Pune: The Late Tatya Saheb Thorat Garden in Pune came alive with the spirited slogans “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai,” “Ganpati Bappa Morya,” and “Jai Bhavani-Jai Shivaji” as the Sakal Media Group’s Sakal NIE, in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation, Hotel Giridhar Veg Restaurant, and PNG Brothers, held a fort-making competition for students.

This competition aimed to introduce school students to Maharashtra’s historic forts and their cultural significance.

Students recreated famous forts like Shivneri, Lohagad, Pratapgad, and Raigad using clay, bricks, and other local materials, resulting in 16 impressive fort replicas. Each participant received a certificate, while the top five groups were awarded cash prizes, certificates, and books on fort tourism.

These awards were presented by Anand Bishnoi, Director of Hotel Giridhar Veg Restaurant; Kripa Bishnoi; education expert A. L. Deshmukh; and historian and judge Mohan Shete.

Expressing their excitement, the students and their parents shared, “Through Sakal NIE, we had the chance to build forts, play freely with clay, and we hope this event will be organized every year.”

This fort-making competition is part of Sakal NIE's year-round initiatives, aimed at fostering students' historical awareness and appreciation for Maharashtra’s heritage.

This year’s Diwali holiday competition was a commendable initiative for students to showcase their creative skills while learning about Maharashtra’s forts, preserved over centuries by the efforts of past generations.

Speaking on the occasion, Anand Bishnoi, Director of Hotel Giridhar Veg Restaurant, Pune, remarked, “Forts are a testament to Maharashtra's glorious history. We must all commit to preserving them, and everyone should make a point of visiting these inspirational monuments.”