top of page

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.

Brave Soldiers and the Brave Women Behind Them

Bravery isn’t just born — it’s built through discipline, resilience, and duty. But even deeper runs the quiet courage of the women who stand behind our soldiers.

Colonel Sofiya Quresh and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
Colonel Sofiya Quresh and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh

Recently, the nation has witnessed fear, tension, and anguish. Anxiety lingers over the continuous firing, shelling, and ceasefire violations by Pakistan at the border. Our brave armed forces, who responded with strength and precision successfully intercepted missiles aimed at 15 Indian cities. Their courage is deeply commendable, and we remain forever indebted to them for risking their lives to protect ours. Their valour is beyond words — a sacrifice we honour with gratitude and respect.


Are soldiers born brave?

Bravery is a combination of both natural and developed characteristics. While each soldier is inherently courageous, military training, discipline, and instilling a strong sense of duty enhance their innate courage, which enables them to be highly receptive to challenges.


The training includes physical and mental conditioning to combat difficult situations, along with "duty comes first" over anything developed. Here’s a look at the essential traits that define a soldier’s preparedness and performance:

  • Resilience: The ability to recover from setbacks and maintain a positive outlook in adverse situations.

  • Focus and Concentration: The skill of staying sharp and executing missions with precision, even under intense stress.

  • Adaptability: Soldiers must adjust swiftly to unpredictable conditions, from shifting terrains to volatile weather.

  • Self-control: Emotional regulation is critical to making sound, timely decisions during high-stakes operations.

  • Persistence: A soldier's grit and perseverance push them to meet objectives despite numerous challenges.

  • Conquering Fear: Training instils the strength to overcome fear of injury or death in pursuit of mission success.

  • Teamwork: The armed forces thrive on collective learning and mutual support, fostering unity, inspiration, and strength.


The High Price of Duty

While their courage is visible, the personal cost borne by soldiers is often unseen. Their sacrifices go far beyond the battlefield.

  • Constant Physical Risk: Soldiers face life-threatening danger in combat zones and high-risk deployments.

  • Harsh Conditions: From scorching deserts to icy outposts, they endure extreme climates with limited resources and no room for complaint.

  • Mental and Emotional Strain: Continuous exposure to danger, trauma, and loss takes a deep toll on mental health, often leading to anxiety, PTSD, and other challenges.

  • Social Isolation: Long deployments leave little time for personal life, leading to isolation from society and friends.

  • Separation from Family: Extended absences mean missing out on birthdays, anniversaries, and major life moments — sacrifices made silently for the nation.


Brave women behind brave soldiers

Women play a vital role in a soldier’s life — as mothers, wives, and family members — contributing to his well-being and, in turn, to national security. Their strength sustains the spirit of service.


A soldier’s mother is a warrior herself, showing immense courage by sending her son to serve the nation. She instils bravery and patriotism from the very beginning, knowing the risks yet embracing them with pride. She is truly a brave heart who deserves our deepest respect.


The wife, too, shoulders multiple roles, managing the home front with quiet strength. Despite anxiety and long separations, she remains resilient, waiting, hoping, and holding the family together. Her unwavering spirit makes her a pillar of support, embodying courage and sacrifice.


Support extended by women is never-ending, but to summarise, here are a few:

Managing the Home Front

Women take primary charge of the household, ensuring the family’s needs are met while their sons or partners serve the nation. Their steady presence keeps life running smoothly in the soldier’s absence.


Providing Mental Strength

They offer deep understanding, immense patience, and unwavering emotional support — a source of strength that uplifts morale during testing times.


Love and Trust

Their unconditional love and steadfast trust help maintain a strong emotional bond. This connection brings both comfort and a shared sense of purpose, fuelling resilience and unity on both sides.

Here are a few ways to show gratitude to our bravehearts:

We as citizens can show gratitude to our soldiers and their families not just by acknowledging or appreciating their sacrifices but by an act of kindness in the form of various contributions, like raising funds to assist with their children's education or family health care, or we can even associate and get involved with organisations that take care of all these needs of their families.


If we ever get an opportunity to make a difference in their lives, we are truly blessed.


It's a powerful gratitude. This act of kindness will resonate with our inner selves and help ignite benevolence.


Alongside this, we should teach our children the essence of patriotism and enlighten them with the stories of our real heroes, which will help shape their lives in a larger way to be perceptive.


We salute the bravehearts, the strength and courage of brave women behind the scenes who play such powerful roles in national security and our peaceful life.


Jai Hind!


(The author is a tutor based in Thane.)

Comments

bottom of page