Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on February 21 the 98th Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, which will bring together authors and critics from across the country, reported news agency PTI.

The Marathi literature conference, which was first held in 1878 with noted scholar and social reformer Mahadev Govind Ranade as president, has been held almost annually since 1926 and brought together scholars, critics, and literary figures to deliberate on a range of issues, including the relevance of Marathi in changing times.