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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Muslims aghast at a Hindu dons CEO’s cap

Mumbai : Sparking intense debate and deep unease among Muslims, the Maharashtra government has appointed a non-Muslim IAS officer as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the State Haj Committee (SHC), just as preparations for the annual Haj pilgrimage get underway.   According to official sources, Manoj Jadhav, a high-ranking IAS officer, is named the new SHC CEO, replacing Shaikh Ibrahim S. Aslam, who demitted office recently.   The appointment is being described by critics as unprecedented...

Muslims aghast at a Hindu dons CEO’s cap

Mumbai : Sparking intense debate and deep unease among Muslims, the Maharashtra government has appointed a non-Muslim IAS officer as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the State Haj Committee (SHC), just as preparations for the annual Haj pilgrimage get underway.   According to official sources, Manoj Jadhav, a high-ranking IAS officer, is named the new SHC CEO, replacing Shaikh Ibrahim S. Aslam, who demitted office recently.   The appointment is being described by critics as unprecedented in the state’s history, even as state government officials maintain that the SHC CEO’s role is administrative in nature.   Unconvinced, community leaders and legal experts point out that the position carries significant religious and operational responsibilities.   India sends around 1.75-lakh Haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia every year, with a substantial majority coordinated through state and central Haj committees. The CEO is directly involved in overseeing the logistics, accommodation, travel schedules, coordination with Saudi authorities, and compliance with religious requirements associated with the Holy Haj pilgrimage.   Former SHC Chairman (2014-2018) Alhaj Ebrahim Gulam Nabi Shaikh, said the appointment has raised serious questions over its validity. “There is no provision in either the Central or State Haj Committee Acts that explicitly allows or envisages such an appointment. It is shocking how this decision was taken without consulting all stakeholders. Beyond administration, the CEO must address several religious and community-sensitive issues. Many Muslims are genuinely worried about how this will be handled,” he told The Perfect Voice.   Well-known advocate Yusuf Abrahani termed the decision “blatantly illegal” and said it has caused widespread distress. “I am in touch with major Muslim organisations, community leaders, trusts, and clerics across the state. We plan to challenge this appointment in court as early as next week,” he said.   Abrahani further noted that the CEO is traditionally expected to travel to Mecca and Medina, engage with Haj authorities, and possess a working understanding of Haj rites, rituals, and Islamic practices.   “This is far from being merely an organisational job. The question is not personal competence, but institutional appropriateness and legality,” he added.   Muslim intellectual M. Faisal Azmi, whose father, the late Hafiz Naushad Azmi was an ex-SHC Chairman, described the development as ‘absolutely unimaginable’. “It has shaken the entire Muslim community. Senior religious leaders and legal experts are discussing various options to challenge and rectify this,” he said.   “This is purely a matter of faith and religious administration of the Muslim community and cannot be tinkered with casually. It must be examined whether the Haj Committee Act permits such an appointment and under what circumstances. If it does not, the decision is clearly open to legal challenge.” SUHAIL KHANDWANI, Managing Trustee, Haji Ali Dargah & Mahim Dargah   “It is a matter of deep regret. Muslims are being systematically sidelined from key statutory and official bodies. Now even the Maharashtra State Haj Committee has not been spared. The motives may be questionable, but such actions will not succeed in weakening the community’s resolve.” MAULANA MAHMOOD DARYABDI, General Secretary, All India Ulema Council

Ayurveda 2.0: The Next Frontier of Skincare

The modern consumer wants clean, multi-functional skincare that delivers both performance and purpose.

As the global beauty industry shifts towards clean, sustainable, and ethical products, India’s ancient wellness system – Ayurveda – is staging a quiet revolution. Once confined to traditional herbal remedies, Ayurveda is now poised to transform the booming world of skincare products by offering a compelling blend of beauty and therapeutic wellness.


This World Ayurveda Day, it's time to recognise the new frontier: Ayurveda 2.0—where skincare and personal care meet wellness, naturally.


Conscious Skincare

Millennials and Gen Z are redefining beauty standards. No longer content with chemically loaded, synthetic-laden products, they’re seeking clean, cruelty-free, and multi-functional solutions. This has created a massive opportunity for Ayurvedic brands to offer innovative skincare and personal products.


Ayurveda seamlessly aligns with this new-age demand. Unlike conventional skincare, which often prioritises quick fixes over long-term health, Ayurvedic formulations offer therapeutic value with every application. They work with the skin's natural biology to promote balance and health from within.


The line between skincare and overall wellness is blurring. Consumers no longer want "just" a cream or serum, but they want hybrid solutions that offer performance with purpose. This is where Ayurveda truly shines.


Ayurvedic brands are already innovating with UV-protective face creams that hydrate and shield. Shampoos that tackle dandruff while enhancing shine, as well as shower gels infused with potent herbs for skin health, are also entering the market. These are not just a trend, but they're the future. The global market is paying close attention to these effective and holistic solutions.


Ayurvedic Skincare

Ayurvedic solutions are crucial for long-term skin health because they focus on treating the root cause of skin issues, rather than just the symptoms. Instead of relying on harsh chemicals that can provide temporary results, Ayurvedic principles use natural ingredients to nourish and restore balance.


This approach acknowledges that skin health is intrinsically linked to internal well-being and environmental factors. For example, instead of drying out acne with harsh treatments, Ayurveda uses herbs like neem or turmeric to purify the blood and reduce inflammation. This holistic approach leads to clearer, healthier skin over time.


By promoting harmony within the body, Ayurvedic skincare helps the skin maintain its own health, making it more resilient and radiant over time.


The issues

While Ayurveda enjoys immense trust for its safety and holistic benefits, it faces a few hurdles before it can fully claim its place in the global skincare arena.


One of the biggest issues is standardisation. The potency of herbs and botanicals can vary by season, soil quality, and geography, making consistency a real challenge. Natural ingredients can also be prone to microbial growth and have shorter shelf lives.


These are not flaws, but they’re features of truly natural products. Still, consumers conditioned by the flawless aesthetics of synthetic cosmetics may take time to adapt.


Plant-based, water-rich, or oil-based formulations are prone to microbial growth without strong preservatives. Limited use of synthetic stabilisers leads to a shorter shelf life compared to conventional cosmetics.


Yet, as industry experts point out, these challenges are not insurmountable; they’re invitations for scientific innovation. The next phase of Ayurvedic beauty must blend tradition with modern R&D to ensure efficacy, safety, and stability without compromising authenticity.


The Ayurvedic personal care space is becoming increasingly crowded. Many brands loosely incorporate “Ayurvedic” elements as a marketing strategy, adding a dash of turmeric or a hint of sandalwood without genuine formulation expertise. This is both a risk and a remarkable opportunity.


As the category matures, brands with deep Ayurvedic legacies, proven expertise, and research-backed formulations will stand out. The demand for authentic, holistic, and effective Ayurvedic brands will be on the rise.


In conclusion

Ayurveda is not just a system of healing; it’s a philosophy of living in harmony with nature. In a world grappling with climate change, chemical overload, and rising skin sensitivities, this philosophy is more relevant than ever.


The future of Ayurveda in skincare isn’t about replacing modern products; it’s about enhancing them. With the right investments in science, safety, and storytelling, Ayurveda is uniquely positioned to lead the global wellness beauty movement, not as a trend, but as a timeless tradition reimagined for today. On this World Ayurveda Day, let’s celebrate not just what Ayurveda was but what it is becoming.


(The writer is the co-founder and managing director of RESHMONA Pharmaceuticals. Views personal.)

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