Shanmukhananda Sabha and SIES Felicitate 80 Families of Fallen Soldiers in Mumbai
Marking India's 80th Independence Day, the Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha, in association with the South Indian Education Society (SIES) and the Indian Army, felicitated 80 families of defence personnel who died in service of the nation during a commemorative event in Mumbai. The celebrations also featured student-led events spanning Matunga, Sion, and King's Circle.
Lt Gen D S Kushwah, General Officer Commanding, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, felicitated the families. Earlier in the ceremony, Major General Salil Seth, Chief of Staff, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, hoisted the national flag.
Among those honoured were the families of 76 fallen personnel from various Army regiments across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa, along with four from the Indian Navy. Each family received a cash award of Rs 2 lakh, in addition to mementos and utility items valued at around Rs 50,000.
The Sabha also presented the Sri Shanmukhananda Shaurya Ratna Award to Parshotam Kumar for exceptional bravery during an encounter with terrorists in the Kalakote area. The award recognises citizens who display outstanding courage and contribute to national defence.
Explaining the initiative, Sabha president V Shankar noted that the organisation has maintained a decade-long tradition of dedicating Independence Day to fallen soldiers and Republic Day to wounded warriors. Over the past ten years, the Sabha has felicitated 235 wounded warriors and 154 families of martyrs.
As part of the wider celebrations, SIES institutions organised a 5.55-km human chain stretching from SIES High School in Matunga, through educational institutions in Sion, and concluding at King's Circle. Around 4,300 students and staff took part across six designated segments, carrying banners and placards focused on unity, diversity, secularism, gender equality, and national progress.
The programme also included a Prabhat Pheri featuring students, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, musicians, the SIES school band, Lezim performers, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Three thematic floats highlighting the New Parliament, ISRO and technological achievements, and SIES' educational legacy were showcased, accompanied by students dressed as national leaders and freedom fighters.
