PM Narendra Modi conferred Lokmanya Tilak award in Pune
Pune : Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Tuesday received the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak award in Pune.
PM Narendra Modi shared the stage with NCP chief Shri Sharad Pawar with whom he was seen indulged in a candid conversation. Ajit Pawar, Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis were also present on the stage.
Shri Sharad Pawar showered praise on PM Shri Narendra Modi and congratulated him for the prestigious award. He said, "The Lokmanya award has been conferred to numerous prominent individuals in the past. Today, Modi's name has been added to this distinguished list. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Modi for his well-deserved recognition with this prestigious award."
"I want to highlight the special significance of Pune in our country. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born in the Shivneri fort located in the Pune district. While many kings established kingdoms in their names, Shivaji Maharaj founded the Hindavi Swaraj. In more recent times, our brave Jawans have executed surgical strikes. Yet, it is crucial to remember that it was Shivaji Maharaj who led the first-ever surgical strike in Lal Mahal against Shaista Khan," he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi called it a memorable moment. "While I am very happy to be here, I am also feeling emotional. Lokmanya Tilak is the tilak of our freedom struggle." "The role of Lokmanya Tilak in India's independence, his contribution cannot be summed up in a few words or by illustrating a few incidents," the PM said.
The Prime Minister also announced his decision to contribute the prize money from the award to the Namami Gange project. "I am dedicating the prize money to the Namami Gange initiative, as a gesture of support to the 1.4 billion people of our country," he expressed.
