CM Thackeray, Shiv Sainiks pay homage to Bal Thackeray on his 8th death anniversary

To pay tribute to the late Balasaheb Thackeray on his eighth death anniversary on Tuesday, November 17, Smriti Sthal has been decorated with marigolds and white roses at Shivaji Park in Dadar, Mumbai.

Bal Thackeray still remains to be Maharashtra's most influential political leader. He had an iconic style that was characterised by a saffron kurta, rudrakhsh garland around his neck and thick-rimmed glasses. A rangoli made with flowers and a picture of the former Shiv Sena leader was also seen on the premises of Smriti Sthal.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray also headed to the Shivaji Park at 11.30 am to pay homage to his father and Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray.

Every year, millions of Shiv Sainiks and Shiv Sena supporters flock to Smriti Sthal to pay tribute to Balasaheb. However, this year, due to the COVID-19 crisis all over the nation, including Mumbai. Therefore, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has appealed everyone to pay homage to Balasaheb Thackeray from their respective homes or offices.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also said that since it is impossible for many to come to the memorial due to coronavirus, every Shiv Sainik, Shiv Sena supporter must pay homage to their beloved 'Saheba' from home, office and heart by chanting 'Jai Maharashtra'.

While the Shiv Sainiks, taking it to twitter, have been showering all the love and support their beloved 'Saheba', many arrived here from far off places to pay tributes to the Shiv Sena founder.

Remembering Hindu Hriday Samrat Bala saheb thackaray on his 8th death anniversary.
A true 'LION' who stood up for the Hindus. #BalasahebThackeray 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Ja2uo7oipI

— मुकुल यदुवंशी 🇮🇳 (@Yadavji_) November 17, 2020

#BalasahebThackeray
This Is The Ocean Of The People Who Just Gathered To See #BalasahebThackeray Last Time ......
Extreme Personality .
विनम्र अभिवादन 🌹🌹🌹@AUThackeray @uddhavthackeray pic.twitter.com/cJ0CpNwK0O pic.twitter.com/ibDkyB5Qiw

— david chirst (@rathoresurendra) November 17, 2020

My tribute to the tallest leader of Maharashtra Shri. Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on this memorial day. #BalasahebThackeray #17thNov @OfficeofUT @AUThackeray @ShivSena pic.twitter.com/m8gppUOfUb

— Imran Qureshi (@ImranFQureshi) November 17, 2020

Tribute to one of the most fearless leader ever born in our nation🇮🇳 on his 8th Death Anniversary
हिंदुहृदसम्राट 🙏🚩
#BalasahebThackeray pic.twitter.com/yal3fWvNj8

— Vaishnav Ingole (@IngoleVaishnav) November 17, 2020

Shiv Sena’s mouth piece Samaana too dedicated its front page to Thackeray. The text for the same reads, 'From 1969 to 2012, there was only one man in the politics of Maharashtra. From 1991 to 2012, the future of the Hindu community in the country was in the hands of only one person -- Balasaheb Thackeray. Until his last breath, he had kept the Marathi mind alive, but at the same time, he had also awakened the ban on Hindutva in the country.'

Born on January 23, 1926, in Pune, Thackeray had begun his professional career as a cartoonist with the English-language daily 'The Free Press Journal'. He later quit his professional job and founded the Shiv Sena in 1966 to advocate for the interests of the people of Maharashtra in Mumbai's political and professional landscape.

Thackeray was also the founder of the Marathi-language newspaper 'Saamana'. He did not hold any official positions during his political career.

'The life journey of Thackeray was stormy. Therefore, many were tempted to compare him with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Ranjhunjar Baji while others compared him to Lokmanya Tilak. Balasaheb has always been a commander, may come whatever.

Thackeray breathed his last on November 17, 2012, after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 86.