Thu Jan 02 03:19:36 UTC 2025: ## Thousands Gather at Koregaon Bhima to Mark 207th Shaurya Din

**Pune, Maharashtra –** A massive crowd, including political figures, converged at Koregaon Bhima in Maharashtra on Wednesday to commemorate the 207th anniversary of the Shaurya Din (Valour Day) and the 1818 Battle of Koregaon Bhima. The annual event honors the victory of 834 British East India Company troops, including 500 Mahar soldiers, over a 28,000-strong Peshwa army.

Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale paid tribute at the Vijaystambh (Victory Pillar), a monument erected by the British to commemorate the battle and now a symbol of Dalit pride. Athawale announced his intention to request ₹200 crore in government funding for the expansion of the Vijaystambh premises, citing the increasing number of annual visitors. He stated that the expansion into a larger memorial is already under consideration by the government.

Other prominent attendees included Prakash Ambedkar, founder president of Vanchit Bahujan Agadhi; Minister Dattatraya Bharne; Anandraj Ambedkar, founder of the Republican Sena; and State Minister Madhuri Misal. Anandraj Ambedkar expressed disappointment at the absence of Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde.

At least eight to ten lakh people attended the event, necessitating a significant police presence of around 5,000 personnel and 2,000 home guards. Advanced technology, including CCTV cameras, drones, and facial recognition technology, was deployed to monitor the large crowd. Ambulances and fire brigade services were also on standby.

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