79th Independence Day: Mumbai Celebrates With Patriotism, Cultural Events And Environmental Initiatives

The city observed the 79th Independence Day on Friday with traditional fervour. Educational institutions, housing societies, religious shrines, and government offices organised flag-hoisting ceremonies as patriotic songs played in the background.

Flag Hoisting at BMC Headquarters

The national flag was hoisted at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters by municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. Among other senior municipal officers at the occasion were Ashwini Joshi, additional municipal commissioner (city); Amit Saini, additional municipal commissioner (eastern suburbs), and Abhijit Bangar, additional municipal commissioner (projects). 

Gagrani paid floral tributes to the statue of freedom fighter and former mayor of Mumbai, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, in front of the headquarters. The Mumbai Fire Brigade and security squad of the BMC gave a guard of honor to Gagrani, who spoke about 'Operation Sindoor' that has made the world look at India in a new light. 

Grand Celebrations at CSMIA

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) team and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at Mumbai airport held a grand celebration of Independence Day. The event featured powerful performances by the CSMIA team, a ceremonial parade, and stunts by CISF, along with captivating cultural showcases by students from NRC School, Kalyan, and Sri Kalgidhar Mission High School, Andheri.

Bhavan’s College Launches Carbon-Neutral Campus Drive

In a meaningful nod to national pride and nature, Bhavan’s College Management School Events, Entertainment, and Design launched an initiative to make its campus carbon neutral. Along with an afforestation drive at the campus’s Eco Park, the student-led initiative dedicated a seating bench entirely made from recycled plastic and a student film screening.

Professor Dr. Ajay Kamble, principal of the college, said, “Our students’ actions are a mirror of what we teach. We want to teach them beyond academics to become socially conscious citizens, and their journey in this begins with their campus. We are very excited to support every effort that our students will take to build this campus to be a carbon-neutral campus.”

Dawoodi Bohra Community Plants Trees for the Nation’s Future

The city's Dawoodi Bohras celebrated the day with an event that bonded patriotism with environmental action. The tricolour was unfurled at the Mira Road  Marol community centres, and as the national anthem rang out, volunteers planted tree saplings as a living tribute to the nation’s future. The nation-wide tree planting initiative was organised under Project Rise, the Dawoodi Bohra community’s global philanthropic platform, with the support of the Burhani Foundation, which has been conducting environmental sustainability campaigns for over three decades. 

"Following the direct guidance of our leader, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, to plant trees, we understand that ecological sensitivity and sustainability are crucial to the progress and development of our nation," said Ishaq Ujjainwala, local coordinator of the event. "By planting trees on Independence Day, we celebrate our freedom while taking responsibility for safeguarding the land we love for future generations."

Arwa Rajbal, the community’s health coordinator in Mira Road, who helped identify native plants suited to the neighbourhood, said, “Each tree planted had a tag noting the date and species, and was geo‑tagged so its presence and growth could be tracked.”

Protest Over Closure of Mahim School

During an Independence Day event organised at Mahim by Aam Aadmi Party leader Pranali Girish Raut, parents and students protested the BMC’s decision to vacate and shut down a 50-year-old school in the area. Parents alleged that the BMC is planning to shut down the school. Syed Gulzar Rana of the Mahim Residents Group said that earlier BMC circulars clearly stated that the New Mahim school would be demolished only after the Mori Road school was rebuilt as a replacement facility.

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Community Festivities in Chandivali

A housing society in Chandivali celebrated the festival with a flag hoisting and cultural events, followed by a chhole bhature eating competition. The residents of Synchronicity Co-operative Housing Society competed to win honours for eating the highest number of servings and spreading happiness to mark the festival of independence.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Message of Unity

In its message to the country, Mumbai's Ahmadiyya Muslim community stated that every Indian should play a positive and significant role in the country's peace, development, and welfare. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at said that Prophet Muhammad taught that love for one's nation is a part of faith. It is quite clear, therefore, that there can be no conflict of interest between a person's love for God and love for his country.

Religious Landmarks in Tricolour Spirit

A Muslim should strive to achieve high standards of loyalty towards the nation because it is a way to achieve nearness to God, the community stated in a statement. The Mount Mary Basilica at Bandra West was lit in the national colours for the occasion. Devotees thronged the Mumbadevi temple, where the deities wore garlands and decorations in the three colours of the national flag. 

Father Reuben Tellis, a priest from the Archdiocese of Bombay, composed a prayer for the day, acknowledging the blessings of freedom and liberty bestowed on the country. The prayer thanked God for the brave freedom fighters and those who made sacrifices to keep our independence, and sought help from the almighty to unite Indian hearts and minds, removing hatred and prejudice, and replacing it with love and respect. 

Freedom Run was organised for the first time in Mumbai by DLF. Participants gathered for the 2.3km community run from the The Westpark Experience Centre to Lokhandwala Circle and back. The marathon event celebrates a tradition that honors the spirit of Independence and aims to inspire physical fitness and community bonding among residents.

With Inputs From Dhairya Gajara