Raj Dutta

78th INDEPENDENCE DAY 2024

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 3 Veterans Day parades (2020, 2023and 2024) organised by Cdr Vijay Vadhera on Marine drive. The result is evident by the fact that Principals of Schools & Colleges and Societies are seeking to invite Veterans as Chief Guests for their National Day celebrations.

Veterans of Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter celebrated the 78th Independence Day this year too by Flag hoisting at various Schools/Colleges, 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. Cdr Kamal Singh, SC hoisted a tricolour at Mukteshwar, Nainital. Cdr Bhushan Dewan was the Chief Guest at two places. Cmde Odakkal, a Faculty at Aditya Birla World Academy, an International School with an Indian Soul, celebrated the Independence Day at his prestigious School. Cdr Sandeep Shrivastava hoisted the tricolour at the Vibgyor School Malad. Cdr MCV Jose was invited to hoist the tricolour at St. Xavier's school and junior college Khanjurmarg. Cdr BV Ved was invited by St Francis School Borivali, Surg Capt KM Shah hoisted the Flag at Uppal Sanghvi Global School Borivali, Residents of JVV Powai, JVV Kharghar and Pallava Dombivali celebrated the Independence Day in Style. Cdr Ravi Chauhan hoisted the Tricolour at Pallava followed by cultural revelry(Pics below). Cdr Vadhera, President NFMC attended the celebrations at Raghunath Vihar Kharghar followed by a cultural program and sang, “Ae mere Pyare Vatan”, that drew a huge round of Applause. ZES (Zindagi Ek Sagar) Pod Cast Interview of *Cdr.Vijay Vadhera*(Retd but not yet Tired) on Tataplay Channel 505 for Senior Citizens at 11 AM with a repeat telecast at 11 PM. Cmde Ravinder Ravi and Cdr Raj Dutta celebrated by singing together the famous song “Mera Rang de” from their respective homes in Andheri and Jhansi brilliantly composed by Cmde Ravi (Video below). Lt S Bhende, the Architect of Amar Jawan Monument in Borivali West organised a gettogether of Veterans in the forenoon for wreath laying at the monument. WgCdr Joseph Lobo our new member laid the wreath. Cdr Gurbhachan Singh and Mira Road Veterans gathered at Shristi Sector-3 for Flag hoisting. Capt Naresh Nanda organised Independence Day celebrations in Cenced Society in Khar and invited Cmde Kanchan Mukherjee for Flag hoisting (Video below).

ROTARY & LIONS CLUB FELICITATIONS

President NFMC along with few Committee members were invited and felicitated by Rotarians of Mumbai to take part in the Silver jubilee celebrations of Kargil Vijay Divas on 10th August 24. In his address, Cdr Vadhera emphasised the need for giving due respect to the Veterans , by the citizens of India as is done abroad. He also invited the Rotarians to take part in 4th Veterans Day Parade scheduled at Marine Drive on Sunday 12th Jan 2025.

Lions Club Juhu invited one Veteran each from Navy,Army & Air Force to take part in the Independence Day celebration on 15th Aug and felicitated them .In his address, Cdr Vadhera emphasised the need for giving due respect to the Veterans , by the citizens of India as is done abroad. He also invited the Lions to take part in 4th Veterans Day Parade scheduled at Marine Drive on Sunday 12th Jan 2025.

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL BORIVALI

It was a matter of honor & Previlege for Cdr BV Ved to be invited as the Chief Guest for the Independence Day Function at St Francis School, Borivali. The students put up a brilliant performance after which he addressed the august gathering of students, parents, teachers & Staff of this prestigious school. It was a memorable experience for all present.(Pics below)

VIBGYOR SCHOOL, MALAD

Cdr Sandeep Shrivastava was invited to Vibgyor School Malad for Independence Day. President of children of school along with all council members escorted him to flag post , President talked about independence day followed by flag hoisting along with Principal.Then they showcased march past by them. This event was played live for all the school children as only select children and parents were invited due to weather conditions. On completion, they escorted him to the main hall where lots of parents and children were seated alongwith all teachers and staff.The principal talked about independence and freedom etc and then they had small cultural program setup for us. In between they felicitated him and he gave pep talk to children and parents. The cultural show continued and on completion, they had photo sessions with many teachers, staff and children.

