2 weeks ago
Mumbai's East Indian Heritage Finds New Home at Baptista Bhavan
A very special building for Mumbai's East Indian community opened on May 17, 2026.
It is called the Kaka Joseph Baptista East Indian Bhavan.
The building is named after a famous freedom fighter who helped India become free.
Kaka Baptista is remembered for the words 'Swaraj is My Birthright'.
Inside the Bhavan there is a museum, a library, a children's play area and a big open space for gatherings.
The museum used to be in a place called Manori.
This is the first East Indian Bhavan in the whole world.
People can visit it from 4 to 6 pm for 20 rupees.
The community hopes young people will use it to remember their history and culture.
The first East Indian Bhavan in the world was inaugurated at Juhu Koliwada, Mumbai, on 17th May 2026.
The roughly 25,000 square foot complex, built on government land with the efforts of BJP MLA Ameet Satam, features 10 facilities including a museum, library and skill development centre.
The East Indian Museum, earlier located at Manori, is now housed within the new Bhavan.
The Bhavan honours freedom fighter Joseph 'Kaka' Baptista, known for the slogan 'Swaraj is My Birthright'.
The Bhavan idea was first conceived in 2009, with the demand revived after Satam's 2014 election and raised in the Maharashtra State Assembly in 2018.
East Indian Day, falling on the third Sunday of May, was commemorated on the inauguration day.
- Who
- The East Indian community of Mumbai, the Mobai Gaothan Panchayat, BJP MLA Ameet Satam, and descendants of Joseph 'Kaka' Baptista.
- What
- The grand inauguration of the Kaka Joseph Baptista East Indian Theme Garden and East Indian Bhavan, the first East Indian Bhavan in the world.
- Where
- Juhu Koliwada, Mumbai, on government land.
- When
- Sunday, 17th May 2026, which was also commemorated as East Indian Day.
- Why
- To preserve and showcase the heritage and culture of the East Indian community, Mumbai's original inhabitants, and honour freedom fighter Joseph 'Kaka' Baptista.
Key facts
- Inauguration date
- 17 May 2026
- Location
- Juhu Koliwada, Mumbai
- Building size
- Around 25,000 square feet
- Facilities
- 10 facilities including museum, library, statue, children's play area, skill development centre and open-air mandap
- Open-air mandap capacity
- About 1,000 people
- Visiting hours
- 4 pm to 6 pm
- Entry fee
- Rs. 20
- Museum's previous location
- Manori
Quotes
Gleason Barretto
Founding editor of the monthly Gaothan Voice and core MGP team member
“I felt an immense sense of pride and humility knowing that his values and beliefs will be passed on to future generations. My father would narrate stories about Kaka Baptista being a freedom fighter and close associate of Bal Gangadhar Tilak.”
freepressjournal.in
“The dream of having an East Indian Bhavan belongs to the entire East Indian community through the efforts of the Mobai Gaothan Panchayat. My role was to ensure that the Government's funds were properly allocated for this project.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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