Shiv Jayanti celebrated

Shiv Jayanti celebrated
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, FEB 19: The 370th birth anniversary of Maharashtra's great warrior king, the much revered, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was celebrated amidst great fanfare here on Saturday.

The king's bronze statue at Shivaji Park was garlanded in the morning in the presence of several political dignitaries; chief of them being Governor Dr P C Alexander, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Mayor Hareshwar Patil and Municipal Commissioner K Nalinakshan. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh could not attend the function as he was to attend another one at the Shivneri fort, where Shivaji was born.

Several corporators and political bigwigs assembled at the mayor's bungalow at Shivaji Park later. The gathering was addressed by the Governor, Deputy CM and the Mayor. Hareshwar Patil stressed on the fact that Shivaji aimed at not just the establishment of hindavi swarajya but surajya. A point which was later taken up by Alexander in his speech.

Alexander also stressed up on another aspect of Shivaji's rule in Maharashtra. ``We all must be proud of the fact that at a time when most kings in the world thought they had been showered with divine powers here was a man in this corner of the world who established his rule on the basis of dharma. He was a ruler who knew his responsibilities as well,'' he said.

Bhujbal said that it was important to keep aside ideological differences and party divisions to make Shivaji's dream -- of a stronger, better Maharashtra -- come true.

Nalinakhshan delivered the vote of thanks in chaste Marathi.