THIRD INDIAN VETERANS DAY PARADE - 2024
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 historic 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. 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 Governor 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. (Blog link on Second Veterans Day Parade at the bottom)
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 Austria, 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 4th 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. Seven 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.
THIRD VETERANS DAY PARADE
Immense planning and preparation by President NFMC, Cdr Vijay Vadhera, resulted in the phenomenal Success of the 3rd Veterans Day Parade. In the past three years his ideas were manifested working into the nitty-gritties of the Veterans Parade in a gigantic way, leaving nil scope for errors. He always kept Plan B ready, The earnest preparation for the 3rd Veterans Day Parade began about six months ago. Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC along with NFMC Committee Member, Cdr Nozar Engineer called on the Mah Governor H.E. Shri Ramesh Bais on 07 Sep 2023 to extend a formal invitation to flag Off the 3rd Veterans Day Parade on Marine Drive on 07 Jan 2024.(ie a Sunday prior to 14 Jan.) The Call-0n was successful and the Governor readily agreed to our proposal and walk for about 100 yds along with the Veterans. 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 nominating 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, Lt Gen HS Kahlon, SM (Son of our senior NFMC Veteran LtCdr Gopal Singh, 93 yrs) and discussed the Veterans Day Parade with Gen, who has great regards for Veterans. LtGen Kahlon promised full support of not only the Army Band but also sponsored 600 breakfast for the Tri-Services Veterans and Veer Naris as was done last year. A similar meeting was firmed up with AOC MAO, who agreed to provide a 3 Tonner and 1000 waterbottles. Dir NCC provided 20 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, Mrs Bindu Bhadana was down with Covid and Cmde Rajbir in Isolation. As all arrangements were in place, Farokh tookover his duties including that of the Parade GI.
THE D DAY - 07 JAN 2023
There was great fanfare at the broad roads opposite NCPA commencing 7 am as local marathon was in progress, leading to traffic diversion for NCPA. Veterans had started arriving and chatting in great bonhomie. Even as the media was setting up their Cameras, Raj went Facebook live and started interviewing Farokh, Cdr Vadhera and the Gallantry awardees on wheel chairs, Capt Raj Mohindra and Naik Deep Chand, the Kargil War Hero whose both legs and right Arm had been amputed. He had come all the way from Nasik to take part in the Parade. Cmde Satish Bhalla and LtCdr Mohan Singh, both Nonagenarians were planned to join the Parade on Wheel chairs, but dropped out a day prior due to ill health. Ankit Tiwari had his Youtube team standby to film all proceedings commencing 8 am, prior to Governor’s arrival at 0815 hrs. Cdr Vadhera was seen directing this Committee members in a cool manner.
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 Gallantry Awardees, Naval Veterans platoon, Army and the Air Force Veterans platoon. It was heartning 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. Governor arrived at sharp 0815 hrs received by President NFMC and CinC. Governor smilingly met the Veterans and Flag Officers. Cdr Vadhera introduced the War Veterans on wheel chairs to the Honorable Governor before the flag off. CinC hailed the Bujurg Jawans in his commanding voice, and the Governor lowered Flag November and flagged off the Parade. Farokh Commanded “Parade Savdhan, Parade bayein se Tez Chal” as the Governor and the Veterans marched forward. After a few hundred yards ADC reminded Governor of his 10 O clock appointment. 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 with Patriotic songs (Videos below) After 2 Kms march the Parade wheeled back around a tree to return to the Marine Drive southern end where the Army Band was playing patriotic songs in the midst of Mumbaikars with great fanfare. The general public very jovially kept cheering the Veterans clicking on their personal mobiles.
All Veterans, Spouses 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 Naik Deep Chand with their lovely Ladies on white elegant Sofa chairs.
Cdr Rajinder 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 Veteran Shashikant Mishra, MCERA to narrate his self composed Poetry of Josh and Jazba, as homage to our Shaheeds. Cdr Vijay Vahera NM(G), President NFMC was then invited to address the gathering. He brought out the genesis of Veterans Day that is being observed the World over since 1919 as a respect to Martyrs of WW-I, How he conceptualized Veterans Day Parade taking a cue from ANZEC 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 . Last year’s Parade had been a great Success with involvement from Mr Ashwin Gidwani and Mr Ananth Mahadevan filming the Parade as part of his movie VETERANS OF WAR. Albeit NFMC’s ultimate Aim is to Make the Veterans Day Parade Pan India, in various cities on a Sunday morning prior 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 3rd Veterans Day Parade a grand success. He then felicitated Capt Raj Mohindra with the famous book by our Veteran Author Cdr Ashok Shinde, “Health Secrets to light 100th Candle” and requested Mrs Sudesh Mohindra to read the book and make Capt Raj Mohindra to read it too, to become a centenarian. Next he felicitated Naik Deep Chand with the beautiful NFMC Memento of the Golden Sail Boat. The felicitations drew a huge round of Applause. Even as Naik Deep Chand was saying a few words there was a patriotic slogan shouting with CM of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde entering the Hall through the side door. It was a surprise visit by the CM facilitated by IAF Veteran Sgt Patil, who had seen the CM on a cleanship drive on Marine drive. CM thoughtfully dropped his agenda, and accompanied Veteran Patil to honour the War Veterans. Cdr Vadhera introduced Naik Deep Chand and Capt Raj Mohindra to the CM, who presented them with Bouquets and addressed the Veterans gathering humbly thanking them for their service to the Nation. Prior to his departure the CM was introduced to our Arjuna Awardee LtCdr Farokh Tarapore, training the Olympics Sailing Team. Later the National Anthem was Sung. Cdr Rajinder Dutta requested all present to proceed for a sumptuous Breakfast organised by GOC M&G Area, drawing curtains to the most important Veterans event of the Year.
Dosto, Shaheedon ki chittaon par har baras lagenge mele,
Watan par mitne walon ka yehi aakhri Nisan hoga.
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.
It was the Third Tri-Services Veterans Day Parade conducted by NFMC, assisted by various agencies and the Nation to look up to.
Sam No Varunah,
Jai Hind
(The blog would have remained incomplete sans the beautiful photo coverage/video choreography and editing by Meena Dutta to bring out exceptional Veterans Day Parade coverage)
VIDEOS
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3RD VETERANS DAY PARADE
(DOUBLE CLICK THE LINK)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIKo4yc-nEA&t=32s&ab_channel=MeenaDutta
NCPA FELICITATION CEREMONY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPn9c-mmr3g&t=76s&ab_channel=MeenaDutta
ANI NEWS
https://x.com/ani/status/1743835507493425220?s=48&t=MRymvoHgFNFCzPBAnTSEwQ
SNAPS
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FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEOS
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Lots of efforts put in which has resulted in a super patriotic blog..Continue your good work ..waiting for more of them.All the best.
ReplyDeleteGrateful for the Tonic comment and your video choreogrphy.
DeleteSir, excellent and well covered article with superb photos and videography. Thanks Dutta Sir n Committe Members of NFMC in organising a great event.
DeleteThanks Sir, Glad you enjoyed the Parade.
DeleteGood report of the event … well covered .. lively photographs …a big salute to Raj to cover the event so well … well articulated
ReplyDeleteHumbled by your generous comment Sir....Regards.
Delete👆 your blogs are unparalleled, meticulously planned, thought of, with precise text which touches every heart 💘.
ReplyDeleteGrateful Ma'am, for the Tonic comment....You have always been generous and magnanimous...Respects and Regards.
DeleteExcellent coverage salute
ReplyDeleteGrateful Sir
DeleteBRAVO ZULU
ReplyDeleteGrateful Sire.
Delete