With a view to familiarise the Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel with Diwali, as it is celebrated in Maharashtra, the Mumbai police recently organised a Diwali progamme for them. A team of ITBP personnel is guarding arrested gunman Ajmal Kasab held at the Arthur Road Prison in Central Mumbai.

The function, a part of which was held inside the Arthur Road Prison, saw the NM Joshi Marg police officers draw rangoli and light lanterns at the entrance of the prison.

The cops also ordered faraal (traditional Maharashtrian sweetmeats) and other savouries prepared during Diwali. The main function was held at the National Security Guards (NSG) hub in Kalina for the NSG and the ITBP men.

Senior police inspector Vasant Tajne of the NM Joshi Marg police said, “We brought all types of Diwali sweets like besan laddoos, coconut chaklis which you will find at any Mahrashtrian’s house during the festival. Our objective was simply to make them feel at home.”

An ITBP personal on condition of anonymity said, “The function was a major morale booster for us. We got a glimpse of a new culture. It was also a good break from the tedious routine job we have been doing.”

The ITBP personnel were earlier brought to Mumbai in 2001 to secure the airport.

This time around they also got a feel of the Ganeshotsav when they visited the popular mandal Lalbaugcha Raja situated near the Arthur Road Prison. A personal who visited the mandal on all 11 days said, “We used to go in batches to the Ganesh pandal. It was a great experience to see people of all faiths visiting it. The feeling can’t be described in words.” He said that at the border the officers are invited for bada khana on occasions and the men at the front are allowed to fire rounds to mark Diwali. He added the celebrations were very different at this posting but just as special.