It appears that the Congress-NCP government is keen to keep at least one its words to the people of Maharashtra in the last year of its tenure – to put up a statue of Shivaji, the Great, at the sea-front in Marine Drive. Shivaji's greatness is written in golden words in the history of India – his capacity to organize farmers to defend their land and religion, his valour in war, his justice and fairness even to his enemies, his religious tolerance and his good governance. He is rightly called, Janata Raja.
The real tribute to him would be give good governance to the people – health and education. Another way could be to renovate all his forts to enable people to visit them and take inspiration from his life. It would promote understanding of his role in the history of India and it would also bring tourists from India and abroad. If the government is keen only on a statue, it could consider having it on the Elephant Caves island which could become a pilgrimage centre for all Indians and tourist centre for the visitors to India.
