Pune: The Marathi Publishers Association has appealed to the Maharashtra state government to cover the travel, accommodation, and stall rental expenses of publishers participating in the upcoming 98th All India Marathi Literary Conference, set to take place in Delhi.

The association's request was formally communicated through a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, emphasizing the importance of government support for Marathi literature in light of the recent recognition of Marathi as a classical language.

In their letter, the association highlighted that the Central Government fully supports the World Book Fair held in Delhi each year, and similarly, the state government should extend financial assistance to ensure a robust Marathi presence at the literary conference.

The letter suggested that the Maharashtra Information Centre in Delhi and the Marathi Language Department in Mumbai could help manage the expenses related to the conference.

Anil Kulkarni, Executive President of the Marathi Publishers Association, pointed out that approximately 300 publishers are expected to participate in the Delhi event.

He noted that the expenses for travel, accommodation, and stall rentals are beyond the financial capacity of many Marathi publishers, particularly in the post-COVID era when the publishing business has faced significant challenges.

"Providing financial assistance will help ensure that quality Marathi books are available to readers in Delhi. We request the government to consider our appeal favorably, as it would greatly benefit both the publishers and the broader Marathi literary movement," Kulkarni stated.

The 98th All India Marathi Literary Conference is a key event for promoting Marathi literature and bringing it to a wider audience, and government support could significantly enhance its impact.