Mumbai | Gurudatta Wakdekar
The time has come to explain Acharya Atre’s contribution to journalism to the younger generation. If one wishes to understand Maharashtra, one must first understand Acharya Atre. Therefore, the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh should take the initiative to start an Acharya Atre Study Centre, urged former president Kumar Kadam of the Sangh on Wednesday.
Kadam expressed these sentiments after receiving the prestigious 2025 Acharya Atre Award from Padma Bhushan sculptor Ram Sutar, chief guest at the award ceremony organised by the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh. In the same ceremony, the 2024 Acharya Atre Award was accepted on behalf of veteran journalist Ramesh Jhavar by his daughter Alpana Somani.
Kadam further said that journalists must raise their voices against the current politics surrounding the Marathi language. He recalled how, when Marathi was being disrespected on Doordarshan, the Sangh had led a movement, which resulted in respect being restored for Marathi on the Sahyadri channel. Such movements must be carried out again for Marathi today.
Ramesh Jhavar, in a message read by his daughter Alpana, expressed gratitude, saying that Acharya Atre had shaped him as a journalist.
President Sandeep Chavan of the Sangh stated that it was a proud moment for all to see Kumar Kadam and Ramesh Jhavar being honoured by Ram Sutar, who has created monumental sculptures worldwide. He assured full support for Kadam’s organ donation movement, while also urging him to preserve his journalism experiences in book form.
Ram Sutar said that though he had received many honours worldwide, being recognised by the Sangh was particularly meaningful. He congratulated the award recipients.
On this occasion, meritorious students of Sangh members were felicitated by Ram Sutar. Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis Committee chairman Rajendra Jadhav was also specially honoured. The event’s introduction was given by Vice President Swati Ghosalkar, conducted by Vice President Rajendra Hunj, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Treasurer Jagdish Bhovad. Trustees Rahi Bhide, Devdas Matale, newly appointed trustee Ajay Vaidya, and Anil Sutar, son of Ram Sutar, were present on the dais.