80th INDEPENDENCE DAY 2026
Har Ghar Tiranga
Our relationship with the flag has always been more formal and than personal. Bringing the flag home collectively as a Nation on this August Day thus has become symbolic of not only an act of personal connection to the Tiranga but also an effort in nation-building. The idea behind the initiative was to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to promote awareness about the Indian National Flag.
In the past few of years, there has been a colossal shift of perception and respect towards Veterans in the eyes of our citizens, since inception of Veterans Day (14 Jan 2017) catalysed by the 5 Veterans Day parades (2020, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) organised by President NFMC on Marine drive every Sunday preceding 14th Jan. The result is evident by the fact that Principals of Schools & Colleges and Societies are seeking to invite Veterans as Chief Guests for the National Day and investiture celebrations.
Veterans of Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter celebrated the 80th Independence Day this year too by Flag hoisting at various Schools/Colleges, besides doing the honour at their own societies….… President NFMC and a few Committee members were invited by Principals of various elite Schools for Flag hoisting. Cdr Nozar, Mrs Armaity, Capt (Dr) Kanta Mukherjee, Cdr Sandeep Shrivastava and GpCapt Yogesh Pai were invited by the Principal to hoisted the tricolour at the Ryan International School, Andheri. Mr Kunal Bharti, Dr Kanta Mukherjee’s dashing Son-in-Law accompanied her and captured the brilliant moments behind the lens for posterity. Capt Raj Dutta & Meena celebrated in ZSWO Jhansi along with Cmde VS Babeley,VSM and GpCapt Manoj. A befitting ceremony was organised for Veteran Capt Rakesh Agrawala staying in Wadala by the residents of Bhakti Park. SurgCapt KM Shah hoisted the tricolour at Tarapore Towers Society in Andheri. Cdr & Mrs Pratap Mehta were invited by St Lawrence School, Kandivali. Capt Bhaskar Bhandarkar was felicitated in Hiranandani Fortune City, New Panvel and Motivated young children and Gen Z. Cdr Dilip Baijal hoisted the Tricolour in his Powai Society. Adm PK Sinha celebrated the Independence Day at the Indian Embassy Bucharest. Cdr Nevil Malao was invited to speak at the Lions Club of Bombay.
Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G), President NFMC hoisted the Tricolour at Ryan International School in Sanpada and addressed the students. Cdr Brahm Swaroop hoisted the Tricolour at Shri Bapusaheb DD Vispute School and College at New Panvel, while Cdr Nozar Engineer, Mrs Aramaity and Dr Kanta Mukherjee were invited by Global International School Andheri for Flag hoisting. Pics and Video below. In the evening Cdr Vadhera, Capt Ashok Sharma, Capt Nandedkar, Capt Rajiv K Gupta and Cdr N Tripathy graced the cultural evening of their Musical group, EM-3, Swaranjali Parivar, crooning patriotic songs and were felicitated by the CEO of the Musical group, Mr Satish for their dedicated service to the Nation. (Pics and Videos below)
DD VISPUTE SCHOOL, NEW PANVEL
Cdr Brahm Swaroop mentioned, “I was invited as Chief Guest by the Chairman and Management Committee of Adarsh Group of Educational Institutions comprising of 50 PG colleges in Pharmacy, Teachers Training and many other avocation at Panvel Navi Mumbai (and rest of Maharashtra) on 15th August early morning. I did Flag Hoisting at two different institutional locations and then delivered a Motivational speech for the student population at their Auditorium . There was a total strength of about 700 in the Auditorium. My speech aimed at Students for them to emulate from their institution, good and strong Value systems, sound character, attitude, respect, discipline and various other building blocks which would firm up their foundation from and prepare for their career with single minded approach.I mentioned about Armed forces as an enviable career, along with the privilege, honour, patriotic flavour etc. Lastly I highlighted my current role as a member of the Navy Foundation in Mumbai region and their roles that we play and how our leader governs the entire functioning and keeps adding value to the deliverables.”
RYAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, ANDHERI
On Sunday, 15th August 2026, Cdr Nozar Engineer, a member of NFMC, was invited as the Chief guest along with Dr Captain Kanta Mukherjee, Mrs Armaity Nozar Engineer, an academician and an ex-Principal of 27 years as Principal of Bhaktivedanta Swami Mission School and Cdr Sandeep Shrivastava, another member of NFMC, were privileged to be invited as guests by the Principal Mrs Saroj Anand for the Flag hoisting ceremony, at the Ryan's Global school at Andheri, starting at 0800 hours. It was an event packed morning starting with the Flag hoisting followed by various events put up by the students of the school. One of the events was the potting of a mango plant in a large container and the soil filled up around it by our distinguished guests of the morning. The plant was subsequently to be planted in a designated location within the school compound. Another event was a panel discussion where the guests were invited to the stage and the students asked them various questions individually. All the items performed by the students were excellent and of a very high calibre. All the guests were made to judge the students' performance and grade them accordingly. Towards the end of the program all the guests were presented with a memento and the traditional flower pot. The
morning ended with the rendition of the National song, Vande Mataram and the School Anthem….Cdr Nozar Engineer.
LIONS CLUB OF BOMBAY
On the eve of India's 80th Independence Day, Cdr Nevil Malao, Committee Member of NFMC was invited by the Lions Club of Bombay Host as the chief guest to share his experience and perspective of military affairs. The event was held at the Bombay Presidency Club on 14 Aug. A gathering of approximately 35 members were present, the oldest of them being 95 years young. The evening commenced with an introductory speech and felicitation of the speaker and his wife Mrs Manisha Malao by the President of the club followed by Cdr Nevil's talk and question answer session. It was heartening to see the wholehearted involvement of the members who engaged enthusiastically during the informal interactive session over dinner which followed the talk. The evening ended with a vote of thanks and singing of the National Anthem.
