And for a Friday celebrating the Republic Day in Mumbai, some thoughts….. some musings…..
This the 76th Republic Day I celebrated in Mumbai, staying, not at the Taj Hotel, but at my club, the RBYC (Royal Bombay Yacht Club). On a personal trip, no Board meeting, no agenda; just walking the pavements and watching the Republic Day floats. Joining the huge crowds at the Gateway, just nostalgia. The room in RBYC is superb. It also overlooks the Gateway of India just as the Taj Mahal hotel old wing rooms. But RBYC charges Rs. 5600 for members as compared to Taj where charges vary between Rs. 35,000 to 60,000 per night. Took a BEST bus from RBYC to VT, a bus ride after almost four decades. One way ticket is Rs 6. I noticed most regulars have “Chalo” bus cards. The conductor was very polite and returned Rs. 4 after I gave the only 10 Re note I had. I was just reliving my college days in Mumbai and then went to the Kala Ghoda Arts festival. Distinctly remember supporting the early stages in 2000 when the Kala Ghoda festival had just started and as MD of a German MNC I fully supported the cause of developing South Mumbai as an Art and Cultural district. I was so happy to learn from the organisers that 25 years hence, Kala Ghoda Arts festival is now Asia’s largest multicultural street arts extravaganza.
Most young people I spoke to did not know the difference between 15th August Independence Day and 26th January the Republic Day. On Independence Day, the PM hoists the Indian Tricolour at the Red Fort symbolising India’s hard fought freedom from Colonial British Rule and on Republic Day the President of India unfurls the National Flag at Rajpath, marking the nation’s adopting the Constitution of India upholding Democracy and our status as a Republic in the comity of Nations.
Let us all be proud to be Indians. Let us strive to eradicate poverty and ensure happiness for all, the equitable way, the mutually respectful way, the SEEGOS way.