To address addiction issues, a first-of-its kind literary fest

The state government will conduct first-ever literary meet on the theme of de-addiction (Vyasanmukti Sahitya Sammelan) in the city on October 2, Maharashtra Minister for Social Justice Shivajirao Moghe said on Friday.

In a preview to the meet, he met divisional commissioner Prabhakar Deshmukh, collector Vikas Deshmukh, police officials and said all the departments needed to come forward to address the issue.

He also met the University vice-chancellors and officials from other colleges to address the issues. In the wake of rave parties, he said that it was necessary to highlight the need for de-addiction.

The department has instituted cash awards for those promoting anti-addiction through plays, articles, poems, novels, news reports and awareness campaigns. An individual will be given Rs 15,000, while an institution will be given Rs 30,000 as cash prize. For this, applications have been invited by the department.

Moghe said prominent literary figures would be invited for debates during the one-day literary meet. "Governor K Shankaranarayan and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will inaugurate the meet, while Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan will do the honours on the closing day," he said.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore for the campaign against addiction this year. Noted social worker Sindhutai Sapkal will be one of the brand ambassadors, while efforts are on to rope in Aamir Khan for the campaign, Moghe added.

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