FOURTH INDIAN VETERANS DAY PARADE - 2025
THE WILLINGNESS WITH WHICH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO SERVE IN ANY WAR, NO MATTER HOW JUSTIFIED, SHALL BE DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL AS TO HOW THEY PERCEIVE THE VETERANS OF EARLIER WARS WERE TREATED AND APPRECIATED BY THEIR NATION – GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON
History is replete with examples of an event happening for the first time at any place and time, going into the annals of history, creating sweet memories for the Gen next. One such hisoric event that shall be cherished by our country for times to come, was held on 12 Jan 2020 on the promenade of Marine Drive, Mumbai – The first ever Veterans Day Parade in India. An event worthy of emulation by not only the other Navy Foundation Chapters, but also the foundations of Army and Air Force pan-India. (Blog link on First Veterans Day Parade at the bottom) For the next two years Covid Pandemic gripped the world in its tentacles and the planned Veteran Day Parades for 2021 and 2022 had to be shelved. But that didn’t deter the Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter. In every drawback we seek an opportunity however challenging it may seem. When we did perform the second Veterans Day Parade 3 years later, on 08 Jan 2023, with Governer Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari not only flagging off the Parade, but marching in steps with the Veterans, Mumbai and the Nation looked up. The News like a Flash travelled Pan-India. The Success that was phenomenal and unprecedented can be gauged by the fact that hordes of Mumbaikars had flanked the sides of the Parade, shouted slogans and loudly sang Patriotic songs in unison, that could be heard miles away. Last year 0n 7 Feb 2024 the Parade was flagged off by then Governor of Maharashtra Shri Ramesh Bais at same time same place, in the presence of VAdm SJ Singh, FOCinC West and Flag Offrs of the 3 services. At the NCPA, Chief Minister Shri Ek Nath Shinde paid a surprise visit to felicitate the War Veterans Capt Raj Mohindra and Naik Deep Chand, the Kargil War Hero whose both legs and right Arm had been amputed.
The Dawn of the magical 2025, has been brilliant for our fine Indian Navy. History has been created with unprecedented commissioning of 3 Ships on the same day : destroyer INS Surat, stealth frigate INS Nilgiri and Submarine INS Vaghsheer by our PM Shri Narendra Modi on 15th Jan 2025. Cmde Ranjit Rai, a renowned Maritime Historian with a personal Maritime Museum to boast, who was here for the 4th Veterans Day Parade and Launch of his Pictorial book on IN History, quipped, “20 years from now, Indian Navy shall be a Force to reckon with in the world”
GENESIS
The concept of the Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day), dates back to 11 Nov 1919, when U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issued a message to his countrymen on the first Armistice Day, in which he expressed what the day meant to the Americans and honoured the Military Veterans of WW-I. Every year on November 11th at exactly 1100 hrs local time, every train in America and Canada comes to a standstill to observe a minute’s silence, followed by One Long Whistle, in memory of those who served in their military. Similarly, every year on 25 Apr since 1942, Australia & New Zealand have been celebrating the ANZAC day as their National day of reverence. The ANZAC DAY Parade is held every year in Australia in honour of the martyrs and Veterans of Austrlia, New Zealand and british India who landed in Gallipoli on 25 Apr 1942. In UK it’s called ‘Remembrance Day’ and held on 11th Nov every year. In Germany , it is known as ‘Volistrauertag Day’ and held on closest Sunday to 16th Nov every year. In Netherlands , it is called ‘Dodenherdenking Day’ and held on 04th May every year. These countries have been celebrating the Veterans day on their prominent dates since long, but the concept in India is just taking roots.
A need was felt to dedicate a Day for our Veterans due to two primary reasons : One - to honour them; Two – to resolve the problems faced by them after retirement. Four years ago, It was decided by the Army Headquarters and instructions were issued to all Sainik Welfare departments in the country to observe 14 Jan as the Veterans Day, the day when the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army, Field Marshal KM Cariappa,OBE, who led the Indian forces to Victory in 1947 War, hung his uniform in 1953.
FOURTH VETERANS DAY PARADE
Immense planning and preparation by President NFMC, Cdr Vijay Vadhera, resulted in the phenomenal Success of the 4th Veterans Day Parade. In the past three years his ideas manifested working into the nitty-gritties of the Veterans Parade in a gigantic way, leaving nil scope for errors. Col Vijay Kumar, suggested incorporating his novel concept of “THE MUMBAI SALUTE”, to champion the cause of acknowledging and saluting the UNSUNG heros of Mumbai. It as slotted in at the NCPA felicitation ceremony after the Parade, along with a performance of Asian Jazz Ambassador Ms Merlyn D’Souza and her troupe of 4. Earlier an AIR FM Rainbow on 11 Jan was organised in which Cdr Vadhera, Cmde Sriant Kesnur, Cdr Raj Dutta, LtCdr Niati Hirway and Col Vijay brought to the Mumbaikars, Life in the Armed Forces and the events of the Veterans Day in the Afternoon show by RJ Preeti.
