My day in Kruger National Park(South Africa)

“Hurry! It’s already 4:30 am and we are getting late..!” My husband yelled at me, seeing me dragging myself towards getting ready. I am not an early bird and 4:30 am is generally when I am in my sugar dreams but today was being forced to leave at this hour. We packed all the food for our journey, and after making some silly, ‘C’mon! Let’s sleep instead’ faces we started for an African Wildlife Safari (Kruger National Park). I put on a neck rest and prepared to sleep in the backseat. But, as the journey began, the quiet dark roads seemed to sing a melodious song and the breeze blew me a kiss every time it stroked the hair off my face. This feeling was heart melting and passed on positive vibes. I could barely close my eyes now.

Hours of travel and we reached the main gate of the National Park. This was a self-drive safari park and animals inside were in their natural habitat roaming freely. I was for sure scared as I had running thoughts of some animal attacking us. As we entered into the park, I was unaware of the fact that this day was about to change my life in some way. The park officials had given us a paper map to find our way inside, this sure gave me a feeling of jumanji (No network inside for our beloved GPS to guide us).It was an early delightful morning, I was able to hear the long forgotten sound of birds chirping merrily. After driving for a while steadily, we spotted a group of lovely grazing Impala’s. They were so calm and healthy. Their eyes were sparkling, skin like a velvet shawl and horns as if designed by someone with great ability to be creative.

While passing a bridge over a pond, a loud groan drew our attention. For a moment it was spooky as we couldn’t find or spot anything in vicinity. A few minutes later the gigantic creature emerged from the pond to catch its breath. It was none other than the strong hippopotamus, it was the first time I heard its grunt. I don’t know whether they were trying to communicate with each other or laugh, yet it was very fascinating to see the hippo dip in and out at times, groan and also spread its jaw to 180 degree flat. Moving along the same road we saw a herd of wildebeest crossing our roads. Or should I say that we were crossing their path? After all, the jungle was their home and we were just the visitors. I was further amazed by the magnificent yet docile Giraffe. Its long neck made it look more commanding but its eyes revealed the true decency. 

Other than spotting animals, driving and just being in a jungle with stunning landscape was also soothing and enthusiastic. “Look..!! Look..!! Ahead”, a sudden panicky statement from one of our friend’s alarmed us, however it was not an alarming cry but a happy surprising one as we saw a herd of massive African elephants approaching towards us from the mountains. Their big waving ears, their huge feet (they could have killed us with a thumb), the long trunks, the extended ivory and the gracious walk. In no time we were surrounded by these elephants from 3 sides, we waited patiently for them to pass, but, to our surprise the whole herd stopped walking and were waiting for us to cross, it was an unexpected gesture from such an animal. Amidst this scene, I saw an elephant change its way and approaching towards us fast, maybe he was in a playful mood that day but scared the hell out of us. We slowly hid in a hide nearby and watched these elephants splashing the water with their trunks and enjoying their baths.

We freshened up ourselves in one of the refreshment centers inside the park and started our drive again. In a little while of driving we saw many cars jammed on a road, we were curious of what they had spotted, but soon our curiosity came to rest when we saw dozens of baboons playing and jumping on the road approaching towards us. We made sure our car was locked and window panes up, and observed them do their funny acts. It was fun indeed. Slowly after their permission, the car block cleared and we were on our way ahead.

That day I came across many other animals like rhinoceros, zebra, warthog, wild buffalo, etc. and also a variety of birds. Unfortunately out of BIG 5 of Africa we could only find Elephants, Rhinoceros, Wild buffalo and a lion from too far. We sadly missed the other wild cats like leopard and cheetahs, but as someone has rightly said, “It is better have something left behind, as it gives us a reason to come back”. 

