Larger statue will replace it on June 2: Minister
Social Welfare Minister and Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai and Sanguem Councillor Sanggameshwar Naik garlanding the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sanguem.
SANGUEM
The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was installed in a ceremony at Nehru Park, Sanguem, on Monday, following an amicable resolution among the Hindus and Catholics over the site.
The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was installed in the presence of hundreds of followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, led by Social Welfare Minister and Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai.
The event began with a rally headed by Phal Dessai passing through Sanguem town and Uguem village. The statue was then installed during a religious ceremony at Nehru Park.
While addressing the Shiv Premis, Phal Dessai stated that the organizing committee had erected a small statue, but a larger statue would be installed on June 2.
Speaking further, Phal Dessai emphasised that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was truly a symbol for all religions which he claimed after noting the presence of Muslims and Catholics at the installation ceremony.
In his address to the gathering, Phaldessai also thanked Parish Priest of Sanguem Fr Romeo Dsilva and the Church Committee members for fostering communal harmony and cooperation in the whole process of installation of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Sanguem.
Viraj Desai of Bajrang Dal credited the minister for putting in significant effort in getting the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed at Sanguem.
President of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installation committee Sanggameshwar Naik welcomed the devotees and congratulated all those who contributed towards making the event a success. He asserted that if such unity is maintained, no task will be left unachievable.
Others present at the installation ceremony included Sanguem Municipal Council Chairperson President Archana Gaonkar, Vice-Chairperson Syed Iqbal, Councillors Queiroz Cruz, Santiksha Gadkar, Shweta Tari, Preeti Naik and Sangameshwar Naik, Zilla Panchayat member Suresh Kepekar, Viraj Desai, Sanket Arsekar, Chhatrapati Maratha Sangh President Suhas Phal Desai, and students from Saraswati Shishu Vatika, Government Primary School Sanguem.
