NCW chair Vijaya Rahatkar releases Diwali special issue of Marathi initiative Yamunakath in Delhi

The Diwali special issue, 'Yamunakath 2026', of "Yamunakath", an initiative begun to promote Marathi language, literature and culture in New Delhi, was released by National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar. Speaking at the function in the capital, she said the initiative was commendable in a metropolis like Delhi. According to her, 'Yamunakath' reflects the cultural and intellectual life of the capital's Marathi community.

Ms Rahatkar said that wherever a person goes, the values that keep them connected to their soil, language and culture matter. She said memories of her childhood on the banks of the Godavari remain fresh in her mind, and used those words to describe her bond with the Marathi language and culture.

Present at the event were senior journalist Vijay Naik, Union Education Ministry Additional Secretary Anand Patil, Maharashtra Sadan Resident Commissioner Dr Shweta Singhal, Sushil Gaikwad of Maharashtra Sadan, senior journalist Abhijit Kamble, MP Amar Kale and the issue's editor, Advocate Prachi Gawande. Marathi officials, journalists, professors, students and businesspeople living in Delhi also attended. The special issue has been produced by The Samidha India Foundation. Its aim is to give a platform to the cultural world of Marathi speakers in Delhi, other parts of the country and some parts of the world.

Mr Naik reviewed the journey of Delhi's Marathi community. He has lived in Delhi for 58 years. He said about four lakh Marathi people live in the capital. Despite such a large number, he said, more people need to take part in language and culture events. According to him, an initiative like 'Yamunakath' gives Marathi people a platform to come together and strengthen their cultural bond.

Mr Patil also praised the initiative. Mr Kamble spoke on the relationship between media, language and society. Dr Singhal extended good wishes to the cultural programmes of Delhi's Marathi community. Mr Gaikwad also offered good wishes and expressed hope that such events would continue. MP Amar Kale congratulated everyone who brought 'Yamunakath' to life. The issue also carries an article by him. He recalled former Wardha MP Vasant Sathe and the late Advocate Siddharth Shinde, who had practised in the Supreme Court.

Editor Prachi Gawande explained the thinking behind the issue. According to her, it attempts to bring together in one place the experiences, ideas, literature and cultural understanding of the Marathi community in Delhi, across the country and, to some extent, the world. Along with interviews, articles, reportage and photo features, it includes well-known people from fields such as literature, politics, administration, media, law, policy-making, research, writing, social work, photography and sculpture. She thanked all the writers and contributors in this first effort. She also thanked Delhi journalists Prashant Waghaye, Namdev Katkar, Ajinkya Bansode, Rishi More, Leshpal Jawalge and Rupesh Mane for their special help. Ms Gawande delivered the introduction, Mr Waghaye conducted the programme and Mr Katkar proposed the vote of thanks.

The issue carries interviews with Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, senior journalist Vijay Naik and former Union Steel Secretary Aruna Limaye. It has articles by Vijaya Rahatkar, Union Minister Raksha Khadse, MPs Shrikant Shinde, Amar Kale and Rajabhau Waje, and administrative officers Sushil Gaikwad, Shweta Singhal, Supriya Devasthal and Pratibha Parkar. Articles by senior journalists Suresh Bhatewara, Vijay Chormare, Sagar Kulkarni and Umesh Kumar are also included. There is special reportage by Aashay Gune and Pramod Jagtap. Photo features by sculptor Anil Sutar and Padamsinh Patil, an officer and accomplished photographer, are also in the issue.