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By:

Rajendra Pandharpure

15 April 2025 at 7:55:54 pm

The BJP’s Ganesha Gambit

Pune’s Ganeshotsav has become an enormous civic and political stage, and the ruling party has proved adept at occupying it. Pune: The city’s Ganeshotsav is entering its final phase, but the festival has already demonstrated something beyond its extraordinary crowds and familiar spectacle: the extent to which it has become a political stage. This year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has left a particularly visible imprint on the festivities, using an event that reaches deep into the city’s...

The BJP’s Ganesha Gambit

Pune’s Ganeshotsav has become an enormous civic and political stage, and the ruling party has proved adept at occupying it. Pune: The city’s Ganeshotsav is entering its final phase, but the festival has already demonstrated something beyond its extraordinary crowds and familiar spectacle: the extent to which it has become a political stage. This year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has left a particularly visible imprint on the festivities, using an event that reaches deep into the city’s neighbourhoods as an opportunity for public outreach. The political appropriation of the festival has not, however, been without a counter-current. Demands were raised for curbs on noise pollution, loudspeakers and the volume of dhol-tasha performances. The argument was not against Ganeshotsav itself, but for moderation - notably, a complete ban on DJ music and limits on the number of dhol and tasha instruments used by performing troupes. Familiar Troubles The festival’s reality has been rather different. Major roads have been occupied by mandaps. Processions celebrating the arrival of Lord Ganesha have unfolded amid punishing noise. DJ music, while subject to restrictions, has continued. Traffic congestion has become a familiar feature of the festival, with the movement of political leaders adding another layer to the city’s already strained roads. The Peth areas have remained crowded deep into the night. The Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple has drawn enormous crowds for darshan from the opening day. From the old city to housing societies and neighbourhood mandals, Ganeshotsav touches virtually every part of Pune. For a political party seeking a direct connection with citizens, few occasions offer such a ready-made network of people, institutions and local influencers. The BJP enters this festival with an unusually formidable organisational base. It has two MPs, seven MLAs and more than 100 corporators in Pune. Murlidhar Mohol, one of the city’s MPs, is a Union Minister of State. Chandrakant Patil is a Cabinet minister in the Maharashtra government, while Madhuri Misal is a Minister of State. The party’s presence also extends into the festival’s organisational architecture. Its influence is visible across numerous mandals, large and small. BJP MLA Hemant Rasane is General Secretary of the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust. Kunal Tilak, a member of Lokmanya Tilak’s family, is a BJP corporator. The political and cultural histories of Pune therefore intersect in ways that are difficult to ignore. The BJP’s senior leadership has also made the most of the occasion. National President Nitin Nabin visited Pune to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the city before and during the festival. Such visits are about more than religious observance. In a festival watched by millions and embedded in the city’s social life, political visibility comes almost automatically. There is also talk in Pune that the BJP provided substantial financial support to Dhol-Lezim troupes and their organisers, with claims that some major mandals received financial backing as well. These claims would require independent verification, but the perception itself points to the depth of the political contest around Ganeshotsav. BJP workers, according to local observers, have also sought to make their presence more conspicuous than that of festivities organised by housing societies. Useful Expedient The festival arrives at a politically useful moment for the BJP. The party has faced disquiet on several fronts. Young people have been agitated over the paper-leak controversy. Broader public dissatisfaction has been voiced over inflation and unemployment, while government policies relating to ethanol and charges associated with UPI transactions have also generated criticism. While a political party can defend a policy in a press conference and advertise its achievements, during Ganeshotsav, its workers can be physically present in neighbourhoods, among processions, mandals, cultural groups and devotees. Politics thus becomes less about argument and more about visibility. That is the BJP’s advantage in Pune. Ganeshotsav, after all, is not simply a sequence of religious rituals. It is an elaborate civic network involving local organisers, volunteers, cultural groups, businesses, residents and political representatives. Whoever has influence over that network acquires a powerful channel of communication with the city. The BJP appears to understand this particularly well. Its strength in Pune’s electoral politics has been reinforced by a presence that extends beyond elections and into the institutions and social spaces that organise public life. The irony is that the very scale of the festival that makes it politically attractive also magnifies the civic costs. The political value of Ganeshotsav and the civic burden it creates are therefore two sides of the same phenomenon. For Pune, the larger question is not whether politics has entered Ganeshotsav. It has done so for decades. The more consequential question is whether the festival’s extraordinary social capital will remain primarily a vehicle for political outreach or whether the same influence can be used to reconcile celebration with the ordinary civic needs of the city. For the moment, the BJP seems to have understood the first proposition better than most.

