75 YEARS OF INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE
The
Independence Day celebrations this year were more significant because it is the
75th anniversary of India's Independence and it is being commemorated as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' across
the country. The Josh has been unprecedented all across India.
Veterans
of Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter celebrated the 76th Independence
Day this year by being invited by various Schools and Colleges of Mumbai for
their Flag hoisting besides doing the honour at their own societies….... A
befitting ceremony was organised for Veteran Capt Rakesh Agrawala staying in
Wadala by the residents of Bhakti Park. Our Committee member from Thane, Cdr
Abhishek Kankan addressed the students of Singhania School
Thane. Cdr Nozar Engineer was invited by his Ville Parle Society to
do the honours and educate the members on Submarine ops. Cdr AK Rastogi was
invited for by Rotary Club for Flag Hoisting and Flagging off Eye Donation
Awareness Car Rally at Borivali. Cdr SK Patnaik and Mrs Atasi Patnaik were both
honoured as Chief Guests for the ceremony conducted by Powai
English High School.
Har Ghar Tiranga
Our relationship with the flag has always been more formal and than personal. Bringing the flag home collectively as a nation in the 75th year of independence thus become symbolic of not only an act of personal connection to the Tiranga but also an effort to 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.
Meena Bakhshi Dutt , Sreshtha Dutta and I visited a few Veterans to share some glorious moments with them on the auspicious occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The recording is wonderfully compiled by Meena. Kindly double Click the link below to view.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_maMIfpBr7c&ab_channel=MeenaDutta
BK SHROFF COLLEGE, KANDIVALI
To Celebrate the Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav, Cdr Raj Dutta had been invited
by Principal of BK Shroff college Kandivili, Dr Lily Bhushan, along with Meena
Dutta, Anusuya Dutta and Sreshtha Dutta for their Flag
hoisting. It was an unprecedented honour for us to share the Day with the students
and staff of this elite institution run by KES (Kandivili Education Society)
that was established in 1936 by the blessings of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. The
students and staff put in tremendous dedication and toiled hard for the
spectacular show exhibited for the guests to marvel. The Program included
wreath laying at 'Amar Jawan' memorial constructed at the KES grounds, NCC
Guard and Parade inspection, NCC Song and address by Principal and dignitaries.
This was followed by "Har Ghar Tiranga" song by tiny tots choreographed
exceptionally well by their class teacher. The students under the guidance of
NCC ANO Capt Mrunali Sawant, exhibited a spectacular Parade for the guests.
Naman to all the Freedom Fighters who
struggled for our freedom, sacrificed their lives for a Free India....Naman to
all the soldiers keeping our Borders secure...On behalf of President Navy
Foundation Mumbai Chapter and all Veterans and Veer Naris of Navy Foundation
Raj wished the staff and students a very Happy Independence Day.
What a wonderful culmination of Azadi
ka Amrit Mahotsav it was (or is it the Beginning...) (Photos at the bottom)
SINGHANIA SCHOOL, THANE
Cdr Abhishek Kankan, NM was invited as Chief Guest for the Independence Day function at Sunitidevi Singhania School, Thane. Following the flag hoisting, a cultural program (patriotic songs, dance and speeches) was presented by the students. Cdr Kankan addressed the teachers and students to do their duties with Josh and Jazba to make Bharat - 'Sone ki Chidiya ' again.
Cdr Kankan hoisted the flag and addressed Veterans, residents and children of Brahmand Society, Thane in presence of local Corporator. An Independence Day March of about 2 kms was undertaken with Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai reverberating the air.
POWAI ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL
Mrs Shirley Pillay invited Cdr-At-Arms SK Patnaik and Mrs Atasi Patnaik for the Independence Day ceremony in her Powai English High School. The school put up an interesting cultural programme after which Cdr Patnaik delivered an impressive address motivating the children to join the Armed Forces.
RYAN INTERNATIONAL,
ANDHERI
The Principal of Ryan International Global School Andheri, Mrs Saroj Anand invited our NFMC CM, Veer Nari Dr Kanta Mukherjee and Cdr Jasbir Singh for flag hoisting. Dr Kanta’s motivational talk inspired the Children to be honest citizens of our country. She enjoyed every moment in the company of young enthusiastic kids with radiant smiles.
