PM Modi conferred Lokmanya Tilak Award, holds candid conversation with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. Watch

livemint.com:

Narendra Modi on Tuesday was conferred Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune. The Prime Minister alsong with Ajit Pawar, Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis shared stage with NCP chief Sharad Pawar at the ceremony. During the event, PM Modi and the NCP supremo shared a candid moment on the stage.

Pawar also congratulated PM Modi for the Lokmanya Tilak award. He said, “The Lokmanya award was previously given to many prominent people. Modi’s name has now been included in the list of these names today.

I congratulate Modi for his selection for this award." “I would like to state here that Pune has a special significance in the country. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj born in Shivneri fort in Pune district. Many kings established kingdoms in their names but Shivaji Maharaj established Hindavi Swaraj.

In recent days, our Jawans carried out surgical strike. However it was Shivaji Maharaj who first carried out surgical strike in Lal Mahal against Shaista Khan," he added. While addressing the event, PM Modi said, "This is a memorable moment for me," PM Modi said, adding, "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, invoking the freedom fighter, adding, "I pay homage to him and all our freedom fighters. I am honoured to be on Maharashtra soil. This is the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Jyotirba Phule." The Prime Minister further added that he has decided to donate the prize money from the award to the Namami Gange project.