Royal Gaekwad family on temple facelift drive

For almost 10 days now,workers are renovating the temple – right from plastering and painting its compound walls to restoring broken patches of the tall Deep Stambh (tower of illuminated lamps) that stands in the centre of the compound.

Samarjitsinh Gaekwad says he is planning to open a public library or a study centre for needy students. Samarjitsinh told The Indian Express,“Ever since I took over after my father’s demise,I have been thinking of having some amenities for people who come to the temple.” Samarjitsinh says that the compound is large enough to be utilised for the purpose of people who visit the temple.

“I am very keen to utilise the temple premises for some purpose which will benefit people in general. We used to give out the wadi for marriages,but we stopped that because they were creating a nuisance. A lot of people can enjoy peace there and something to do with learning. For now,a library or a simple student study centre with Internet facilities at a very discounted charges for students who do not have space outside to study is on my mind,” he says.

Samarjitsinh says that the temple will also be decked up for the celebrations on the occasion of Champa-Shashthi which falls on December 8 this year.

After Khandoba,Mandvi’s Vitthal Mandir,Jubileebaug’s Tarkeshwar Mandir,the Bhaucharaji mandir in Karelibaug,Hanuman Mandir in Kala Ghoda and Kirti Mandir will be renovated.

Pratapsinh gets

lion’s share

Meanwhile,cousin Pratapsinh Gaekwad,who has taken over possession of the properties belonging to Aulokik Trading and Investment Corporation (ATIC),is content after the Company Law Board in Delhi passed an order on Friday,ruling the complete shareholding in favour of his father Sangramsinh Gaekwad.

The board order,thus,marks the official end to the dispute over the 1,500 shares of the company,which were the main contention in the legal battle that lasted 23 years. Pratapsinh told The Indian Express,“The order means that 100% shares of both companies are now owned by us.” The order has also cleared the shareholding of Gaekwad Investment Corporation (GIC) in favour of Sangramsinh.