Born in Machilipatnam in 1923, 96-year-old Vallabhajosyula Sriramulu, a retired Navigation Commander from Visakhapatnam recalls the first Republic Day celebrations of India in Mumbai in 1950.
Apparently, Sriramulu joined the Indian Navy during the Second World War. “I joined the Royal Indian Navy in 1944. Two years later, I was posted in Karachi and after Partition, I returned to Mumbai as Navigation Specialist,” explains Sriramulu, who even met Lord Louis Mountbatten at the latter’s farewell gathering.
When India became a Republic on January 26, 1950, Sriramulu was a Sub Lieutenant posted at INS Hamla in Malad, the Western suburbs of Mumbai. “I still remember that historic day,” he recalls, adding, “I, along with Lieutenant Hansraj drove all the way on a bike from INS Hamla to the Gateway of India, it was more than 50 km. We started at 10 pm and by the time we reached, it was midnight. People were shouting and hooting all over with a sense of pride.”
The photo clicked by Sriramulu during Sardar Patel’s visit to Mumbai in 1949.
Sriramulu shares that the entire Mumbai city was illuminated and jubilant citizens spilled on to the streets. “It was like a festival. All of Mumbai was illuminated; the buildings and houses were filled with lights and fireworks. At midnight, all the ships that were stationed at the harbour started blowing their horns as a mark of celebration,” he reveals, adding, “The vehicles on the road kept blowing their horns throughout the night! With the Constitution empowering people to choose their own government and paving the way for democracy, people distributed sweets and even danced on the streets. The celebrations went on till late in the night, and we returned to INS Hamla early the next morning.” He further shares that on the first Republic Day, the Royal Air Force became the first Air Force of India, and after continuing in service for 29 years in Mumbai and Kochi, he eventually retired in Visakhapatnam in 1979.
Sriramulu also narrates an interesting anecdote that happened a few days prior to the Republic Day. In 1949, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (then the Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister) came from Kochi to Mumbai in a warship. “During the passing out parade in Mumbai, I wanted to take his photograph. However, the security tried to push me away. Patelji saw this and asked them to let me click the picture. He then smiled at me and left. It was a satisfying moment,” recalls Sriramulu.
