MUMBAI: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his pleasure over the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Victoria and Albert Museum for the return of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s ‘Wagh Nakh’ to India.
He emphasized that this moment is of great historical significance for all admirers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, not just in Maharashtra but across the country.
CM Shinde said, “Today’s moment is historic for all Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj lovers, not only for Maharashtra but also for the country. The 350th coronation anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was celebrated with great enthusiasm in the state of Maharashtra. Tiger claws were of great importance among the weapons of Shivaji’s time.”
The agreement was signed in London in a very rousing atmosphere with the beating of drums and chants of ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai’.
Emphasizing that future generations would draw inspiration from this ‘Wagh Nakh’ to follow in the footsteps of Maharaja Shivaji, Eknath Shinde said,”There was no other king in India who had the vision like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This tiger claws of Chhatrapati is going to be a Shiva darshan for all Shiva lovers not only in Maharashtra but also in India. Future generations will follow the example set by Maharaja only by taking the inspiration of this Wagh Nakh.”
CM Shinde acknowledged the persistent efforts of Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, who championed the cause at both the central and state government levels on the international stage.
“Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar finally did it. For this, he consistently followed up on behalf of the central government as well as the state government at the international level. On April 15, 2023, the Government of Maharashtra started correspondence with the Victoria and Albert Museum in a meeting with Imogen Stone, (Deputy Head of Political and Bilateral Relations of Britain), along with British Deputy High Commissioner for West India, Alan Gammell, in Mumbai. It really succeeded today,” CM Shinde added.
An agreement to bring the tiger claws (Waghnakh) from London to India was signed with Tristam Hunt (director of the Victoria) and Albert Museum. From the Government side Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Industries Minister Uday Samant, Culture Department Principal Secretary Vikas Kharge and Director of Archeology and Museum Tejas Garge were present on the occasion.
Following the signing of the MoU, members of the Indian diaspora in London celebrated and raised slogans of ‘Jai Shivaji, Jai Bhawani’.
These ‘Tiger Claws’ will stay in India for a period of three years from November 2023 to November 2026. These tiger claws will be kept in various museums in Maharashtra for Shivaji lovers and history buffs to see. It will include museums of the State Archaeology Department in Satara, Nagpur, Kolhapur and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Mumbai. (ANI)