Shivaji established ‘swaraj’, ended slavery mindset: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Friday said when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation took place, it carried the slogan of swaraj and pledged that Shivaji’s model would be the guiding principle for governance in Amrit Kaal in the next 25 years to make India a developed nation.
“Shivaji was a great soldier as well as a great administrator. He ended the mindset of slavery,” the PM said in a video message on the 350th anniversary of Shivaji’s coronation.
Modi said hundreds of years of slavery had taken away the country’s self-esteem and confidence. “It was a difficult task, at that time, to instil confidence in people. But Shivaji Maharaj not only fought invaders but also infused a belief in the people that self-rule was possible,” he added.
“The coronation day of Shivaji Maharaj in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav has brought along new consciousness and new energy for everyone,” he said. “The coronation of Shivaji Maharaj is a special chapter of the historic period 350 years ago and the great tales of self-governance, good governance and prosperity inspire everyone even today,” he added.
Modi said “national welfare and public welfare were the basic elements” of Shivaji Maharaj’s governance. Underling the responsibility of leaders to keep citizens motivated and confident, the PM said one can imagine the confidence levels of the country at the time of Shivaji Maharaj. He said the confidence of citizens was at the lowest due to hundreds of years of slavery where invasions and exploitation by invaders, coupled with poverty, made society weak.
“An attempt was made to break the morale of the people by attacking our cultural centres,” the PM said as he highlighted that Shivaji Maharaj not only fought the invaders but also instilled the belief in people that self-governance was a possibility. “Shivaji Maharaj inspired people for nation-building by ending the mentality of slavery,” he said.
The PM pointed out there were many rulers in history who were known for their military dominance but their administrative ability was weak and, similarly, many rulers were known for their excellent governance but their military leadership was weak. He said the personality of Shivaji Maharaj was magnificent as he established ‘swaraj’ and ‘suraj’.
“Shivaji Maharaj is different from other heroes because of his vision,” the PM said as he highlighted his public welfare character of governance which assured people lived with self-respect. Along with this, he also sent out a strong message to those who tried to hurt swaraj, religion, culture and heritage which boosted confidence among the people and propagated the spirit of self-reliance, he added.