That day I saw the magic of nature. A small demo of the mastermind who created our universe. All these animals who were roaming freely in the jungle, were sometimes so difficult to spot even from a small distance because of their camouflage property. They do not need to hide, but can easily manage to stay away from hunters and predators. They all are not of same colors, but all of them blend with the forest in the same way. Observing these animals doing their own business calmly made me understand that their needs are so minimum, they have their own ways of communication, they are charmed by you as long as you don't scare them and also we humans are so heartless sometimes that to fulfill our needs we destroy their lives. Just to be a part of their life from a distance made me happy. Now I get the animal lovers, why they are so involved with them. Watching just a handful of animals made us realize that as much right we have to live on this earth, same right the animal does have. Live and let live!

Poem - The Harsh Truth..!!

I wish I had an enormous fridge

To fit my entire globe in it

Or else to cool and calm it down

I had some sort of startling kit

Oh!! My sweet and naive folks

We are already running very late

Varied Climate and Harmful air

Have started forecasting our fate

The jungles are burning

And so are the poor animals

Bear is dead, kangaroo is scared

And on streets are the running camels

Ice-covered Arctic is melting

 Helpless Birds are migrating

Some parts of world are drought

While others are immensely over flooding

Our techno brilliant minds

Have proudly flown us to Mars

But, isn’t it a shame

Our own planet is suffering from scars??

  

If we still wish to walk this path of ignorance

Then Trees shall turn in a myth

Animals might will live only in books

And regret will be the only thing we die with.

It’s an eleventh hour good people

Our worn-out and weak mother is calling for aid

Let’s unite with rigor making our efforts twice

For sure we’ll unveil a blissful future and earth’s shiny shade.

New Year Resolution-Let's strive for a better world!!

Hello Guysss!!!! Happy and a Hip Happening new year to all my beloved readers!!

1^st JAN, a day full of new hopes, new determinations and of course a bunch of resolutions. Some of them get completed while some are just carry forwarded to the next year… You know what I mean right?? ;-) Like all others, even I sat down to make my personal bucket list, when I opened my notepad, well!! I couldn’t think of anything, maybe it’s because I have many undone tasks from the previous year, that need to be completed before starting new ones or maybe there is a need to think about other social important things rather than personal.

                I don’t mean to say that we all are selfish, but yeah I think we all are at some level self-centered, including me. Every year we make resolutions for our own well-being, for our own careers and many personal things. But, why don’t we make a single resolution for our country? For our depriving nature? Or something for a better society?

                Let’s recall our past year, we will just highlight the major natural and man-made disasters that have happened, because good things are beautiful memories and are treasured for life. However, wrong things need attention and actions to improve their state.

1.       The most highlighted and terrifying issue – The Amazon fires.

2.       Another related issue – Australian bush fires.

3.       A horrifying heat wave all over.

4.       Heavy unexpected floods in India.

5.       Snow storm in most of the American states.

6.       Cyclone Vayu and Cyclone Fani hit India.

7.       Flooding and devastating hurricane Dorian in Bahamas.

8.       Wildfires in California and Chile

9.       Typhoon Hag ibis hits Japan.

10.   Volcano Eruptions in New Zealand.

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Believe me guys, the list is big and among which many even have gone unnoticed. A single year, and numerous disasters, isn’t this ratio frightening?? So, if we think that these are natural disasters and not of our business, I suppose we are wrong. These disasters may seem natural, but we all know that deep down, us HUMANS are the responsible reasons for them. Can you just blame global warming and scroll down? Well, ‘NO’ I strongly believe that ‘WE’, are guilty for the climate change and the warming up of the earth. The inhuman deforestation, the greed for unhealthy development, the raging politics and our ignorance towards major climate changes are leading towards a miserable condition of our planet and future generations to live in.

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Apart from these disasters, we must not overlook the fact that current mindset of most of our society are dragging us way back and hampering our steps towards development. We live in 21^st century but we are discussing topics which should not even exist. One of the major issues ruining the unity among people is caste-ism, we common people should understand that the media, politics and some nasty mentality people are doing our brainwash just to fulfill their desires, making us more and more behave like illiterates. Instead of fighting on these issues, which will lead us nowhere, why can’t we join our hands together for fighting against unemployment? To make this world a better and a safe place for girls by fighting against rape? To strive for getting over pollution and population? Or to fight against the malnutrition? There are many such important issues which can be resolved if we decide to change ourselves for our country and for our future generations. The freedom we are enjoying right now, is an outcome of uncountable and striving efforts of some legends whose only priority was to make this country a peaceful place for us to live in. By behaving in such a reckless manner don’t you think that we are insulting their efforts?

