Chief Minister Pramod Sawant lights the traditional lamp at the celebratory event of the 150th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj at Bicholim on Wednesday. Also present on the dais are Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye, Annasaheb Chakote and
PANAJI
Dr Pramod Sawant congratulated the Prudent Media Network and Live Marathi for organising the celebratory event of the 150th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj at Bicholim, which has an association with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. “Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was a visionary, who thought ahead of his times and focused on uplifting the downtrodden masses, backward communities, and including them as a part of society. He is known for his progressive thinking. It is for today’s politicians and leaders to follow Shahu Maharaj and adopt his ideology and principles of inclusiveness and equal rights for all,” stated Dr Pramod Sawant.
“Born in the Ghatge family, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj did not come directly from the royal clan and was adopted into it, but he is remembered with pride in Maharashtra even today because of his extraordinary deeds and decisions. Maharashtra celebrates Shiv Jayanti and Shahu Jayanti with great fervour. Shahu Maharaj is an ideal example of how a person can grow to such a stature that people remember him hundreds of years after he is gone, and it need not be that the person should be born with an illustrious family background,” said Dr Sawant.
Stating that Shahu Maharaj worked for his people, walked extra miles, and went out of the way to implement various reformatory decisions, Dr Sawant appealed to today’s youth to read the biographies of great innovators, scientists, and heroes who laid down their lives for nation-building. “Shivaji and Sambhaji loved Goa and their contribution to renovating the temples destroyed by the Portuguese cannot be forgotten. They worked to stop the conversions of Hindus. Chhatrapati Shivaji had renovated the Saptakoteshwar temple at Narve in the 17th century, and I feel fortunate to have been able to carry out the renovations of the same temple in today’s times,” said Dr Sawant.
He also reminded that Goa University has started a chair in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to offer studies in public administration. “We are here to dream of Viksit Bharat 2047. Technology and scientific advancement have made things easy today. We have ease of education, and even a village like Bicholim has facilities to study from KG to PG. We have to work hard to make our future bright, and this is the takeaway from this programme, to have a vision and work hard towards achieving it for our bright future.”
Highlighting the people-friendly activities of Shahu Maharaj, Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye stated, “Many kings and queens have ruled in different states, but only those are remembered forever who worked for the people of their land. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj had a very short life, as he died young at 47, but taking the reins as a king when he was just 20, he made the best use of his time on the throne.”
Dr Shetye pointed out that being ahead of his times, Shahu Maharaj had realised the importance of imparting education in the mother tongue. “He initiated discussions on whether to offer education in the mother tongue or English. He opened doors of education to all, especially the marginalised, and offering scholarships and funding their education encouraged the weaker sections in society to enter the mainstream. He started schools and colleges for all strata and training institutes for farmers and administrators. The progressive king encouraged widow remarriages and made a law giving the right of choosing their life partner to girls above 18. He opened hostels for boys and girls who wanted to have higher education, provided scholarships and freeships to deserving students, and boosted sports activities in his state. The far-sighted king not only dreamt of a dam in those days but constructed it, and the Radhanagari dam is still going strong even today,” said Dr Shetye.
“Skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling are important in education, especially in vocational training. Small-scale industries should be encouraged. All communities should participate in administration as then knowing and understanding the nuance of it becomes easy. Goa is a small state, and bringing change here is easy. People should understand that government jobs cannot be provided to each and every person, and hence they must focus on starting businesses. The single window system and ease of business, if implemented correctly, would encourage more industries in Goa. The politicians, bureaucrats, and the people should work hand-in-hand for the progress of the State and the nation. We need to think out of the box and strengthen the hands of the government instead of opposing every small issue, and be a part of the process to take the nation on the path of progress,” appealed Dr Shetye.
Pramod Acharya, Editorial Director at Prudent Media, in his keynote speech, underlined three major contributions of Shahu Maharaj for which he is revered and respected even today. “Shahu Maharaj stressed education for all, training for youth, farmers, and administrators, as well as reservation for the weaker sections in society. He did this at the beginning of the 20th century. These issues are relevant in today’s politics too. As a visionary, he strived for the welfare of all – children, women, and youth. He banned child marriages to protect the rights of children; he encouraged widow remarriages, and provided vocational training to youth so that they could get good jobs. He knew exactly who the needy were and patronised them.”
Acharya further added that the concept of inclusiveness in those times was hard to digest and Shahu Maharaj also faced a lot of difficulties and opposition in implementing his progressive ideologies. “But he did not succumb to pressures from the opposition and swam against the tide. This is a sign of courage and commitment. Right things are not always popular, and all popular things are not always right, and Shahu Maharaj knew exactly how to handle difficult situations,” said Acharya.
Suyash Gaunekar, Editor, Prudent, welcomed the dignitaries. Floral tributes were offered to the photo of Shahu Maharaj by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye, Annasaheb Chakote, Pramod Mote, Director and MD at Live Marathi, and Pramod Acharya, Editorial Director at Prudent Media. Joe Louis, Director, Prudent Media, offered a memento to Dr Sawant.
Meanwhile, a documentary film on the life of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was screened before the programme began. The event had insightful discussions, cultural programmes, and tributes honouring Chhatrapati Shahu’s immense contribution to society. Pramod Mote, Director and MD, Marathi Live, proposed the vote of thanks.
