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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Shinde ‘feasts’ on Thackeray’s party

AI generated image Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT)’s worst fears proved true on Thursday when six suspected ‘turncoat’ MPs failed to attend its crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi – signaling another ‘split’ in four years – and posing a serious challenge to ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership and credibility. The crucial parliamentary party meeting saw only three (out of total 9) Lok Sabha MPs – Arvind Sawant (Mumbai South), Anil Desai (Mumbai South-Central) and...

Shinde ‘feasts’ on Thackeray’s party

AI generated image Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT)’s worst fears proved true on Thursday when six suspected ‘turncoat’ MPs failed to attend its crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi – signaling another ‘split’ in four years – and posing a serious challenge to ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership and credibility. The crucial parliamentary party meeting saw only three (out of total 9) Lok Sabha MPs – Arvind Sawant (Mumbai South), Anil Desai (Mumbai South-Central) and Rajabhau Waje (Nashik) – in attendance as per a whip issued two days ago, when the so-called ‘Operation Tiger’ was in advanced stages. At the tense meeting, with their eyes trained on the doors, they waited for over an hour for their six LS colleagues - Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Omprakash Nimbalkar (Dharashiv), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim) and Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi) – who never turned up. Emerging from the meeting the ruffled trio of Raut, Sawant and Desai confronted the huge crowd of media-persons and announced what was already public knowledge – that the SS (UBT) was breaking again. A tense Sawant somehow managed to smile and said that since the 6 MPs have defied the party whip, they would face the appropriate consequences. “We have followed the procedures and sent them individual show-cause notices, seeking their replies within a week,” he said. Raut said that if they fail to reply to the show-cause notices, then the party will initiate the necessary proceedings – in the Parliament, the courts and the streets. Operation Tudva In a raging mood, Raut warned that the SS (UBT) workers will ‘teach’ all the six MPs a lesson and now the party had launched a counter ‘Operation Tudva’ – akin to a similar initiative implemented successfully by the (undivided) NCP in 2019. “They are unscrupulous, unprincipled traitors. We have been told that they have taken huge sums of money to break away from our party. They took Rs 15-cr. to board the chartered aircraft two days ago, and yesterday again took Rs 10-cr to go to an undisclosed destination in Rajasthan,” claimed Raut, his outburst splattered with expletives for the second day. He reiterated his demand that “if all the six MPs first resign from their seats and contest elections afresh, we shall not label them as traitors”, even as Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that each MP reportedly stood to make Rs 85-cr, plus more through other means. Threatening MPs Angry Shiv Sainiks burnt effigies of all the MPs in their respective constituencies and threatened of physical attacks or their properties, prompting the state government to accord them Y-Plus category security as per a wireless directives issued by the State Commissioner of Intelligence Shirish Jain today. Indicating deep fissures, the absence of the six MPs pointed to the likelihood of them officially preparing to align with the Shiv Sena led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde marking success of the ‘Operation Tiger’. Yesterday, the rebels had called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and submitted a letter seeking to be recognized as a separate parliamentary group. The SS (UBT) also met the Speaker yesterday to submit a counter-letter and urged him to refrain from according any recognition to the breakaway group, and stick to the laws and Constitutional norms. However, if the Speaker accepts the rebels’ plea, it could formalize the impending ‘split’ and prove a huge setback for the SS (UBT). Eknath Shinde gets the “lion’s share” of SS (UBT) Prowling stealthily and effectively Shiv Sena President and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde ostensibly masterminded the ‘Operation Tiger’ and took away the lion’s share of 6 (out of 9) MPs from his bete-noire, ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) – for the second time in 4 years with lot of symbolism attached to the political man-hunt. Though party sources remained tight-lipped, it is learnt that Shinde’s ace team of political and legal advisors have gone through all the nitty-gritties, all the possibilities, the fallout in Parliament, the courts and the streets, before giving the green signal to strike at Thackeray’s party. On the next course, a party leader said that “only Shinde-ji has the authority” to decide and speak on this”, and he may well have some new aces up his trademark white-shirt sleeves in the coming days.

‘The world is embracing Indian perfumery’

Updated: Mar 10, 2025


Indian perfumery
Swapnil Pathak Sharma

Swapnil Pathak Sharma is the fourth generation entrepreneur who aims to take her family’s traditional business of Indian essence and wellness products to the global stage. She launched an essence brand ‘Zighrana’ two years ago. Today, she is ready to take a giant leap in the global fragrance industry which is estimated to be over $24 billion. In a conversation with ‘The Perfect Voice’, Pathak Sharma talks about her ideas and goals. Excerpts…


Can you tell us about your journey in reviving India's rich perfumery heritage and the inspiration behind launching Zighrana?