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I don’t expect a lot of heavy actions from all of us. It is quite impossible for us to give 100% of our lives, as we have other priorities as well. But, 10% efforts from every individual can lead us to a brighter future. Instead of debating over unwanted issues over social media, let’s use it to spread positivity, joy and happiness. Students can do their bits by focusing on emerging technologies and innovations instead of unwanted issues and politics. We can start cleaning our vicinity areas or we can join some NGO who cleans the rivers and prevents pollution. Grooming our kids to be free from technologies and with ethical mind will definitely make their future secure and also a better and healthy youth for our country. Students and businessman can even try to focus more on renewable energy resources to reduce pollution. The food and clothes that are likely to get wasted can be given to the people suffering from cold and starvation.Save electricity and save water as much as possible.Even just by not littering our environment you can share your part for the well-being. Instead of expecting and blaming others to take actions, think on what you should have done till now? Don’t let negativity influence you in anyway.

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At last, our old crow has taught us that where there is a will there is a way!! So, I believe if you want to do something for your world, your country or your people, you will for sure find a way to do it. If even few people amongst us strive for a better world in some or the other way we will certainly move forwards to our goal at least a little bit J I pledge to make at least one resolution for the benefit of my environment and country. I hope you all do it too!!!

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10 TIPS TO LEARN ENGLISH

                Learning is like rowing upstream, not to advance is to drop back. – Chinese Proverb

To have another language is to possess a second soul. – Charlemagne

Language is wine upon the lips. – Virginia Woolf

Today, instead of jumping directly to the tips section, let me share my experience to make you understand ‘The need of knowing English’. The other day I and my husband were debating on the topic ‘Whether it is necessary for at least every educated person to know English communication.’ Of course I was on the affirmative side of the debate, but unfortunately before we could persuade our points to each other the conversation somehow got cut in the middle and we got re-busy with our own schedules. Well I was lucky enough that the next day itself, he had a call with one of his clients from some non-English speaking country. After the formal Hi, Hello’s and day greetings their conversation moved to the official stuff, but sadly they soon realized it was not going well as the client person was struggling to understand the spoken English, and my husband, was unaware of the language his client was speaking in. The entire conversation was pitiful. During this whole scenario, I was beside him and pretty enjoyed that my point got proved automatically, me 1 and him 0 Yayy!!!! The gist of this experience is that, the whole world needs a common language to communicate effortlessly with each other. So instead of debating why only English and why not Marathi or Hindi or German or French or any other regional language, let’s accept the fact and keep up with the pace of the world. Not everyone can know all languages, so as most of the population knows English then English it is. Here are some tips to water the plant of your desire to learn English.

1. Perfecting Grammar: 

A perfect language can be learnt only once you know the right places of figures of speech (Noun,Verb, adverb, etc.) in a sentence. Once you know that you will pass the level one of sentence formation. After that, next step is to learn the fluency, which you can achieve with other topics in grammar like tenses, importance of change of voice, articles, etc. A book named Wren N’ Martin can swoop in to help you for your grammar needs. Check it’s availability on any store.  Grammar is the key to boost a confidence for speaking the language.

2. Reading English books: ‘Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. – Joseph Addison’

Learning grammar is a theoretical way which is of importance but we know if practical and theoretical goes hand in hand, well! then no one can stop you from becoming a pro. So apart from this, you must read English books and novels.You can start with small story book to gain interest first and gradually you can move to great novels.Other than books,daily newspapers will help you immensly.Read columns that you will enjoy,it can be sports, politics, beauty tips, etc. Remember to always have a dictionary by your side to help yourself with new words. Luckily we live in a technology surrounded world, so you can use your cellphones to search these new words and phrases, you come across while reading. Remember our old school proverb ‘Books are our best friends’.

