Soil and water is collected from 19 locations, including forts and rivers across Maharashtra, for the ground breaking ceremony of Shivaji Maharaj memorial on an island off city, to be performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 24.
"The 'Kalash' (vase) will contain water of some rivers that have cultural importance in the state. Similarly, other 'Kalash' will carry some soil from historical important places such as Shivneri, Raigad, Pratapgad and Panhala forts and they will be taken to Mumbai on December 22," Vinayak Mete, chairman of the committee set up for the memorial, said today.
He said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will welcome a van carrying the 'Kalash' containing water and soil at the Gateway of India on December 23.
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"Two kalash carrying portion of soil and earth will be taken to the island for the ground breaking ceremony. The PM, Fadnavis and senior state functionaries will visit the island along with the two vases on December 24," he said.
Mete told reporters that two families, said to be the descendants of the Maratha king, along with the descendants of aristocrats who had served with him are invited for the function. "It's a gesture from the state towards the contribution of their ancestors," he added.
On Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray's participation in the ceremony, Mete said, "The CM is in talks with him. Thackeray will definitely be there but whether he will be at the island or attend the PM's rally at Bandra Kurla complex is yet to be decided."
When asked about the presence of Maharashtra Bhushan awardee and noted historian Babasaheb Purandare at the event, Mete said, "the invitation and arrangement for the event is being worked out. CM Fadnavis is holding a review meeting tomorrow. I hope there will be some decision about these things as well."
A section of society has been opposed to Purandare over his his 'portrayal' of Shivaji.
"We are inviting all the historians because they do have played a key role in making Maharaj's history relevant to people. The organisers of Maratha rallies held recently across the state will be invited as well. I personally feel that every village representative should be invited for the BKC function because it is not a political event," Mete said.
Proposed on some 15-hectare spread island, the memorial is going to be as high as 210 meters of which 60% would be the height of the statue alone. The total cost of the project is Rs 3,600 crore of which first phase would be of Rs 2,500 crore.
"We are planning to complete the first phase by 19 February, 2019," Mete added.
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