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By:

Ruddhi Phadke

22 September 2024 at 10:17:54 am

Gudhi Padwa draws world to Girgaum

Mumbai: It was the 24 th  celebration of Gudhi Padwa in Girgaum on Thursday, and as usual, the festivities were grand, picturesque and saw humongous response not just from the local residents. This year, the celebration saw huge participation of enthusiasts from beyond the borders. While some coincidentally bumped into the event, some others actually typed ‘Gudhi Padwa 2026 schedule’ in their google search bar to ensure they did not miss this ‘must do’ event while planning their holiday...

Gudhi Padwa draws world to Girgaum

Mumbai: It was the 24 th  celebration of Gudhi Padwa in Girgaum on Thursday, and as usual, the festivities were grand, picturesque and saw humongous response not just from the local residents. This year, the celebration saw huge participation of enthusiasts from beyond the borders. While some coincidentally bumped into the event, some others actually typed ‘Gudhi Padwa 2026 schedule’ in their google search bar to ensure they did not miss this ‘must do’ event while planning their holiday travel in India. It is indeed a big moment for a Mumbaikar to know that an international traveler has Girgaon listed as one of the ‘must do’ destinations for an India trip in their diary; Gudhi Padwa being the cause is even more interesting. Tana, who lives in the Netherlands embarked on a long duration trip to India earlier this month, visited Mumbai specifically to enjoy the festivities. She told ‘The Perfect Voice’ , “I came here to celebrate Gudhi Padwa with you. I am here to experience everything that I see, all the beautiful outfits, beautiful people. I did a lot of research. I knew that today is the day New Year is celebrated in Maharashtra. I am a tourist. I am alone. I am indulging in everything here from food, festivals, dresses. I adore India. I actually typed Gudhi Padwa in the search bar to ensure I did not miss this must-do event during my trip to India.” Shivani Dopavkar, a Hula Hoop artist who is a regular and active participant had made an interesting statement when she had spoken to ‘The Perfect Voice’  during last year’s Shobha Yaatra. She had said, “I quit my IT profession to take up Hula Hoop as my full-time art. I wish to take Girgaum to a level where it is recognised globally. I have chosen Hula Hoop to accomplish this dream for which Gudhi Padwa Shobha Yatra is a perfect platform.” The dream doesn’t seem to be far from success as a lot of foreign participants dressed up in traditional Indian attire were seen enjoying the activities Annie, from Berlin who came to India as a tourist co-incidentally got introduced to the festivities. “It is really colourful. I have come from Berlin with my Indian friend. German culture is very different. Everything is colourful and vibrant here. The women on the bikes, the flowers, everything that we see around is very eventful,” said Annie. Early Preparations Girgaum woke up to busy preparations right from six am, as participants and volunteers geared up for the day ahead. The action began at around nine am, with people from different walks of life wounding their happiness around different themes from Hindu mythology to ancient Marathi traditions. From Children to elderly, to differently abled individuals, all enthusiastically navigated through densely crowded tiny lanes that whole-heartedly accommodated hundreds of visitors. Kamini Darji, a Gujarathi speaking Girgaum resident was present in the middle of the action with her differently abled son. Darji said, “I get my son every year to witness the festivities. The environment gives a very united and positive vibe. We never miss the event.” From Lejhim to Dhol Tasha Pathak, from bike borne Navvari saree clad women to Hula hoop artists; from live bhajan singing to Mardani Khel to children dressed up based on different themes from Chandrayaan to ‘Vithoba-Rakhmai’; the celebration gave a perfect introduction of India’s cultural wealth to all the international visitors. Jennifer from Germany who participated in Mardani Khel wearing a traditional nine-yard saree said, “We play Mardani khel every year for Gudhi Padwa. I have been to Maharashtra many times. This is the first time that I have come to Mumbai. I learnt this art at Shivaji Raje Mardani Akhada in Pune. I have been visiting India for nine years. Earlier I used to live in Bengaluru.” Vande Mataram Theme While it was a beautiful blend of all the aspects that define India, the cherry on the top was – the ‘Vandya Vande Mataram’ – theme. To commemorate 150 th  anniversary of India’s national song Vande Mataram, most of the Tableaus and art work revolved around patriotic sentiment. While Shobha yatra 2024 was all about Lord Shri Ram and 2025 about pride for Marathi language, the year 2026 was all about freedom struggle and love for India. The most interesting highlight was the 25-foot-tall paper statue of freedom fighter Swatantryaveer Savarkar that was carried past to the thunderous beats of drums filling the air with exuberance. A 31-year-old sculptor Gaurav Pawar made the statue along with his brother Gitesh and other volunteers. Gaurav said, “Last year we made a statue of Dnyaneshwar. This year we got an opportunity to make a statue of Savarkar Ji. We took 10 days to make the statue out of paper and bamboo material. It was completely eco-friendly. We got to learn a lot about Savarkar ji during the process and it was a very very sensitive experience.” The Statue was prepared in Bedekar Sadan which is one of the buildings located in Shantaram Chawl Complex which was the hotbed of freedom movement. The residents unknowingly carry forward the legacy of the enclosed structure, a place where prominent freedom fighters like Lokmanya Tilak, Annie Basant, Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Lala Lajpat Rai used to gather to lead historic movements.

