30 November,2009 09:07 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Organisers postpone 83rd Marathi Sahitya Sammelan fearing second wave
With the swine flu toll reaching 113, and the number gradually increasing, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal (ABMSM) have decided to postpone the 83rd Marathi Sahitya Sammelan to the end of March next year.
The decision was taken following a warning by the state health department stating that the swine flu virus may spread during the winter.
Kautikrao Thale-Patil, president of ABMSM said, "The decision was unanimously taken by our members as there is a fear of H1N1. The Sahitya Sammelan is one of the most popular activities and over 20,000 people get together for the four-day event. Since Pune has become the epicenter of swine flu and there have been so many casualties, we did not want to take a chance."
According to Thale-Patil, medical experts from the state government had also suggested that the meet, where a large congregation of people would come together, should be postponed. "There is also a possibility that the H1N1 virus may spread during winter and since the temperature will be low in January and February. Hence, March was the logical option for us," he added.
Dr Madhavi Vaidya, local organiser and chief secretary of Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, said, "The formal announcement of postponing the Sammelan will be made by the ABMSM on December 20."
Dr Suresh Jadhav, Executive Director, Serium Institute of India Ltd, which is developing the vaccine for H1N1 virus, said that ABMSM has taken a wise decision.
