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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city...

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city will get a ‘Hindu Marathi’ person to head India’s richest civic body, while the Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena also harbour fond hopes of a miracle that could ensure their own person for the post. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) optimism stems from expectations of possible political permutations-combinations that could develop with a realignment of forces as the Supreme Court is hearing the cases involving the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party this week. Catapulted as the largest single party, the BJP hopes to install a first ever party-man as Mayor, but that may not create history. Way back in 1982-1983, a BJP leader Dr. Prabhakar Pai had served in the top post in Mumbai (then Bombay). Incidentally, Dr. Pai hailed from Udupi district of Karnataka, and his appointment came barely a couple of years after the BJP was formed (1980), capping a distinguished career as a city father, said experts. Originally a Congressman, Dr. Pai later shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party, then back to Congress briefly, founded the Janata Seva Sangh before immersing himself in social activities. Second Administrator The 2026 Mayoral elections have evoked huge interest not only among Mumbaikars but across the country as it comes after nearly four years since the BMC was governed by an Administrator. This was only the second time in the BMC history that an Administrator was named after April 1984-May 1985. On both occasions, there were election-related issues, the first time the elections got delayed for certain reasons and the second time the polling was put off owing to Ward delimitations and OBC quotas as the matter was pending in the courts. From 1931 till 2022, Mumbai has been lorded over by 76 Mayors, men and women, hailing from various regions, backgrounds, castes and communities. They included Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, even a Jew, etc., truly reflecting the cosmopolitan personality of the coastal city and India’s financial powerhouse. In 1931-1932, the Mayor was a Parsi, J. B. Boman Behram, and others from his community followed like Khurshed Framji Nariman (after whom Nariman Point is named), E. A. Bandukwala, Minoo Masani, B. N. Karanjia and other bigwigs. There were Muslims like Hoosenally Rahimtoola, Sultan M. Chinoy, the legendary Yusuf Meherally, Dr. A. U. Memon and others. The Christian community got a fair share of Mayors with Joseph A. D’Souza – who was Member of Constituent Assembly representing Bombay Province for writing-approving the Constitution of India, M. U. Mascarenhas, P. A. Dias, Simon C. Fernandes, J. Leon D’Souza, et al. A Jew Elijah Moses (1937-1938) and a Sikh M. H. Bedi (1983-1984), served as Mayors, but post-1985, for the past 40 years, nobody from any minority community occupied the august post. During the silver jubilee year of the post, Sulochana M. Modi became the first woman Mayor of Mumbai (1956), and later with tweaks in the rules, many women ruled in this post – Nirmala Samant-Prabhavalkar (1994-1995), Vishakha Raut (997-1998), Dr. Shubha Raul (March 2007-Nov. 2009), Shraddha Jadhav (Dec. 2009-March 2012), Snehal Ambedkar (Sep. 2014-March 2017). The last incumbent (before the Administrator) was a government nurse, Kishori Pednekar (Nov. 2019-March 2022) - who earned the sobriquet of ‘Florence Nightingale’ of Mumbai - as she flitted around in her full white uniform at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, earning the admiration of the citizens. Mumbai Mayor – high-profile post The Mumbai Mayor’s post is considered a crucial step in the political ladder and many went on to become MLAs, MPs, state-central ministers, a Lok Sabha Speaker, Chief Ministers and union ministers. The formidable S. K. Patil was Mayor (1949-1952) and later served in the union cabinets of PMs Jawaharlal Nehru, Lah Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi; Dahyabhai V. Patel (1954-1955) was the son of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; Manohar Joshi (1976-1977) became the CM of Maharashtra, later union minister and Speaker of Lok Sabha; Chhagan Bhujbal (1985-1986 – 1990-1991) became a Deputy CM.

A Bitter Brew

Bitter Brew

The aromatic allure of Assam’s tea has long charmed palates around the world, yet the state’s tea gardens are now grappling with a far more bitter reality. This year, tea production in Assam’s Brahmaputra Valley dropped by 4%, equivalent to a staggering 21.7 million tons. While the figure may seem small at first glance, it reflects a troubling trend that threatens the industry’s sustainability and the livelihoods of millions.


The culprit is no mystery: climate change. Tea is a capricious crop, demanding precise weather conditions to thrive. This year, Assam endured unusual heatwaves with temperatures exceeding 40°C, well above the optimal 30°C for tea cultivation. Compounding the crisis, the state recorded a 7 percent rainfall deficit between June and August, disrupting the delicate balance of humidity and moisture essential for tea bushes. According to experts, such erratic weather patterns have plagued the region for years, and the worst may yet be to come.


The implications extend beyond Assam. The state produces over half of India’s tea, making it a cornerstone of the country’s exports. With over 800 plantations and a legion of small-scale growers responsible for 53 percent of the output, tea provides livelihoods for approximately 40 lakh people. Declines in production are not just an economic setback—they are a threat to the social fabric of Assam.


The strain on Assam’s tea gardens also puts global markets on edge. India is the second-largest tea producer in the world, and any prolonged disruptions in Assam’s output could force international buyers to turn elsewhere, jeopardizing India’s reputation as a reliable supplier. As global competition intensifies, especially from countries like Sri Lanka and Kenya, Assam’s tea industry risks being left behind.


Efforts to mitigate the crisis have been piecemeal at best. Experts have long advised tea growers to adopt climate-resilient practices, yet these measures remain poorly implemented. Meanwhile, the Tocklai Tea Research Institute, a vital hub of innovation for the sector, faces a financial crisis, with funding from the Tea Board halved and operational budgets capped. During a recent meeting in Guwahati, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal pledged to address these challenges, waiving financial hurdles for Tocklai and proposing CSR initiatives from corporate giants. Yet, even these efforts seem insufficient against the scale of the challenge.


The environmental toll of Assam’s tea crisis is not limited to production numbers. In Dibrugarh’s Maijan Tea Estate, workers protested against oil drilling operations by Oil India Limited, citing concerns over environmental degradation and worsening erosion along the Brahmaputra River. Their fears are well-founded. The Majuli area, already battered by erosion, stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of Assam’s ecosystem in the face of human intervention and climatic shifts. The protest also highlights a deeper tension: the struggle to balance economic development with environmental preservation.


Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma aptly described the tea industry as the “lifeblood” of the state. Yet, this lifeblood now courses through increasingly parched veins. While schemes like the Prime Minister’s Tea Workers Scheme offer critical support to workers, addressing the root causes of this crisis demands a more comprehensive, climate-centric approach.


For Assam’s tea industry to survive and thrive, it must embrace innovation. Sustainable farming practices, diversification into premium and organic teas, and leveraging tea tourism could not only mitigate climate risks but also reinvigorate the sector. As Assam’s tea workers fight for their livelihoods and their land, the industry must confront a stark choice: adapt to a changing climate or risk being steeped in decline. Without bold action, Assam risks losing not just its prized tea, but also the essence of its identity.

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