top of page

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.

Kojagiri Purnima: The Moonlit Festival of Prosperity, Health, and Togetherness

As the full moon brightens the night sky, homes across India come alive with devotion and celebration. Kojagiri Purnima, also called Sharad Purnima, blends spiritual reverence, cultural tradition, and nature’s beauty. Falling on the full-moon night of Ashwin (September–October), it marks the end of the monsoon and the start of a season of clear skies, cool breezes, and harvest abundance. This year, Kojagiri Purnima is observed on 6 October across India.


The festival’s name carries deep meaning. Kojagiri comes from the Sanskrit phrase “Ko Jagrati?”, meaning “Who is awake?” Legend has it that Goddess Lakshmi, deity of wealth and prosperity, roams the earth on this sacred night, blessing those awake and worshipping her with fortune and happiness. Another belief holds that Lord Krishna played the divine Raas Leela with the Gopis under the Sharad Purnima moon. It is also said to be the night when the moon’s nectar-like rays possess healing powers for body and soul.


Rituals and Celebrations:

1. Lakshmi Pooja and All-Night Vigil

Families perform Lakshmi Puja in the evening, offering prayers, lighting oil lamps, and decorating their homes with rangoli and flowers. Many observe a vigil, staying awake through the night to invite the goddess’s blessings of wealth and prosperity. Soft devotional songs and bhajans fill the air, creating an atmosphere of serenity and joy.


2. The Sacred Milk Offering

A highlight of Kojagiri Purnima is the preparation of special milk, usually flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and dry fruits. This milk is placed in silver vessels under the open sky to absorb the moon’s cool, nourishing rays. Consuming this moon-charged milk is believed to balance the body’s “pitta” (heat) and improve immunity after the humid monsoon months.


3. Community Gatherings and Singing

On this night, rooftops and courtyards become lively social spaces. Friends and families gather to sing, share stories, and enjoy the moonlight. In many regions of India—especially Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Bengal—people organise Kojagiri parties, with music, dancing, and the shared enjoyment of moonlit delicacies.


Maharashtra: The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Families host “kojagiri milk parties”, staying awake together and exchanging wishes of prosperity.


West Bengal & Odisha: Sharad Purnima is also associated with the divine love of Radha and Krishna. Devotees observe fasting and sing bhajans dedicated to the Lord.


Uttar Pradesh & Bihar: People worship Goddess Lakshmi and place vessels of kheer under the moonlight, later distributing it as prasad.


Gujarat: Many communities combine Kojagiri with Garba dances and night-long devotional singing.


Scientific and seasonal relevance

Beyond mythology, Kojagiri Purnima also reflects ancient wisdom about seasonal health. The post-monsoon period brings a shift in climate, and moonlight is thought to have a calming, cooling effect on the body. Modern science acknowledges that spending time under natural moonlight can reduce stress. The nutrient-rich milk infused with moon rays is a healing tonic for immunity and digestive balance.


Relevance today

In a fast-paced world, Kojagiri Purnima offers a chance to pause and reconnect. The festival encourages us to:

  • Spend time under the open sky, appreciating nature’s simple wonders.

  • Strengthen family bonds through shared rituals and conversations.

  • Cultivate gratitude for prosperity and abundance.

  • Restore health by following time-honoured seasonal practices.


To keep this cultural gem alive for the next generation and to pass it down to future generations, we can:

Share Stories: Narrate the stories of Goddess Lakshmi and Krishna’s Raas Leela to children, sparking curiosity about their roots.


Involve Kids in Rituals: Encourage them to help prepare the spiced milk, decorate the pooja space, or design rangolis.


Blend Tradition with Modern Joy: Host small rooftop parties with music and games that celebrate both the full moon and family bonds. Teach the Science: Explain how moonlight and seasonal rituals promote well-being, so they see tradition as both meaningful and practical.


Kojagiri Purnima is more than a festival of rituals—it invites us to awaken to nature’s abundance, the moon’s healing light, and the warmth of human connection. Under the silvery Sharad Purnima moon, we are reminded that true prosperity lies in health, harmony, and shared joy.


(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page