Maharashtra Guv, CM Shinde flag off transport of Shivaji statue bound for J&K

Guv Bais, CM Shinde at the ceremony/ X

Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde jointly presided over the flagging-off ceremony for the transport of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, destined for installation in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. The statue is a gift to the Rashtriya Rifles 41 Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, symbolizing the strong cultural ties and shared heritage between Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir, stated a report in PTI.

In a ceremony hosted at Raj Bhavan, the governor and chief minister marked the initiation of the statue's journey to its new home. The statue was meticulously crafted at the request of the 'Aamhi Punekar Foundation' and the 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak Samiti,' organizations dedicated to celebrating the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

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Office of Governor Ramesh Bais, through a social media post, announced the flagging off event held at Raj Bhavan today. The caption in Marathi read, "In the presence of Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, the equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was ceremonially dispatched from Raj Bhavan Mumbai to be installed in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir today."

It further read, "On this occasion, idol worship and chariot worship were performed by the Governor. This statue, prepared by the initiative of 'Aamhi Punekar Foundation' and 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak Samiti', will be erected on the India-Pakistan border in collaboration with the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment of Kupwara."

The event saw the participation of several distinguished figures, including Maharashtra's Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Principal Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Department Vikas Kharge, and trustees from the 'Aamhi Punekar Foundation,' such as Abhayraje Shirole, President Hemant Jadhav, Rajendra Khedkar, and other esteemed guests.

The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered and iconic figure in Maharashtra's history, signifies a cultural and historical connection that transcends regional boundaries. The presentation of this statue to the Rashtriya Rifles 41 Maratha Light Infantry Regiment holds significance, highlighting the unifying power of art, culture, and heritage.