Pune: Shiv Jayanti Celebrated In Grand Fashion At Shivneri Fort

Junnar, 19th February 2022: The 392nd birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was celebrated lavishly today at Shivneri Fort, where he was born, in Junnar taluka of Pune district.

Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar along with Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray, Minister of State for Information and Public Relations Aditi Tatkare, MP Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje, Zilla Parishad president Nirmala Pansare, MLA Atul Benke, Maratha Seva Sangha state president Vijay Ghogre and former MLA Sharad Sonawane were present on the occasion.

Pawar said, “It is our good fortune that a leader and king like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took birth in Maharashtra. Even after 400 years, the newer generations have the same amount of respect and gratitude for Maharaj. His name has been inspiring every generation to become brave. Shiv Jayanti is the anniversary of the fulfilment of the dreams of the Marathi people.”

Due to Covid-19, the celebrations took place with restrictions. The celebration started with women in traditional Marathi attire singing a song about the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. After that, a police squad fired three rounds from their rifles as a salute and paid homage to Maharaj. This was followed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar laying a wreath at the statue of Balshivaji and Jijau Mata. Awards were also distributed at the hands of dignitaries at the event.

The Maharashtra Government has decided to work on the development of various forts of the state to introduce the life and great work done by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the new generation. The development works will be carried out without disturbing the main foundation of these forts.

“The government’s role under the leadership of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is to preserve the forts of the state so that the works of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj can keep inspiring the generations to come. The Shivneri Fort has been provided with a sum of Rs 23 crore for its conservation. Large amounts of funds have been provided for the conservation of Raigad Fort and many development works are underway there”, Pawar informed.

No Maratha reservation without increasing 50% quota

Speaking about the reservations of the Maratha community, he said, “the State Government is constantly working towards getting a reservation for the Maratha community.”

For this, he has also requested the Prime Minister to change the law and increase the reservation limit. The Supreme Court has ruled that due to constitutional provisions, the reservation limit cannot be raised above 50 per cent.