Mumbai, August 15, 2025 — SEAL Ashram, home to over 400 rescued inmates, celebrated the nation’s 79th Independence Day under the ‘Har Dil Tiranga’ initiative with Joint Commissioner of Police Shri Sanjay Yenpure as chief guest. The celebration was part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and marked a symbolic freedom from deprivation for the residents, many of whom are destitute and rescued from the streets and railway platforms of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
Dr. Abraham Mathai, Founder–Chairman of the Harmony Foundation, commended SEAL Ashram for its unwavering mission since 1999 of rescuing missing children and destitute individuals. “In the view of our nation’s 79th Independence Day celebration, we salute the remarkable work of SEAL Ashram, which has freed countless individuals from destitution and deprivation. It is a joy for the Harmony Foundation to stand in solidarity with SEAL Ashram and its residents in this joyous celebration of our nation’s Independence Day, along with local Jt. Commissioner of Police and other police officials,” Dr. Mathai said.
Praising the organisation’s contributions, Jt. CP Shri Sanjay Yenpure remarked, “The work of SEAL Ashram is amazingly great and I truly appreciate the sincere work being done by them.”
Dr. Mathai reflected on the vision of India’s freedom fighters, saying they dreamed of a nation free from societal injustice, poverty, and all barriers that hinder progress. “It is inspiring to see organisations like SEAL Ashram embodying that vision by following the path of compassion and solidarity laid down by our freedom fighters,” he said.
He further recalled, “When no one was there to take care of these unfortunate ones, it was SEAL Ashram that came to the rescue of these destitute and freed them from the clutches of their aggravating and heart-wrenching condition of impoverishment and destitution. It was such a joy to see the residents of the SEAL Ashram — which constitute the sick, the elderly, HIV positive patients, persons with intellectual disabilities and the orphan kids — all dressed up in Tiranga T-Shirts joining together in hoisting the national flag.”
Dr. Mathai, who is also the Chief Patron of SEAL Ashram, stressed that without intervention, these people would have remained in their miserable and despairing conditions like countless voiceless individuals living on the streets. “The SEAL Ashram has made it possible for them by not only rescuing them and giving them a safe haven but also freeing them from their condition of despair,” he said.
In conclusion, Dr. Mathai said that as the nation celebrates the 79th year of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, it is a moment to remember the monumental liberation of marginalised members of society from the harrowing conditions they endured before SEAL Ashram intervened. He saluted the selfless endeavours of SEAL Ashram, especially Pr. K.M. Philip and the dedicated team, for upholding the highest ideals of kindness and benevolence, akin to those embodied by Mother Teresa. “In a world easily swayed by materialistic pursuits, it is organisations like SEAL Ashram that rekindle our hope, faith, and trust in humanity,” Dr. Mathai concluded.
