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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.

The Truth About Ultra-Processed Foods

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Processed Foods

In today’s health-conscious world, the term “Ultra Processed Foods” (UPFs) frequently surfaces in discussions about diet and nutrition. These foods are often viewed as unhealthy, though opinions vary on their necessity and role in modern lifestyles. Before diving into these debates, let’s first define UPFs. According to the NOVA classification system, developed by Brazilian researchers, UPFs are foods that undergo extensive industrial processing and contain additives like colourants, emulsifiers, and flavour enhancers to improve taste, texture, and shelf life. These processes transform the original ingredients into products that bear little resemblance to their natural form.


Depending on the level of processing, foods are classified into four categories: unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods. Each category reflects a different stage in transforming raw ingredients into consumable products.

1. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk, which have no added ingredients or undergo minimal processing. These are the closest to their natural state.

2. Processed ingredients refer to items such as salt, sugar, and oils, which are not eaten on their own but are added to foods to enhance flavour or shelf life.

3. Processed foods combine unprocessed foods with processed ingredients, such as homemade dishes or pickles. These are typically prepared at home using basic methods.

4. Ultra-processed foods, on the other hand, are factory-made and contain ingredients rarely found in a home kitchen, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, artificial colours, and flavours.


The United Nations (UN) has declared 2016–2025 as the Decade of Action on Nutrition, recognising the growing need to address dietary challenges worldwide. In this context, ultra-processed foods have been highlighted as a global crisis, contributing significantly to the rise of non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, which are reaching epidemic levels in many parts of the world. Despite the growing awareness of the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods (UPFs), their production and consumption continue to rise at an alarming rate. This surge is largely due to the appeal of their taste, convenience, extended shelf life, wide availability, and relatively low cost, making them a popular choice for many.


According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), UPFs fall into Group C, which includes a wide variety of commercially produced items such as bread, biscuits, mayonnaise, chips, fries, jams, sausages, cakes, breakfast cereals, and refined oils. Other products in this category include artificially flavoured cereals and pulses, mass-produced milk and soft drinks, energy and health drinks, fruit juices, and commercially manufactured ice creams. These foods, despite their widespread consumption, are heavily processed and often contain artificial additives that can have adverse effects on health over time.


To effectively reduce the intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), it’s essential to adopt mindful habits that promote healthier eating choices.


Each of these steps can make a significant difference in reducing reliance on processed foods and ensuring a more balanced and nutritious diet.


Despite the harmful effects of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), the global food industry faces significant challenges. A key concern is the reduction of post-harvest losses, which occur when food is wasted after harvesting but before reaching consumers. Additionally, extending the shelf life of raw materials and preserving perishable foods is critical, especially in areas with limited refrigeration and storage access.


There is also a strong push to promote the growth of food processing industries, as they play a vital role in ensuring that food remains available and affordable for a growing global population. While addressing these concerns, it is equally important to strike a balance that prioritises health.


This delicate balance between food security, convenience, and accessibility on one side and health on the other poses a pressing challenge for policymakers, researchers, and the food industry. So, do you have an answer? The time to act is now.


(The author is a food processing expert. Views personal.)

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