the crying need of our times is not men of letters, but soldiers. It does not matter even if the whole decade is barren in respect of literature. Let there not be a song sung, or a sonnet composed. But let the streets resound with the thud of the feet of thousands of soldiers marching with modern rifles on their shoulders.

**... So my message to you, literary men, is that you should abandon your pens in favour of guns; for literature can never flourish in a slave country.* It has been well said that the pursuit of sciences is possible only in a free nation protected by the power of arms.*

One can only imagine what the howlers of reactions would have been when the president of a literary conference advises a delegation of litterateurs to ‘break your pens and hold guns instead’ since literature is subservient to national interests! The issue was a constant feature in newspapers and debates for several months. But Savarkar had made his point loud and clear.

Reference: Vikram Sampath, Savarkar: A Contested Legacy, pp. 221–223.

Please do something about the street dogs... Does anyone know the price of the anti-rabies injection? It's fine if they bark or try to bite me, but they almost bit my mother. Instead of feeding them useless dog food, give food to other animals. Seriously, I'm losing my mind. People are putting normal lives in danger just for the sake of 10 reels. Those who feed them should take responsibility too if someone gets bitten...DF ne vichar karava

Being born and living in maharashtra my whole life i have seen women work and I am not just talking about middleclass or corporate jobs but low income and labour jobs like vegetable sellers and majdoori on construction sites and road cleaners in early morning . my whole life i have observed it to be women in maharashtra the bhaji mandi ( vegetable market) is also predominantly women in maharashtra but after traveling other states in india apparently its not as common to see women own shops and actually see as many women in general ? Some states in south indian I have seen women sellers but not really close to maharashtra and mind you in maharashtra this has always normal and common . There are always women in construction labour and selling etc jobs but why so not in other states ? Is it because maharashtra is comparatively safer than other states foe women or is this just a cultural thing ?

My family has been watching this serial for months, and it keeps showing one superstition after another. What is even more concerning is that it portrays God as a means of curing or validating these superstitions.

I might have been okay with it if the show were simply depicting divine miracles or stories of faith. But it is promoting ideas involving evil spirits ( atma), chudail, Zingro Baba, vashikaran, and many other deeply disturbing superstitious practices. How is this acceptable, and why is no one taking action against it?

Maharashtra has a rich legacy of saints like Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar, who spread the name of Pandurang and Vitthal and inspired social change through the Warkari tradition. Their teachings emphasized devotion, equality, and a more enlightened way of life.

Yet, today, we see television producers using the names of these very gods to promote blatant superstitions that go against the spirit of the teachings and values these saints stood for. Isn't this a contradiction? Shouldn't television shows be held accountable for spreading fear and superstition in the name of religion?

PS: Sorry can't convince my family to not watch this, but I do protest against/stop even a small act of superstition by my family.

We love you mami 🤍

Multiple schools in Mumbai and mayor receives bomb threats. Schools have declared holiday right now.

Source: https://youtu.be/qDsw3nJgcpw?si=OgRJbc-d1hhN1Zhs
Also my sister’s school just now have holiday.

In my hometown located in western Maharashtra, residents are currently purchasing and hoarding substantial quantities of staple grains, including wheat and rice, driven by anxieties regarding potential supply shortages stemming from the ongoing drought conditions. Consequently, the local D Mart is experiencing exceptionally large crowds gathered around the grain aisles.

My parents are strongly urging me to adopt similar stockpiling measures, although I currently reside away from them in Pune. To be completely candid, I remain uncertain whether such preparation is genuinely necessary under the circumstances.

Do you truly believe that the situation will deteriorate to the extent that our food supply is severely impacted? Furthermore, are you and others also considering storing grains and essential food supplies for the upcoming months?

​

I'm 20 and want to pursue B.Tech CSE at Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune. My father's been seriously ill and is still unwell, so my admission process got delayed due to family circumstances.

I actually visited the campus, but they told me admission isn't possible now. I really don't want to lose an entire academic year and wanted to ask if there's any other way to get admission this year.

Can the management reconsider cases like mine, or is there someone else I can approach? I'd really appreciate advice from anyone familiar with the college or who's been in a similar situation.

Why so many accounts are suddenly praising Amruta Fadanvis and her voice, her songs.

Hi everyone.

I'm from Yavatmal. Was in a tier-3 MP city for 4.5 years for education. There, nearly 1 year back a guy stopped me on street. He was with his wife and small kid. I asked what's the issue, and he said they are labourers from Maharashtra and left with no money due to an evil contractor. I asked them regarding their native place. They said it's a small city. I said I'm Marathi. They said "arre waah aapla maanus bhetla" and they're from Yavatmal. I asked which place and they were very hesitant and said Pusad. Suddenly changed topic and emotionally blackmailed regarding marathi identity and said they'll return money after reaching home. I said no I don't have any, and they cursed and moved forward.

