Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati

Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati is a social worker from Kolhapur, who has over the last two decades traveled across Maharastra and adjoining states working on various programs for the masses. He has a distinct public image that has been built through consistent, transparent, diligent and clean work in spheres of social justice by promoting education, economic opportunity and the spirit of entrepreneurship. ^[1]

 Sambhajiraje is the 13th descendant of the royal family of India, hailing from the direct lineage of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the erstwhile social reformer – Late Rajarshri Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj of Kolhapur (who laid the policy of cooperatives, banking, irrigation and education for all, to uplift the society).

He is the grandson of late H.H.Major General Shahaji Chhatrapati, Maharaja of Kolhapur, who was entrusted by the British Crown to lead the vastly decorated Maratha Light Infantry in the Second World War in East Africa against Field Marshall Romel, also known as the Desert Fox. He is the elder son of the present Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.

On 11 June 2016, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India.

Biodata

Royal Name - Shrimant Yuvraj Raje Sambhaji Chhatrapati

Father's Name - Kshatriyakulwantas Shri Shahu Chhatrapati

Mother's Name - Maharani Yadnaseniraje Chhatrapati

Son- Shahajiraje Chhatrapati

| Educational Details B.A., M.B.A educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot and Shivaji University, Kolhapur | Postions Held 1 Brand Ambassador (Maharashtra State Tourism and Heritage Development Corporation) 2 Vice-President (All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society, Pune) 3 Founder Trustee (Chhatrapati Shahu Vidyalaya, Kolhapur) 4 Patron (Kolhapur Sports Association) and (Shri Swami Vivekanand Educational Society, Kolhapur) 5 President (Shri Shahaji Chhatrapati Shooting and Conservation Club) and (Shri Chhatrapati Charitable Devsthan Trust) 6 Chief Patron (Sahyadri Pratisthan), (Shiv Shahu Manch Trust) and (Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje Foundation) And also trustee of 14 different trusts run by the Chhatrapati Family.

Social/educational/health/sports welfare organizations: (i) Sahyadri Pratisthan (ii) Shiv Shahu Industrial Training Institutes at Chandgad, Gargoti & Gradinglaj (iii) Shahaji Cricket Foundation (iv) Sambhajiraje Health Foundation (v) Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje Foundation (vi) Akhil Bharatiya Shivrajyabhishek Mahotsav Samati, Durg Raigad (vii) Shiv Shahu Manch Trust

 Deep and abiding interest in the restoration of forts and historical monuments so as to promote Indian heritage and tourism ; was invited as Guest of Honour at the Royal Heritage Show in Dubai (U.A.E.)

Sports, Clubs, Favourite Pastimes and Recreation : Avid interest in football, wrestling. Patron of the Kolhapur Sports Association which is promoting sports in the region through fair competitions, awards and training camps

Countries Visited : Austria, Bali(Indonesia), China, Czech Republic, Dubai (U.A.E.), Egypt, Mauritius, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, U.K. and Maldives

Other Information : Leadership and grass root level work in public life: has created several welfare and education platforms for the economic and social empowerment of the down-trodden at local levels; felicitated by the Government of Karnataka on the occasion of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s 125th Birth Anniversary; as Trustee of various organizations, providing financial aid and assistance to drought hit farmers of Marathwada and other drought-prone regions; regularly conducting mass health camps, free surgery; as Chief Patron of various trusts, providing wheelchairs to physically challenged’ conducting health awareness programmes in the region as an integral part of health care services welfare undertaken; has been awarding the Shiv Shahu Awards annually to encourage outstanding achievements in the field of social work, education, agriculture, sports and literature; felicitating ex-servicemen for display of gallantry; pivotal in highlighting the historical impact of the great Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; the grandeur of the annual Dassehra celebrations held in the Kolhapur city, under the aegis of the Chhatrapati Devasthan Committee, caught the eye of the State administration and is taken over as a state government program; a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Rajashri Chhtrapati Shahu Maharaj, took initiative and installed a bronze statue of Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the very place he was coronated as “Chhtrapati” at Raigarh, independently with support of lakhs of Mavlas (Soldiers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Maratha Empire - HINDAVI SWARAJYA) in the year 2006; organizing annual coronation celebrations at Raigarh fort and treks from Panhala fort to Pawankhind to commemoratae the Maratha legacy and to promote an interest in history and culture amongst the youth; taking cognizance of this mission, the Government has since sanctioned Rs. 500 crores for the socio-economic growth of raigad Region; an activist for the restoration of forts, has been pressing for their inclusion as world heritage sites and to be recognized by UNESCO

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