LG, Maharashtra CM unveil Shivaji’s statue in J&K's Kupwara

Kupwara, Nov 7: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday said that youth should follow the ideas and ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, selflessly serve the poor and weaker sections of society, and contribute to nation-building.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that unveiling the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Kupwara on Tuesday along with Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde and Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, the LG said, “The youth should follow his ideas and ideals and selflessly serve the poor and weaker sections of society and contribute to nation-building.”

He said that Shivaji’s universal and eternal values continue to be relevant today and guide on the path of social equality and peaceful coexistence.

Sinha congratulated the ‘Amhi Punekar’ and 41 Rashtriya Rifles of the Army for the historic initiative.

He said that the statue of the great Shivaji would be a source of inspiration for people and the Army soldiers.

Paying homage to the founder of Swarajya, the LG said that Shivaji was a born leader, who scripted a new history of India through his mesmerising victory against the enemy.

“Shivaji was also the fountainhead of high standards of morality, right conduct, and respected all religions and sects,” he said. “By unleashing his military genius and moral force, Shivaji mobilised millions of Indians and achieved sovereignty for the Maratha Empire.”

Sinha called for celebrating the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj festival in Kupwara on November 7 every year.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde said that Shivaji was an inspiration for every Indian.
“Maharashtra has a great tradition of sacrifice and bravery. It is indeed commendable that this statue is being erected at Kupwara in the same year as the 350th anniversary of the coronation of Shivaji,” he said.

Paying homage to Shivaji, Cultural Affairs Minister of Maharashtra, Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the unveiling of Shivaji’s statue was the proudest moment of his life.
GOC Vajr Division, Major General Girish Kalia presented the handmade tricolour by women of Kupwara to the dignitaries.

Earlier, the LG paid tributes to the Army soldiers and laid a wreath at Vajr War Memorial, Headquarters 28 Infantry Division in Kupwara.

Former Deputy Chief Minister of J&K, Kavinder Gupta; DIG North Kashmir Range (NKT), Vivek Gupta; Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan; founder Amhi Punekar, Abhayraj Shirole, and senior officers of the Army, civil, and Police administration were also present on the occasion.