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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.

How Modi’s Visit Could Be A Game Changer for Trade?

Updated: Feb 18, 2025

Modi

The most awaited meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump that took place on February 13, 2025 primarily focused on Trade, Defense ties, AI and space exploration. The key highlights of the meeting were primarily- India-US launch mission 500 for a double bi-lateral trade in 2030, Defense ties, F35 Fighter Jet deal, Space Exploration and AI cooperation.


What is India-US mission 500?

It is an ambitious project chalked out by both the countries with an aim to double the bi-lateral trade between India and the United States to $ billion by 2030. Reports highlighted that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized Mission-500, which seeks to elevate bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030. Addressing a press conference, Misri said, “The two leaders have jointly launched the US-India Compact for the 21st Century to foster deeper collaboration in defense, trade, and technology. In the area of trade and investment, Mission-500 has been introduced to more than double total two-way trade to USD 500 billion by 2030.” He further said, “Additionally, the leaders unveiled plans to establish a new 10-year framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership, spanning from 2025 to 2035.”


The mission focuses on several key areas, including, identifying and eliminating trade barriers to facilitate smoother transactions, promoting investment opportunities, encouraging investments in key sectors such as technology, energy, and manufacturing. Establishing joint working groups to address trade challenges and opportunities, and fostering collaboration in emerging sectors like digital economy and clean energy are also of top focus.


The successful execution of Mission 500 is expected to yield significant benefits, including increased job creation and economic growth in both countries, enhanced technological exchange and innovation, and strengthened geopolitical ties and strategic partnership.


Both leaders acknowledged existing trade tensions and expressed a commitment to resolving them. While President Trump called for the need to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with India by increasing American energy exports, Prime Minister Modi pledged to double bilateral trade by 2030. Both agreed to work towards finalizing segments of a trade deal by fall 2025.


Another important announcement that came was from Trump regarding the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, implicated in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to India. Trump expressed willingness to support the extradition. Besides, Prime Minister Modi assured the return of Indian citizens residing illegally in the U.S.


What is the F-35 fighter jet deal?

The F-35 fighterjet deal refers to the procurement of the Lockhead Martin F-35 Lightning II by various countries. The deal involves the purchase of F-35 aircraft, munitions, and related equipment. During their recent meeting, Modi and Trump discussed enhancing defense cooperation between the two nations. Trump announced plans to increase military sales to India, including the potential provision of F-35 stealth fighter jets. These are among the most advanced fighter jets globally featuring stealth capabilities and cutting-edge avionics. If acquired, it would significantly bolster India’s air combat capabilities.


Space Exploration and AI cooperation

Several key announcements were made including the US-India TRUST initiative which is a road map for AI infrastructure, and the INDUS Innovation platform to foster partnerships in defence, space and energy. According to the official statement, the leaders hailed 2025 as a pioneering year for US-India civil space cooperation with plans for a NASA-ISRO effort through AXIOM, to bring the first Indian astronaut to the International space station. It also mentioned a likely early launch of the joint NISAR mission, which will be the first of its kind to systematically map changes to the earth’s surface using dual radars.


Echoing US President Donald Trump’s agenda at the White House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced his vision of Make India Great Again, reiterating his tough stand that just like Trump, New Delhi is also firm on keeping the national interest on the top priority. The statement came when both the world leaders addressed a joint press conference on Thursday Feb 14, after their meeting got concluded in Washington DC.


Lastly, another key highlight was the reciprocal tariffs. Trump recently announced that he proposes to answer foreign import taxes on US goods with rates equal to what each country imposes. Trump has since long been expressing his disappointment over India for its high tariff rate on foreign goods. Reports highlight that on some occasions he even called PM Modi the “king of tariffs”. However, after the meeting, both Trump and Modi announced they would follow up on a strategy for enhancing cooperation on the issue.

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