Maharashtra’s Cultural Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar who returned from London after signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring back ‘Waghnakha’ (tiger’s claws) used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, received a rousing welcome at Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport on Friday. The airport witnessed crowd of people from Chandrapur, Wardha, Nagpur including the volunteers of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The workers presented Mungantiwar an idol of Shivaji Maharaj, the cap of Peshwe era and other gifts. Workers distributed the sweets. MLA Pankaj Bhoyar, BJP City President Jitendra Kukde, Rambhau Ambulkar, Vilas Trivedi, General Secretary Sandip Gavai, General Secretary Ashwini Jichkar, City Organising Secretary Vishnu Changde, Ritesh Gawande, Shrikant Aglawe, BJYM President Badal Raut, ex-Mayor of Chandrapur Rakhi Kancharlawar, Dr Mangesh Gulwade, Nilesh Kite, and others were present.

 

Mungantiwar said, “I felt honoured for getting the opportunity to sign an agreement to bring the ‘Waghnakha’ back to India. We will also try to bring the ‘Jagdamba’ sword used by Shivaji Maharaj and some other valuables kept at the museum at London.” “The love and affection shown by the staunch supporters of Shivaji Maharaj made me get overwhelmed. I shall never forget this moment,” pointed out Mungantiwar. An organisation ‘Amhi Punekar’ has submitted the proposal of erecting the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Kupwara district near India-Pakistan border. Maharashtra Government will extend full support for this project. Once the work of statue completes, its grand presence will make Pakistan get apprehend, Mungantiwar said.