Until voices from diverse fields are expressed in literary discourse, until individuals working across different domains begin to write, and until people with varied perspectives start speaking, the horizon of literature will not expand. In most places, literary activity has remained confined to professors, teachers, journalists, and a select group of intellectuals. It is essential that doctors, engineers, administrative officers, police personnel, soldiers, entrepreneurs, farmers, traders, athletes, and various other sections of society document their experiences. Only then will literary practice move toward greater enrichment.
Against this backdrop, the first All India Medical Literature & Culture Festival being held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, India, assumes great significance. Doctors practicing allopathy have not only come together to organize this conference but will also honor those who, while pursuing the medical profession, have made outstanding contributions to literature, culture, and the arts.
PadmaShri Dr. Jabbar Patel presides over the Medical Literature & Culture Festival. Dr. Jabbar Patel is not only a renowned pediatrician but has also carved a distinct niche for himself in the Indian film industry as a film director. With a total of seven National Film Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, Filmfare Awards, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the V. Shantaram Award, among others, the Government of India has honored Dr. Jabbar Patel with the PadmaShri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award. Films directed by Jabbar Patel such as Samana, Jait Re Jait, Sinhasan, Umbaratha, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Ek Hota Vidushak, and Mukta are milestones in the Marathi film industry. He is also recognized as the Festival Director of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF). Alongside the medical field, Dr. Jabbar Patel is a venerable name in theater and cinema, and his work serves as a guiding light.
The Sammelan will be inaugurated by eminent novelist Vishwas Patil. He recently presided over the 99th All India Marathi Literary Festival (Akhil Bhartiy Marathi Sahitya Sammelan) held in Satara. Vishwas Patil is nationally acclaimed for his novels Zhadazhadati, Pangira, Mahanayak, and Sambhaji. Translations of his works are popular in most major Indian languages. Former Union Minister and Member of the Rajya Sabha, Dr. Bhagwat Karad, will grace the inaugural ceremony with his distinguished presence.
The inaugural ceremony will be graced by the presence of several dignitaries including. PadmaBhushan Dr. Ashok Kukade, who has made independent marks in the fields of education, medicine, and finance, and is the founder of the Swami Vivekananda Hospital in Latur; PadmaShri Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar, the researcher who discovered medical treatment for scorpion stings; renowned ophthalmologist, social worker, and former Rajya Sabha member PadmaShri Dr. Vikas Mahatme; Dr. Ashok Belkhode; Dr. Dilip Punde; Dr. Rajendra Malose; Dr. Balaji Galadhar; along with District Collector Dilip Swami (IAS); Mayor of Chhatrapati SambhajiNagar Sameer Rajurkar; Deputy Mayor Rajendra Janjal; Dean of the Medical College Dr. Shivaji Sukre; Dr. Kanan Yelikar; Dr. Azhar Siddiqui; Dr. Swati Shiradkar; Dr. Rajendra Bora; Maharashtra State President of the Indian Medical Association Dr. Santosh Kulkarni; Director of MIT Dr. Munesh Sharma; Dr. Paras Mandlecha; Principal Kautikrao Thale Patil; Central Executive Council Member of the Sahitya Akademi New Delhi Dr. Narendra Pathak; Dr. Ashwinikumar Tupkari; President of the IMA Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar branch Dr. Anupam Takalkar; Secretary Dr. Yogesh Lakkas; and Central Representative Dr. Shahaji Taur.
The PadmaBhushan and PadmaShri are among India’s most prestigious civilian honors. The presence of one PadmaBhushan awardee and three PadmaShri awardee doctors is a special highlight of this Vaidyakiya Sahitya Sanskruti Sammelan. The PadmaBhushan is the third-highest civilian award, while the PadmaShri is the fourth-highest, both conferred for distinguished service to the nation.
The Medical Literature & Culture Festval has created an opportunity for a special interaction with renowned young film director Mangesh Hadawale and film writer-lyricist Arvind Jagtap. Films like Tingya, Dekh Indian Circus, Malal, and Thai Massage have brought Mangesh Hadawale global recognition. His films have been acclaimed by critics at various international film festivals in South Korea, London, New York, Stockholm, California, Chicago, Stuttgart, Busan, as well as across India. He has three National Film Awards to his credit. In a special session at the conference, Dr. Shahaji Taur and Dr. Vikram Lokhande will interview Mangesh Hadawale, who will also interact with school students.
Following this, Dr. Shilpa Shegaonkar and Dr. Amol Deshmukh will interview Arvind Jagtap. Social awareness, profound depiction of rural realities, a sensitive portrayal of human emotions, and a fine balance of satire and humor characterize Jagtap’s writing. He has written for films such as Goshta Choti Dongraevadhi, Gallit Gondhal Dillit Mujra, Thackeray, and Ek Number. The letters he wrote for the television show Chala Hawa Yeu Dya are immensely popular. His song “Viththala! Konata Zhenda Gheu Haati” resonates widely among Marathi youth. His open interaction will be a special treat for young audiences.
Dr. Nisha Taur and Dr. Archana Bhandekar will hold special discussions with renowned author and publisher Shri Baba Bhand, Prof. Swati Kate, and Dr. Prakash Koyade. A wide-ranging discussion on books will take place on the Sammelan platform.
Furthermore, Dr. Prithviraj Taur, Head of the Marathi Department at Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, and Dr. Ganesh Mohite, Vice Principal of Deogiri College, will interview Padma Shri Dr. Jabbar Patel.
Two independent poets’ meets have been organized, with one session specifically reserved for Ghazals. Dr. Iqbal Minne, M. Bha. Chavan, and Dr. Raj Randhir will present Ghazals. The poets’ meet, presided over by Dr. Urmila Chakurkar, will feature participation from several poet-doctors including Dasu Vaidya, Samadhan Ingale, and Lalit Adhane.
Additionally, drawing, essay, and elocution competitions have been organized for students. A session titled “AarogyaParv Asheche” involving ‘Asha’ workers will generate widespread public awareness regarding health.
In the “Shabd Pallavi” session, presided over by Dr. Rajesh Gaikwad, Dr. Narendra Pathak, Dr. P. Vitthal, Dr. Trupti Boralakar, Dr. Sanjay Patne, and Dr. Swapnil Mankar will read their literary essays.
More than 100 doctor-writers from across Maharashtra are participating in this two-day Medical Literature & Culture Festival.
On the occasion of the Medical Literature & Culture Festival (Vaidyakiya Sahitya Sanskruti Sammelan), a performance of Ruchika Khot’s musical drama “Keertavani” has been organized. Additionally, a book exhibition, textile exhibition, ornament exhibition, art gallery, and food court are key attractions of Sammelan.
The Medical Literature & Culture Festival marks the opening of a new chapter in the literary sphere. It is hoped that inspired by this initiative, similar Festval and Sammelan for medical professionals—as well as for engineers, administrative officers, and entrepreneurs—will begin to be organized in various parts of the country.
Dr. Prithviraj Taur @ +91 9423274565
