Pune: The logo for the 98th All India Marathi Literary Conference, set to take place in Delhi, was revealed on Thursday. The logo, which incorporates the royal seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the nib of a pen, was chosen through a national-level competition organized by the Pune-based group "Sarhad."

The design competition attracted over 100 entries from artists across the country. The responsibility of selecting the final logo was entrusted to Raj Thackeray, President of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and a prominent cartoonist.

The selected design, submitted by Prasad Gawli, Director of the "Manthan School of Creativity and Art" in Loni Kalbhor, was chosen for its simplicity and its powerful symbolism.

Raj Thackeray explained the significance of the design, stating, "The royal seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a symbol of Maharashtra's sovereignty, and the traditional pen, representing literature, are clearly visible in this logo. Its simplicity and directness are what make it stand out."

The winning logo will be used throughout the event, which is a significant cultural milestone for Marathi literature. The conference brings together scholars, writers, poets, and literary enthusiasts from across India to celebrate the richness of the Marathi language.

All participants in the logo competition will be honored with certificates of appreciation, and the winning designer, Prasad Gawli, will receive special recognition at the conference in Delhi.

Sanjay Nahar, Founder-President of the Sarhad organization, noted that the event will offer a platform for celebrating both artistic talent and literary heritage.

This year's conference will be an important event in the literary world, further enhancing the legacy of the All India Marathi Literary Conference, which has played a pivotal role in promoting Marathi language and literature over the years.