Latest news with #ShivajiMaharaj
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Meet creator of sculptures that reflect India's heritage
You cannot miss it if you are driving into the city or exiting it through Dahisar toll naka. The majestic 30-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj astride a horse, adjacent to the highway at Kashimira in Mira-Bhayandar, is a sculpture aficionado's delight. Looking east, the equestrian statue of the Maratha warrior king is not just impressive, it carries a significant meaning because of the location it is installed at. As Unesco declared 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji World Heritage sites recently, the spotlight also falls on city-based sculptor Sunil Kashinath Deore, who created this beautiful statue in bronze. It has been drawing admiration from thousands of passersby every day since the then chief minister Eknath Shinde unveiled it in Sept 2024. "Shivaji Maharaj raided Surat twice (in 1664 and 1670) and damaged the reputation of the Mughals. A substantial number of people who enter Mumbai from Gujarat by road take this route and meet Shivaji Maharaj at one of the city's gates," says Deore, 52, who collaborated with Garnet, which was commissioned to create the statue. In July 2022, Deore courted controversy after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the national emblem cast atop the new Parliament building. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hidden Cause Found: Dementia And Memory Loss Linked To This Habit Memory and Health Click Here Undo Many opposition leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, criticised the expressions of the lions cast on the emblem. The opposition leaders claimed that the original lions at the 'Lion Capital of Asoka' at Sarnath in UP look "sober and peace-loving" while those in the cast atop the new Parliament building look "aggressive and ferocious". You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai But did Deore, who collaborated with Jaipur-based metal casting expert Laxman Vyas, deviate from the original design? "No. The lions looked aggressive because photos were taken from a wide angle. It took us almost a year to prepare the replica," says Deore, a gold medallist from the prestigious J J School of Art in sculpture studies. Having inscribed his name in history by virtue of creating the replica of the national emblem that sits atop the new Parliament building, Deore has bagged another important assignment: To create murals for different offices at the new central secretariat coming up near the iconic India Gate in New Delhi. "These murals to be installed at offices of the ministries will showcase India's rich cultural heritage," says the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-born sculptor, who has studios both in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Mumbai. Deore's realistic, experimental works have earned appreciation from his peers and contemporaries. Vivek Lad, who was Deore's senior at J J School of Art and taught there before retiring a couple of years ago, calls Deore's works "monumental". "I have seen him work for years and he experiments with various mediums," says Lad. The Buddha statue that he created a few years ago, says Deore, is awaiting CM Devendra Fadnavis's attention. "Fadnavis should gift it to Delhi on behalf of Maharashtra," suggests Rajendra Jadhav of Borderless Babasaheb, which works to popularise Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's ideas.
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
JNU VC hails ‘nationalist' campus, announces ‘Sindhudurg Dialogue' at launch of twin Marathi centres
In her address, Pandit called the occasion a reflection of the JNU's commitment to 'equality, quality and innovation' under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. She announced the launch of a new academic platform, Sindhudurg Samvad (Sindhudurg Dialogue), envisioned as an annual dialogue series bringing together scholars, thinkers and policymakers. The centres were inaugurated at the JNU Convention Centre by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of the state's Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant, the JNU VC, Chhatrapati Babajiraje Bhosale of the Tanjore dynasty and senior university officials. New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit on Thursday described the university as the 'most nationalist campus' after the inauguration of two new academic centres and announced the launch of an annual national dialogue platform, titled Sindhudurg Dialogue. Highlighting the new centres' academic significance, she said, 'The present state government is giving importance to Marathi, which has been declared by the Centre as one of the classical languages, also because Marathi is a language of great repute and known for its literature.' Pandit also praised the richness of Marathi literature, drama and poetry, and urged students from Maharashtra and across the country to consider the JNU for higher studies through CUET-PG and UGC-NET. Taking a dig at the Left, Pandit remarked, 'They were in power for