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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Fadnavis hero of BJP's victory

Mumbai: In a resounding testament to his strategic prowess, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as the architect of the BJP’s impressive election victory in the state. The way he orchestrated the campaign, crafted his message, and selected candidates has left observers and allies alike hailing his mastery of the political landscape. Even as the Municipal Council results unfolded, most of the political analysts were reminded of the Mahayuti’s resounding victory during the assembly...

Fadnavis hero of BJP's victory

Mumbai: In a resounding testament to his strategic prowess, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as the architect of the BJP’s impressive election victory in the state. The way he orchestrated the campaign, crafted his message, and selected candidates has left observers and allies alike hailing his mastery of the political landscape. Even as the Municipal Council results unfolded, most of the political analysts were reminded of the Mahayuti’s resounding victory during the assembly elections last year. While Fadnavis played crucial role even in those elections, the credit for those results was given primarily to the then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, under whole leadership the Mahayuti had contested the election. However, Fadnavis, who took the charge of the state last year after the assembly elections, successfully demonstrated that even after a year in the saddle, he has been able to not just keep the popularity of the Mahayuti intact, but has actually increased it. Fadnavis’ strategy was built on a delicate balance of people-centric initiatives, social pragmatism, and a keen understanding of the state’s complex political dynamics. His relentless focus on development, coupled with a sharp eye on social arithmetic, helped the BJP connect with voters across demographics. Grassroot Workers Yet another decisive factor that worked in favour of Fadnavis was the positive reinforcement that he provided to the grassroot workers of the BJP in particular and Mahayuti constituents in general. These elections of Nagar Palika and Nagar Panchayats are considered to be the elections driven entirely by the grassroot political workers. Through is tiring campaign trail Fadnavis assured these grassroot workers that he would stand by their side and for them in their testing times. “Grassroot workers are the real nerves for any political party. Fadnavis not just reached out to people for them, but also presented the grand vision of developemnt for their respective areas, making the victory easy for them. When juxtaposed with leaders like Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, who didn’t even address a single rally for these elections, the importance of Fadnavis’ efforts from the point of view of grassroot workers emerges taller,” said one of the senior officials of CMO, while highlighting the difference between Fadnavis and the opposition leaders, who, in his opinion left the grassroot workers of their respective parties alone to fight for themselves. Stark Contrast State BJP president Ravindra Chavan highlighted the stark contrast between Fadnavis and his opponents. Fadnavis, who addressed over 50 large rallies to campaign for these elections, never criticized any of the opposition leaders. His single minded focus was on the development agenda that he has set for the state and explaining to people as to how he has been advancing it. He reached out to people over phone and through the internet to places where it was impossible for him to reach due to time constraints. Even in those short interactions he could convince the people that he is well aware of their issues and aspirations and he also assured them of solutions to their problems. On the contrary the opposition leaders tried to spread a false narrative against him. Social Fabric Apart from Fadnavis’ ability to strike a chord with the masses through his rallies, Fadnavis also demonstrated his grasp of the state’s social fabric by ensuring representation to various communities in the candidate selection process. The BJP’s list of candidates was a testament to his ability to balance competing interests and create a diverse yet cohesive team. Fadnavis’ leadership style, often described as decisive and inclusive, has earned him recognition as one of the BJP’s most effective leaders in the state. His ability to navigate complex political situations, including the split in the Shiv Sena and the alliance with Eknath Shinde, showcased his strategic acumen. As the BJP’s star campaigner, Fadnavis cramped the opposition’s style by projecting himself as a leader above narrow politics. His emphasis on good governance, transparency, and accountability resonated with urban voters, who are increasingly looking for leaders who can deliver results. The results are a testament to Fadnavis’ ability to connect with the people and his party’s commitment to serving them. As he looks to the future, the onus is on him to deliver on his promises and take Maharashtra to new heights.

Sibling love blooms for six decades in Worli

India’s tallest Christmas Tree touches skies, hearts

Douglas Saldanah with India's tallest, 72-feet high, Christmas Tree in Worli.
Douglas Saldanah with India's tallest, 72-feet high, Christmas Tree in Worli.

Mumbai: On a quiet by-lane in Worli, hemmed in by concrete towers and the ceaseless beats of Mumbai, rises a breath-taking spectacle that makes people stop in their tracks.  


A towering Pine Conifer, glowing with more than 12,000 twinkling fairy lights, smiling angels, glittering reindeers and lots of cotton snow, stretches 72 feet into the night sky – almost equal to a 7-storied building – the most famous ‘rooted resident’ of the area. 


By record books and repute, it is ranked “India’s tallest naturally growing, fully decorated, Christmas Tree” and by spirit, it is a living monument to love, loss and the lasting faith of a brother and sister. 


The lofty tree nestles in a modest garden at Adarsh Nagar, a private residential society, and belongs to Douglas Saldanha, 64, a soft-spoken financial consultant, who has reverently tended it for over 52 years. 


Joys And Sorrows

The story of the tree is entwined with the joys and sorrows of the Saldanhas – the deceased parents Henry (87) and Grace (86), their children Twila (died 2005) and now Douglas. They moved from Mangalore to Mumbai decades ago, and it was here that this enchanting tree entered their lives almost by accident. 


Saldanha recalls how in 1973, a neighbour was grappling to manage a five-foot sapling looming awkwardly on his verandah, and quickly offered to sell it for Rs 250 to the thrilled Douglas, 12, and his sister Twila, 14. 


“We both carefully replanted it in the ground outside the verandah of our home, watered it daily, watched it, and felt pleased as it majestically stretched horizontally and vertically season after season, like a shared childhood dream,” Saldanha told ‘The Perfect Voice’. 


Enchanting Spectacle

Weeks before December 25, the Saldanha siblings would transform it into an enchanting spectacle - streamers and bells, shiny baubles, cherubic angels, tiny crosses, snowmen and a smiling Santa, topping it with a large star.


Awestruck neighbours, friends and relatives joined in to spread joy and laughter, and as the three grew in stature, so did the scale of celebrations and life continued happily. 


Sparing no efforts or expenses, every year he strung thousands of lights higher and wider, increasing as the tree’s height and girth increased, the cherubs seem to hover in mid-air; a cheerful Santa waving from a shiny flying sleigh perched on a mound of soft cotton snow, enthralling the visitors. 


“Absolute strangers came in droves to marvel at the masterpiece, clicked selfies or photos, many were moved to learn of the story behind the tree, and departed as lifelong friends. The Christmas tree exudes warmth, love and peace that attracts all,” commented Saldanha.


For the Saldanha family, the tree apparently worked other miracles. Henry Saldanha, a retired engineer survived multiple cancers in the prostate and cheek, five heart attacks, an open heart surgery and seven other major surgeries before going to meet his Lord in 2017, aged 87; in 2022 his wife Grace followed suit, aged 86 - leaving Douglas as the sole guardian angel of the three.


As he spent a major part of his youth caring for his parents and nurturing the family tree, Saldanha, a financial consultant for a MNC, chose to remain a bachelor: “I just wanted to be a good son,” was his simple, shrugging and smiling refrain.

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