VIJAY ARMY SCHOOL
The Vijay Army School invited Cdr SK Jana for their Flag Hoisting function. Cdr Jana donated a large globe to the Commandant and the Principal for the benefit of the students of Vijay Army School who are aspiring to serve the nation.
Cdr Alok Rastogi was pleasantly delighted to receive this letter of gratitude from the Rotarians.
Please accept whole hearted acknowledgement and Appreciation for accepting our invitation and gracing the occasion of Flag hoisting and Flagging off Eye Donation Awareness Car Rally organized by our Eye bank on Independence Day. We always bow down to any army personnel for their service to country and this is the least we could do for your dedication.
Your kind words of Motivation was really encouraging and everyone present were really moved. We would like you to spread message of Eye Donation to whoever you meet.
On behalf of Chairman Rtn. Mayank Desai, Pres. Rtn. Premraj and entire family of Rotary Club of Borivli and Inner Wheel Club of Borivli, I am thankful to you for sparing your valuable time and do the honors.
BHAKTI PARK
In the past 17yrs Capt Rakesh Agrawala has been doing the honors of Unfurling the National Flag and Hoisting the Tricolour on 26th January Republic Day and 15th August Independence day in his Society, Mt Everest and Mt Alps , in the garden of Bhakti Park and 3rd place is the Club House function.
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 regularly and are felicitated by the organisors. Jai Hind 🙏Vande Mataram
DHUNBAI WADI, VILLE PARLE
The Parsi Society Dhunbai Wadi invited Cdr Nozar Engineer for their Flag hoisting after which Cdr Engineer addressed the gathering and briefed them about his glorious moments in the Navy and the Submarine Arm.
SURG CAPT KM
SHAH ANDHERI
Surg Capt KM Shah celebrated the Amrit Mahotsav by hoisting the Flag at his Andheri Lokhandwala Society. It was double celebrations for the dynamic duo as his good lady Mrs Daksha Shah celebrated her 75th Birthday on 14th Aug.
TRIVIA FROM OVERSEAS
YOGA FOR SCHOOLS: INS Sumedha is in the port of Fremantle, Australia 🇦🇺 for India's 75th Independence Day. The Commanding Officer and the officers of the ship came over to our member of NFMC (Overseas from Perth) Capt Rajesh Mittal (01616-Y)(MUM-1143) for High Tea. Mrs Praveena Mittal, coordinated for Ankit Kumar the Physical Training Instructor Of INS Sumedha to conduct a yoga class for the Schools Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCASA) of the government of Western Australia on the morning of 15th Aug. This initiative is likely to trigger greater interest in yoga instructions in the public schools there.
TARANGINI IN LONDON: Our senior NFMC Veteran VAdm Madan Jit Singh, PVSM, AVSM (00614-W)(Retd)(MUM-0384), visited INS Tarangini in London on the 75 Anniv of Indian Independence.
WNC CONDUCTS HERITAGE RUN
Western Naval Command successfully conducted a unique Mumbai Heritage run 0n 12 Aug 2022, as part of the ongoing *Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav* being celebrated across the country to mark the 75th Anniv of Indian Independence.
The run started from Kalaghoda, went around GPO, CSTM, Flora Founrain, Churchgate, Marine Drive, Mantralaya and terminated at Gateway of India. The heritage run was open to public besides serving and retired personnel. A large number of NFMC Veterans participated inculding 74 yrs young Cmde Biman Mistry from Thane.
Our NFMC Veteran and Colaba Committee member Cdr Dinesh Rai.NM (02726-W)(Retd)(NFMC- MUM 0702), 59 yrs, made NFMC proud by finishing Second in the above 56 yrs category in the 10 kms run. His spouse Mrs Archana Rai and daughter Ms Sakshi also participated. Kudos to WNC for a well conducted event.
BANGLADESH CONSULATE PROGRAM
Dep High Commissioner of Bangladesh H.E. Mr Chiranjib Sarkar invited a few Veterans and spouses at 1100 hrs on 15 Aug for our Independence Day / Bangladesh’s Martyrs Day prog in Taj President (Vivanta), Cuff Parade. The program included reading out of President / PM msgs and screening of Liberation documentary followed by delectable Buffet Lunch topped up with sweet Halwa and Kulfi. The Master of Ceremony was the elegant Ms Pooja Shinde.
