Mumbai Police’s Friendship Day post on Sunday, August 2, 2026, described the department as ‘that one friend who’s just a call away,’ sharing four key emergency helpline numbers with the public.
The post read, ‘That one friend who’s just a call away. Always there for you. Always ready to help,’ shared in English and Marathi with friendship-themed graphics.
The four helplines highlighted were 112, the all-in-one national emergency response number; 1930, for cybercrime and financial fraud; 103, the women’s safety helpline; and 1915, the senior citizens’ helpline.
Friendship Day, marked on the first Sunday of August, celebrates the bond of friendship, a theme the department used to frame its emergency services as a dependable ‘friend’ during a crisis.
Mumbai Police has a history of pairing civic awareness messages with festive occasions on social media, an approach that has often resonated widely with users.
The post received a positive response online, with several users praising the department’s creative way of highlighting essential helpline numbers.
The 1930 cybercrime helpline connects callers directly to India’s National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal network, allowing victims of financial fraud to report incidents and potentially freeze fraudulent transactions quickly.
The 112 number consolidates India’s earlier separate emergency lines for police, fire and ambulance services into a single all-in-one helpline, part of a nationwide Emergency Response Support System.
Social media users responded to the post with messages of appreciation, with several praising the department’s creative approach to reminding citizens of essential safety resources on a lighthearted occasion.
Friendship Day traces its origins to a 1958 proposal in Paraguay, and while it is not a public holiday in India, it is widely observed through gift exchanges, gatherings and social media messages among friends.
Mumbai Police’s official social media handles have built a large following over the years, partly due to their consistent use of humour, pop culture references and timely public safety reminders.
Photo by Nichalp, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