so many years but never appointed a woman as the vice chancellor,' asserting that the JNU now stands for inclusive growth and merit-based access. The Kusumagraj Special Centre, named after the celebrated Jnanpith awardee poet Kusumagraj, will focus on teaching and research in Marathi language, literature and cultural heritage. The Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre will serve as a dedicated hub for strategic studies, with a special emphasis on indigenous military traditions and the legacy of the Maratha empire. It aims at contributing to military history, strategic policy and nation-building from an Indic perspective. Fadnavis welcomed the academic initiative, calling it a matter of pride that Shivaji Maharaj's strategic legacy would now be studied in a premier institution like the JNU. 'UNESCO has recognised 12 forts of Shivaji Maharaj as part of the Maratha Military Landscape. His every battle was a lesson in strategic foresight. He instilled the spirit of Swarajya and his military tactics are globally respected,' he said. 'Language is a means of communication, not discord. Every Marathi person is proud of his mother tongue, but also respects other Indian languages. The royal seal of Shivaji Maharaj now finds a place in Delhi, just as it flies on the flag of our Navy,' Fadnavis added. He also announced that a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would be installed on the JNU campus. Samant termed the establishment of the centres a 'historic step' and announced that a 'village of Marathi books' will be set up in Kashmir. He also called for the creation of a global Marathi community and extended an invitation to the upcoming World Marathi Conference in Nashik. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including MPs Smita Wagh, Dhananjay Mahadik, Medha Kulkarni, Hemant Savara, Anil Bonde, Ajit Gopchhade, former MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Resident Commissioner R Vimla and senior JNU faculty. Meanwhile, the event witnessed protests by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), which opposed the visit of Fadnavis, citing concerns over the Maharashtra Special Public Safety Bill and the 'saffronisation' of higher education. The union alleged that the protest was met with a police crackdown and accused the university administration of allowing the Delhi Police to enter the campus and manhandle students. JNUSU president Nitish Kumar said, 'This protest is not against the centres but against those who silence voices of opposition in Maharashtra.' Other student leaders criticised the visit, calling it 'a betrayal of the JNU's legacy of critical thinking and democratic resistance'. PTI MHS RC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No conflict between Marathi and Hindi: Maharashtra CM at JNU
New Delhi: Dismissing the ongoing Marathi-Hindi language war, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said there is no dispute between the two languages, and "those who revere Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj cannot be narrow-minded about the language issue". Speaking at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), he said that while some people "may have a problem with Shivaji Maharaj, those are very few in number". Calling Marathi a symbol of pride, the CM—addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Kusumagraj Special Centre for Marathi Language, Literature and Culture at JNU—said it was among India's ancient languages and had enriched the country's cultural legacy. "Marathi language is an ancient language of India. It has enriched the whole of India," he said, adding, "Just as a Marathi curriculum is being introduced at JNU, the same should happen in other universities as well. " He also emphasised that language should not be a source of conflict. "Language cannot be a medium of dispute. Marathi, as a mother tongue, is our pride," he said. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Taking a dig at the opposition, he said, "Some people seem to have an allergy to Shivaji Maharaj — such people can be counted on one's fingers." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo During the event, Fadnavis and his cabinet minister, Uday Samant, delivered their entire speeches in Marathi. JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit's address also occasionally included Marathi. The event was moderated entirely in Marathi. The CM also laid the foundation stone for the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre for Security and Strategic Studies at JNU. The current head of the Maratha royal family of Thanjavur, Shivaji Rajah Bhonsle Chattrapathi, was also present on the occasion. Fadnavis said it was a matter of pride that a Marathi language study centre was being launched at the national capital's premier university. "A centre for the study of Marathi language is being started and there is talk of installing a statue of Shivaji Maharaj. I welcome this move," he said. He added that all Indian languages are given equal respect although English language is sometimes given undue importance. "English is sometimes given too