  

3.  Watching English serials and movies:

Another quick and easy way of learning English is by watching movies and serials in the same language. Get hold of English subtitles to help you understand it better. The benefit we receive from this, is that, unknowingly you start thinking in English, which is a very good sign. Slowly you subconsciously start using the words and phrases from these movies in your daily life, and that’s quite impressive.Listening to English songs of your favorite artist or listening to radio with English news will definetly mould you in a better aspect.

4. Communicate in English:

‘Unused goods prone to rot’; what I mean to say is any quality or talent or study if not used for a long time, it tends to decay. Then what is the use of learning it, if you are not using it. Same is in the case of English language, no matter how good or bad you are at it, try to speak as much as possible in English, with people around you in daily life. The more you try to speak, the more quick you are about to become fluent. Start with simple greetings like Good Morning, hello, how are you? Etc. Do not get discouraged even if people laugh at you sometimes for your mistakes, it means you are trying, and that makes you stand out of the coward crowd. Build a confidence within you for yourself.

5. Play word scrabble games and quizzes:

Learning need not be always boring and pressurizing. Another great way to improve your vocabulary (word stock) is by playing word scrabble games and quizzes. You can easily find them on play store in your mobile phones. There are other games as well like ‘give another word for’ these will help you learn different words with same meaning. Scramble, unscramble and form new words, just have fun while you learn.

6. Learn one new word every day:

While we are on the topic of vocabulary, let me tell you one more way to learn new words instead of repeating the same words. Stick to learning only one new word every day. Select a word of your choice and find it similar meaning words and learn it with spelling. Try to put that word in a sentence and write it down in a book. Maintaining a book with words is a great way to have your own handwritten dictionary.

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7.   Accent matters:

A saying goes that, your communication should never reveal where you belong from. Many times during a conversation people ask you whether you are from a particular region after listening to your accent. Believe me, it is a sign of poor language. That might feel flattering at regional level but at corporate levels it is NOT. Your English accent MUST be fluent and not at all vernacular. Be proud of your mother tongue, but don’t be ashamed to embrace new language in its original form.

8. Keep a check on mistakes:

     Once my friend told me about how keeping a record of your mistakes can help you improve. That’s absolutely true, we always struggle to focus on what correct we can achieve, yes it is our ultimate goal. But on the journey to success don’t forget your co-passengers and that is your failures. One of the major mistakes we make, while speaking English is, we try to translate our thoughts from our mother tongue to English. That is when we start learning in a totally wrong way. If you keep a track and check your mistakes, there is a major chance that you won’t repeat them. Aahaa!! This way you are getting way too closer towards becoming an English proficient.  

9.Consistency – ‘It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius’ Altogether Bombardment may not lead you to a successful destiny but consistent efforts will definitely do. Be easy on yourself while learning. Take small steps regularly so that you won’t feel compelled to absorb English which might lead you to give up studying. Instead of forcing yourself to learn a lot quickly, make a habit of learning a little daily without fail. Try writing small paragraph essays on your favorite topics and get it checked from some English tutor. Try completing small story books in a month. These small steps will one day lead to big change.

10.  Motivate and set goals:

When you start something new there needs a motivation to keep you going. Getting inspired from people with command over English language can push you to take more efforts towards your goal. Set mini goals per weekend and pat your back or reward yourself when you complete one. Surround yourself with people who support you and not the ones who hold you back from doing something new.

Bonus Tip: Revise, revise and revise, until you get that English, flowing through your mouth with ease and wise.

So, now there will be a very less chance of you getting rejected at interviews because of your poor English communication skills. You won’t have to worry about your big presentation which can get you promoted. You can travel confidently all over the world without having to concern about talking with strangers, and save yourself from many more such incidents.

All the best!! Happy Learning!!

जाणता राजा ..!!

जाणता राजा म्हटलं की तोंडातून नाव येतं ते छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराजांच.