CELEBRATIONS IN JHANSI
Capt Raj Dutta, Hon. Secy NFMC and Meena began the Auspicious Day hoisting the Tricolour at their Jhansi Cantonment Bungalow after which they drove to the ZSW Office on invitation by Cdr Mahesh Srivastava (S/M), ZSWO Jhansi and and his good lady Seema Srivastava, for the Official Flag hoisting. Veterans Cmde Vijay Babeley, VSM and Group Capt Manoj Srivastava along with a large number of Veteran sailors and Jawans were also present. All of us paid our tributes at the War Memorial with a 2 mins silence followed by wreath laying. As per the protocol first the Vande Mataram (commemorating 150 yrs of our National Song) was sung followed by National Anthem. ZSWO together with a Veer Nari of a Kargil War hero hoisted the Tricolour. ZSWO spoke about the essence of the Day and this was followed by Group photos. ZSWO along with Cmde Babeley and GpCapt Manoj proceeded to Jhansi Fort for Flag hoisting and felicitation ceremony.
ST. LAWRENCE, KANDIVALI
Cdr Pratap and Mrs Shail Mehta were invited by Principal of St Lawrence Kandivali for Flag hoisting. He mentioned, “I had the privilege of being invited as the Chief Guest for the 80th Independence Day celebration at St. Lawrence High School Kandivali - East, : my second visit to the school after Republic Day this year in January. I spoke to the students about something I believe is more important than marks, medals or even academic achievement: Education gives us knowledge. Values give us direction. And the mind needs to be consciously developed to use both wisely. At the suggestion of the Principal, Shri Shashi Shekhar Chauhan, I took the opportunity to present signed copies of my two books, 'The Mind Kitchen' and 'The Inner Toolbox', to the school and its students. Before presenting them, I briefly explained why I wrote these books. What made the moment particularly special was seeing the books placed in the hands of the students. Perhaps one of them will open a page years from now and find an idea that changes the way they look at themselves or at life. That would be reward enough. A school can teach a child what to think. But perhaps its greater responsibility is to help the child learn how to think, how to question, how to choose and ultimately, how to become a better human being. Grateful to the Principal Shri Shashi Shekhar Chauhan, teachers and, most importantly, the wonderful students of St. Lawrence for their warmth and affection. Thank you Ms Sulekha Bhandare and Jyoti Patel for the visit and event coordination. Jai Hind!”.
BHAKTI PARK, WADALA
Capt Rakesh Agrawala has been doing the honours of hoisting the Tricolour on the National days in his Society, Mt Everest and Mt Alps , in the garden of Bhakti Park for the past 20 yrs.He distributes sweets to poor children who come to the function and motivates them to join the Defence Services. He and his spouse Neera attend these functions and are extended a lot of respect. Jai Hind 🙏Vande Mataram
TARAPORE TOWERS, ANDHERI
Our Senior Octogenarian Surg Capt KM Shah and his good Lady Daksha Shah were invited for hoisting the Tricolour in his Society Tarapore Towers, Oshiwara in Andheri (W). Surg Capt KM Shah, was warmly welcomed "It is our privilege and honour to have with us today Surg Capt Kamal M. Shah(Retd), a distinguished former officer of the Indian Navy and a doctor who has dedicated his life to the service of others. Dr. Shah joined the Indian Navy in 1967 and served the nation in various appointments, including on naval ships, and was also deployed during the 1971 war. He is a double specialist - in dermatology and Medicine, a rare combination. After retiring from the Navy in 2001, he continued his journey of service through medicine. For over two decades, he has practised as a physician and dermatologist with compassion, integrity and the same sense of discipline, duty and commitment that he imbibed during his years in the Armed Forces. Even today, Dr. Shah continues to give back to society in a deeply meaningful way, extending medical care and support to various charitable institutions and helping those who may otherwise have limited access to healthcare. He has also guided young people through counselling and education. His life is a wonderful reminder that service does not end with retirement—it simply takes a different form. His wife, Mrs Daksha Shah has been his guiding light and companion. His son , Commodore Akhilesh Shah , also a member of Tarapore Towers, has carried forward his legacy in the Indian Navy. His daughter, Harshilee is an entrepreneur, based at Thane. It is with great respect and warmth that we welcome Surg Capt Kamal M. Shah (Retd), also a valued member if our society, as the Chief Guest for our flag-hoisting ceremony." Jai hind. After the Welcome, Surg Capt Shah spoke on the essence of the Occasion and reviewed a Parade of an NCC Platoon. Refreshments were served to all present as Patriotic songs added to the gaiety if the celebration.
CELEBRATIONS IN INDIAN EMBASSY BUCHAREST
Our Indian Embassy at Bucharest, Romania celebrated Independence Day and invited RAdm PK Sinha, our senior NFMC member and his family, who happened to be there on a holiday.
HAR GHAR TIRANGA
NFMC members displayed their patriotic fervor by displaying tricolor in their homes - Balconies, Verandah and Gardens (Pics and Videos below). Har Ghar Tiranga is the New Mantra of celebrations, where as for us Veterans and Veer Naris it runs in our Veins.
Meri Aan Tiranga Hai,
Meri Shaan Tiranga Hai,
Rag-rag mein bahe is Desh ka Lahu,
Meri Jaan Tiranga Hai
❤ On behalf of President NFMC and all members of the Management Committee, here's wishing all Veterans and Veer Naris a very Happy Independence Day 2026.
SAM NO VARUNAH
JAI HIND
PHOTOS
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(DOUBLE CLICK VIDEOS BELOW)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFRJ_HchgUY
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