Pune: The Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal (All India Marathi Literary Council) is set to convene a two-day meeting in Pune to finalize key details for the upcoming 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, scheduled to be held in Delhi.

The meeting, to be held on October 5 and 6 at the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad on Tilak Road, will decide the dates of the conference, outline its schedule, and, most notably, elect the Sammelan’s president.

The election of the president is one of the most anticipated outcomes of this meeting, as the literary community eagerly awaits to see who will preside over this prestigious conference.

The event, to be held in the nation's capital, holds special significance as it will be the first "Classical Marathi Literary Conference" following the central government’s recent decision to grant Marathi the status of a classical language.

Among the names being considered for the president's role are senior scholars and public figures such as Dr. Tara Bhavalkar, a respected expert on folk culture, noted authors Baba Bhand and Vishwas Patil, veteran social activist Dr. Abhay Bang, former administrative officer Dnyaneshwar Mule, and journalist and intellectual Vinay Hardikar.

The Mahamandal will carefully deliberate these names, and while one of them is expected to be chosen, there remains a possibility of a surprise candidate emerging at the last moment.

In 1954, the literary conference in Delhi was presided over by the esteemed scholar Laxmanshastri Joshi. For this year's event, the challenge lies in selecting a figure of similar stature, one who has significant recognition both within Maharashtra and on the national stage. This task will be a major focus of the meeting in Pune.

Program Planning and Key Discussions:
On Saturday, the meeting will focus on outlining the event’s schedule, with discussions on the organization of the various programs, including the book exhibition. These arrangements will be finalized on Sunday, and the president will be elected by the end of the day.

First “Classical Marathi Literary Conference”
This year's Sammelan holds additional significance as it will be the first to take place after the central government granted Marathi the status of a classical language.

Organizing the conference in Delhi was partly aimed at increasing pressure on the central government for this recognition.

Now that the demand has been fulfilled, the focus of speeches and discussions at the conference is expected to shift, with the theme of Marathi as a classical language playing a prominent role in the event’s agenda.