On the occasion of Guru Purnima (10 July 2025), I was invited by an NGO in Satara to deliver a talk on a rather serious subject:
"Vigilant Citizens are Essential for a Secure India" (aka "सुरक्षित भारतासाठी सजग नागरिकांची गरज").
Now, Satara being home to a large number of ex-servicemen—including from 7 Maratha Light Infantry—I simply dropped a WhatsApp message sharing the event details. Little did I expect a tsunami of patriots to descend upon the venue!
To my pleasant surprise, despite it being a working Thursday and the function being scheduled at the not-so-popular hour of 4:30 p.m., a large number of them turned up—smart, spirited, and shining with Maratha pride. Photos of the function are shared, and I dare say, they reflected more enthusiasm than a parade ground on inspection day!
Now here's where it gets interesting: although I was only a guest speaker, the Satara 7 Maratha family decided to hijack the event (lovingly, of course) and honour me in true Maratha style—complete with a shawl, coconut ,a buke of flowers, a tilak, and heartfelt affection. They even commandeered the mic and forced the organizers to let Captain Vijaykumar More deliver a fiery speech. And what a speech it was! I genuinely believe he could give TED Talkers a run for their money.
A few unforgettable names that I must mention include:
• Captain Vijaykumar More, Captain D. Mandhre, Captain H. Jadhav, Captain Raskar
• Subedar Majors Haridas Jadhav, Subhash Yamgar, Swami Jadhav
• Subedars Gaikwad, Vaman Pawar, Ankush Kadam
• Havaldars Kanse, Kirdat, Bansode, Nikam, Waghmare, Shinde, Dhumal, Gujar
• On-duty: Havaldar Ramesh Kadam (Sainik School Satara) and Havaldar Raviraj Kesare (NCC Satara)
In addition to our soldiers, veterans from other battalions, Air Force, Navy, and over 1,500 enthusiastic citizens joined the event, making it a grand affair.
Capt More on behalf of the veterans had assured the organizers in his speech that they are also contributing to nation building. Later, in a light hearted moment, I asked some of them what keeps them busy these days. With a straight face and twinkling eyes, Captain Dayanand Mandhre replied:
"We all wait eagerly for the evening—to contribute to nation-building... one peg at a time!"
Now that’s what I call spiritual spirit for the nation!
Thank you Satara veterans—for the honour, the warmth, the laughter, and the brotherhood that you bestowed on me on 10July
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