On Sunday evening, we witnessed the inauguration of the Kaka Joseph Baptista Gardens, East Indian Bhavan in Juhu. This is the first-ever East Indian community-themed garden in the world, tucked away at the end of a Juhu Koliwada lane, which was once a derelict open space. Local leaders had promised the East Indian community a dedicated space of their own since 2021, and this has finally been realised.

This paper reported on the development, showing an East-Indian themed complex in pictures, a Bhavan with Garden, Museum, community hall, library and other features making this a blend of the outdoors with a children’s play area and historical archive of the community. Several sculptures dotted the lawns and pathways of the space, showing traditional occupations of the East Indian community.