Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, along with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, and Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister, Shri Sudhir Mungantiwar, unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Kupwara today.
In his address, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha congratulated ‘Amhi Punekar’ and the 41 Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian Army for this historic initiative. He expressed that the statue of the Great Shivaji will serve as an enduring source of inspiration for the people and the brave men and women of the army.
Paying homage to the great warrior and founder of Swarajya, Lt. Governor Sinha stated that Shivaji was a natural leader who rewrote India’s history with his captivating victories against formidable enemies.
He underlined Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy as a beacon of high moral standards, right conduct, and respect for all religions and sects. Lt. Governor Sinha called upon the youth to embrace Shivaji’s ideas and ideals, serve the less fortunate, and actively contribute to nation-building.
By harnessing his military acumen and moral authority, Shivaji rallied millions of Indians and secured sovereignty for the Maratha empire. Lt. Governor Sinha emphasized that Shivaji’s timeless values continue to hold significance today, guiding society towards social equality and peaceful coexistence.
Additionally, Lt. Governor Sinha proposed the annual celebration of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj festival in Kupwara every year on November 7. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, lauded Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as an enduring source of inspiration for all Indians. He highlighted Maharashtra’s rich tradition of sacrifice and bravery and commended the unveiling of the statue in Kupwara, coinciding with the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s coronation.
Shri Sudhir Mungantiwar, Cultural Affairs Minister of Maharashtra, paid heartfelt tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, describing the unveiling of Shivaji’s statue as the proudest moment of his life. Major General Girish Kalia, GOC, Vajr Division, presented the National Flags handmade by women of Kupwara to the dignitaries. Before the statue unveiling, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha paid tribute to the bravehearts of the Indian Army and laid a wreath at the Vajr War Memorial, HQ 28 Infantry Division in Kupwara. The ceremony was attended by Sh. Kavinder Gupta, former Deputy Chief Minister of J&K; Major General Girish Kalia, GOC, Vajr Division; Sh. Vivek Gupta, DIG NKR Range; Ms. Ayushi Sudan, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara; Sh. Abhayraj Shirole, Founder of Amhi Punekar, and senior officers from the Army, civil administration, and police.n.