मराठा साम्राज्य संस्थापक आणि एक आदर्श शासनकर्ता म्हणून ओळखले जाणारे छत्रपती शिवाजीराजे भोसले एक सर्वसमावेशक, सहिष्णू राजा म्हणून महाराष्ट्रात आणि इतरत्रही वंदिले जातात.

अखंड हिंदुस्थानात ज्यावेळी परप्रांतीयांची आक्रमण होत होती, संपूर्ण हिंदू समाज त्यांच्या जुलूमांनी होरपळून गेला होता, इथे जन्माला येणारं प्रत्येक मूल हे गुलाम म्हणूनच जन्म घ्यायचं आणि गुलाम म्हणूनच मरायचं. यातूनही जे काही वीर योद्धा जन्म घ्यायचे ते स्वताचा स्वाभिमान,  स्वतःच अस्तित्व विसरून मुघलांची गुलामगिरी करण्यात धन्यता मानायचे.अशा या स्वाभिमान मेलेल्या हिंदुस्थानात, महाराष्ट्रभूमीत एक दैवी शक्ती जन्माला आली.

19 फेब्रुवारी 1630 रोजी शिवनेरीवर शिवरायांचा जन्म झाला आणि महाराष्ट्र भूमी पावन झाली. राजमाता जिजाऊ मासाहेबांनी लहानपणापासूनच  शिवरायांवर उत्तम संस्कार केले होते. रयतेची वर्षानुवर्षे होत आलेली पिळवणूक, अत्याचार दाखवले होते. शिवराय हे एक मोठ्या सुभेदारांचे पुत्र असूनही त्यांचे सवंगडी हे गरीब रायतेतीलच होते त्यामुळे गरीब लोकांची होणारी ससेहोलपट शिवरायांनी अगदी जवळून पाहिली. याची शिवरायांना मनातून खूप चीड यायची. आपणसुद्धा राम, कृष्ण यांसारखे काही करावे असे त्यांना वाटे. शिवरायांनी आपल्या सवंगड्यांमधूनच काही हिरे ओळखले आणि स्वराज्याचं स्वप्न पहिलं.

 वयाच्या केवळ १६ व्या वर्षी छत्रपती शिवरायांनी तोरणागड जिंकून स्वराज्याचे तोरण बांधले. सह्याद्रीच्या शिखरावर विराजमान असलेल्या भोर येथील श्री स्वयंभू रायरेश्वराच्या शिवालयात छ. शिवाजी महाराजांनी २६ एप्रिल १६४५ या दिवशी आपले बालसवंगडी कान्होजी जेधे, बाजी पासलकर, तानाजी मालुसरे, सूर्याजी मालुसरे, येसाजी कंक, सूर्याजी काकडे, बापूजी मुदगल, नरसप्रभू गुप्ते, सोनोपंत डबीर यांसारख्या सिंहाची छाती असणार्‍या मावळ्यांना साथीला घेऊन छत्रपती शिवरायांनी स्वयंभू रायरेश्वराच्या साक्षीने "हे स्वराज्य व्हावे ही श्रींची इच्छा" असे म्हणून स्वराज्याची आण घेतली.हिंदवी स्वराज्यासाठी मूठभरमावळ्यांनी जिवाची पर्वा न करता स्वतःला झोकून दिले. राजांनी स्वराज्य स्थापनेसाठी कधीही माणसाची जात पहिली नाही. त्यांनी कर्तृत्व आणि पराक्रमाला मानाचे स्थान दिले. शिवरायांच्या सैन्यात बारा मावळातील अठरा पगड जातीचे लोक होते. राजांनी त्यातूनच एक एक हिरा ओळखला आणि स्वराज्यस्थापनेच्या कार्यात जोडला.

