The prize distribution ceremony for the 25th State-Level and Raigad District-Level Diwali Ank (Diwali special issue) Competition will be held at the Adya Krantiveer Vasudev Balwant Phadke Natyagruha in Panvel on Tuesday, October 6, at 4 pm.
A Diwali Ank is, as readers must be aware, a special publication traditionally brought out around Diwali, featuring literary, cultural, social and journalistic content. The tradition has a long-standing place in Marathi publishing and attracts contributions from writers, journalists, editors and other creative professionals.
The competition has been organised jointly by the Shri Ramsheth Thakur Social Development Board and the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh to encourage and recognise this publishing tradition.
Adv. Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, will present the prizes to the winning Diwali Ank publications.
The ceremony will be held under the chairmanship of former MP Ramsheth Thakur. The principal guests will include noted writer Vishwas Patil, president of the 99th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, and renowned biographer Veena Gavankar.
Now in its 25th year, the competition includes categories at both the state and Raigad district levels. The organisers said the winning publications will receive prizes worth lakhs of rupees in recognition of their creative work.
The event is expected to bring together writers, journalists, editors, literary enthusiasts and readers of Diwali special issues.
Prashant Thakur, president of the Shri Ramsheth Thakur Social Development Board, vice-president Arunsheth Bhagat, secretary Paresh Thakur, Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh president Sandeep Chavan, working president Shailendra Shirke and competition coordinator Deepak Mhatre have appealed to literature and journalism enthusiasts to attend the ceremony.
The 25th edition of the competition will also continue an initiative aimed at promoting Maharashtra’s distinctive Diwali Ank tradition, which has long provided a platform for Marathi literature, journalism, cultural commentary and creative writing.
