Raj Dutta

79th INDEPENDENCE DAY 2025

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 4 Veterans Day parades (2020, 2023, 2024 & 2025) 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 79th 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. SurgCdr KM Shah hoisted a tricolour at St Lawrence High School Kandivali, . Cdr Bhushan Dewan was the Chief Guest at two places. Cdr AK Rastogi was invited by St Francis School Borivali, Residents of 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 in the evening at the Karaoke Studio and sang, “Kar Chale hum fida”, that drew a huge round of Applause.

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL BORIVALI

It was a matter of honor & Privilege for Cdr Alok Rastogi to be invited as the Chief Guest for the Independence Day Function at St Francis School, Borivali. The program was well organised and well conducted. There was March past by students, patriotic songs and dances, Pahalgam skit and Operations Sindoor was very well covered. Displays on screen of our Freedom fighters like Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, sports person like Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu was excellent. Patriotism, Indian Culture and Resurgent India was the Theme of entire program. Brother Wilfred, Principal of the school himself came to receive Cdr Rastogi at the gate. Two students escorted them to the Principal’s office. In the office Father Benjamin, Sh Vivek Namdeo, Guest of honor and some other dignitaries also joined. After a cup of tea they went for Flag hoisting. 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)

ST. LAWRENCE, KANDIVALI

Surg Capt & Mrs KM Shah were invited to St Lawrence Kandivali for the Flag Hoisting. 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 79th Birthday on 14 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.”

Aditya Institute of Management , Borivali

Cdr Michael Cortinho was invited as a Chief Guest to hoist the National flag at Aditya Institute of Management Studies, Borivali West. The Director of the Institute is Dr. Balkrishna Parab. The Institute comprises of the following institutions: Management Studies and Research; School of Business Management; College of Architecture; Design Studies and College of Excellence.

MKES College, Malad

Veteran GpCapt Yogesh Pai,(Our member of 26 Jan War memorial group) was invited as the Chief Guest at MKES College, Malad West, for their Independence Day Function. This was his first visit to this institution, and was amazed to know that they have educational programs from KG to PG with more than 15,000 students on their Campus! It rained during the Flag hoisting, but the program continued. The best part of the function was the parade put up by NCC Cadets, which was indeed mind-blowing. Overall, it was a memorable experience , he said.

Adhiraj Gardens Society, VashI

Cdr Brahm Swaroop was invited as Chief Guest in Adhiraj Gardens Society, to Hoist the National Flag on 15th August, to mark and celebrate the 79th Independence day. He says, the core points in his speech hinged on:-Remembrance Day of those whose valour and sacrifices gave birth of this day 79 years ago and on the younger generation, in whose hands lies the Nations Future. They must remain loyal, adopt good value system, adapt and change as the path winds it's way to higher reaches of social and economic development. They must instil in them obedience, self discipline, rationality, and above all inculcate in themselves and those around the National feeling, without which no ownership nor leadership of our vital resources, assets can be governed, administered and used rationally and judiciously. Jai Hind.

HIRANANDANI FORTUNE CITY PANVEL

In an impressive celebrations at Hiranandani Fortune City Capt Dr Bhaskar Bhandarkar was invited as Chief Guest to hoist the Tiranga. In his well appreciated speech , Captain Bhandarkar recollected the sacrifices of the Freedom Fighters, Armed forces and exhorted the children to build up the modern India. He emphased on the Nation First approch. Cmde Brijesh Kalra, Captain GKK Nair and Cdr Vinod Basin also participated along with veterans. Enthralling perfomances by the residents specially chidren kept the audience spellbound ....Bhaskar.

BHAKTI PARK, WADALA

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

Palava city, DOMBIVALI

About 60 Veterans residing in Palava city, Dombivali hoisted National flag at an open area of a shop owned by a Naval ex- serviceman, near Trinity tower at 0800h. It was accompanied by National anthem. The small tiny tots of the school performed beautifully & were awarded by Mrs Veena Chauhan.Thereafter Capt Ravi Chauhan & Veena were invited for another Flaghoist at Crown bldg for flaghoist at 0840h. In the evening the Veterans participated in Tiranga Yatra.

CDR BHUSHAN DEWAN

Cdr Bhushan Dewan the was Chief Guest at the 79th Bharat's Independence Day event at the Stellarworld School, Bandra West, Mumbai on 15 Aug 2025. (Flag hoisting, Pics with Head of School Mr Oliver and with teachers & staff, and parents in the audience)

HONOURING THE OCTOGENARIANS

NFMC Committee member from Colaba, Cdr Dinesh Rai presented Octogenarian Memento and DNV Letter of Appreciation to VAdm Parvesh Jaitely (50166-N), to celebrate his 80th Birthday on 15 Aug 2025, at his Colaba residence. NFMC Committee member from Powai, Cdr Ramdas Kannan presented Nonagenarisn Seacap and CNS Letter of Appreciation to LtCdr Gopal Singh (86308-B), who celebrated his 95th Birthday on 16 Aug 2025, at his Powai residence.

Festive Fiesta 3.0 : JITO Ghatkopar

Cdr Pratap Mehta was honoured to be invited as a Guest of Honour along with better half Shail Mehta, at the inauguration of Festive Fiesta 3.0, hosted by the JITO Ghatkopar Ladies Wing. The event truly embodied the essence of freedom, festivity, and feminine strength, making it a fitting prelude to India’s Independence Day celebrations. A heartfelt gratitude to the organisers –Chairperson: Mahendra Chordiya, Chief Secretary: Sunil Doshi, Ladies Wing -Chairperson: Sharmila Tater, Secretary: Sangeeta Kothari, Convener: Jyoti Munot, and the entire JITO Ghatkopar Ladies Wing team – for curating such a meaningful platform that empowers women entrepreneurs to dream bigger and soar higher.

TARAPORE TOWERS, ANDHERI

Our Senior Nonagenarian Cdr SL Bhatla (92 yrs) was invited for Flag hoisting the Tricolour in his Society Tarapore Towers, Oshiwara in Andheri (W).

HAR GHAR TIRANGA

Capt Rakesh Prabhakar, Cdr NP Bhagat and Capt Rajinder Dutta hoisted Tricolour with their good Ladies at Solan, Powai and Jhansi respectively.

PRESIDENT NFMC

A Podcast of Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G), President NFMC was telecast on TATA Play Seniors Channel 505. In the evening Cdr Vadhera was at the Karakoke Studio to participate in the Independence Day Program and sang : ’Kar Chale Hum Fida’, amidst thunderous applause. (Videos below)

❤ WISHING ALL THE VETERANS AND VEER NARIS A GREAT INDEPENDENCE DAY 2025.

SAM NO VARUNAH

JAI HIND

PHOTOS

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL BORIVALI

CDR AK RASTOGI