FPJ 98th Anniversary: Mumbai’s East Indian Heritage Finds A New Home At Kaka Joseph Baptista Bhavan

On the 17th of May 2026, Mumbai's East Indian community celebrated a significant milestone as the Kaka Joseph Baptista East Indian Theme Garden and East Indian Bhavan were inaugurated at Juhu Koliwada. This momentous event marked the community's newfound home and a historic achievement for the East Indian community. As East Indian Day falls on the third Sunday of May, this day was particularly poignant.

Developed on government land, the architectural landmark was made possible through the tireless efforts of the Mumbra Gaothan Panchayat (MGP) core team led by Gleason Barretto, Alphi D'souza, and Walter Murzello. Barretto, also the founding editor of the monthly Gaothan Voice newspaper, revealed that the MGP had been seeking space for the East Indian Bhavan as early as 2013, but their efforts had fallen on deaf ears.

However, with Ameet Satam's election as an MLA in 2014 and his subsequent advocacy in the Maharashtra State Assembly in 2018, the dream finally became a reality.

At the inauguration, Satam emphasized that the Bhavan was not just a structure for the East Indian community but a symbol of their history, heritage, culture, and contributions to Mumbai and India. Dedicated to Joseph Kaka Baptista, a prominent freedom fighter and advocate known for the slogan "Swaraj is My Birthright," the Bhavan pays homage to the East Indian community's invaluable contribution to India's freedom struggle.

The expansive 25,000 square feet Bhavan offers a plethora of facilities catering to the community's needs. A life-sized statue of Kaka Joseph Baptista, a children's play area, a skill development center, an open-air mandap accommodating a thousand people, an East Indian village selfie point, and a library are among the 10 unique facilities provided.

The East Indian Museum, which was previously located at Manori, now resides within the Bhavan. It showcases the rich heritage and culture of the community. Additionally, the Kaka Baptista Project was initiated to promote and raise awareness about the community's freedom fighter. Family members of Kaka Baptista, both from India and the US, offered valuable guidance during the project's planning.