Married to the Army First!

Over the years, she realised we had sworn allegiance to the Olive Greens well before we married our soulmates.

It was the third week of August 1999. Our Assault Team had just returned to Jodhpur by train after three months in the Batalik Sub-Sector of Ladakh during the Kargil Conflict. Since late June, we had been operating independently under an infantry division, detached from our unit, which had been moved to Rajasthan in anticipation of the localised conflict escalating across the International Boundary.


Seeing my wife and little daughter, barely a year and a half, felt surreal. The first televised war in India had clearly taken a toll on my better half, though the relief in her eyes was palpable. She had borne the brunt of the uncertainties wars cast on loved ones, especially with a small child to rear. Our little girl, of course, was bemused to see her father, as her reactions showed.


After freshening up at home, it was time to head to Battalion Headquarters, meet our Commanding Officer (CO), and give him an in-person rundown of operations from late June to the ceasefire on 26 July 1999. First-hand accounts always provide a clearer picture than Situation Reports (SITREPs) sent through military channels. We had been operating in such a remote area that even basic line communication with Battalion Headquarters, nearly 1500 km away, was absent. Today’s briefing to the CO was thus crucial. And since our Assault Team had done the Unit proud, my Second-in-Command, Major Rajesh Sheoran (my right hand through those times), and I were eager to meet the CO and our fellow officers and men at the earliest. It was not about basking in glory; it was about announcing that we had all returned by the grace of Maa Durge Bhawani, heads held high.


Before I left home, my wife told me that she was preparing my favourite “Rajma-Chawal” and she hoped that I would return for a timely meal. I nodded affirmatively as I said goodbye.


After an engrossing interaction with the CO, we met our other comrades. The CO reminded the Adjutant that Major Rajesh Sheoran had not been pipped formally. He was promoted to Major's rank a couple of months ago, but the customary pipping by the CO and Subedar Major could not be done. The adjutant promptly organised it. And as is the tradition, we moved to the Officers' Mess for an impromptu "Pre-Lunch Drinks (PLD)".


The "Band of Brothers" from our unit were together after a long time. As we celebrated Rajesh Sheoran's much-deserved promotion, we also caught up on our individual and collective battle experiences and everything under the sun that had happened since May 1999. The PLD continued into lunchtime. The Dining-in members of the Mess asked the married officers to stay on for lunch. A request that was impossible to turn down. The CO and everyone stayed on, and so did I.


Back then, there were no telephones in our residences. And I did not have the heart to send someone three kilometres from the unit to inform my wife about the unplanned delay in my return. "I will tell her when I get home," I said to myself.


It was 4:30 pm when I reached my residence. She was still waiting for me and had not taken a morsel. For her, this wait was probably as difficult to fathom as the wait when I was far away in the barren Ladakh mountains. She was visibly disappointed since she expected me to keep the date, at least this time.


I did tell her the reason, but I probably could not explain the rationale well. The bonhomie and camaraderie amongst those who go to battle together is to be experienced and understood, but perhaps difficult to explain, I discerned.


Over the years, she realised that we had sworn our allegiance to the Olive Greens well before we got married to our soulmates. We were "Married to the Army First”!!


As time went by, she not only absolved me for not keeping that afternoon date but also remained my pillar of strength and source of inspiration through the rough and tumble of life in the Army till I hung up my boots. She, too, was married to the Olive Greens!!


Post Script: Major Rajesh Sheoran rose to the rank of a Brigadier. With his astounding leadership qualities, positivity, spirited attitude, and heart of gold, he touched so many lives within and outside Uniform. Unfortunately, he left us too soon for his heavenly abode on 10 June 2025 while still in service. He shall always be remembered. Rest in peace, my brother.

(The writer is an Indian Army veteran and Vice President CRM, ANSEC HR services Ltd. He is a skydiver and a specialist in Security and Risk management. Views personal.)

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