.The earnest preparation for the 4th Veterans Day Parade began about six months ago. Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC called on the Mah Governor H.E. Shri CP Radhakrishnan on 23 Sep 2024 to extend a formal invitation to flag Off the 4th Veterans Day Parade on Marine Drive on 12 Jan 2025.(ie a Sunday prior to 14 Jan.) The Call-0n of was successful and the Governor readily agreed to our proposal and walk for about 100 yds along with the Veterans, hoever later he walked for about a Km . Cdr Vadhera met Ms Irani and discussed the post Parade arrangements and the felicitation function as was done last year. During our VCons with Committee members Cdr Vadhera discussed other nitty gritties of the Parade including the format of Parade formation, detailing all CMs for various duties and making Cmde Rajbir Bhadana as the Overall Incharge of the Parade. flagging off, marching orders by Cmde Rajbir, an Ambulance with a Doc accompanying the Parade, conveying of SCC cadets to the Venue and back, making the detailment of Committee members for the smooth conduct of Parade and later the felicitation function in NCPA. Cdr Vadhera also called on GOC MG&G Area, and discussed the Veterans Day Parade with Gen, who promised full support including sponsoring 1000 breakfast for the Tri-Services Veterans and Veer Naris as was done last year. AOC MAO agreed to provide 1000 waterbottles. NCC Dir was ind enough to provide 25 NCC cadets. Cmde (SCC) Rabi Ahuja, akin to earlier two Parades, was very gracious to extend the 50 cadets Band to lead the Veterans Parade.
When all arrangement were in place, comes a setback a week prior to the D Day, GOC regretted support as they were involved with Army Day Parade at Pune on 15 Jan. As all other arrangements were in place, CO INS Angre was requested to provide 750 packed breakfast at NCPA, which he instantly agreed.
THE D DAY - 12 JAN 2025
There was great fanfare at the broad roads opposite NCPA commencing 7 am as Veterans had started arriving and chatted in great bonhomie. Even as the media was setting up their Cameras, Raj went Facebook live and started interviewing Cdr Vadhera, Cmde Ranjit Rai (who had come all the way from Delhi) and the Gallantry awardees on wheel chairs, Capt Raj Mohindra and Hon Lt Tej Singh Karayat, (from Vasai). Ankit Tiwari had his Youtube team standby to film all proceedings commencing 7.30 AM, prior to Governor’s arrival at 0820 hrs. Cdr Vadhera was seen directing his Committee members in a cool manner. Cmde Srikant kesnur and LtCdr Niati Hirway (from Bangalore) commenced the eloquent Commentary, interviewing Cdr Vadhera and the Senior Veterans on You-tube Live.
The Parade was set up at the start point on Marine drive at about 0800 hrs. Leading the Parade was smartly turned out platoon of SCC band playing melodious beats in unison. Behind them were the War Veterans on 2 Wheel Chairs, followed by CMs & Gallantry Awardees. Behind them the Veterans Day Parade Banner, and Veteran Offrs platoon of Navy, Army and Air Force, followed by the second Banner, behind which were Veteran Jawans of the three services. Behind them was a platoon of NCC cadets and Rotary members. It was heartening to see all Flag Officers had formed up in their sparkling whites and star studded rank badges and the entire Parade had been flanked by hoards of Mumbaikars shouting Patriotic slogans. VAdm SJ Singh, AVSM, NM, FOCinC (West) arrived at 0810 and warmly met all the Veterans. Governor arrived at sharp 0820 hrs received by President NFMC and CinC. Governor smilingly met the Veterans, Flag Officers and Gallantry Awardees on wheel chairs. Cmde Rajbir Bhadana hailed the marching orders in his commanding voice, as the Governor lowered Flag November and flagged off the Parade. The Governor marched almost a km before his departure. Cmde Kesnur took a short Byte from Governor, as he was about to leave, the later was highly appreciative of the conduct of Parade. Governor and CinC departed but got captured in Meena’s Camera for the exceptional reels for posterity.
The Parade continued for about 2 kms along Marine Drive, with Civil crowd continuously cheering up the Veterans. After 2 Kms march the Parade wheeled back around a tree to return to the start point where it culminated with great fanfare. The general public very jovially kept cheering the Veterans clicking on their personal mobiles. There were a few NCC cadets distributing water-bottles to the Parade marchers.
All Veterans and Veer Naris then moved inside The NCPA Auditorium for the felicitation ceremony.
