Ghuman (Punjab), April 3 (IANS): With leading literary and political figures from Maharashtra, Punjab and elsewhere in attendance, the 88th Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammellan - its first time in Punjab - got underway at this village in frontier district of Gurdaspur Friday.
The literary conference is being held in this village to commemorate the legacy of Bhagat Namdev, a legendary 14th century literary figure from Maharashtra who lived here for nearly two decades. He was associated with the Bhakti Movement of that time.
Several literary figures from Maharashtra and other parts of the country have assembled here for the three-day conference. It is for the first time that the event is being held here.
At the inaugural event, union minister Nitin Gadkari, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, former union minister Sharad Pawar and other prominent leaders from Maharashtra and Punjab were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Badal announced to establish a chair in the name of Bhagat Namdev at the Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar.
He said that the chair would be instrumental in disseminating the teachings and philosophy of Bhagat Namdev.
As many as 61 shabads (hymns) of Bhagat Namdev are part of the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib.
Badal also announced to set up Baba Namdev Ji Government Degree College over an area of 10 acres at a cost of Rs.18 crore to impart quality education in science and arts to the students of this border belt of the state.
Recalling the age old spiritual ties between the people of Punjab and Maharashtra, Badal noted that Bhagat Namdev spent over two decades of his life here.
In his address, Pawar said that the holding of the festival in Punjab showed the strong bonds between people of both states since ages.
Gadkari said that Bhagat Namdev had made enormous contribution towards redeeming mankind from social maladies and other agonies.
To carry delegates from Maharashtra and other parts of the country to Ghuman, the railways have run four special trains to Punjab.
The concluding day of the festival, Sunday (April 5), is likely to see Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, union minister Prakash Javadekar and former union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde attending the event.