<span style="color: #222222;">In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha along with Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, and Maharashtra's Cultural Affairs Minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Kupwara in north Kashmir today.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' In his address, the Lt Governor congratulated the 'Amhi Punekar' and 41 Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian Army for this historic initiative. He said the statue of Great Shivaji would be a source of inspiration for people and the bravehearts of the army. Paying homage to the great warrior and founder of Swarajya, the Lt Governor said, Shivaji was a born leader who scripted a new history of India through his mesmerizing victory against the enemy. He said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was also a fountainhead of high standards of morality, and right conduct and he respected all religions and sects. He maintained that youth must follow his ideas and ideals selflessly to serve the poor and weaker sections of society and contribute to nation-building.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' Mr Sinha observed that by unleashing his military genius and moral force, Shivaji mobilized millions of Indians and achieved sovereignty for the Maratha empire. He said his universal and eternal values continue to be relevant today and guide us on the path of social equality and peaceful co-existence. He called for celebrating the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj festival in Kupwara on the 7th of November every year.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />''On the occasion, Eknath Shinde Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an inspiration for every Indian. He said Maharashtra has a great tradition of sacrifice and bravery and it is indeed commendable that this statue is being erected at Kupwara in the same year as the 350th anniversary of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji.</span><br />