Mumbai, 15 August 2022
On the glorious occasion of the 75 years of India’s Independence, Archaeological Survey of India, under the aegis of Ministry of Culture celebrated the Independence Day at various Monuments in western Maharashtra.
ASI Mumbai Circle have arranged illumination of six Monuments including Agakhan Palace, Shaniwarwada, Bhuleshwar Temple in Pune,Khidrpur Temple, Kolhapur, Jhabreshwar Temple Satar, Mandapeshwar Caves, Mumbai. Local residents, school Children and Government offices were involved in the Swachhata Abhiyan carried out from 2nd to 15th Augustat 55 Monuments under jurisdiction of ASI Mumbai Circle spread across the western coast of Maharashtra. At 4 Monuments namely Agakhan Palace, Solapur Fort, Vasai Fort and Mandapeshwar Caves, ‘AKHAND DHWAJ’ or high mast flag was installed. Also, under the Jal DharoharSanrakshanScheme 6 water bodies in the historic Monuments were cleaned and documented by the students of various Institutes.
Today on Independence Day of India, flag hoisting took place at Monuments like Kanheri Caves, Janjira Fort, Solapur Fort, Sion Fort and main event took place at the Agakhan Palace in Pune. On the morning of the 15th August, celebration started with paying tribute to the memorials of Mahatma Gandhiji, Kasturba and Mahadeobhai Desai.
Chief Guest for the programme, Professor K. Paddayya hoisted the national flag in presence of other dignitaries, Shri Pradeep Munot – trustee Gandhi Memorial Society, Pune, Shri U.C. Sarangi, trustee Gandhi Memorial Society, Pune, shri T. M. Patil, Principal Mandalik College, Kolhapur, and students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pune. Students sung the patriotic song playing tribute to the flag. Dr. Rajendra Yadav, Superintending Archaeologist ASI Mumbai Circle, Dr. A. Naganoor, Assistant Superintending Archaeologist, Mumbai circle were also graced the occasion.
Thereafter, felicitation of the Padmashri Awardees Shri MurlikantPetkar (Padmashri Sports-2018) and Prof. K. Paddayya (Padmashri 2012) was done. The guests of honour addressed the young crowd and encouraged them to aspire high in future.
In the 2nd half of the programme cultural activities like Odissi Dance by famous dancer- Smt. Molina Singh and play on the life of Kasturba Gandhi was performed by Indicult Heritage Foundation.
At Solapur Fort, flag hoisting at the hands of Chief Guest Shri SideshwarShivacharya, Hon’ble M.P. Lok Sabha took place, in presence of, Shri Sanjiv Jadhav, Deputy Collector, Distt- Solapur , Shri P. Shivshankar, Municipal Commissioner, Distt- Solapur and Smt. SimanthiniChapalkar (INTACH) Solapur. The programme was attended by Shri Bikash Chandra Das. Assistant Superintending Archaeologists Engineer, ASI Mumbai Circle, Shri RaviRaj, Assistant Archaeologist, Mumbai Circle , Shri MahadevKamble, MTS , Sub Circle Solapur and other staff of ASI and SIS guard and local public .
At Mandapeshwar Caves, in Mumbai High flag mast was installed by Honourable M.P. Shri Gopal Shetty, in the presence of Smt Manisha Chaowgule, MLA , Shri M. R. Shiekh ASAE, ASI Mumbai Circle and Incharge of Mandapeshwar Caves Shri R P Divekar.
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(Source: ASI) | PIB Mumbai | CP/DR
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