Shiv Jayanti 2025

 

 

February 19 – The 395th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha (MKSSS). On this occasion, the students, staff, and office bearers of the institute were present in large numbers. Mrs. Arundhati Pandit, a prominent young Shivaji history scholar and former member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, was the chief speaker. A special lecture was organized at the Ichalkaranji Hall in the main premises of MKSSS. The respected Hosts included Dr. P. V. S. Shastri, the secretary, Shri Pradeep Waje, the vice-secretary, and senior officer Shri Pradeep Joshi were present at the dias. The program began with the singing of the Aarti of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by the students of Rama Sadan Hostel. After that, a student Siddhi Patil introduced the speaker in detail. Dr. P. V. S. Shastri formally welcomed Mrs. Pandit by presenting a book.

 

During this special Shiv Jayanti event, student Akanksha Shilamkar from the hostel received applause for presenting a monologue of Rajmata Jijau's thoughts, and student Snehal Gade and her fellow students performed a Povada (a traditional Marathi folk song) which created a wonderful atmosphere.

 

In her keynote address, Mrs. Arundhati Pandit spoke to everyone and urged the students to understand the contribution of Mata Jijau in shaping the great personality of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. She said, “Instead of merely celebrating festivals, it is more important to bring the principles of Shivaji Maharaj into practice. But for that to happen, we need to understand how Maharaj was formed as a person. We know that Jijau would tell young Shivaji stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, but we must understand the real meaning of these epics, which Shivaji Maharaj grasped. For this, we need to develop the ability to analyze historical and current events accurately. This ability was present in Jijau, and it was passed on to Shivaji Maharaj. To enhance this capacity, we need to learn to think calmly. Because the battle is not over yet. To understand the significance of events happening in places like Afghanistan, Kashmir, Kerala, and Bengal, we need to adopt the perspective of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The weapons of today's battles have changed. The powerful weapon of social media is available to all of us today. If used properly, instead of frivolously, we can bring about many changes. Just having pride in being a Hindu is not enough; we must be able to present the greatness of Hindutva to the world."

 

On the occasion of Shiv Jayanti, she concluded her lecture by urging everyone to make a personal resolution to bring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s values into their lives.

 

The event was compered by student Rucha Joshi, with the vote of thanks given by student Diksha Jalgaonkar, and the program ended beautifully with the Shiv Stavan (hymn) composed by Samarth Ramdas, sung by a student, Renuka Dhumal.