शिवरायांवर रयत प्रचंड प्रेम करत. कारण स्वराज्य हे फक्त राजासाठी न्हवतं तर ते होत प्रजेसाठी, गोरगरीब रयतेसाठी. रांझ्याच्या पाटलाने एका गरीबाच्या मुलीवर बलात्कार केला म्हणून शिवरायांनी त्याचे हातपाय कलम केले. एका पाटलाला इतकी कठोर शिक्षा त्यापूर्वी कधीही झाली न्हवती. त्यामुळे रयतेला विश्वास झाला ही हे राज्य आपलं आहे. रयत शिवरायांच्या एका शब्दावर जीव ओवाळून टाकू लागली. कित्येकांनी आपल्या संसारवर - घरादारावर तुळशीपत्र ठेवून स्वराज्याच्या अग्निकुंडात आहुती दिली. केवळ स्वराज्यासाठी आणि शिवरायांसाठी कोणत्याही अग्निदिव्यात उतरण्यासाठी तयार असणाऱ्या शिलेदारांनी मराठा इतिहासाला आपल्या पराक्रमाने अलौकिक झळाळी चढवली.

कोणी साक्षात मृत्यू दिसत असताना आग्र्याहून सुटकेसाठी मरणाच्या अंथरुणात झोपले, तर कोणी प्रतिशिवाजी बनून सिद्धी जौहरला भेटायला गेले, कोणी फक्त 300 मावळ्यांना साथीला घेऊन पावनखिंडीत मृत्यूला सुद्धा हरवून शिवरायांना वाचवले तर कोणी अवघ्या 60 रांगड्या मावळ्यांसह 2000 गनीम असलेला पन्हाळा जिंकून दाखवला, कोणी शिवरायांच्या एका शब्दखातर पिसाळलेल्या हत्तीशी झुंज घेतली तर कोणी 7 वेडे मराठे 10 हजार सैन्यावर तुटून पडले.स्वाभिमान गमावलेल्या मराठी माणसाच्या मनात राजांनी इतके स्वधर्मप्रेम आणि स्वराज्यनिष्ठा जागृत केली की मावळे आणि प्रजा हसत हसत स्वराज्यचरणी आपले प्राण अर्पण करत. यातच शिवरायांचा विजय दिसून येतो.

खुद्द राजांच जीवनसुद्धा खूप रोमांचक, पराक्रमी आणि धकाधकीच होत. राजांनी स्वतः अनेक मोहिमांमध्ये भाग घेतला. दक्षिण विजय आणि सुरत लूट या त्यातील मुख्य मोहिमा होय. अतिशय दुर्गम आणि अवघड असणारे जावळी खोरे सुद्धा राजांनी जिकले. आग्र्याहून सुटका, पन्हाळ्याहून पलायन, अफजलखान वध, पुण्यात लाल महालात शाहिस्तेखानावर हल्ला अशा अनेक पराक्रमी मोहीमा केल्या.

राजांनी प्रत्यक्ष लढाई करण्यापेक्षा सह्याद्रीच्या गड-किल्ल्यांचा आणि पर्वत रांगांचा उपयोग करून "गनिमी कावा" या युद्धनीतीवर भर दिला. या नितीमुळे शिवरायांनी कमी मनुष्यबळ असताना सुद्धा अनेक लढाया जिंकल्या. एकाचवेळी आदिलशाही, मुघल, इंग्रज, पोर्तुगीज, डच यांसारख्या परकीय  पातशाह्यांशी प्रत्यक्ष आणि अप्रत्यक्ष लढाया करून, शह देऊन हिंदू धर्म आणि हिंदवी स्वराज्य सुरक्षित ठेवले.

