BOMBAY-ADDA

                      I continue to have goose-bumps on my arm as I write this piece. It is the 65th Republic Day of the World’s largest democracy and this time, there was a parade organised at the iconic Marine Drive in Mumbai to compliment the national parade in Delhi. Well, on the first level, it was a brilliant idea. The Parade is something you HAVE TO witness. The selected display of the different types of weapons in the country’s arsenal coupled with the plethora of colourful floats makes for a sight that leaves one silenced in awe. Yes, you can see it on TV. This is probably one of the days DD records the most TRP’s. But the experience of seeing it live in front of you is entirely different and it wouldn’t be possible for all of us to run to Delhi.

Now, here’s a little history for you and some facts:

1. This is not the first time the parade is being held in Mumbai. There is one every year in Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai. This year, the parade just got bigger and moved to a different location

2. This is also not exactly the first time the parade is being held in south Mumbai. It used to be held here about 30 years ago along Hutatma Chowk

3. This is the first time the armed forces have taken part in any state republic day celebration. The Armed Forces do not participate in local Republic Day celebrations, as they do not owe their allegiance to any State. This is the first time the Army, Navy and Air Force were participating in a State Republic Day, on the request of the State government

These reasons were enough for the lazy old me to get up on a Sunday and get out to fight my way through a sea of people to witness this spectacle. And well, it was beyond worth it. The parade went on for well over two hours. It saw a conglomeration of acts by the army, the navy, the air-force and our dear Mumbai Police. On display were the Bofors Guns, Tanks, and quite a few missiles and vehicles possessed by the armed forces. There was also a vintage car rally, floats depicting different causes like Women Empowerment, Right to education, the SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Association), cultural contingents depicting native Maharashtrian dance forms like the Lazem, the Krishna – Janmashtami –

Govinda human pyramids, displays depicting cultures from different parts of India, the minorities and so much more.
Well, at this point, I have to mention my immense respect and admiration for the Policemen on duty this morning. They had to handle a large fickle crowd ready to jump here and there because for them any movement from you can potentially spell trouble. The Vintage car rally also had popular names like Priety Zinta, Salman Khan, Shreyas Talpade and Ranbir Kapoor etc. seated in the cars waving out to the crowd. And, last but not the least our dear traffic policemen had a bike march during which I couldn’t help but remember the only statement in Marathi which I could enunciate even when woken up from the deepest of slumbers, “Saheb, zaau dya na saaheb.” (Translation - Sir, please let me go. A Marathi statement that a recent Nielsen report found to be the most said phrase around the world to traffic policemen even across continents and countries that don’t speak Marathi)

P.S – The flow of events is not in the order of occurrence and neither is this a complete list of events that occurred. To be honest, I was far too excited and jumping like a three year old with balloons while watching the event to have been thinking rationally and making a mental note of happenings.

-Sarvesh Bijumani