Only CM Pramod Sawant, four MLAs will garland Shivaji statue at Ponda

PONDA: This year, only five dignitaries will garland the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Farmagudi fortress during the state’s official Shiv Jayanti celebration on February 19. These are chief minister Pramod Sawant and MLAs of the four constituencies that make up Ponda taluka — Ramkrishna Dhavalikar (Marcaim), Ravi Naik (Ponda), Subhash Shirodkar (Shiroda) and Govind Gaude (Priol).
The rest of the dignitaries present at the function will offer flowers, but at the base of the statue.
This is the first time such a change is being made.
Priol MLA and art and culture minister Govind Gaude said that the change was mooted in a bid to reduce time spent on the garlanding ceremony and instead give more time for the performances put up by children.
A day-long celebration has been planned at the Farmagudi fortress to commemorate the 393rd birth anniversary of the Maratha king, Gaude said.