Modi-Pawar bonhomie at Marathi Sammelan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nationalist Communist Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar’s bonhomie stood out at the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan which began in the national capital on Friday.

Seated alongside on stage, Modi was seen pulling a chair for Pawar and later serving him a glass of water.

The PM also ensured Pawar joined him in lighting the traditional lamp to declare the event open. Modi was, in fact, seen handing over a diya to Pawar to light.

On both occasions, the gathering at Vigyan Bhavan here broke into a thunderous applause. Seated amid the audiences, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP was all smiles.

Later in his address, Modi showered praises on the BJP’s parent organisation, the RSS, and remembered its Marathi founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.

“A distinguished Marathi leader planted the seed of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on the soil of Maharashtra. That seed has now grown into a vast tree and is celebrating its centenary year. For the past 100 years, the RSS has carried forward the great tradition and culture of India, from the Vedas to Vivekananda, to the new generation through its cultural efforts. It has been my privilege to be inspired by the RSS to live for and serve the country. It was through the RSS that I had the opportunity to connect with the Marathi language and tradition,” Modi said in the presence of Pawar, leading Marathi litterateurs and Pawar, who heads the opposition NCP SP faction in Maharashtra.

Modi said a few months ago, Marathi was accorded the status of a classical language — a moment over 12 crore Marathi speakers in India and around the world had been awaiting.