Year-Long Literary Events to Honour Narayan Surve
The Maharashtra Government will celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of renowned poet Narayan Surve starting October 2026. The Directorate of Cultural Affairs will organise special events throughout the year to honour Surve’s rich literary legacy.
These events will focus on labour literature, reflecting Surve’s lifelong contribution to the working-class movement. The announcement was made by Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Ashish Shelar during the third anniversary of Marathi Athav Divas at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai.
Annual Award for Labour Literature Writers
Minister Shelar also announced a new initiative to encourage labour literature. Beginning next year, a ₹50,000 annual award will be presented at the Narayan Surve Literary Conference. The award will recognise writers who have made significant contributions to the field of labour literature.
Honouring Literary Contributors and Emerging Writers
The one-day Surve Literature Conference also honoured senior contributors and new writers. The event was presided over by veteran theatre artist Pramod Pawar.
Prominent supporters of Marathi Athav Divas such as Bhau Korgaonkar, Dr. Mahesh Keluskar, and Ashok Naigaonkar were felicitated for their long-standing dedication. Emerging writers, including Pradeep Awate, Yogita Rajkar, Madhukar Matondkar, Sunil Ubale, Sujata Raut, and Safar Ali Isaf, received the prestigious Jahirnama Award.
Rajneesh Rane, founder of Marathi Athav Divas, expressed happiness over the growing public interest and support for the event, which is organised on the 27th of every month.
Maharashtra Govt Urges Centre to Transfer Protected Forts for Better Conservation
State Seeks Control Over Centrally Protected Monuments
The Maharashtra Government has requested the transfer of Centrally protected forts to the state for better conservation and development. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar has written to Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, seeking permission to manage these historic sites.
Currently, Maharashtra has 54 Centrally protected forts and 62 state-protected forts. Shelar highlighted that the state has already demonstrated its commitment by preserving many of the Maratha-era forts under its care.
State’s Commitment to Preserve Maratha Heritage
In his letter dated March 24, 2025, Shelar reaffirmed Maharashtra’s active role in protecting its heritage. He stated that the State Cabinet, in its meeting on February 18, expressed a strong commitment to conserving forts that reflect the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
These forts are symbols of Maharashtra’s rich history, bravery, and cultural pride. They continue to inspire future generations and hold deep emotional value for the people of the state.
Maharashtra Proposes Maratha Forts for UNESCO Heritage List
Minister Shelar also highlighted Maharashtra’s global initiative to promote its forts. The state recently led a delegation to the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Paris, to propose the inclusion of 12 historic forts in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List under the theme Maratha Military Landscape of India.
The proposed forts include:
- Raigad
- Rajgad
- Pratapgad
- Panhala
- Shivneri
- Lohagad
- Salher
- Sindhudurg
- Suvarnadurg
- Vijaydurg
- Khanderi Fort
- Jinji Fort (Tamil Nadu)
The delegation also included Janhawij Sharma, Additional Director General (Conservation and World Heritage), ASI.
State Ready for Conservation and Heritage Tourism
Shelar confirmed that the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has the required expertise, contractors, and conservation architects to manage and preserve these forts. The state plans to launch heritage-friendly tourism projects and involve CSR donors to support fort maintenance.
Maharashtra will implement these initiatives under programs like Maha Varasa and Vaibhav Sangopan, ensuring the forts’ cultural and historical value is preserved for future generations.
