Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates the first phase of ‘Shivshrushti’, a project conceptualized by Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare
PUNE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday emphasized that the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a ‘thought’ and an inspiration to all as the Warrior King always led from the front and laid the foundation of ‘Swaraj’.
Shah on the occasion of ‘Shiv Jayanti’ (Birth Anniversary) inaugurated the first phase of ‘Shivsrushti’, a historical theme-park, on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, at Narhe-Ambegaon, Pune. The project, which is spread over 21 acres of land, was conceptualized by Padma Vibhushan awardee ‘Shivshahir’ Babasaheb Purandare which is now being developed by Maharaja Shivchatrapati Pratishthan.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Higher Education Minister and Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil, Tourism Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha, MLA Shivendra Raje Bhosale, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Western Maharashtra chief Nanaji Jadhav, RSS Western Maharashtra secretary Pravin Dabadgoan, trustees of Maharaja Shivchatrapati Pratishthan including Jagdish Kadam and Vineet Kuber were present on the occasion.
Amit Shah inaugurated the first phase’s key element – Sarkarwada – a magnificent main structure reflecting the architecture of the 17th century. ‘Sarkarwada’ comprises exhibition galleries including ‘Durg Vaibhav’, Ranangan’, ‘Escape from Agra’, ‘Enemies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’, ‘Coronation of Shivaji Maharaj’, and a section where visitors can hear Shivaji Maharaj using MAD Mapping technology. Guardian Media Entertainment is involved in the development of this theme park.
“I believe that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not a name but a thought. It is thought to dedicate life to swaraj (self-rule), it is thought to live for ‘Swadharma’ and it is thought to live for ‘Swabhasha’. The life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not the life of a king, but a thought and is an inspiration to all,” Amit Shah said.
“He always led from the front. And the incidents involving Afzal Khan, and Shahiste Khan are an example of it. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of Swaraj and then worked towards ‘Suraj’ by forming an ‘Ashta Pradhan Mandal’. He also founded the Navy and introduced irrigation for farmers. He also laid the foundation of a village-based economy,” Shah said.
According to Shah, Shivaji Maharaj started the restoration of temples, a tradition, which was continued by his successors and is undertaken by the current government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I bow before Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his contribution towards the country, Swaraj (self-rule), and religion. Today is an important and historic day for all his followers, as the dream of Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare, gets fulfilled. It is also a matter of pride for me to inaugurate the first phase. There cannot be a bigger day than Shiv Jayanti to inaugurate it. When all four phases will be complete, the life of Shivaji Maharaj will be showcased with a sense of pride, before the world,” he said.
“This (Shivsrushti) will be Asia’s largest theme park, which has a perfect blend of historical facts and technology. Work will not stop on the project. I am confident that the project will complete on time,” he asserted.
Shah also paid glorious tributes to late Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare, who spent his life, spreading the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and recalling his work.
Devendra Fadnavis said, “Today is a very pleasing occasion that on such an auspicious day, the first phase of Shivshrushti is being inaugurated by Amit Shah, who has done research on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and is writing a book on his life.”
Terming Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a “Management Guru”, Fadnavis said, “Shivashrusti is an important project which reflects on the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which will inspire the youth and other visitors. I assure you all support for the entire project.”
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a follower of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and when he was named as Prime Ministerial candidate in 2014, he first visited Raigad fort to seek inspiration and blessings of this great Maratha warrior,” Fadnavis recalled.
Eknath Shinde said, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj worked for the people and his work is well-known. He was an excellent administrator and his life is an inspiration. We are following the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj while governing. I am confident that the entire project will be completed on time and with good speed. It is our responsibility to fulfill Babasaheb Purandare’s dream. Anyone who visits this project will get inspired. We will also take all efforts to restore the forts in the state”.
Jagdish Kadam gave the introductory remarks and said that Pratishthan intends to complete the second phase by next year and all four phases in the next three years. He also mentioned that the state government is all set to extend financial support to the tune of Rs. 50 Cr. The inauguration program was moderated by actor Rahul Solapurkar, while Vineet Kuber proposed the vote of thanks.
