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By:

Naresh Kamath

5 November 2024 at 5:30:38 am

Battle royale at Prabhadevi-Mahim belt

Amidst cut-throat competition, five seats up for grabs Mumbai: South Central Mumbai’s Prabhadevi-Mahim belt, an epicentre of Mumbai’s politics, promises a cut-throat competition as the two combines – Mahayuti and the Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) combine – sweat it out in the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. It is the same ward where Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray used to address mammoth rallies at Shivaji Park and also the residence of MNS chief...

Battle royale at Prabhadevi-Mahim belt

Amidst cut-throat competition, five seats up for grabs Mumbai: South Central Mumbai’s Prabhadevi-Mahim belt, an epicentre of Mumbai’s politics, promises a cut-throat competition as the two combines – Mahayuti and the Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) combine – sweat it out in the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. It is the same ward where Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray used to address mammoth rallies at Shivaji Park and also the residence of MNS chief Raj Thackeray. This belt has five wards and boasts of famous landmarks like the Siddhivinayak temple, Mahim Dargah and Mahim Church, and Chaityabhoomi, along with the Sena Bhavan, the headquarters of Shiv Sena (UBT) combine. This belt is dominated by the Maharashtrians, and hence the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS has been vocal about upholding the Marathi pride. This narrative is being challenged by Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader Sada Sarvankar, who is at the front. In fact, Sada has fielded both his children Samadhan and Priya, from two of these five wards. Take the case of Ward number 192, where the MNS has fielded Yeshwant Killedar, who was the first MNS candidate announced by its chief, Raj Thackeray. This announcement created a controversy as former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Priti Patankar overnight jumped to the Eknath Shinde camp and secured a ticket. This raised heckles among the existing Shiv Sena (Shinde) loyalists who raised objections. “We worked hard for the party for years, and here Priti has been thrust on us. My name was considered till the last moment, and overnight everything changed,” rued Kunal Wadekar, a Sada Sarvankar loyalist. ‘Dadar Neglected’ Killedar said that Dadar has been neglected for years. “The people in chawls don’t get proper water supply, and traffic is in doldrums,” said Killadar. Ward number 191 Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vishaka Raut, former Mumbai mayor, is locked in a tough fight against Priya Sarvankar, who is fighting on the Shiv Sena (Shinde) ticket. Priya’s brother Samadhan is fighting for his second term from neighbouring ward 194 against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Nishikant Shinde. Nishikant is the brother of legislator Sunil Shinde, a popular figure in this belt who vacated his Worli seat to accommodate Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray. Sada Sarvankar exudes confidence that both his children will be victorious. “Samadhan has served the people with all his dedication so much that he put his life at stake during the Covid-19 epidemic,” said Sada. “Priya has worked very hard for years and has secured this seat on merit. She will win, as people want a fresh face who will redress their grievances, as Vishaka Raut has been ineffective,” he added. He says the Mahayuti will Ward number 190 is the only ward where the BJP was the winner last term (2017) in this area, and the party has once nominated its candidate, Sheetal Gambhir Desai. Sheetal is being challenged by Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vaishali Patankar. Sheetal vouches for the BJP, saying it’s time to replace the Shiv Sena (UBT) from the BMC. “They did nothing in the last 25 years, and people should now give a chance to the BJP,” said Sheetal. Incidentally, Sheetal is the daughter of Suresh Gambhir, a hardcore Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray loyalist, who has been a Mahim legislator for 4 terms and even won the 1985 BMC with the highest margin in Mumbai. In the neighbouring ward number 182, Shiv Sena (UBT) has given a ticket to former mayor and veteran corporator Milind Vaidya. He is being challenged by BJP candidate Rajan Parkar. Like the rest of Mumbai, this belt is also plagued by inadequate infrastructure to support the large-scale redevelopment projects. The traffic is in the doldrums, especially due to the closure of the Elphinstone bridge. There are thousands of old buildings and chawls which are in an extremely dilapidated state. The belt is significant, as top leaders like Manohar Joshi, Diwakar Raote and Suresh Gambhir have dominated local politics for years. In fact, Shiv Sena party’s first Chief Minister, Manohar Joshi, hailed from this belt.

Celebrating grace, wisdom and legacy

Updated: Nov 10, 2025

NM College ex-principal Dr. Urmila S. Rai turns 90

Principal Dr. Urmila Rai (3rd from right), son Tapan, daughter Shantala and son-in-law Nimesh Kothare.
Principal Dr. Urmila Rai (3rd from right), son Tapan, daughter Shantala and son-in-law Nimesh Kothare.

Mumbai: The CK Nayudu Hall at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) shimmered with laughter, nostalgia, and affection this weekend, as the academic fraternity, friends, and family gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of a remarkable woman - Dr. Urmila S. Rai, retired Principal of Narsee Monjee College, Vile Parle.

 

Turning 90 is no small feat, but Dr. Rai’s radiant presence, sharp intellect, and youthful spirit made it seem like just another milestone in her brimming life.


Clad in a lively green ensemble - perhaps symbolic of her evergreen personality - Dr. Rai, who relishes chocolates, flitted gracefully from table to table, exchanging warm greetings, hearty laughter, and affectionate hugs. Her fluffy, snowy white hair framed a face still glowing with enthusiasm and curiosity. Each conversation she shared seemed to light up the room, a testament to the enduring charm that once inspired generations of students and colleagues.

 

As former colleagues, relatives, and students gathered around, memories of her golden years helming the SVKM's prestigious Commerce college resurfaced. The nonagenarian “Madam Principal” - once affectionately dubbed “Indira Gandhi” by her students for her commanding presence, discipline, and authority - led the interactions with her trademark grace and humour.

 

Cheerfully discarding old protocols, she moved from group to group, greeting everyone personally, undeterred by age and bustling with energy. A touching moment was when she warmly shook hands with a former colleague who had flown in specially from Kerala, along with some relatives who had travelled from abroad to join the memorable celebrations.

 

Her son, Tapan Rai, with his wife Madhu, and daughter Shantala, with her husband Nimesh Kothare, played perfect hosts - ensuring guests felt at home while keeping a loving eye on their mother. They gently re-introduced her to some familiar faces transformed by unforgiving hands of time, bridging decades of shared memories.

 

What shone through the afternoon was not just the deep respect Dr. Rai commanded, but the esteem with which she is held even today. Her students - scattered around the world and some now luminaries in their respective fields - instinctively bent to touch her feet, receiving her blessings with reverence. Her colleagues enveloped her in warm embraces, cherishing fond memories of shared laughter, challenges, and long years spent shaping young stubborn minds.

 

Adulation flowed freely for the woman who had once steered one of India’s most prestigious colleges with vision, integrity, and compassion. 

“At 90, Dr. Rai remains what she has always been - an educator, a charismatic leader, a great motivator and a charming, graceful human,” gushed a former Vice-Principal Ramila Desai.


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