Aamir & Anand !!

On winning the World Chess Championships in 2000, Anand was extensively felicitated across India. I happened to visit one such function organized, in his honor, at Bandra. Aamir Khan was the guest of honor along with Sunil Dutt, who was present as the felicitation was in his constituency . Aamir Khan is reputed to be a brilliant chess player. Anand analysed one of his games on a demo board for the benefit of the ecstatic crowd. All the time Aamir was standing and listening to each and every word of Anand's wisdom with attention. I clicked this photo just before the game analysis started.

Sunil Dutt, who was using a walking stick to support himself, also stood for the entire length of the game analysis. I presume this to be a mark of repect for the genius of Anand.

Anand was to be felicitated on the same day by the Maharashtra Govt. too (in the evening). The government felicitation was a joke. Anand was presented a cheque of Rs. 500000. Small change for Anand. He donated the amount then and there to the Prime Minister's earthquake relief fund.

War Memorial in Dombivli

One of the places that i visit often in Dombivli is the "War Memorial" in honor of Captain Vinay Kumar Sachan, who died in kashmir in the line of duty while in his early 20's. He was a resident of Dombivli. Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation made a great effort in creating a Memorial in his honor (at the MIDC ground) and getting a decommissioned tank from the Indian Army to be placed at this memorial. Adjacent to the memorial is a small 'war museum of sorts', where personas of some martyrs are displayed in metal and art . I took some snaps there, which are seen below !

Captain Vinay Kumar Sachan

The Army tank at Captain Vinay's memorial

Depiction of Indian Army's victory in the Kargil War (atop Tiger Hill)

"Wagah Border Gate" ...now in Dombivli !

I had actually visited Wagah Border many times at the height of Indo- Pak tensions years ago. When the march happens, people from India sit on one side. People from Pakistan sit on the other. The gate between India and Pakistan is thrown open and a small military ceremony happens. It was no less than war at that time even at his march ! When the Indian soldiers stomped, Indians used to cheer and pakistanis used to boo and vice versa. Officers on both sides tried hard to assuage the feelings !!

Pakistan resigning during the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. 90000 Pakistani soldiers laid down their arms and surrendered to the Indian Army. Under the Geneva War Convention, "Prisoners of War" can't be ill-treated. They were sent back to Pakistan with individual dignity upholded . Pakistan's dignity though was severely wounded.

Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane

Lance Naik Karam Singh

Naik Jadunath Singh

Cross- View

Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw, a legend in India

This is one of those places where i find absolute peace. A very small gallery, but a huge step for Dombivli. When people are busy building malls, residential complexes and commercial establishments, here is one sterling example of the cultural sensitivities of Dombivli.