Pune: Velhe Taluka Renamed As Rajgad Taluka To Mark Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s 350th Coronation Anniversary
Velhe, 14th March 2024: The Maharashtra state cabinet has chosen to rename Velhe taluka as Rajgad taluka, marking the 350th coronation year of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This decision has sparked widespread joy among members of the ‘Shivpremi’ organizations and leaders from various political factions in the Rajgad Fort, Torna Fort and Panshet areas. Representatives from all political parties have diligently advocated for this change.
The transition to Rajgad Taluka necessitated a positive resolution from 58 out of 70-gram panchayats within the taluka. Notably, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar played a pivotal role in endorsing the recommendation during the November 2021 general meeting of Pune Zilla Parishad and formally proposing the change on May 5, 2022.
The announcement of this decision was met with jubilant celebrations, including chanting the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, fireworks, and the distribution of sugarcane. The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Panchayat Samiti premises in Velhe was honoured by Bhagwan Pasalkar, President of Pune Jilla Sahakari Doodh Utpadan Sang.
The occasion saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Mawla Jawan Association president Datta Nalavde, NCP (Ajit Pawar Group) representative Kiran Raut, BJP Velhe president Anand Deshmane, and others.
Reflecting on the significance of the change, Bhagwan Pasalkar highlighted Rajgad as the first taluka of the world’s first Hindu Swarajya, a testament to the visionary leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Datta Nalavade emphasized Rajgad’s historical importance as the inaugural capital of an independent nation and expressed hope that this renaming would rekindle awareness of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy globally.
Kiran Raut from the NCP Ajit Pawar Group commended the persistent efforts of Deputy Chief Minister Pawar, which led to the resolution of the long-pending issue of the taluka’s name change.
