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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 wait of 27 years over

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Ranji Trophy Champions

Mumbai is considered as Capital of Indian Cricket, a cradle of Cricket in India its record in domestic cricket is enviable. The 42 times Ranji Trophy Champions and now 15 times Irani Cup winners! It retained Ranji Trophy between 1958-1973, which is a record. Double crown for Mumbai after a long wait of 27 years.


The Glorious History

Irani Cup match is played between Ranji Trophy Champions and the Rest of India team selected on the basis other teams best, talented players. It is an annual feature of BCCI Cricket Calendar. Zal Irani who was BBCI’s first Treasurer since its inception, later a Vice-President and President (1966-67) was honoured by having a Trophy presented in his name. It started in 1959-60 and was played at end of the season. After five years, it was shifted to the beginning of the next season. This Irani Cup tie gives valuable data about the form of current players

This season 2023-24 has been amazing for Mumbai Cricket. They regained the Ranji Trophy after a long gap. With most of their star players away on national duty representing India in WC and WTC matches they showed the class. The newly looked Mumbai Team played well under the Captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane, a veteran Test stalwart.

Ajinkya led the side well though he didn't contribute much with the bat except in the final at Wankhede Stadium against Vidarbha. Ajinkya is always a captain cool. He is very shrewed with tactics. He led the bunch of talented youngsters which included Khan siblings Sarfraz and Musheer, Tanush Kotian (find of the season), pacer Awasthi, Tushar Deshpande (presently in UK for treatment), Shams Mulani, the crafty left arm spinner who along with Tanush Kotian plotted the downfall of opposition batters.


The Turning Point

In the Irani Cup match played on the red soiled Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in the first week of October Mulani bowled 40 overs and bagged 3 wickets but two main Rest of India batters, opener Abhimanyu Easwaran and Dhruv Jurel who stitched a partnership of 165 runs and frustrated the Mumbai team but Mulani exploiting the rough got Abhimanyu sweeping and catch was held by Tanush running in from short fine leg. Tanush then polished of ROI tail very swiftly. ROI lost last six wickets for just 23 runs. Both the tweakers bagged three wickets and Mumbai gained vital first innings lead of 121 runs.

Known for its batting Mumbai started badly in Irani Cup losing three wickets for 37 runs but skipper Ajinkya Rahane along with Shreyas Iyer and then with Double Centurion Sarfraz Khan put Mumbai innings back on track. Rock solid Batsman Sarfraz Khan scored unbeaten 222 runs which enabled Ranji Champions to reach 537 runs in 141 overs.


The New Hero

Real hero of this Irani Cup match was Tanush Kotian, an allrounder. The 26-year-old, a resident of Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli is a find of the season. His father Karunakaran Kotian is also a well-known name in Mumbai’s maidan cricket. Tanush also imbibed cricket from his father. He has progressed well making rapid strides in at national level.

A product of IES School, Dadar he is now the "Talk of the Town" by his exploits on field in Ranji Trophy tournament 2023-24. He got the Best Player Award for his eye catching all round performance. Last season, he scored a brilliant century and shared last wicket century record partnership with Tushar Deshpande, who also scored a maiden century.

"Bap se Beta Sawai"

Karuna is proud of his son’s performance. He wished his son should play in the IPL and Tanush did play in the IPL a solitary game for RR. Irani Trophy match performance 64, 114 not out, and 27-2-101-3 plus the spectacular catch to dismiss Abhimanyu Easwaran for 191 is noteworthy.

The Rising Star of Mumbai Cricket is marching towards further glory as new season of Ranji Trophy is beginning from October 11 with Mumbai the holders meeting Baroda. All eyes will be on Mumbai’s team performance in the opening encounter and the blue eyed boy Tanush.

Mumbai Cricket’s glorious achievement is the fruit of efforts taken by Ajinkya Rahane and his talented team members, coach Salvi, support staff, selectors and zealous band of Mumbai Cricket Associations officials.

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