On Sunday 5th January 2014 Shri Narendra Modi visited the historic land of Raigad in Maharashtra. Shri Modi paid rich tributes to one of the greatest sons of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and visited his Samadhi. He addressed a programme organised by Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan. Shri Modi affirmed that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would always be remembered as a person who integrated everyone, took everyone along and worked towards the goal of a Bhavya and Divya Bharat. He pointed that Chhatrapati Shivaji lived the Mantra of Sarva Pantha Sambhava. “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was fighting for the pride of India. His was not a fight to grab power but it was a fight to save India from slavery,” avowed Shri Modi.
Shri Modi said that he is extremely delighted to come to Raigad and added that in every part of this historic land there are dreams that were sown by none other than Shivaji Maharaj. He stated, “In every part of this land, dreams of a Bhavya and Divya Bharat have been sown. These dreams are calling us. Shivaji Maharaj sowed dreams for our nation. Bowing to this land, it should be our dream to create a Bhavya and Divya Bharat.” Shri Modi went on to say, “There should be an India where there is no poverty, where our youth have jobs and where an Indian can walk with his or her head held high in every part of the world.”
Shri Modi rightly pointed that only remembering Chhatrapati Shivaji of the battle field was one thing but it is equally true that he leaves behind a strong contribution in the fields of good governance and human management. He added that Chhatrapati Shivaji realized the importance of the seas and this was not only for war but also for maritime trade. Shri Modi recalled the importance Shivaji Maharaj gave to building a navy. Shri Modi also recalled Shivaji Maharaj’s vision for good governance be it in irrigation or several other fields.
He stated that foreigners may have described Chhatrapati Shivaji as anything but in every Indian language Shivaji Maharaj is remembered. Shri Modi shared that from Rabindranath Tagore to Lala Lajpat Rai and Veer Savarkar, every great has remembered Chhatrapati Shivaji. He also congratulated all the efforts that have been made to share the greatness of Shivaji Maharaj with the future generations.
Shri Modi concluded his speech with a hope that India be blessed with good governance, skill and an India that can contribute a lot to the world. He also sought the blessings of Jija Mata and Chhatrapati Shivaji for that.
President of the Maharashtra BJP and MLA in the Maharashtra Assembly Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council Shri Vinod Tawde and Shiv Sena MP Shri Anant Geete were present on the occasion.
