MUMBAI, August 14: The city police today made arrests of 153 anti-social elements and gangsters as a precautionary measure in view of the golden jubilee celebrations of India's independence.

Police sources said that the police commissioner, north-east region, has arrested 26 gangsters and 126 anti-social elements including extortionists from various parts of the city till Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, the final countdown for the jubilee celebrations began here this evening with the illumination of Mumbai's centuries-old facades. Victoria Terminus, a glorious facade of the Raj now is adorned to mark the completion of its 50 years under independent India as Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

As if in symbolic gesture, the Gateway of India, Prince of Wales museum, and other reminiscences of the British times are illuminated with colours same as that of its post-independence counterparts.

Not to be left behind, the bhelpuri and chaat vendors have also joined, illuminating their thelas. Young college guys and gals also prepare to join in in their own way, even as a whole generation of thoughtful old timers recall the idealism of their past.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.