Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the life of the Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a source of inspiration, and that the work done by him continued to be relevant even today.
The Prime Minister, in a video message, paid tributes on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the coronation of the 17th C. Maratha warrior king, who had defied the mighty Mughal Empire under Emperor Aurangzeb to carve out an independent kingdom in the Deccan which later became the Maratha Empire.
Mr. Modi’s video message was played at the State-level function held on Friday amid pomp and pageantry atop the Raigad fort in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis along with other leaders were present on the occasion.
‘Personified courage’
Stating that Shivaji Maharaj personified courage and possessed sharp administrative skills, Mr. Modi said he always believed in the welfare of the people as the basic principle of his administration.
“Welfare of the state and its people was the basic principle of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s rule. The 350th anniversary of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a source of energy and inspiration. His coronation is an important chapter of India’s history,” the Prime Minister said.
“A leader should keep his people motivated and confident. Shivaji Maharaj erased the mindset of slavery from people. He not only fought against the invaders but also instilled confidence among people that establishing ‘swarajya’ [self-rule] was possible…he not only did that, but also implemented ‘sushasan’ [good governance],’‘ Mr. Modi said, noting that the manner in which Shivaji expanded his navy and built sea forts was inspiring as well.
Noting the warrior king’s sharp administrative skills and defence acumen, Mr. Modi said the country’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ encompassed the ideals of Shivaji.
Mr. Modi said the government changed the naval insignia from its British times by incorporating the royal seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Stating that his government closely adhered to the ideals of the great Maratha king, Mr. Shinde announced setting up of an authority for Pratapgarh Fort in Satara district — the site of the great clash between Shivaji and the Bijapuri general Afzal Khan.
Mr. Shinde also announced the allocation of ₹50 crore for the ‘Shivsrushti’ scheme at the foothills of Raigad.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Swaraj belonged to the common people of the State. He never allowed discrimination due to caste or creed and always promoted development and empowerment of women. He was popular because he cared for his subjects. Our government is following in his ideals,” Mr. Shinde said.
Ever since taking power in June last year by toppling Uddhav Thackeray’s erstwhile MVA government, the Shinde-Fadnavis government has been striving hard in projecting its ‘Hindutva’ credentials while attempting to boost its image among the majority Maratha population in the State.
In November last year, Mr. Shinde ordered unauthorised structures erected on government land around the tomb of Afzal Khan, the 17th century general of the Adil Shahi dynasty of the Bijapur kingdom at Pratapgad fort be demolished.
