The Draft Colaba

By Manu Shrivastava

On a pleasant Wednesday morning, Republic Day celebrations were in full swing across the quieter streets, lanes and by-lanes of Colaba and Cuffe Parade areas. India's 73rd Republic Day falls in the 75th year of independence and is being celebrated as 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' across the nation.

The Republic Day celebrations at Colaba Police Station began at 7.30 am with Colaba Division ACP Pandurang Shinde performing the flag-unfurling ceremony in the presence of Senior Police Inspector Vijay Hatiskar, other officers and staff of the police station and a few members of the public.

PROUD: Colaba Division ACP Pandurang Shinde with officers and staff of
Colaba Police Station after the flag-unfurling ceremony

Despite having to travel from far off places, the staff were present on time for the celebrations. The event included flag-unfurling ceremony and a round of snacks for the staff later. The Colaba police personnel, like most others, had to rush off to key locations across Colaba for bandobast soon after.

TOGETHER: Colaba police personnel during the Republic Day event on 26 January 2022

At Cuffe Parade Police Station, officers, staff and a few members of the public gathered for Republic Day celebrations early morning. The ongoing COVID-19 restrictions may have changed many things over time but the Republic Day celebrations happened like always, albeit with some modifications, to uphold the spirit of patriotism and national unity.

PRIDE: Cuffe Parade police personnel come together to salute the National Flag on Republic Day

During the flag-unfurling ceremony that commenced at 7.30 am, Cuffe Parade Senior Police Inspector Sandesh Revale was present along with PI Vikas Mhamunkar and other officers and staff. Interestingly, children from nearby slums were present too, dressed as freedom fighters, to be a part of the celebrations that was followed by refreshments for the attendees.

UNITED: Cuffe Parade police personnel with children from nearby slums

At Colaba Fire Station, 20-odd officers and staff gathered at seven am sharp as is the wont with Republic Day celebrations at Fire Stations across Mumbai over the years. Here too, the changes brought in by COVID-19 restrictions couldn't dampen the spirit of Republic Day celebrations.

IN SYNC: Colaba Fire Station officers and staff at the Republic Day event

The members present at the station Republic Day event included Divisional Fire Officer K D Ghadigaonkar, Assistant Divisional Fire Officer P A Sawant, Senior Station Officer at Colaba Fire Station Shankar Pol and other officers and staff of the fire station.

HIGH: A fireman raising the National Flag at Colaba Fire Station

Divisional Fire Officer K D Ghadigaonkar addressed the members present and spoke a few words to uplift their morale. Senior Station Officer Shankar Pol informed the personnel about the four members of Mumbai Fire Brigade including one officer and three staff who were awarded the President's Medal for gallantry on the occasion of Independence Day last year.

The flag-raising ceremony on Republic Day has been a ritual with Mumbai's Fire Brigade. First the national flag is raised followed by the Mumbai Fire Brigade flag. A fireman climbs to the top of the roof of the Fire Station and raises the flags.

(Note: Some subjects may have removed their masks only to be identified in photographs to be used with this news report. COVID-19 appropriate behaviour has been maintained at all times)

#RepublicDay2022 | On a pleasant Wednesday morning, #RepublicDay celebrations were in full swing across the quieter streets, lanes and by-lanes of #Colaba and #CuffeParade areas. India's 73rd Republic Day falls in the 75th year of independence.https://t.co/hh3T16PvDt
— The Draft Colaba News (@TheDraftColaba) January 26, 2022