NCPA FELICITATION CEREMONY
The NCPA auditorium was almost half full with about 500 participants of the Veterans Day Parade. Seated on stage on wheel chairs were Capt Raj Mohindra (Founder Secy and later President NFMC for 9 long years) and Octogenarian Hon. Lt Karayat, a former Submariner.
Cdr Raj Dutta took to stage and welcomed all present to the Veterans Day felicitation ceremony. A two mins Silence was observed as the last post was played in honour of the Martyrs of our Wars. He then invited Cdr Vijay Vadhera NM(G), President NFMC to address the gathering. Cdr Vadhera brought out the genesis of Veterans Day that is being observed the World over since 1919 as a respect to Martyrs of WW-I (Full speech in the youtube link below), in the form of Remembrance Day and ANZAC Day. How he conceptualized Veterans Day Parade taking a cue from ANZAC Day, when he was in Australia in 2019. That year he planned the big event and eventually organized and conducted the First ever Veterans Day Parade on 12 Jan 2020 at the Marine Drive (Blog below). For the next 2 years the Parade had been planned, but cancelled due to the Pandemic. The next two Parades in 2023 and 2024 had been a great Success, albeit NFMC’s ultimate Aim is to make the Veterans Day Parade Pan-India, in various cities on a Sunday morning prior to 14 Jan, simultaneously being beamed live on various TV channels. Hopefully it may materialize next year. He thanked all the organisations, who came together to pool in resources to make the 4th Veterans Day Parade a grand success.
Raj then introduced Cmde Ranjit Rai, who chose the Platform to Launch his Historic book “The Indian Navy @2025: A Pictorial Journey” He presented his books to Capt Raj Mohindra and Cdr Vijay Vadhera and a Beautiful book embossed T-Shirt to Cdr Raj Dutta. In his short speech he mentioned that 20 years from now Indian Navy will be World’s Leading Navy and a force to reckon with.
Raj then mentioned about Col Vijay Kumar’s innovative concept of MUMBAI SALUTE. The Teaser to follow drew a huge round of applause. The concept manifested in the felicitation of the Unsung Heroes of Mumbai. Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC felicitated the following with an Award of Appreciation.:
A) Mr Umesh Rajput (MTDC)
B) Mr Naresh Naik (BMC)
C) Mr Ramesh Bhabal (Traffic Police)
Next to be felicitated with the beautiful NFMC Memento of the Golden Sail Boat was Hon. Lt Tej Singh Karayat, who had recently celebrated his 80th Birthday on 01 Jan. Next to be felicitated was the architect of complete You-Tube coverage of the Parade, Mr Ankit Vijay Shankar Tiwari , the Founder & CEO of FINE LINE MEDIA. The felicitations drew a huge round of Applause. Raj requested all present to accord a standing ovation to the You-Tube Live team and the Commentators Veteran Cmde Srikant Kesnur and LtCdr Niati Hirway. Mrs Sunita Vadhera felicitated renowned Asian Jazz Pianist, Ms Ms Merlin Dsouza with the NFMC memento of the Golden Sail Boat and Cdr Vadhera felicitated Merlin’s Troupe members: Ms Giseue Pinto, Ms Purva Ambavane, Ms Faye Gamree and Ms Radhika Joshi. The Troupe then performed two mesmerizing songs, We are the World & Saare Jahan se Achha followed by National Anthem.
Raj then acknowledged the contribution of SCC and NCC cadets with a big round of applause and requested everyone to proceed for a sumptuous Breakfast organized by INS Angre, drawing curtains to the most important Veterans event of the Year.
Dosto, Shaheedon ki chittaon par har baras lagenge mele,
Watan pat mitne walon ka yehi aakhri Nisan hoga.
Looking forward to the Next Veterans Day Parade on Sun 11 Jan 2026, same time, same place. Until then…
It was the Fourth Tri-Services Veterans Day Parade conducted by NFMC, assisted by various agencies and the Nation to look up to.
My concluding lines: *Outstanding events are an outcome of the outstanding efforts of an outstanding person leading his team in an innovative way....NFMC is blessed by Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G) at the helm ....Respects and Regards....Cdr Raj Dutta, Hon Secy NFMC.
Sam No Varunah,
Jai Hind
(Link to First Veterans Day Parade- https://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/2020/01/maiden-indian-veterans-day-parade.html )
( Photography and Video editing by Mrs Meena Dutta)
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
(DOUBLE CLICK)
VIDEO LINK-1 : Veterans Day Parade
https://youtu.be/V_r4bdlgyBw?si=zyGCDCbcQbMewj4NVIDEO LINK-2 : NCPA Felicitation Ceremony
https://youtu.be/Xl_NfWgCxgQ?si=BxRP5psIVokAgbrW
