77th Republic Day Celebrations at WTC Mumbai: Honoring Viksit Bharat and Ecoconomic Triumphs
In the Picture: Adv.Rahul Narwekar, Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (Centre); Dr. Vijay Kalantri, President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai (Left); Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre, Mumbai (Right) at the Republic Day ceremony, World Trade Centre, Mumbai.
Mumbai, 26th January 2026: MVIRDC World Trade Center (WTC) Mumbai celebrated India’s 77th Republic Day with a grand flag-hoisting ceremony hosted by Dr. Vijay Kalantri,President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and WTC Mumbai Chairman The ceremony was graced by the Hon’ble Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Hon’ble Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, as the distinguished Chief Guest this year.
Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Hon’ble Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, reflected the nation’s transformation from facing basic manufacturing challenges decades ago to today’s thriving, export-driven economy. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “It is noteworthy that India has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Maharashtra’s march toward a trillion-dollar economy and India’s role as a global provider, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, when India not only met domestic demands but also extended support to the international community, is a testament to our growing resilience and success of this great nation”. Concluding with a call for collective dedication, he urged citizens to build a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant India.
Dr. Vijay Kalantri, President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai, speaking on the occasion, underscored the significance of Republic Day. “Our growth story is defined not just by self-sufficiency but by our contribution to the global economy. We have seen the valour of our Armed Forces who stood like a strong wall against the
enemies of the nation during Operation Sindhoor last year.”
“As we celebrate one more year of the founding of this republic, we need to be cautious of the challenges which we face in our journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047 in times of geopolitical situations like today’s. This year, we are commemorating 150 years of the National Song “Vande Mataram”, 129 years of the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, and 100 years of Balasaheb Thackeray’s whose enduring legacy continues to guide us for our future, noted Dr. Kalantri.
In the Picture: Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (6 th from the left); Dr. Vijay Kalantri, President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai; Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre, Mumbai (5 th from the right), along with consular representatives from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the United States of America, and China at the flag hoisting ceremony at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai.
Senior officials from the consulates of over 15 countries were present on the occasion, reflecting the strong international interest and diplomatic engagement surrounding the event. Addressing the gathering, Adv. Rahul Narwekar highlighted that such initiatives underscore the continued efforts to bring together global stakeholders on a common platform. He emphasized that these engagements reinforce India’s commitment to constructive international cooperation and clearly demonstrate the country’s role as a responsible, reliable, and forward-looking partner in the global community.
Regards,
Sangeeta Jain
Senior Director
All India Association of Industries (AIAI)