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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 Summer Vacations Have Changed

Summer vacation has changed extensively over the years. I belong to an era of landline phones and letters which were the primary means of communication. We had very unstructured, unplanned holidays. Today vacations have become more structured, well planned and evokes a sense of thrill and excitement.


During our days, holidays were meant to give a break to children as the scorching sun in the month of April-May was unbearable and would sap energy. Today it's more of purpose bound from exploring new exotic destinations to developing new skills so on and so forth.


Holidays --Then

Break from studies: vacation was much awaited as we would get a break from studies and we would indulge in activities which would bring joy by playing outdoors which included hide n seek, hopscotch to name a few and indoor games were importantly carom, ludo and snake n ladder etc.


Visit to Grandparents/ relatives: I had the privilege of visiting grandparents’ house daily as they lived in the vicinity. So visiting them in particular during vacation was not in do-to list.


We visited aunts/uncle's as bonding was profoundly deep with cousins who waited for us and welcomed us and then shared about each other’s lives. Aunty cooked scrumptious meal which we all sat down cross legged keeping the kitchen door open for the breeze to get in which would balm the heat and we had a hearty satisfying meal, visit to temples and beach were previously planned, watching the sunset, various shades of Orange colour in the sky, and the horizon aroused questions on the mesmerizing creation by the creator, God. Waves which were calm and could turn gigantic in no time reminded us that calmness and destruction goes hand in hand. Long chats under the starry sky with cousins planning our next visit went on. Family would Sleep in one room under a single ceiling fan or a pedestal fan swaying all night. No complaints of heat yet, as the warmth in relations kept us relaxed and chilled. Luxury was for the rich but we felt truly enriched with our loved ones.


Relaxation and fun: Focus was on fun, recharge and to get back to school with zest and zeal.


Holidays -Now

Planned and structured: Vacations are full of activities like summer camps, music class, adventure camps and  academic classes still on alongside to meet the challenges of academics for the next term.


Outdoor games are so much restricted as kids have become gadget addicts and love to stay indoors glued to Television, play station mobile in an air conditioned packed room. Traditional outdoor games are slowly diminishing and hi- tech games are taking its place.


Luxury lavish destination: A visit to Grandparents or relatives has declined. Even if it is in do- to list duration of stay has significantly reduced as an idea of disturbance, barging in and encroachment on others space has set in which did not even cross our minds back then.


Exploration of new exotic destinations came into existence. As i mentioned holidays now are interesting and thrilling but the concern arises that Is it truly thrilling and interesting which will last long  where in each family member is hung to his or her own mobile even during holidays? sense of belongingness and oneness likely to  decrease as holidays is the perfect time to rebuild and restrengthen our equations by giving complete attention and time to each other.


Life without gadget is likely very hard but minimising the use and restructuring as a family should be a purpose in do-to list.


Summer vacation is on. Make it truly enjoyable, invigorating and create memories which you can cherish. Limit your exposure to gadgets and spend quality time with family, friends and near and dear ones.


Enhance your ability in any area of your interest.


Technology has connected us all on fingertips but let us make sure it does not disconnect us emotionally. Let us closely knit it back again.


Have a break free vacation from self-imposed barriers and restrictions. King of fruits, Mangoes are out everywhere. Let us relish it , sweeten our lives and spread Sweetness around. Let’s make each day worth cherishing.


(The author is a tutor based in Thane.)

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