On reaching the holy land of Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his speech by paying obeisance to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whom he considers his idol. In his address, he expressed deep respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and said that he is an ardent follower of the great Maratha king. Modi said, “Today, as soon as I set foot on the land of Maharashtra, I bowed my head at the feet of my idol Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and asked for forgiveness.” He made this statement in the context of a recent incident in Sindhudurg, which was considered unacceptable and condemnable by the followers of Shivaji Maharaj. Expressing regret over the incident, the Prime Minister said that what happened was wrong and he apologizes to those who have reverence for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Modi’s deep faith in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasized that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is his idol. He considers Shivaji Maharaj a great warrior, ideal king and efficient administrator, who laid the foundation of social and religious harmony in his time. Modi said Shivaji Maharaj’s principles and policies are a source of inspiration not only for Maharashtra but the entire country. His ideas and leadership qualities are respected across the world even today.
In his speech, the Prime Minister mentioned some of the major events in Shivaji Maharaj’s life, such as his escape from the Agra Fort and his valiant fight against the Mughals. Modi said stories of Shivaji Maharaj’s courage and perseverance still resonate in the hearts of people. “Shivaji Maharaj always followed his duties and lived his life like a true patriot. We all should adopt his ideas in our lives,” he said.
Modi’s statement on Sindhudurg incident
A recent incident in Sindhudurg district created a lot of uproar in Maharashtra. The incident was considered an insult to the honour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, leading to protests across the state. Prime Minister Modi expressed his displeasure and regret over the incident. “What happened in Sindhudurg is unacceptable. I apologise for it, especially to those who worship Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said. The Prime Minister also said that such acts that hurt the honour of our great heroes should not be tolerated under any circumstances. He said that he was personally hurt by the incident and his government has decided to take strict action in the matter. Modi’s promises for Maharashtra’s development In his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to the development of Maharashtra. He said Maharashtra is the economic capital of India and the
progress of the country lies in the progress of this state. He mentioned various development projects for the state, including the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, Pune Metro project and several other infrastructure projects. “Our aim is not just infrastructure development but to build a strong and self-reliant Maharashtra. The mission of our government is to provide better opportunities to every farmer, youth, woman and poor person,” Modi said. He also emphasised that the people of Maharashtra have always supported development and progress and his government is fully committed to pursue it.
Legacy of Shivaji Maharaj and culture of Maharashtra
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is considered a symbol of Maharashtra’s culture. His ideas and principles are deeply embedded in the lives of people here even today. During his reign, Shivaji Maharaj prioritised the values of secularism, justice and social harmony. His army comprised people from all religions and he advocated equal rights for all.PM Modi emphasised the importance of continuing the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. He said, “Shivaji Maharaj established a state where the principles of justice and equality were upheld. We need to carry forward this great legacy and follow the path shown by him.”
New initiatives as a tribute to Shivaji Maharaj
PM Modi also announced some new initiatives to pay tribute to Shivaji Maharaj. He said that his government will build a special museum to showcase the life and teachings of Shivaji Maharaj to the world. This museum will showcase the valor, strategy and glorious saga of the Maratha empire founded by Shivaji Maharaj.Further, Modi mentioned that statues of Shivaji Maharaj will be installed at important places in the state and new institutions and universities will be established in his name. All these efforts will be made to preserve and promote the culture of Maharashtra and the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: A National HeroChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a hero not only for Maharashtra but for the whole of India. The principles of justice, equality and secularism that he followed during his reign are relevant even today. Prime Minister Modi said, “
महाराष्ट्र की धरती पर आते ही आज मैंने सबसे पहले मेरे आराध्य देव छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज के चरणों में सिर झुकाकर क्षमा मांगी। पिछले दिनों सिंधुदुर्ग में जो हुआ, उसके लिए मैं उनसे भी क्षमा मांगता हूं, जो छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज को पूजते हैं। pic.twitter.com/WKOREc3VYz
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 30, 2024