Maharashtra: From Lata Mangeshkar to mayor, birthday wishes pour in for a centenarian’s milestone

PUNE: History scholar Babasaheb Purandare who has devoted his life to being the bard of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj completed 99 years and entered the 100th on Thursday.
Many personalities, including leaders of political parties, greeted Purandare on social media platforms and over the phone. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief, Raj Thackeray, visited him to offer his wishes.
Renowned playback singer Lata Mangeshkar wished him over phone and prayed for his good health.“We want you to be there for at least 110 years...which means even I will be there,” she said.
A special programme was organized by the Maharashtra Kirti Saurabh Pratishtan and Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare Janmashatabdi Mahotsav Samiti on Thursday. The programme was attended by mayor Murlidhar Mohol and vice chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University Nitin Karmalkar.
Mohol said Purandare took Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to every household and in every mind. “To repay this debt, the committee plans to hold a year-long programme to mark his 100th birthday. We feel proud that he is a Punekar,” Mohol said.
Karmalkar said, “It is my fortune that as the vice chancellor of a 70-year-old university, I was invited to felicitate a 100-year-old university (Purandare).”
Among those who wished Purandare included chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, leader of opposition in state assembly Devendra Fadnavis and governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari.