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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

HC orders fresh elections in three months

Dr. Rumi F. Beramji Mumbai: In a jolt, the Bombay High Court has directed the state government to hold elections to the Maharashtra Council of Acupuncture (MCA) - which is managed by an Administrator for past three years – within three months, here on Friday. A division bench of the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) comprising Justice Ajit Kadethankar and Justice Vibha Kankanwadi were disposing off a petition filed a senior medical practitioner, Dr. Laxman Bhimrao Sawant through his...

HC orders fresh elections in three months

Dr. Rumi F. Beramji Mumbai : In a jolt, the Bombay High Court has directed the state government to hold elections to the Maharashtra Council of Acupuncture (MCA) - which is managed by an Administrator for past three years – within three months, here on Friday.   A division bench of the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) comprising Justice Ajit Kadethankar and Justice Vibha Kankanwadi were disposing off a petition filed a senior medical practitioner, Dr. Laxman Bhimrao Sawant through his lawyer Sharad V. Natu, seeking different reliefs.   These included alleged serious irregularities in the functioning of the MCA and challenging the continuation of the Administrator for a prolonged period pending the elections. The matter was highlighted in detail by  ‘ The Perfect Voice’   on April 21.   Strong Observations In its order uploaded today, Justice Kadethankar and Justice Kankanwadi noted the petitioner’s contentions that the Administrator, Dr. Rumi F. Beramji was appointed for only one year, and that period is over.   “It should be the endeavour of the State to implement the various provisions of the Act, that is, the Maharashtra Acupuncture System of Therapy Act, 2015. Holding of elections and formation of the council as per Section 3 of the said Act should be adhered to by the State Government and it cannot be then postponed in infinity,” said the court.   Accordingly, Justice Kadethankar and Justice Kankanwadi directed the state government, through the Medical Education & Drugs Department (MEDD) to conduct the MCA elections within a period of three months.   Prolonged Tenure Among other things, the petitioner had termed the appointment and prolonged tenure of former MCA Chairman Dr. Rumi F. Beramji as “illegal and arbitrary,” and detrimental to the cause of Acupuncture.   Elected as the inaugural head (May 2018-May 2023) of the five-member statutory body, Dr. Beramji, was subsequently appointed its Administrator after the MCA’s term expired.   Adv. Natu pointed out that the Administrator’s appointment was intended to be a stop-gap arrangement for one year to facilitate the polls, but it was subsequently ‘extended’. However, nearly three years later, Dr. Beramji continued without fresh elections being conducted, raising questions over adherence to statutory norms and principles of governance.   Directionless Members Dr. Sawant further contended that while Dr. Beramji was installed as Administrator, the remaining members of the council were effectively superseded, leaving the regulatory body without its mandated collective structure, and over 6500-members directionless.   He argued that the excuse cited for delay in conducting elections was ostensibly an incomplete voter list, but this reason was flimsy considering the extended time lapse.   The petition, which was heard and disposed of on April 22, also levelled serious allegations against the style of functioning of the MCA Administrator, decisions were taken unilaterally, whimsically and without transparency or institutional accountability.   Selective Targeting It also made accusations of ‘selective targeting’ of certain prominent members who attempted to raise valid issues, including the globally-renowned noted acupuncture expert Dr. P. B. Lohiya of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.   Other members raised doubts over approvals granted to more than a dozen acupuncture colleges and some two dozen Continuous Acupuncture Education (CAE) centres in undue haste, purportedly in violation of prescribed norms and alleged shady deals. Many of these institutions, it was claimed, either exist only on paper or lack essential infrastructure, faculty and facilities.   The petitioner called for a comprehensive review of the Administrator’s tenure, a financial audit of the MCA's affairs, and an independent probe by the MEDD into the approvals granted to the institutions in recent years.   Dr. Sawant had sought quashing Dr. Beramji’s appointment as MCA Administrator and setting aside all policy decisions taken during his tenure in the last three years, and ordering the government to hold elections to the body.

Citizens to raise Rs 43 cr for social good at Tata Marathon

Tata Marathon

Mumbai: The journey of the Tata Mumbai Marathon has been transformative since its inception and has redefined the health, fitness, and giving paradigm in India …Change Began Here. As we begin the countdown to the landmark 20th edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025, 269 NGOs, corporates, and citizens have collectively raised INR 43 crores to date. Fundraising for the event continues until Wednesday, 5 February 2025.


Spearheaded by United Way Mumbai, the event’s Philanthropy Partner, the Tata Mumbai Marathon has established itself as the country’s single largest sporting platform for philanthropy, raising over Rs 429 crores for 740 NGOs with the support of 600 corporates. This remarkable convergence of runners, donors, NGOs, and corporations continues to drive social change and empower communities nationwide.


George Aikara, CEO, of United Way Mumbai, said: As the Philanthropy Partner since 2009, we’ve seen the marathon evolve into a powerful force for social change. This year’s record-breaking turnout of 13,000 individuals alone running through charity, showcases TMM’s unique ability to inspire and engage.


Already, more than 222 fundraisers have raised over Rs 1 lakh each on the platform, and the average fundraiser has brought in Rs 2 lakh for causes spanning health, education, gender equality, and more. These numbers are a testament to the growing enthusiasm among participants. A special mention to the 6 ‘Change Legends’ – Ms Villy Doctor, Dr Bijal Mehta, Meera Mehta, Sunit Kothari, Shyam Jasani and Utppal Mehta – who have each raised over Rs 1 crore, making a lasting impact.


What’s exciting this year is that we also saw a significant increase in corporate participation, with businesses rallying their teams to fundraise and run together, reflecting the growing trend of companies leveraging the TMM platform to champion social responsibility.”


However, a panel of top fundraisers, NGO leaders, and young philanthropists shared their stories of fundraising and impact. Dr Bijal Mehta, an ophthalmologist and trustee of Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care (SRLC), emerged as one of the highest fundraisers, collecting astounding Rs 1.5 crores for the same NGO. Her efforts will support SRLC’s work in making education accessible in rural India and also supporting animal care and health. “The TMM provides us with an incredible platform to reach supporters and turn our vision into reality. Every two years, we’ve been able to create robust infrastructure and oversee more than 75 projects, leveraging this platform to bring about meaningful change,” she said.


Joining her was Shivaprasad Khened, Trustee of ADHAR (An Association of Parents of Mentally Challenged Adults) Home, and also a parent of an adult with intellectual disabilities. Sharing his journey of raising funds for the organisation he added, “Intellectual disabilities, particularly in adults is a cause that’s often misunderstood, and platforms like the TMM help bridge that gap in spreading visibility and awareness of intellectual disability, an area that is still underrepresented in discussions around mental health.”

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