Solemn ceremony,grand parade

An all-faith prayer meet has been organised at the Gateway on November 26 evening. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram will inaugurate the martyrs’ memorial at Police Gymkhana.

On Tuesday morning,a ceremony will be held at SRPF grounds on Goregaon to dedicate the elite Force One to the state. In all,204 commandos of Force One have been given training on par with the NSG.

“We share the sorrow and grief with the families of martyrs and a solemn function will be organised. People’s confidence was shaken last year. Modernisation of police is under way and we will take out a parade to show this to people. said Chavan,reiterating the government’s commitment to fight terror. “We are here to fight terror. Security is our top priority. I don’t say everything is complete. This exercise will continue. There is a political will to fight back terror,” said Chavan.

Patil said,“We have taken measures to ensure that a similar attack does not happen again and if it does,then our police are prepared to face it.”

The government on Monday published a booklet detailing the actions taken by the state government following the 26/11 attacks. Speaking at its launch,Deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal said that courage alone will not help the police but weapons are also needed. “We have to be prepared. There is no lack of funds and the cabinet committee is looking into the procurement of modern equipment.”

The state government is examining the suggestions made by the 66-member state security council and Patil is addressing the grievances of the kin of victim related to compensation,he said.

Anniversary programmes
* November 25,5 pm,Kirti College Ground,Dadar: Forum for Integrated National Security’s youth awareness rally along with SNDT’s NSS students. Four hundred NSS cadets to attend. Former V-C of Mumbai University Dr Snehalata Deshmukh will preside.
* November 25,6.30 pm,Gateway of India: Citizens Initiative for Peace (CIP)’s candle-light vigil; 50-ft banner demanding full implementation of Police Reforms.
* November 25,6 pm,Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue,Kala Ghoda: Memorial service; Israeli Ambassador Mark Sopher to speak; Consul Generals from US,Italy,Canada,Germany,etc to attend.
* November 26,10.30 am,Walchand Hirachand Hall,IMC: The Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC)’s memorial function dedicated to the brave souls and victims who lost their lives on November 26,2008,and on July 11,2006; Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to be chief guest.
* November 26,8 am,NCPA to Omble Chowk,Girgaum Chowpatty: Flag march by the Mumbai Police.
* November 26,10 am to 9 pm,Ganesh Galli Maidan in Lalbaug: Lalbaugcha Raja mandal and Ganesh Galli Ganpati Mandal’s exhibition of over 100 paintings/sketches on 26/11 by school students.
* November 26,9 am to 9 pm,CST: Shree Balkrishna Nidhi Trust’s blood donation drive.