Lucknow — The historic coronation day of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was commemorated as Hindavi Swarajya Divas with immense reverence, enthusiasm, and cultural splendour at the campus of the University of Lucknow. The event, observed on the auspicious day of Jyeshtha Shukla Trayodashi, aimed to rekindle patriotic spirit and cultural pride among the youth.
The celebration was graced by several eminent dignitaries and intellectuals, with the Chief Guest being Dharmapal Singh, State General Secretary (Organisation), BJP Uttar Pradesh. In his keynote address, Singh criticized the post-independence neglect of Shivaji Maharaj in mainstream historiography and emphasized the importance of promoting historical consciousness through the Hindi language. “Shivaji’s vision of Swarajya was built on discipline, strategy, and inclusive governance — a blueprint that remains relevant for modern administration,” he remarked.
Delivering the keynote address, Ravindra Joshi, All India Contact Head, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), highlighted that Shivaji Maharaj’s concept of Hindavi Swarajya was not merely political, but also a symbol of cultural revival, social harmony, and public welfare. “His legacy is a continuous source of inspiration for national regeneration,” he said.
Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University, presided over the event and stressed the need for connecting students to inspirational historical figures. “Such events are instrumental in awakening young minds to the greatness of India’s past and the timeless ideals it embodies,” he noted.
Avnish Awasthi, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, also attended as a special guest. He called upon the youth to draw inspiration from Shivaji’s valor and patriotism, describing him as a cornerstone of modern nation-building. Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, who was also present, urged the city’s youth to internalize the spirit of Swarajya and carry forward Shivaji’s ideals to every household in Lucknow.
The event saw the presence of more than 15 distinguished guests, including MLAs, MLCs, academics, and social leaders such as Ashish Singh “Aashu”, Avnish Singh, Santosh Singh, and former national minority cell secretary Safaat Ali. All the dignitaries paid floral tribute to the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and shared their reflections on his enduring legacy.
Adding literary gravitas to the program, acclaimed Hindi poet Shivmangal ‘Suman’ presented an original poetic tribute to Shivaji Maharaj, leaving the audience deeply moved. The event also featured patriotic songs, cultural performances, and lectures centered around the theme of Hindavi Swarajya.
The ceremony was anchored with clarity and fervor by Dr. Amit Kushwaha, whose rousing chants of “Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji” kept the audience engaged throughout the proceedings.
Dr. Sanjay Shukla, Convenor of the Staff Cultural and Sports Council, played a pivotal role in organizing the event. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees, participants, and members of the Political Science Postgraduate Student Union for their unwavering support and collaboration.
The celebration of Hindavi Swarajya Divas proved to be a powerful confluence of history, nationalism, and academic dialogue — transforming the university into a vibrant platform for cultural pride and patriotic reflection.
