Abitkar: Monuments linked toShahu Maharaj to be preserved

Kolhapur: District guardian minister Prakash Abitkar on Friday paid his tribute to Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj on his 152nd birth anniversary at Laxmi Vilas Palace.The event commemorated the work done by Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj for the upliftment of the weaker sections of society, opening the doors of education, laying the foundation for reservation and to eradicate caste discrimination.Abitkar said, “All the places that were blessed with Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj’s presence need to be preserved, conserved, and opened for the public. We will take all the efforts for it. State govt has developed Laxmi Vilas Palace accordingly. Next week, we will hold a meeting to develop the other areas available in the vicinity of Laxmi Vilas Palace and other monuments in the city.”Medical education minister Hasan Mushrif, MLC Satej Patil, MLA Amal Mahadik, mayor Rouparani Nikam, special inspector general of police Ranjan Kumar Sharma, district collector Dr.

Vijay Rathod, SUK vice-Chancellor Dr. Rajnish Kamat, KMC commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bharud, ZP CEO Dr. Jasmine, and other dignitaries were present. They pledged to follow Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj’s principles.After the programme, the Shahu Birthplace Conservation and Development Committee submitted a memorandum to Abitkar, requesting to transfer the land for the Shahu Birthplace Museum and the allocation of funds for the Kolhapur History Museum.

Abitkar and MP Shahu Chhatrapati also inaugurated the newly-renovatd Rajarshi Shahu Smarak Bhawan at Dasara Chowk. The foundation stone for the renovation was unveiled and the memorial building was inaugurated for the public.The renovation modernised the main auditorium, the rest house and the electrical systems to make the building better equipped to host cultural, educational, social and historical events.

A total of Rs7.49 crore was spent on the project, including Rs2.21 crore for upgrading the main auditorium, Rs1 crore for upgrading 12 rooms in the rest house, and Rs4.28 crore for improvements to the electrical systems.Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj’s birth anniversary is celebrated every year as ‘Social Justice Day’. On the occasion, various programmes, including Samata Dindi, is organised by the district administration and the assistant commissioner of the social welfare department.