Some people rule in family's name: Sharad Pawar

Union minister for agriculture  and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Friday, without naming Nehru-Gandhi family, said even today, there are certain people, who rule in the name of family.

He was addressing a function at National Defence Academy (NDA) after unveiling a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The statue is donated by Pune Municipal Corporation and is installed just outside the Sudan block, NDA’s main administrative building. Mayor Vaishali Bankar and NDA Commandant Air Marshal KS Gill were present.

Referring to greatness of Shivaji Maharaj, who established Hindavi Swaraj in adverse conditions, Pawar said Shivaji Maharaj did not create a Bhosale Raj but he established a rule where people were apex. Pawar pointed out that Shivaji Maharaj was referred to as king of the people and for the people and the thought of creating Bhosale empire never touched Shivaji Maharaj’s mind but today there are elements, who rule in the name of their family.

Pawar said Shivaji was a visionary warrior king, who implemented ideal systems of rule and ordered his men to respect women and children even while in war against the enemy. Pawar said Shivaji  had asked his men not to cut the standing crop to trouble the innocent people living in enemy territory and always ruled the minds of people. Pawar said this statue was not yet another statue on NDA premises but would always inspire NDA cadets, who would be officers for the armed forces in all aspects of leadership including how to fight a war, how to behave, how to administer and would show them different path altogether.

Gill said the statue was a matter of pride for NDA and would inspire all the cadets.