much importance. Seeing this, it often feels very painful," he said. Maharashtra cabinet minister Uday Samant, while addressing the event, announced that the university has shown a positive attitude towards a proposal of installing a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on campus and holding discussions on the same. JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit said, "We are the most nationalist university, with our alumni holding top positions in the armed forces." Taking a jibe at the Left she added, "They were in power for so many years but never appointed a woman as vice-chancellor." She invited students across the country to join JNU by saying, "Write CUET and NET and come to JNU to study." The VC also announced that the university plans to launch an annual "National Dialogue" platform to bring together scholars and policymakers.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Only 68 words on Shivaji Maharaj in CBSE books, claim Maha MLCs
Nagpur: Maharashtra legislative council members from across partylines on Friday raised concerns over the representation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in CBSE schools' textbooks. They claimed that just 68 words about the Maratha king feature across 2,200 pages of history taught from Classes 1 to 10. The state govt responded, saying the issue has been formally raised with the Union govt and would be resolved. Raising the matter, MLC Satyajeet Tambe said it was "highly condemnable" that Shivaji Maharaj's legacy found such inadequate mention in the NCERT syllabus, which is used by all CBSE-affiliated schools. "We are promoting the NCERT curriculum across Maharashtra, yet across 2,200 pages, only 68 words are about Shivaji Maharaj. This is unacceptable," said Tambe. He added that Shivaji Maharaj's contributions should be taught not just in Maharashtra but across the country. Minister of state for school education Pankaj Bhoyar said the government was serious about the issue and had already flagged the matter to the Union education ministry. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "Our school education minister Dada Bhuse met the Union education minister to discuss this. History books could have been updated earlier too. Our govt has ensured Unesco recognition for 12 forts of Shivaji Maharaj, so we are serious about preserving his legacy," Bhoyar said. MLC Amit Gorkhe demanded a timeline for resolving the issue and sought greater inclusion of Shivaji Maharaj's history in textbooks. MLC Bhavana Gawali also criticised the limited mention of Shivaji Maharaj in history books, saying the state should have pursued the matter more aggressively in Delhi. "We have a pro-Hindutva govt at the Centre; this should have been resolved already," she said. Bhoyar assured the House that Maharashtra's own curriculum being developed on CBSE lines would include maximum focus on the state's historical and geographical aspects. "Since Bhavana Gawaliji has spent five terms as MP in Delhi, I will take her guidance in resolving this issue quickly," Bhoyar said.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Time of India
People staying within 100m periphery of Panhala fort fear displacement
Kolhapur: The inclusion of Panhala fort in the Unesco World Heritage Sites list has brought joy to history enthusiasts and Shivaji Maharaj followers, but people living within the fort area are concerned about potential displacement, fearing the administration may ask them to relocate if they reside within 100 meters of the fortification. Villagers have been opposing Panhala fort's inclusion in the Unesco World Heritage Site list ever since it was nominated, even holding bandh against the move. Anand Patil, a resident, said, "People living within a 100 metres of the fortification and heritage monuments will have to forget their houses. The administration will impose several rules and regulations over us now." Another villager, Prakash Gosavi, said, "Oppressive conditions will have to be faced by us now. Instead of celebrating the inclusion, the people here have got disappointed, and this shows the fear we are having." Guardian minister Prakash Abitkar, however, assured that the residents won't face any problems. "The inclusion of Panhala Fort in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list will attract tourists globally, boosting tourism in Kolhapur district. A development plan will be prepared for the fort, and funds will be allocated for its development, as well as for Vishalgad Fort, without causing problems for locals," Abitkar said while speaking at Panhala on Saturday. Archaeology scholar Sachin Patil said, "This inclusion will make the protection of these forts more effective. Conservation is a continuous task. With its inclusion in the list, it will be maintained according to global standards." On Friday night, celebrations were held at Panhala fort in the presence of collector Amol Yedge, Zilla Parishad CEO S Kartikeyan, sub-divisional officer Sameer Shingate and Panhala Municipal Council chief officer Chetan Kumar Mali. A grand procession was carried in the presence of the Lazim troop.
