The East Indian community in the city is celebrating the 151st birth anniversary of freedom fighter Joseph 'Kaka' Baptista on March 17. In its efforts to create awareness of Bombay natives, Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP) had declared in 2013 that March 17 each year will be observed as Kaka Baptista Day, which is now Kaka Baptista Jayanti.
The East Indian community in the city is celebrating the 151st birth anniversary of freedom fighter Joseph 'Kaka' Baptista on March 17. In its efforts to create awareness of Bombay natives, Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP) had declared in 2013 that March 17 each year will be observed as Kaka Baptista Day, which is now Kaka Baptista Jayanti.
Alphi D'Souza, MGP CEO and sarpanch, said: "Joseph 'Kaka' Baptista is a freedom fighter who was a close associate of Lokmanya Tilak during India's freedom struggle. It's only since 4-5 years that we have begun celebrating the Jayanti. We will go to Uttan as his father hailed from there, and visit his graveyard at Sewri and also garland his bust while offering prayers."
D'Souza added that the community is older than 300-350 years and its population in the city is around 3.5 lakh.
MGP will approach the BJP government in Maharashtra to seek due importance be given to the East Indian community of Bombay, Thane, Raigad and Vasai. Special appreciation to the community's freedom fighter, Kaka Baptista will also be demanded. MGP have asked for the Bandra-Worli Sea link and the Bandra Terminus to be named after Kaka Baptista.
They also want March 17 to be recognised as Kaka Baptista Jayanti by the Maharashtra government, and also a special commemoration by the BMC. They want an East Indian to be directly chosen as a corporator by community members and associations to represent in the BMC house.
Their list also includes a special community fund to be started for the natives, to support the community for education, medical and other needs. They need land to be allotted for East Indian Bhavan to have an auditorium/hall in memory of Kaka Baptista.
Kaka Baptista was born on March 17, 1864 at Matharpacady, Mazgaon. He was the first mayor of Bombay (1925-1926) and before that, worked with the BMC for 17 years from the year 1901.
He is said to have coined the phrase "Swaraj is my birthright", which was later made popular by Tilak. He even assisted Tilak by launching the Sarvajanik Ganpati (public Ganpati celebrations). He played an active role in the Home Rule Movement along with Lokmanya Tilak and Annie Besant.
In the meanwhile, MGP has decided to place a bust of Kaka Baptista at their East Indian Museum in Manori. The community has also requested various East Indian associations to place a bust in their offices as a sign of appreciation for their community leader.
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