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By:

Dr. Abhilash Dawre

19 March 2025 at 5:18:41 pm

Gold, luxury cars, lavish life

‘Pami Guru’ wows followers with MPs and police at darbar   Kalyan: Following the high-profile Ashok Kharat case in Nashik, the emergence of the ‘Pami Guru’ scandal in Kalyan has sent shockwaves across the state. Allegations of blind faith, financial exploitation, and potential political-police collusion have intensified public concern.   Viral videos circulating on social media show the self-styled transgender spiritual leader, known as ‘Pami Guru,’ flaunting a luxurious lifestyle. Footage...

Gold, luxury cars, lavish life

‘Pami Guru’ wows followers with MPs and police at darbar   Kalyan: Following the high-profile Ashok Kharat case in Nashik, the emergence of the ‘Pami Guru’ scandal in Kalyan has sent shockwaves across the state. Allegations of blind faith, financial exploitation, and potential political-police collusion have intensified public concern.   Viral videos circulating on social media show the self-styled transgender spiritual leader, known as ‘Pami Guru,’ flaunting a luxurious lifestyle. Footage displays the guru adorned with heavy gold jewelry, showcasing palatial homes and a fleet of expensive cars, including seven Fortuners and four Thars, claimed to be personally owned. This ostentatious display is believed to be a calculated attempt to impress and influence followers.   Adding to the controversy is the “token system” for personal visits. According to information shared by the guru, meetings are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays, with 200 tokens distributed on Mondays and Tuesdays respectively. This suggests that at least 400 people visit the site weekly. Critics argue that this system indicates a well-structured “business” under the guise of spiritual guidance, rather than mere devotion.   Visitors reportedly seek help for highly sensitive personal issues such as infertility, employment challenges, and family disputes. Accusations have emerged that these individuals are being misled and financially exploited under the pretext of “miraculous solutions.”   Political Dimension The scandal has also drawn a political dimension. A viral video shows Bhivandi MP Suresh Mhatre, also known as ‘Balya Mama,’ meeting the guru, raising questions about indirect political backing. Given the involvement of political figures in the Nashik case, speculation is growing over potential influences behind ‘Pami Guru.’   Serious questions have been raised regarding the role of local police. Some viral clips show police officers, including traffic officials, visiting the guru and even presenting personal issues while in uniform. In one shocking video, a traffic police officer from Vasai is seen placing his uniform belt and shoulder insignia aside during a prayer ritual, with visible cash notes, raising concerns about the integrity of the force.   Despite the gravity of the situation, no concrete action has been reported, prompting local outrage and demands for immediate investigation. Citizens are questioning whether authorities are unaware, neglecting their duty, or acting under external pressure. The lack of formal complaints has further fueled speculation about fear or suppression of public voices.   Maharashtra’s strict anti-superstition laws exist to prevent such exploitation, yet the continued operation of this large-scale system raises questions about enforcement gaps. The ‘Pami Guru’ case highlights the fine line between faith and fraud particularly when devotion is monetised with “token numbers,” turning belief into business.

Driving the change

The nine days of Navratri celebrate goddesses who embody strength in different forms; valour, compassion, creativity, austerity, devotion, justice, protection, forgiveness and wisdom. In our annual Navratri series, we celebrate the lives of nine women who strive to build happy and safe spaces for themselves and those around them.


PART - 3


Name: Surekha Yadav | Where: Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Name: Surekha Yadav | Where: Kolhapur, Maharashtra

The history of Indian Railways spans more than 170 years, but only a few names shine as beacons of courage and transformation. One such name is Surekha Yadav, Asia’s first female loco pilot. When she will retire on September 30 after 36 years of service, she will be remembered not merely for her career highs but as a movement that redefined what women could aspire to achieve.


Born on September 2, 1965, in Satara, Maharashtra, Surekha grew up in a farming household as the eldest of five siblings. Responsibility came early, but so did resilience. From early childhood, Surekha displayed a keen interest in studies, especially in technical subjects—a field rarely pursued by girls at the time. At a time when girls’ education often ended at school, her parents encouraged her to pursue academics and she eventually earned a diploma in Electrical Engineering. This educational foundation, coupled with her family’s progressive outlook, gave her the courage to chase an unconventional dream. Her childhood reflects a blend of discipline, encouragement, and courage, which shaped her outlook and paved the way for her entry into a male-dominated profession.


When she applied to the Railway Recruitment Board in 1987, the very idea of a woman driving a train was unheard of. Yet, after six months of rigorous training at the Kalyan Training School, she began her career in 1989 as an Assistant Driver. That moment marked a milestone in Indian Railways—the entry of its first woman loco pilot.


The initial years of her career were far from easy. Working in a domain overwhelmingly dominated by men, she faced skepticism from colleagues and resistance from social norms. Yet she remained undaunted. Her patience, discipline, and above all, the unwavering support of her family gave her the strength to move ahead. She proved to the doubters that driving a train requires skill, dedication, and perseverance—qualities that are not bound by gender.


Surekha’s career steadily advanced through dedication and hard work. In 1996, she drove a freight train for the first time and four years later, became a motorwoman, later qualifying to drive trains in the challenging ghat (hill) sections of the Western Ghats—an achievement that even seasoned male drivers found demanding.


Her achievements saw her lead momentous train journeys—on the occasion of the International Women’s Day in 2011, she drove the iconic Deccan Queen train, earning recognition for her excellence. Ten years later, Surekha commanded a special train with an all-women crew, symbolizing empowerment across the country.


Surekha was chosen for coveted train rides when on March 13, 2023, she became the first woman to drive the much-awaited Vande Bharat Express from Solapur to Mumbai. The Indian Railways commemorated her pioneering service with a fitting final assignment in September 2025 when she piloted the Rajdhani Express. This event was described by railway officials as a tribute to her extraordinary service.


Surekha Yadav’s career reflects grit, persistence, and the refusal to accept limits imposed by tradition. She not only drove trains but also drove change, proving that competence knows no gender. Her story continues to inspire girls from small towns and villages, proving that determination can bridge the gap between modest beginnings and historic achievements.


Surekha is a reminder that true trailblazers pave the way for others to follow. Her name will remain etched in history as the woman who turned the railway tracks into pathways of possibility for countless others.

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