Neelam Gorhe says she will seek permanent space in Pune for Shivaji-era weapons exhibition

Shiv Sena leader and MLC Dr Neelam Gorhe, a former Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council, has said that passing on the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's martial skills and historic weapons to the new generation is the need of the hour. She said Shivaji Maharaj built Swarajya through his bravery, patience and valour.

Dr Gorhe today visited an exhibition of Shivaji-era weapons at the Balasaheb Thackeray Art Gallery in Sarasbaug. The exhibition is organised by the Shiv Kamgar Sena. She saw several historic weapons on display and spoke to the organisers.

Referring to Deepavali, Dr Gorhe said people celebrate the occasion by lighting lamps, but this atmosphere of joy and security is the gift of the great tradition of bravery, sacrifice and valour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In her view, an exhibition that recalls this history is very important.

The exhibition has been put up on the initiative of Sudhir Kurumkar of the Shiv Kamgar Sena. It displays weapons preserved by Shivtej, Shivgarjana Mardani Dal and Ranragini Dal. Dr Gorhe especially praised Tirle and his associates, who have been preserving this historic legacy for more than four decades.

Dr Gorhe said people have heard the names of many historic weapons but ordinary people do not get a chance to see them up close. Looking after hundreds of weapons and keeping them safe is very difficult work, she said. To make the initiative permanent, an effort will therefore be made to ask the Pune Municipal Corporation for space. Efforts will be made to get permanent space through the corporation to encourage the organisations that preserve Shivaji-era weapons. Whether space for the exhibition can also be found in a new building will be considered.

She said information about the initiative would be conveyed to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Dr Gorhe assured that she herself would take the initiative to have a Shivaji-era weapons exhibition held at a prominent place near Mantralaya in Mumbai, and would involve all concerned.

According to Dr Gorhe, Shivaji-era weapons are not merely instruments of war. They are symbols of bravery, discipline, self-respect and inspiration to fight injustice. She said it is essential for today's young men and women to understand the history of these weapons, their use and the martial skill behind them. Girls in particular should draw inspiration from the Mardani games and the tradition of self-defence.

Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tradition of celebrating Deepavali with soldiers and the interactions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with farmers, Dr Gorhe said that, in the spirit of "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan", it is also necessary to preserve the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's ideas.

Finally, she appealed to citizens to bring their children to see the exhibition, so that the new generation gets inspiration, through historic weapons, from the history of Swarajya, bravery and pride in the nation. Dr Gorhe congratulated and thanked Sudhir Kurumkar, Tirle, Shivtej, Shivgarjana Mardani Dal, Ranragini Dal and all the organisers who preserve this legacy.