राजांनी फक्त लढाया आणि मोहीमा न करता प्रत्यक्ष रयतेच्या विकासाकडे भर दिला. शिवरायांनी पहिल्यांदा गुंठेवारी पद्धत उपयोगात आणून त्यावर जमिनीचा कस आणि उत्पादन बघून कर आकारणी केली. गरीब शेतकऱ्यांना बैल व शेतीउपयोगी अवजारे देऊ केली. बी-बियाणे देऊ केले.  दोन - तीन वर्षानंतर शेतकऱ्याकडून करातून हळूहळू पैसे वसूल केले. जेणेकरून लोकांचा शेतीकडे ओघ वाढला. पडीक जमिनी सुद्धा सुपीक झाल्या आणि राज्याचे उत्पादन वाढले. शिवरायांनी सैन्याला मोहिमेला जाताना शेतकऱ्याच्या गवताच्या काडीलासुद्धा धक्का लागता कामा नये, एखाद्या भागातून सैन्य जात असताना शेतीपासून दूर असणारा रस्ता उपयोगात आणावा असा सक्त आदेश दिला होता. दुष्काळ परिस्थितीत शेतकऱ्यांचा कर माफ केला. परकीय आक्रमणाच्या वेळी रयतेचे हाल होऊ नयेत म्हणून परकीय आक्रमणाच्या वेळी राजांनी जाणूनबुजून अवघड आणि डोंगराळ भाग निवडला.

शेवटी 6 जून 1674 रोजी शिवरायांनी स्वराज्याची राजधानी रायगडावर 32 मनाचे (1280 किलो) सुवर्णसिंहासन बनवून स्वतःला राज्याभिषेक करवून घेतला आणि राजे छत्रपती झाले. वर्षानुवर्षे गुलामगिरीत खितपत पडलेल्या या महाराष्ट्रभूमीला पहिला छत्रपती मिळाला.

शिस्तबद्ध लष्कर व सुघटित प्रशासकीय यंत्रणेच्या बळावर शिवाजीे महाराजांनी एक सामर्थ्यशाली आणि प्रागतिक राज्य उभे केले. भूगोल, आश्चर्यजनक वेगवान हालचाली आणि बलाढ्य शत्रूंचे मनोधैर्य खच्ची करणारे नेमके हल्ले यांचा वापर करणारे गनिमी काव्याचे तंत्र त्यांनी यशस्वीपणे वापरले. आपल्या वडिलांकडून मिळालेल्या २,००० सैनिकांच्या छोट्या तुकडीपासून एक लाख सैनिकांचे लष्कर, तसेच समुद्री सुरक्षेसाठी आरमार उभे केले. किनारी आणि अंतर्गत प्रदेशातील किल्ल्यांची डागडुजी करण्यासोबतच अनेक नवीन किल्लेही त्यांनी उभारले. राज्यकारभारात मराठी भाषेचा वापर करण्यास त्यांनी प्रोत्साहन दिले.

अशा या जाणत्या राजाचे 3 एप्रिल 1680 रोजी रायगडावर निधन झाले. अखंड हिंदवी स्वराज्य पोरकं झालं.

तर अशा शिवरायांच्या महाराष्ट्रात आपण जन्मलो हे आपण आपले भाग्य मानले पाहीजे. पण एव्हढ्यावरच थांबुन उपयोग नाही. फक्त भावना, फक्त जयजयकार, फक्त मिरवणुका पुरेसे नाही. शिवाजी महाराजांना अपेक्षित असलेले गुण आपण आपल्यात अंगिकारण्याचा प्रयत्न केला पाहीजे. आपला समाज, आपले राष्ट्र यांच्या भल्यासाठी आपण झटले पाहीजे. आपली शिवभक्ती फक्त भगवा फडकवल्यावरच जागी होता कामा नये. शिवभक्ती आपल्या रक्ताचा भाग बनली पाहिजे. शिवरायांच्या ठायी असलेली चिकाटी जर आपण आपापल्या क्षेत्रात दाखवु शकलो तर सर्व क्षेत्रात आपला समाज पुढे जाईल. याबाबत समर्थांच्या काही ओळी लिहुन शेवट करतो.

शिवरायांस आठवावे | जिवित्व तृणवत मानावे |

इहलोकी परलोकी रहावे | किर्तीरुपे ||

शिवरायांचे कैसे चालणे | *शिवरायांचे कैसे बोलणें |

शिवरायांचे सलगी देणें | कैसे असे||

शिवरायांचे आठवावे रुप | शिवरायांचा आठवावा प्रताप|

शिवरायांचा आठवावा साक्षेप | भुमंडळी।

-लेखक 

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