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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

The Unequal Cousins

Raj Thackeray’s ‘sacrifice’ saved Shiv Sena (UBT) but sank the MNS Mumbai: In the volatile theatre of Maharashtra politics, the long-awaited reunion of the Thackeray cousins on the campaign trail was supposed to be the masterstroke that reclaimed Mumbai. The results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, however, tell a story of tragic asymmetry. While the alliance has successfully helped the Shiv Sena (UBT) stem the saffron tide and regain lost ground, it has left Raj...

The Unequal Cousins

Raj Thackeray’s ‘sacrifice’ saved Shiv Sena (UBT) but sank the MNS Mumbai: In the volatile theatre of Maharashtra politics, the long-awaited reunion of the Thackeray cousins on the campaign trail was supposed to be the masterstroke that reclaimed Mumbai. The results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, however, tell a story of tragic asymmetry. While the alliance has successfully helped the Shiv Sena (UBT) stem the saffron tide and regain lost ground, it has left Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staring at an existential crisis. The final tally reveals a brutal reality for the MNS - Raj Thackeray played the role of the savior for his cousin, but in the process, he may have become the sole loser of the 2026 mandate. The worse part is that the Shiv Sena (UBT) is reluctant to accept this and is blaming Raj for the poor performance of his party leading to the defeat. A granular analysis of the ward-wise voting patterns exposes the fundamental flaw in this tactical alliance. The vote transfer, the holy grail of any coalition, operated strictly on a one-way street. Data suggests that the traditional MNS voter—often young, aggressive, and driven by regional pride—heeded Raj Thackeray’s call and transferred their votes to Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates in wards where the MNS did not contest. This consolidation was critical in helping the UBT hold its fortresses against the BJP's "Infra Man" juggernaut. However, the favor was not returned. In seats allocated to the MNS, the traditional Shiv Sena (UBT) voter appeared hesitant to back the "Engine" (MNS symbol). Whether due to lingering historical bitterness or a lack of instructions from the local UBT leadership, the "Torch" (UBT symbol) voters did not gravitate toward Raj’s candidates. The result? The UBT survived, while the MNS candidates were left stranded. ‘Second Fiddle’ Perhaps the most poignant aspect of this election was the shift in the personal dynamic between the Thackeray brothers. Decades ago, they parted ways over a bitter dispute regarding who would control the party helm. Raj, refusing to work under Uddhav, formed the MNS to chart his own path. Yet, in 2026, the wheel seems to have come full circle. By agreeing to contest a considerably lower number of seats and focusing his energy on the broader alliance narrative, Raj Thackeray tacitly accepted the role of "second fiddle." It was a pragmatic gamble to save the "Thackeray" brand from total erasure by the BJP-Shinde combine. While the brand survived, it is Uddhav who holds the equity, while Raj has been left with the debt. Charisma as a Charity Throughout the campaign, Raj Thackeray’s rallies were, as always, electric. His fiery oratory and charismatic presence drew massive crowds, a sharp contrast to the more somber tone of the UBT leadership. Ironically, this charisma served as a force multiplier not for his own party, but for his cousin’s. Raj acted as the star campaigner who energised the anti-BJP vote bank. He successfully articulated the anger against the "Delhi-centric" politics he accuses the BJP of fostering. But when the dust settled, the seats were won by UBT candidates who rode the wave Raj helped create. The MNS chief provided the wind for the sails, but the ship that docked in the BMC was captained by Uddhav. ‘Marathi Asmita’ Stung by the results and the realisation of the unequal exchange, Raj Thackeray took to social media shortly after the counting concluded. In an emotive post, he avoided blaming the alliance partner but instead pivoted back to his ideological roots. Urging his followers to "stick to the issue of Marathi Manoos and Marathi Asmita (pride)," Raj signaled a retreat to the core identity politics that birthed the MNS. It was a somber appeal, stripped of the bravado of the campaign, hinting at a leader who knows he must now rebuild from the rubble. The 2026 BMC election will be remembered as the moment Raj Thackeray proved he could be a kingmaker, even if it meant crowning the rival he once despised. He provided the timely help that allowed the Shiv Sena (UBT) to live to fight another day. But in the ruthless arithmetic of democracy, where moral victories count for little, the MNS stands isolated—a party that gave everything to the alliance and received nothing in return. Ironically, there are people within the UBT who still don’t want to accept this and on the contrary blame Raj Thackeray for dismal performance of the MNS, which they argue, derailed the UBT arithmetic. They state that had the MNS performed any better, the results would have been much better for the UBT.

Innovation that helps in maintaining environment

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

nnovation that helps in maintaining environment

In the heart of what is now known as Nano Cellulose Valley, a groundbreaking development is taking shape that promises to revolutionize the packaging industry. I successfully led the team at the University of Maine, United States, and addressed one of the industry’s most critical challenges: achieving sustainability through biopolymers while significantly reducing costs.

The persistent problem of plastic waste has long been a driving force behind the search for eco-friendly alternatives. Biopolymers such as starch, cellulose nanofibers (CNF), polylactic acid, and many more have emerged as potential solutions. Among these, CNF stands out due to its sustainable and natural derivation. However, its commercial use has been hindered by high water content and prolonged drying times, making it less viable for widespread application.

Transporting CNF slurry, with such a low concentration of solid content, is not only inefficient but also costly, as the bulk of the weight being moved is water. Additionally, handling and processing these dilute slurries require substantial energy and infrastructure, further increasing the costs. Efficient water removal of CNF slurry is therefore crucial. By reducing the water content, the volume and weight of the CNF material are significantly decreased, making transportation and handling more economical and environmentally friendly. This process also facilitates easier incorporation of CNF into various industrial applications, as less water needs to be removed during the final stages of production.

This pioneering research introduces a game-changing solution. The invention of “Electrostatic Contact Dewatering technique”. This innovative technique utilizes the electrostatic attraction between negatively charged CNF and positively charged precipitated calcium carbonate particles. By making this composite, the dewatering process accelerates fivefold, significantly reducing drying time and enhancing the cost-efficiency of CNF films.

The implications of this breakthrough are far-reaching. With high solids slurries of CNF now producible more efficiently, various industries can incorporate CNF-composites into their products. Potential applications span coatings, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biomedical fields, electronics, and, notably, packaging.

The research, detailed in the paper “Influence of Electrostatic Interactions on the Dewatering and Mechanical Properties of Cellulose Nanofiber/Precipitated Calcium Carbonate Composite Films,” published in the Cellulose Journal, reveals that these sustainable composite materials also exhibit exceptional strength. The strength of these films surpasses that of polypropylene, a commonly used plastic, making this composite a revolutionary development for packaging and other industries. This exceptional and extraordinary research was also presented as an invited talk at the International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials in Helsinki, Finland. The research represents a significant leap forward in our quest for a greener, more sustainable future.

As industries strive to reduce their environmental footprint, the advancements provide a beacon of hope. By harnessing the power of natural materials and innovative processes, the path toward sustainable and cost-effective biobased packaging is clearer than ever. The future of packaging, and indeed many other sectors, looks bright with nanocellulose leading the charge.


(The writer is an environmental expert. Views personal)

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