Two-Wheeler Ride Apps in Mumbai: A Smart, Sensible Choice 

Writer: Asha Tripathi
Asha Tripathi
Dec 1, 2025
3 min read

Used wisely and safely, app-based two-wheeler rides offer a convenient, economical, and eco-friendly way to commute.

Mumbai never stops moving, yet movement is often the slowest, with cars, buses, autos, lorries, and taxis crowding every inch of road. In this fast-paced yet congested setting, app-based two-wheeler rides have quietly become a game-changer. What began as an experiment is now a practical, economical, and even nostalgic option for lakhs of commuters.More than a ride, it has become a refreshing lifestyle shift—especially for middle-aged individuals who find it pleasantly reminiscent of their college days.

 

Mumbai’s Smart Move

They beat traffic: Mumbai’s roads are choked at any hour. A bike slips through narrow gaps, avoids deadlocks, and reaches the destination in half the time. For those on tight schedules—office-goers, tutors, teachers, or students—this time-saving edge is priceless.


Highly cost-effective: Bike rides often cost half or even a third of an auto or cab. Saving ₹20–₹50 per trip adds up to a few hundred rupees a month—and much more over a year—money that can go towards leisure, travel, or personal goals.


Comfortable for short distances: For 3–8 km trips, bikes are the smartest choice. They aren’t tiring, expensive, or time-consuming—perfect for quick daily commutes.


Environment-friendly: A bike occupies less road space, uses less fuel, and emits less carbon than cars or autos. It makes your commute lighter on both your pocket and the planet.


Nostalgic and refreshing: For middle-aged commuters, riding a two-wheeler again brings back college-day memories—the wind, the freedom, that youthful lightness. It feels less like a chore and more like a small moment of joy. For youngsters, it’s a style statement and the quickest way to explore the city.


Perfect for tight schedules: When you’re running late or stuck in sudden traffic, a bike ride almost always gets you there on time. That reliability makes it truly dependable.


Smart Usage Tips

Choose well-rated drivers: Check the driver’s rating before booking. Anything above 4.6 usually signals reliability, safety, and good behaviour.


Use it for the right trips: Short daily commutes• Last-mile travel• Quick runs to classes or meetings• Time-critical situations


Book only through official apps: Avoid unregistered freelance riders. Official apps offer live tracking, ride history, SOS features, and insurance coverage.


Check the fare first: Peak pricing can be high, so compare apps when you can.


Keep your hands free: avoid big or heavy bags. Use a backpack for better balance.


Wear the helmet provided: Most riders carry a spare—ask for it without hesitation.


Do’s and Don’ts

DO’s

  • Wear a helmet—non-negotiable

  • Sit upright to avoid back strain

  • Hold the side handles or keep balanced

  • Share your ride with a trusted person if you're late

  • Check vehicle condition (tyres, seat, brake feel, if possible)

  • Talk politely with the rider

  • Ensure the rider follows traffic rules


DON’Ts

  • Don’t sit sideways—always sit facing forward

  • Don’t take a ride without a helmet

  • Don’t carry very heavy shopping bags or luggage

  • Don’t use your phone while on the bike

  • Don’t force the rider to overspeed

  • Don’t take rides in heavy rain unless necessary

 

The Growing Trend

This category is growing rapidly due to:

Traffic crisis: Cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad face severe congestion. Youngsters and professionals now prioritise speed over comfort.

Affordability: With rising inflation, people prefer options that offer comfort and speed while still saving money.

Youth influence: Students and young professionals adopt trends quickly. Its usage encourages middle-aged commuters to try it too.

Lifestyle choice: Bike rides feel compact, quick, and liberating—a small burst of freedom in a busy day.

Emotional connection: For many middle-aged riders, it’s a throwback to younger days—the breeze, the bends, the nostalgia—bringing a renewed sense of youthfulness.

 

Small Ride, Big Change

Taking app-based two-wheeler rides in a city like Mumbai is more than a practical commute—it’s a smart financial choice, a time-saver, and often a small emotional refresh. Used responsibly, these rides can make daily travel smoother, faster, and far more enjoyable.


With the right precautions and awareness, this simple option can add real comfort to urban life.


I didn’t know about this two-wheeler app or what I was missing until a friend explained its benefits. I tried it once, and since then it has become part of my routine—efficient, effortless, and smooth, like a well-designed machine.


It has truly been a game-changer—saving money, saving time, and turning daily travel into something calmer and more balanced. My commute feels lighter, and honestly, I’m impressed.This small shift has brought ease, clarity, and progress. Try it—you may just rediscover life.


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


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