EXPERIENCE LIVING HISTORY - By Cdt Pratiksha Kondalkar Historic site or Heritage site is an official location where pieces of Political, Military, Cultural or Social history have been preserved due to their cultural heritage value. The history of Independence of India is still alive in the form of places/ heritage where the historic events took place. Some of the places such as Azad Maidan, Hutatma Chowk, Victoria Terminus, Kala Ghoda, Mani Bhavan, Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Pathshala, Gateway of India, Gowalia Tank Maidan, Bombay Harbor etc. All these places in the Mumbai are those where our history becomes alive - On 5 April 2021, our Group Commander of Mumbai ‘B’ Group, Capt. NS Dekhane along with the Commanding Officer of 1 MAH NCC ARMY GIRLS, Col. Satish Vasta encouraged the activity of ‘Visit to Historical Site in Mumbai’ which had remarkably encouraged India to get Independence. I Cadet Pratiksha Kondalkar along with ANO Lt. Suvarna Jadhav Madam, seniors and colleagues made our way Azad Maidan, Kala Ghoda, Hutatma Chowk, Mani Bhavan and Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Pathshala. We displayed the placards showing the slogans given to us by our national leaders. Our journey started from Kalyan. Cadets with ANO mam-Azad maidan Station by train. AZAD MAIDAN: Azad maidan (formally known as Bombay Gymkhana Maidan) is a triangular - shaped maidan (sport ground) in the city of Mumbai .it is located on 25 acres of land near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station. It is regular venue for Inter-school cricket matches. The name Azad means “liberty” in Persian. During the freedom struggle of India many of the political meetings were held in this maidan. The national leaders have proclaimed for so many rights from the British government and have voiced for freedom. The ground is known for its cricket pitches, for protest meetings, and for political rallies. The Bombay gymkhana clubhouse was built in 1875, at the ground hosts twenty- two cricket pitches. The cricket pitches at the ground have produced many international cricketers. In 1987 Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli shared a huge 664 run record partnership during a Harris shield school match at Azad Maidan. Azad Maidan plays host to several crickets matches throughout the year, Including inter-school and club matches. We clicked photos as a memory and tribute to these historic places. Cadets and ANO displaying the placards and making people aware about the heritage of Mumbai and Historical sites, we at Kala Ghoda KALA GHODA: Then after we went out to our second destination which was ‘Kala Ghoda’ means Black Horse, a reference to the presence of a black stone statue of king Edward VII mounted on a horse that was built by Jewish businessman and philanthropist Albert Abdullah David subsequently placed inside the Byculla Zoo. A local legend stated that the statues of King Edward and the one of Shivaji Maharaj on a horse at the Gateway of India came to life after midnight and battled it out on the streets. In 2017, the ‘Kala Ghoda’ returned to the area with a new statue of a similar looking horse without a rider, being commissioned by the Kala Ghoda association. The statue, titled ‘Spirit of Kala Ghoda’ was designed by architect Alfaz Miller and sculpted by Shreehari Bhosale. Kala Ghoda Association (KGA) had put the proposal with the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee to put the artwork of Black Horse. This new statue will be able to identify the location which will truly represent the place name “Kala Ghoda”, KGA hosts every year the popular Kala Ghoda Festival. It takes place in the month of February. Cadets at Hutatma Chaowk HUTATMA CHOWK: The statue next to flora fountain stands for its remarkable contribution in the struggle for Samyukta Maharashtra Movement. It was after the independence of India as a nation, every region was fighting for its recognition as a State Nation. The battle for Mumbai to be recognized as a Marathi speaking state. Hutatma Chowk honors the people who fought for it and lost their lives in the battle, more than 100 people died in the battle. There were many prominent leaders who were fighting in this battle. Some with their pen and some by shading their blood. To name some of them Swatantrya Veer Savarkar started first voiced for Maharashtra and Marathi people. And later many others like Acharya Aattre, Prabodhankar Thackare, Shahir Amar Shaikh, Dadasaheb Gaikwad and many more joined it. And many more unknown workers. There is one prominent song “Labhale Aamas Bhaghya, Bolato Marathi” and “Mazhi Maina Gavakade Rahili, Mazya Jivachi Hotiya Kahili”, on this movement talking about the greatness of Marathi and Maharashtra. It was because of them that Mumbai as a city is a part of Maharashtra and not Gujarat. Hutatma Chowk is not just any other statue it is one of the important historic places in Mumbai. Cadets and ANO visiting Mani Bhavan. MANI BHAVAN: Mani Bhavan is a museum and historical building dedicated to our father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, situated at Laburnum Road in the Gamdevi, Mumbai. Mani bhavan was the most significant place for many decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhiji during his stay at Mumbai. Whenever Gandhiji visited Mumbai, he preferred to stay at Mani Bhavan. There is a library, photo gallery and many more things inside. However, due to pandemic situation we were not allowed to go inside and see the museum. After visiting all these places, we have learned so many new things about our history and it help me to amplify my social, political, and cultural knowledge. I am also proud of our national leaders who fought selflessly for our nation. In between the tour, we had the foodstuffs along with tea. We had ended our trip with visiting such memorable, exciting, and informative places taking care of all the Covid-19 norms. Though, the visit was not that good due to Pandemic situation, but then too we it successfully. I did not even know that how rapidly time passed. It was absolutely such a pleasant, exciting, memorable, valuable, and wonderful experience. JAI HIND!! Name – Cdt. Pratiksha Kondalkar College - B. K. Birla College of Arts, Science and Commerce (Autonomous), Kalyan. Regimental No - MAH/19/SW/A/722741 Unit - 1 Mah Girls Bn NCC Group - Mumbai ‘B’ Directorate – Maharashtra .