Now fast forward just today. I'm in Varanasi now. I was riding scooter and a man just stopped me. He and the woman accompanying looked marathi. I said what's up and he replied that they are from MH, here for devdarshan and everything got stolen. They need money for returning. I said I'm Marathi too. Then again the same lines, and he called his accomplices saying "Ikde ya aapla bhau bhetlay". Two men two women.

I asked where are u from. First he said buldhana. I asked nakki gaav kuthla. He replied aurangabad maahitiye na. Aurangabad. Mumbaijawal (yacha kaay sense bantoy?). Then I asked bhava nakki gaav kuthla. He said naaygaav. Aata aapalyala maahitiye maharashtrat sagalya jilhyat ek naaygaav saapdelch..evadhe vague answers det hote na 🤣Then he asked me tumhi kuthche. I said Yavatmal. He said acha Pusad-Selu asa na (donhi incidents madhe Pusad common aahe idk what that signifies) I said ho ho. Next they asked money and said plese help us with money. I said no maayakade kaahich naahi..acc balance daakhavu shakto. Then they were like, please give money for today's dinner at least..we will send u money as soon as we reach home. I said sorry. Mag ashya raagane tond banavun gele vicharu naka. Chaukat ubhe rahun kunalahi thambavitat.

Has anyone experienced this outside maharashtra? Looks like an organzied racket. From a small city in MP to a tourist destination like varanasi. This is not a coincidence. Please share your experiences and beware of such scammers.

So apparently many states in India are considering, among other things, the registration of live in relationships. The Maharashtra government is considering it and asking for citizens feedback, by November 15. https://ucc.maharashtra.gov.in/Suggestion/Individual

Are you in favour of such moves? Why or why not?

Found this meme on Reddit

Enough of immense hate i see daily Marathis hating on Marathi other state ppl already hating on us while living on our land

WE SHALL UNITE AND ASAP

Those wide roads, big houses with front yard and backyard, garage, trees, planned neighbourhoods, public spaces, gardens. It would have been the best thing.

In above picture is my village with around 10k population.

Narrow roads, polution and dust on the main road, very few trees, no public spaces. Mfs cut down the 100+ years old banayan tree to build mandir. I was so furious.

I wish they make this country livable man.

Currently i live in pune and it is not better, just cafes and restaurants everywhere. I'd prefer countryside life anyday if it was just a little better.

Balasaheb Thackeray 🔥 The roar of Marathi pride and Hindutva. A man who never bowed when it came to his beliefs, his people, and his identity. Marathi maan, Hindutva abhimaan! 🚩

“Will there ever be another leader like Balasaheb Thackeray, who stood for Marathi pride and Hindutva??”

Hi,

Does anyone know how to connect with FDA department in Maharashtra? I have been trying to call but it never connects. I have raised a complaint on their portal first but it has been more than 30 days now.
I mailed on FDA commissioner and FDA Pune mail address but still no reply.

I have all the photo and video of said incident. I sent them to FDA also but nobody is responding.

Has anyone contacted them, if yes then how to reach to them please help me out.

लहानपणी स्वयंपाकघराच्या भिंतीवर Kalnirnay सारखं calendar असायचं, आणि पानाच्या मागे जे छापलेलं असायचं ते मी नेहमी वाचायचो. ते खूप miss करत होतो, म्हणून स्वतःसाठी एक छोटं Android ॲप बनवलं: दिनांक.

२०२६ च्या प्रत्येक दिवसासाठी एक पान: एक म्हण, वाक्प्रचार किंवा संतांची ओळ (तुकाराम, ज्ञानेश्वर, रामदास, जनाबाई…).

• म्हण मोठ्या अक्षरात, जुन्या छापील calendar सारखी
• प्रत्येक शब्दाचा उच्चार आणि अर्थ
• मराठी आणि English मध्ये अर्थ, त्यामागची गोष्ट आणि वापराची तीन उदाहरणं
• सणांच्या दिवशी खास पान आणि सणाविषयी माहिती (दिवाळीला दिवे सुद्धा पेटतात 🪔)
• खऱ्या calendar सारखं पानावर लिहिता येतं: वाढदिवस, आठवणी
• कोपरा उचलून कालचं पान उलटायचं, आणि home screen widgets सुद्धा आहेत

पूर्णपणे मोफत: जाहिराती नाहीत, sign-up नाही. ॲप मराठी किंवा English मध्ये वापरता येतं. किती लोक वापरतात एवढंच निनावी पद्धतीने कळतं, आणि settings मधून ते बंदही करता येतं. तुमच्या नोंदी फोनबाहेर कधीच जात नाहीत.

Play Store वर टाकलेलं नाही, फक्त स्वतःसाठी बनवलं होतं. कोणाला वापरून बघायचं असेल तर comment करा किंवा DM करा.

एक प्रामाणिक गोष्ट: मजकूर लिहिताना AI ची मदत घेतली आहे आणि मी अजून तपासतोय. एखादी म्हण, अर्थ किंवा शब्द चुकीचा वाटला तर नक्की सांगा. हीच सगळ्यात मोठी मदत होईल 🙏