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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.

Woman of Substance

A woman is not defined by titles like nurturer or multitasker—she defines herself through her choices, resilience, and the life she builds each day.

Who decides who a woman is? Labels like ‘nurturer’ and ‘multitasker’ are often used — but do they truly define us? No, we define ourselves by our choices and by shaping our lives.


We women are highly inexplicably emotional. Is it our strength or weakness? It's neither a strength nor a weakness. It's just a vital part which exists in all of us. It's an emotion that helps in decision-making and later in taking action.

If emotions are managed well and used constructively, they become our strength, but if they are not managed well, then they lead to challenges, stress, and chaos.


So now the simple answer is "GROW". We want to see our best version.


We all love to see ourselves grow. Does this happen overnight? No, it takes years of hard work, dedication, commitment, and discipline in whatever we pursue. The list of things required to grow is endless. But primarily we need a few basic things for holistic growth.


1) Focus on self-care

Self-care is not selfishness or self-centredness. It is a priority for our own physical and mental well-being.


So do it unapologetically.


Take some time out to pamper yourself. Go to a salon, hang out with friends, and cook wholesome meals for your loved ones. Take a break from mundane activities and plunge into things that bring joy and positivity.

All these fill you up with exuberance.


2) Set goals

Set realistic goals. Take smaller steps towards it. Do not take a huge leap. This helps in your steady growth and fills you with a sense of achievement.


3) Be a learner

Keep learning and polishing new skills, as learning is a never-ending process. Keep gaining knowledge.


Learn, observe, implement, and execution becomes smooth.


4) Develop strong relationships

Relationships are just not about couples. Be it with your spouse, siblings, parents, kids, friends, neighbours, or colleagues, build a positive, strong relationship that should be built on trust, mutual respect, open communication, and support, and navigating through life is eased.

5) Practise Gratitude

How often do we crib over petty issues? Almost several times a day. We focus on things that we do not possess; instead, focus on things that we are blessed with, be thankful to the Almighty every passing second, and you will see magic happening.


When we speak about growth, it's just not financial growth. Overall as a person, we should strive to evolve. Be it emotional, financial, physical, or spiritual upscaling is very important.


To be truly independent is to take charge of your life. Be responsible for your actions. Be accountable. Only then do we learn to assess and take necessary steps and evolve.


That is the type of growth we should bring in ourselves.


We women are beauty-conscious, and we often look for validation. The power is YOU. Don't seek validation. Outer beauty is definitely going to fade away over a period of time.


Wrinkles, dark circles, sagging skin, and grey hair are all going to show up at one point or the other. It's inevitable although it can be delayed by skin treatment, eating right, and a disciplined lifestyle.


But inner beauty never dies. Ageing has to be so graceful that we should feel fulfilled on the inside.


That is true growth, a true achievement in its true sense, where our memory gets poor but our memories are so enriching. A never-give-up attitude keeps you going. So be strong, brave, and resilient no matter what life throws at you. Celebrate womanhood and be a woman of substance.


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

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