ST. LAWRENCE KANDIVALI

Cdr Alok Rastogi was invited to St Lawrence Kandivali for the Flag Hoisting.He mentioned after the function, “The reception was excellent. The Principal, Madam Jyoti, with some students and band were present at the gate. Main events were flag hoisting, march past by 8 platoons, Plantation of saplings, cultural programs, certificate distribution to students and presenting a plant sapling to us as a gift. The program took almost 3 hrs. The entire program was well organised.”

BHAKTI PARK

Capt Rakesh Agrawala has been doing the honors 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

UPPAL SANGHAVI GLOBAL SCHOOL

Surg Capt KM Shah and his good lady Daksha were invited by Uppal Sanghavi Global School in Borivali West for the Flag Hoisting celebrations on the Independence Day. The dynamic couple ineteracted with the students and teachers after the ceremony. It was double celebrations for the dynamic duo as Mrs Daksha Shah celebrated her 78th Birthday on 14th Aug. Surg Capt Shah says, “The children had put up a good show. We were escorted to the venue of Flag hoisting site in a military style. I gave a speech in a very lighter manner making audience laugh, I didn't want to give serious speech as the children must have been tired. Dr Daksha' s speech also went very well. Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity. With regards happy independence day and blessings."

CDR BHUSHAN DEWAN

*1st event*- Flag hoisting ceremony at P-South ward Goregaon west, Mumbai on Independence Day.

*2nd event*- Chief Guest at the Independence Day event (10am-11.30am) at RD National college Bandra, Mumbai (Photos and Videos below.)

3rd event-Independence Day Cdr Dr Bhushan Dewan- Guest of Honor at the Lions Club Event - 15 Aug 24 (7pm-9.30pm) at ISKCON Auditorium, Juhu.

ST ALOSIUS SCHOOL, MANGALORE

Cmde RI Vaz was invited by St Aloysius School, Urwa, Mangalore for Flag Hoisting and Independence Day Celebrations. Cmde Vaz addressed the students and brought out the significance of the August day and elaborated the theme this year. He also spoke on our Armed Forces elaborating on all three and the Gallantry Awards infusing a sense of Pride and patriotism in young minds. His talk surely motivate a lot of them to join the Forces, as was evident from his interaction with the students later.

INDIAN INDEP DAY IN RUSSIA BY TEAM KARSNY

Krasny celebrated Independence Day 2024 at SSK Zvezda. Counsel General of India in Vladivostok & General Director of SSK Zvezda were guests of honour. Krasny Team are building ships for Russia. 250 Indians already there. 350 will be sent by mid September 24. Russians are extremely pleased with our work. They are constructing ships in Bolshoy Kamen using Russian Shipyard SSK Zvezda’s facilities. Zvezda is in the far east (Bolshoi Kamen, Vladivostok). Shipyard gives us drawings & materials & yard facilities. Krasny also have established a 100% subsidiary of Krasny in Bolshoi Kamen by name Krasny Kamen . Says Cdr VG Jayaprakasan, the Founder Chairman and MD of Karsny, "Our work is Cheaper, better & faster. Our work is being shown as exemplary all over Russia. Two more Russian shipyards want us to do their major works. Soon Krasny will be tasked to participate in building of nuclear icebreaker for Rosneft. Now we are the preferred lot over the Chinese who are there in thousands. Soon we will outnumber them"

❤ WISHING ALL THE VETERANS AND VEER NARIS A GREAT INDEPENDENCE DAY 2024.

SAM NO VARUNAH

JAI HIND

(PS. VIDEO EDITING BY MEENA DUTTA)

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