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By:

Naresh Kamath

5 November 2024 at 5:30:38 am

Battle royale at Prabhadevi-Mahim belt

Amidst cut-throat competition, five seats up for grabs Mumbai: South Central Mumbai’s Prabhadevi-Mahim belt, an epicentre of Mumbai’s politics, promises a cut-throat competition as the two combines – Mahayuti and the Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) combine – sweat it out in the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. It is the same ward where Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray used to address mammoth rallies at Shivaji Park and also the residence of MNS chief...

Battle royale at Prabhadevi-Mahim belt

Amidst cut-throat competition, five seats up for grabs Mumbai: South Central Mumbai’s Prabhadevi-Mahim belt, an epicentre of Mumbai’s politics, promises a cut-throat competition as the two combines – Mahayuti and the Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) combine – sweat it out in the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. It is the same ward where Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray used to address mammoth rallies at Shivaji Park and also the residence of MNS chief Raj Thackeray. This belt has five wards and boasts of famous landmarks like the Siddhivinayak temple, Mahim Dargah and Mahim Church, and Chaityabhoomi, along with the Sena Bhavan, the headquarters of Shiv Sena (UBT) combine. This belt is dominated by the Maharashtrians, and hence the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS has been vocal about upholding the Marathi pride. This narrative is being challenged by Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader Sada Sarvankar, who is at the front. In fact, Sada has fielded both his children Samadhan and Priya, from two of these five wards. Take the case of Ward number 192, where the MNS has fielded Yeshwant Killedar, who was the first MNS candidate announced by its chief, Raj Thackeray. This announcement created a controversy as former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Priti Patankar overnight jumped to the Eknath Shinde camp and secured a ticket. This raised heckles among the existing Shiv Sena (Shinde) loyalists who raised objections. “We worked hard for the party for years, and here Priti has been thrust on us. My name was considered till the last moment, and overnight everything changed,” rued Kunal Wadekar, a Sada Sarvankar loyalist. ‘Dadar Neglected’ Killedar said that Dadar has been neglected for years. “The people in chawls don’t get proper water supply, and traffic is in doldrums,” said Killadar. Ward number 191 Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vishaka Raut, former Mumbai mayor, is locked in a tough fight against Priya Sarvankar, who is fighting on the Shiv Sena (Shinde) ticket. Priya’s brother Samadhan is fighting for his second term from neighbouring ward 194 against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Nishikant Shinde. Nishikant is the brother of legislator Sunil Shinde, a popular figure in this belt who vacated his Worli seat to accommodate Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray. Sada Sarvankar exudes confidence that both his children will be victorious. “Samadhan has served the people with all his dedication so much that he put his life at stake during the Covid-19 epidemic,” said Sada. “Priya has worked very hard for years and has secured this seat on merit. She will win, as people want a fresh face who will redress their grievances, as Vishaka Raut has been ineffective,” he added. He says the Mahayuti will Ward number 190 is the only ward where the BJP was the winner last term (2017) in this area, and the party has once nominated its candidate, Sheetal Gambhir Desai. Sheetal is being challenged by Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vaishali Patankar. Sheetal vouches for the BJP, saying it’s time to replace the Shiv Sena (UBT) from the BMC. “They did nothing in the last 25 years, and people should now give a chance to the BJP,” said Sheetal. Incidentally, Sheetal is the daughter of Suresh Gambhir, a hardcore Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray loyalist, who has been a Mahim legislator for 4 terms and even won the 1985 BMC with the highest margin in Mumbai. In the neighbouring ward number 182, Shiv Sena (UBT) has given a ticket to former mayor and veteran corporator Milind Vaidya. He is being challenged by BJP candidate Rajan Parkar. Like the rest of Mumbai, this belt is also plagued by inadequate infrastructure to support the large-scale redevelopment projects. The traffic is in the doldrums, especially due to the closure of the Elphinstone bridge. There are thousands of old buildings and chawls which are in an extremely dilapidated state. The belt is significant, as top leaders like Manohar Joshi, Diwakar Raote and Suresh Gambhir have dominated local politics for years. In fact, Shiv Sena party’s first Chief Minister, Manohar Joshi, hailed from this belt.

