AI to Bring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Valour and Maharashtra’s Glorious Heritage Closer to the Younger Generation: Minister of Tourism, Shambhuraj Desai

Review of Shivpratap Din Shaurya Smarak and Veer Jivaji Mahale Statue Projects at Pratapgad Fort

 Mumbai, October , 2026: Minister of Tourism, Shri Shambhuraj Desai, today directed officials to leverage modern technology in the development of the Shivpratap Din Shaurya Smarak and the statue of Veer Jivaji Mahale at Pratapgad Fort, ensuring that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s valour and Maharashtra’s glorious historical legacy are effectively brought to the younger generation.

The review meeting, held at Meghdoot bungalow (Government Residence), was attended by Shri Sanjay Yadav (IAS), Secretary (Tourism), Government of Maharashtra; Shri Vikas Pansare (IAS), Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra; Shri Santosh Rokade, Deputy Secretary (Tourism), Government of Maharashtra; Shri Bharat Langhi, Divisional Director (Pune), Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra; Shri Akash Chakor, Executive Engineer, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra; and other officials from the concerned departments.

 

The meeting covered a detailed review of various components proposed under the Shivpratap Din Shaurya Smarak project, including a ceremonial torch atop the bastion, lighting arrangements, a drone show, a 3D film, presentations powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and other development works.

 

Minister Desai directed officials to produce a high-quality film using 3D and AI technology to bring alive the historical significance of the events commemorated on Shivpratap Din. He also called for increasing the seating capacity of the memorial’s gallery and developing facilities that would offer visitors a more engaging and informative experience.

Highlighting Pratapgad Fort’s importance as a landmark in the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s valour and the establishment of self-rule, Desai emphasised that the memorial and its surrounding area must be developed to high standards while preserving the fort’s historical character. He directed officials to ensure that all work is completed in a planned and co-ordinated manner, with due emphasis on heritage conservation, visitor amenities and the effective use of modern technology.

The project aims to offer visitors an immersive understanding of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s valour, the bravery of Veer Jivaji Mahale, and the significant events that shaped the history of Swarajya. Minister Desai further emphasised the need for close co-ordination among all concerned departments, with particular attention to maintaining the quality of the project.

India’s next travel boom could come from an unexpected generation

As senior travel gains momentum in India, Marzi is introducing a concierge service tailored to the needs of travellers aged 50 and above.

Marzi recently announced the launch of its unique travel concierge services. Powered by AI and their unique Gen EV score framework, the service combines personalised itinerary creation, intelligent, AI powered travel planning, booking assistance, visa and documentation services, Forex, airport assistance and real-time, on-call support, to help senior adults independently navigate travel with confidence, and ease.

Growing senior travel market

India’s senior population is becoming increasingly active and experience-driven. According to the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI), people aged over 60 account for 12 per cent of the country’s population, a figure expected to rise to 230 million, or 15 per cent of the population, by 2036. At the same time, India’s outbound travel market has crossed 30 million international departures, with senior travellers emerging as a growing segment.

Despite rising travel aspirations, most travel platforms continue to cater primarily to younger consumers, often overlooking the specific preferences and requirements of older adults. As a result, many senior travellers continue to depend on family members, travel agents, or fragmented planning processes when organising trips. Marzi aims to address this gap through its travel concierge offering.

How the platform works

Marzi’s travel concierge service combines technology and human support to assist adults aged 50 and above with travel planning and bookings. At the core of the offering is the company’s Gen EV Score framework, which evaluates recommendations based on factors such as comfort, accessibility, safety, convenience, and relevance.

The platform allows users to create customised itineraries, explore destinations, and review travel plans, while support teams assist with bookings, visa and documentation requirements, forex services, airport assistance, and other travel arrangements. In addition, Marzi’s Travel Mitr team provides on-call support before and during trips, helping travellers with queries related to transfers, airport movements, destinations, and other travel-related requirements.

Focus on personalised travel

Unlike conventional booking platforms that focus on standardised generic itineraries and bookings, Marzi’s travel concierge focuses on personalisation, comfort and ease, ensuring every trip booked by senior adults allows them the freedom, relaxation and joy of experiencing a destination, on their own terms.

Leadership comments

Commenting on the launch, Adarsh Narahari, Founder, Marzi said, “India’s affluent seniors are redefining what active aging looks like. They have spent their lives building successful careers and raising a family and now are ready to now explore the world and seek new experiences that enrich their lives. But most travel solutions continue to be designed for a younger audience. With Marzi’s travel concierge, we have created a category – first offering that combines AI Powered planning combined with accessible human expertise, to deliver a more intuitive, and relevant travel experience. Our vision is to become the most trusted travel companion for ‘Generation Evergreen’ in India.”

Vibha Singal, co-founder, Marzi added, “We believe ageing is not about slowing down but creating new opportunities to stay engaged with life! One of the strongest traits of ‘Generation Evergreen’ is their rightful desire to remain independent and make choices on their own terms. And travel, like all other aspects, is often a reflection of this. Our travel concierge services have been designed to provide all the guidance and support to senior adults while ensuring that their right to choose remains at the core of the process. And this is true not only about our travel services but about Marzi as an initiative. We strive to ensure active and affluent seniors are empowered to build a lifestyle that is based on choice, comfort and self-reliance.”