Pune: Marathi Schools Must Survive for Language to Thrive – Dr. Mashelkar; 2,000 New Libraries to Boost Maharashtra’s Reading Culture

Pune, 22nd December 2024: Senior scientist Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar has urged the government to take decisive steps to preserve Marathi schools, emphasizing that Marathi must become a language of knowledge to ensure its survival. Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the Pune Book Festival on Sunday, Dr. Mashelkar expressed concern over the declining number of Marathi schools in cities like Mumbai and Pune.

Dr. Mashelkar, who was honored during the event for receiving his 51st D.Litt degree, stressed the importance of nurturing the culture of reading. “The Pune Book Festival has encouraged the new generation to embrace books, ensuring a bright future for Maharashtra. If every household in Pune becomes a temple of knowledge, Pune can truly transform into a city of knowledge,” he said.

The festival, organized by the National Book Trust (NBT) on Fergusson College grounds, witnessed the presence of notable personalities, including Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol, Maharashtra Minister of Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Patil, NBT Chairman Milind Marathe, Director Yuvraj Malik, and Savitribai Phule Pune University Vice Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi, among others.

The Pune Book Festival has gained recognition as a major cultural event, with its impact reaching as far as Delhi. “Pune is setting an example for the rest of the country. Punekars should become the brand ambassadors of this festival, which has become a new attraction and an integral part of Pune’s identity,” said Mohol.

Yuvraj Malik announced the establishment of an NBT office in Pune, stating, “Everything in this office will be free. Pune has made a unique effort to connect society through books, and this initiative is being celebrated nationwide.”

Maharashtra Minister Chandrakant Patil highlighted the state’s efforts to promote reading. He announced the approval of 2,000 new libraries across Maharashtra and the phased digitization of rare books. Patil also hinted at the expansion of the initiative ‘Peace… Punekar is reading’ to a statewide movement, titled ‘Peace… Maharashtra is reading books.’

The 2024 edition of the Pune Book Festival surpassed expectations, growing four to five times larger than the previous year. Organizers expressed optimism about hosting an even bigger and longer festival next year.