The Nine-Euro Ticket–Our Journey Continues

Our explorations continued with the unforgettable 9-euro ticket, which we got immediately after COVID when we visited Germany. This special pass was valid across all local trains, buses, and trams—not the ICE or other high-speed trains—but it allowed us to travel freely across Germany and even to nearby border towns.


In my first article, I shared many of the places we discovered with this ticket. This is the second and final chapter of that adventure—a continuation of our explorations which truly opened Germany to us in ways we could never have imagined.


Our journey led us towards the Alps. From Garmisch-Partenkirchen, we took the cogwheel train to Grainau and strolled to Lake Eibsee—just steps from the station, yet a world apart. Nestled at the foot of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, Eibsee is often called “an emerald in the Alps.”


Its crystal-clear waters mirror the surrounding mountains, dotted with small wooded islands and gliding swans. The 7 km lakeside trail offers ever-changing views: emerald waters shimmering in sunlight, clouds drifting over peaks, and hidden nooks inviting quiet reflection.


Eibsee is perfect for adventure—canoeing, paddle boating, swimming in icy alpine spots, or capturing postcard views through a lens. Sitting by the shore, breathing the crisp mountain air, I watched the sunlight dance on turquoise waters and felt time pause. Dipping my hands into the icy lake was invigorating, a blessing of nature in its purest form.


Vibrant Bavarian capital

Our journey continued to Munich, a city that blends history, culture, and modern energy.


At Marienplatz, the central square, I stood in awe before the NeuesRathaus (New Town Hall), its Gothic Revival façade towering gracefully. The Frauenkirche, with twin copper-domed towers, and St. Peter’s Church, offering panoramic views, added layers of historic charm.


Tradition and history

Nearby, the legendary Hofbräuhaus brings Bavaria’s layered history to life. Once the venue where Hitler announced the Nazi Party’s 25-point program in 1920, it now thrives with Bavarian music, hearty food, and overflowing beer mugs—a living symbol of resilience and hospitality.


Olympiapark and BMW Welt

The Olympiapark, built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, offered breathtaking views from the Olympic Tower and a chance to explore the iconic stadium.


Nearby, BMW Welt and Museum delighted car enthusiasts with vintage classics and futuristic innovations alike. Visitors can even rent BMW cars to drive around the city—a thrilling experience that brings the streets alive with energy.


Moritzburg: A fairytale castle

In Moritzburg, the fairytale-like Moritzburg Castle, surrounded by lakes and forests, stole our hearts. The still waters reflected the castle perfectly, creating a magical mirror image. During the royal fair, horse carriages, beautifully decorated, glide past the castle, evoking the elegance of bygone royal times. Watching them roll by felt like stepping directly into history.


A charming wine town

In Radebeul, cobblestone streets, historic houses, and neat gardens created a timeless charm. The Saxon Wine Route features Wackerbarth Castle & Winery. We enjoyed wine tastings and vineyard walks, as well as visiting the Karl May Museum that honours the famed author. For a unique touch, we travelled the Lößnitzgrundbahn steam railway, which links Radebeul to Moritzburg with open carriages and scenic views.


For a final adventure, we crossed over into Austria, arriving in Kufstein, the “Pearl of Tyrol.” A chairlift carried us to the well-preserved fortress with winding courtyards, secret passages, and historic rooms. From the top, sweeping views of the Inn Valley and alpine peaks made the world feel wide open. The fortress whispered of centuries past, while the town below radiated warmth. Standing in the crisp mountain breeze, I knew moments like these—shared in silence and awe—make travel unforgettable.


Reflections on the journey

Every place we explored—castles, lakes, alpine trails, charming towns, and vibrant cities—came together into one unforgettable journey. It felt even more meaningful after the long pause of COVID-19, when travel and togetherness were on hold.


In this field since 1999, I’ve spent 25 years exploring destinations and guiding travelers through remarkable experiences.


Visiting beautiful places and sharing stories with clients—whether seasoned travelers or first-timers—remains deeply fulfilling. Helping them feel at home wherever they go, while arranging every detail, ensures their journeys are seamless and memorable. The nine-euro ticket gave us the freedom to wander, discover, and create lasting memories. My message is simple: keep traveling, keep exploring—the world is full of wonders, and every journey enriches the soul.


(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com Views personal.)

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