Shivaji Jayanti celebrated with fervour

Shivaji Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was celebrated with fervour in the districts of Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, Uttara Kannada, and Davangere districts on February 19.

Colourful processions with portraits and statues of Shivaji Maharaj mounted on embellished vehicles were taken out on the thoroughfares of the villages, towns and cities to mark the occasion, while taluk and district administrations held programmes in the respective offices.

Political leaders and representatives of various organisations took turns to garland statues of Shivaji Maharaj installed at junctions in various places, and motorcycle rallies were also taken out, with youngsters waving saffron flags.

In Dharwad, Labour Minister Santosh Lad along with Deputy Commissioner Snehal R. and Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation councillor Mayur More flagged off the colourful procession by paying floral tributes to the portrait of Shivaji. The procession, which began from Shivaji Circle, concluded at the originating point after covering the thoroughfares of the city.

Participating in the subsequent Shivaji Jayanti celebrations at Bharat High School Playground in Dharwad, F.H. Jakkappanavar, MLC, said Shivaji Maharaj was not restricted to a community but belonged to the whole of society. “King Shivaji was a good warrior, administrator and treated people of all religions equally. His fight was against a religion but against injustice and what was against the religion,” the MLC added. Additional Deputy Commissioner Geetha C.D. and others recalled the contributions of King Shivaji.

In Gadag, speaking at the ‘Shivaji Jayanti’ celebrations organised by the district administration, Deputy Commissioner C.N. Sridhar emphasised the need for learning lessons from the life of King Shivaji. Advocate Sudhir Singh Ghorpade delivered a talk on the life of Shivaji Maharaj.

Similar programmes were held in other districts and cultural programmes by children were also organised. At a few places, plays on King Shivaji were also staged.