15 August,2026 12:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde. Pic/Special Arrangement
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde called for greater citizen participation and civic accountability as the city works towards becoming a developed, clean, safe and environmentally sustainable metropolis. Speaking at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters on Independence Day on Saturday, Tawde said Mumbai would play an important role in the country's development journey towards 2047.
Tawde hoisted the national flag at the BMC headquarters on August 15 to mark India's 79th Independence Day. She also extended her greetings to Mumbai residents and paid tribute to the freedom fighters who contributed to the country's independence.
Before the main ceremony, the Mayor paid floral tribute to the full-length statue of Sir Pherozeshah Mehta located in front of the civic headquarters. The Mumbai Fire Brigade and BMC security personnel presented her with a guard of honour.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Lawangare, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr Vipan Sharma, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr Avinash Dhakane were among those present.
Corporator and former mayor Shraddha Jadhav, along with joint municipal commissioners, deputy municipal commissioners, directors, assistant commissioners, department heads, civic officials, dignitaries and citizens, also attended the event.
In her address, Tawde said Mumbai's development would require improvements not only in infrastructure but also in the way civic services and the city's administration function.
She highlighted the need to improve the ease of doing business and ease of living in Mumbai, while working towards a city that is technologically equipped, clean, safe and environmentally responsible.
The Mayor also stressed the importance of citizen participation, civic discipline, transparency and accountability in achieving these goals. She said development should also take into account the dignity of workers and the needs of residents, with an emphasis on creating a more humane city.
Tawde also appealed to Mumbai residents to participate in the nationwide initiative being organised to mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
During the Independence Day programme, Tawde released the Annual Publication 2026 prepared by the Municipal Secretary's Department.
Following the ceremony, the Mayor paid floral tribute to a portrait in the Mayor's chamber to mark the 54th death anniversary of late Vasudev Balkrishna Warlikar.
The civic programme also included the felicitation of 13 Mumbai Fire Brigade officers and personnel who were awarded the President's Medal for Gallantry by the President of India.
The awards recognise their role in rescuing 582 passengers who were stranded in a monorail at a height of around 40 to 50 feet in Chembur on August 19, 2025.
The personnel recognised include Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Anil Parab, Divisional Fire Officer M. V. Sawant, Senior Station Officer I. K. Kamble, Station Officer Y. H. Pawar, Station Officer D. A. Bhosle, Machine Operator Rajesh Rane, Machine Operator Mahesh Gudulkar, Fireman Ramesh Koli, Fireman Harshal Katke, Fireman Chintamani Khandekar, Fireman Vicky Sarwade and Fireman Sudarshan Pawade.
Tawde felicitated the award recipients and congratulated them for their role in the rescue operation. The personnel were presented with bouquets during the ceremony.