Zighrana represents the perfect blend of tradition and luxury, rooted in a legacy that dates back to 1911. As a fourth-generation perfumer, I never initially planned to follow in my forefathers’ footsteps. However, when I realized that my family was creating some of the finest quality fragrances, I knew they deserved a global audience. That’s when I decided to step in..not just to continue the legacy, but to take it to the world through branding.

After completing my graduation in Pune, I started assisting my father in the family business, learning the intricacies of essential oil and attar manufacturing. To further deepen my understanding, I later pursued an advanced perfumery course at the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York City.

While my family had always focused on manufacturing, we had never ventured into branding. My vision was to transform our heritage into a brand that could showcase the artistry of Indian perfumery on a global scale.

We launched Zighrana in New York, a city that brings together cultures from around the world, making it the perfect platform to introduce Indian perfumery to an international audience. It was our way of declaring that India, with its rich and time-honored fragrance traditions, is ready to stand alongside the world’s most renowned perfume houses.


Kannauj is known as the perfume capital of India. How has this unique cultural and historical influence shaped the identity and offerings of Zighrana?

Since Kannauj is my hometown, it is more than just a place to me..it is my identity, my heritage, and an emotion deeply embedded in who I am. The centuries-old perfumery traditions of this city run in my blood, shaping my understanding of fragrances from an early age.

This deep-rooted cultural and historical influence is at the very core of Zighrana. The deg-bhapka method of distillation, a time-honored technique perfected over generations, remains central to our process. Known for capturing the purest essence of natural ingredients, this traditional craft gives our fragrances their authenticity and depth. At Zighrana, we honor these heritage techniques while infusing them with modern perfumery to create scents that resonate with today’s audience.


How do you feel about the growing international recognition of Indian attars?

Having Zighrana’s perfumes presented at the G20 summit was a proud moment, as it showcased India’s perfumery legacy at a prestigious global platform. Similarly, launching  ‘Vikas Khanna by Zighrana’ was a significant step for us as we were getting into the world of Eau de parfums with it.

This recognition fuels my passion to continue reviving and reintroducing India’s natural fragrances to the world. It’s not just about selling perfumes, it’s about telling the story of Indian perfumery heritage, preserving an ancient craft, and ensuring that Indian attars take their rightful place among the world’s finest fragrances.


The 'Ayodhya Ittar' is a beautiful tribute to Lord Shri Ram. Can you share the significance of this perfume and its cultural and spiritual importance for both India and the world?

Ayodhya attar is a spiritual tribute to Lord Shri Ram, symbolizing his purity, devotion, and righteousness. Crafted from natural ingredients known for their calming qualities, it captures the essence of Lord Shri Ram’s legacy. For India, it celebrates the nation’s rich spiritual heritage, while for the world, it offers a fragrance that embodies universal values of peace, love, and justice. It is more than a perfume, it’s a sacred experience connecting the soul to divinity.


How do you see the future of attars and natural perfumes in the global luxury market?

With growing consumer awareness about sustainability, the demand for natural perfumes and attars is steadily rising in the global luxury market. More people are looking for fragrances that are not only luxurious but also ethically sourced, free from synthetic chemicals, and rooted in authenticity. This shift aligns perfectly with what Zighrana stands for..pure, handcrafted attars made using time-honored distillation techniques and natural ingredients.

I believe the future of attars is incredibly promising. As consumers move away from mass-produced synthetic perfumes, they are rediscovering the artistry and depth of natural fragrances. Indian attars, with their rich heritage and sustainable production methods, have a unique opportunity to redefine luxury in perfumery.

The future belongs to fragrances that tell a story—of nature, craftsmanship, and sustainability—and attars perfectly embody that vision.


As a woman entrepreneur leading Zighrana, what challenges and opportunities have you faced in establishing your brand in the competitive luxury fragrance industry?

I was raised to believe there’s nothing I can’t do as a woman, and this mindset has shaped my journey..whether in business, motherhood, or creativity. Balancing multiple roles comes with challenges, but it also teaches patience and fuels my desire to build a legacy for my children. No matter how busy life gets, making time for what you love brings balance and fulfillment.

Building Zighrana in the luxury fragrance industry has been both challenging and rewarding. Establishing a niche for Indian attars in a market dominated by Western perfumes, balancing heritage with innovation, and educating consumers about natural, artisanal fragrances were key hurdles. Yet, the opportunities are immense..the world is embracing Indian perfumery, seeking sustainable, authentic scents.

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