The winners and participants at the festival held in Margao.
MARGAO
The fourth edition of the SSF National Sahityotsav, themed “Boli: Celebrating Dialects,” concluded with great success on Sunday.
Recognised as India’s largest literature festival, the event brought together participants from 25 states and five Union Territories, celebrating the nation’s linguistic and cultural diversity. This year, Margao, a city known for its rich cultural heritage and Portuguese influence, hosted the festival.
The festival provided a platform for students from across India—from Kashmir to Kerala—to share their experiences and cultural expressions. With seven stages and 94 competitions across various categories, the Sahityotsav offered a lively space for literary contests. The theme of the festival was politically significant, given the ongoing debates about cultural and linguistic assimilation, emphasising the importance of preserving India’s diversity.
The closing ceremony was inaugurated by Sheikh Salahuddin Samurai of Baghdad, who praised the SSF’s efforts in bringing together people from diverse backgrounds through an event that celebrates unity in diversity.
Karnataka topped the competition with 401 points, followed by Jammu and Kashmir (389) and Kerala (371). Other leading states included Madhya Pradesh (238), Maharashtra West (232), West Bengal (232), Gujarat (204), Tamil Nadu (204), Andhra Pradesh West (162), Maharashtra East (134), Rajasthan (133), and Haryana (117). Sahil from Karnataka was named the Star of the Fest, while Mehabin Muhammad from Kerala was honoured with the Pen of the Fest. The fifth edition of the event will be hosted in Uttar Pradesh in 2025.
