88th All-India Marathi Literary Festival begins in Gurdaspur

The 88th edition of the Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan (ABMSS) will be held from April 3-5 in Ghuman village in Gurdaspur district, where Marathi saint Namdev spent last years of his life.
The nondescript village is located about 260 km from here. Sant Namdev hailed from Maharashtra and his 61 shabads were included in Guru Granth Sahib, a holy scripture of the Sikhs.
Ghuman spiritually connects Punjab and Maharashtra like Nanded and for many Saint Namdev, who is an important saint of the Bhakti movement, is an example of our country's social and communal unity.
A large contingent of Marathi litterateurs is scheduled to take part in the event.

Top politicians from Maharastra, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, former Union ministers Sharad Pawar and Sushilkumar Shinde would also be present at the event tomorrow, officials said.
From Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Union Minister Vijay Sampla, among others will be present, Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner, Abhinav Trikha said today.

He said all arrangements had been put in place for the event.
"It's a prestigious event being hosted in Punjab. We have made all necessary arrangements to ensure that the event is a grand success," the DC said.
Several rooms have been booked in Gurdaspur's adjoining district of Amritsar, to accommodate the VIPs and other guests.