Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network
Mumbai, Sep 28: The GVK vice president of corporate affairs N R Srinivasan met Vile Parle MLA Krishna Hegde at his office on Tuesday September 27 morning and agreed to Hegde’s demand to install Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj portrait at Terminal 1-A, Terminal 1-B in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Domestic Ariport, Santacruz (East) and the 3rd portrait at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Andheri (East).
The sizes of 2 Individual Portraits will be 3 X 5 feet and a third portrait will be 27 X 7 feet showing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his court.
GVK has requested Hegde for 10 days' time and assured to hold the inauguration of the portrait between October 5 and October 10.
Eminent Artist Sutar from Kolhapur has been assigned to do the portrait.
Hegde had threatened to take a huge protest procession to the GVK office and ‘gift’ them portraits of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as it has been 6 years since GVK has started the Airport work and moreover even the statue at the International Airport had been shifted.
“I am just echoing the sentiments of 11 crores of Maharashtrians and crores of Indians for whom Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is like God. Our future generations should know about the glory of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and also the glorious past, history and cultures of India should be exhibited, apart from these Portraits. I would also advise GVK to open a gallery / museum within the airport showcasing the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj so both Indians and visitors can view it” said Krishna Hegde.
“I am happy that GVK has responded positively and will install the Portraits in both Airports soon” Hegde added.