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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Raj Thackeray tormented over ‘missing kids’ in state

Mumbai : Expressing grave concerns over the steep rise in cases of ‘missing children’ in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray has accused the state government of treating the matter casually and failing to respond to it urgently.   In an open missive on 'X' to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing at almost an alarming 30 pc increase in the number of children ‘missing’ in the state...

Raj Thackeray tormented over ‘missing kids’ in state

Mumbai : Expressing grave concerns over the steep rise in cases of ‘missing children’ in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray has accused the state government of treating the matter casually and failing to respond to it urgently.   In an open missive on 'X' to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing at almost an alarming 30 pc increase in the number of children ‘missing’ in the state between 2021-2024.   When asked for his reactions, Fadnavis told media-persons in Nagpur that he had not read the letter, but the issue raised is important and he would reply to it. Fadnavis stated that the NCRB has also provided the reasons why the kids go ‘missing’, how they return and the period, ranging from 3 days to 18 months.   Dwelling on the sufficiency of the NCRB figures, he contended that they reflect only complaints formally registered by the police and thousands of cases may never be reported.   On the ‘rescue, return and reunion’ of such missing children, he pointed to the sheer psychological trauma they may have suffered and sought to know how such child-lifter networks continued to thrive openly and blatantly.   The MNS chief targeted what he claimed was the “state’s lack of proactive measures to identify and dismantle child-begging rackets” as many juveniles can be seen begging at railway stations, bus stands, traffic signals, often accompanied by adults with doubtful authenticity.   “If some woman claims to be the child’s relative or guardian, should the government not order a thorough probe? Is it inappropriate to consider even a DNA test in suspicious cases,” Raj Thackeray demanded.   Slamming the government and the Opposition, he lamented how both sides failed to prioritise such urgent social issues in the legislature where discussions centre around partisan sparring.   The letter also mentions attempts by the Centre to coordinate with states on the ‘missing or trafficked children’, regretting how political upmanships and symbolic debates prevent meaningful action on the ground.   The NCRB said that Maharashtra has consistently ranked among states with the highest number of ‘missing children’, particularly in urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune.   Simultaneously, experts, child rights NGOs and activists have warned about trafficking networks that exploit poverty, migration and weak law enforcement and low convictions, despite official rescue missions or rehab efforts.   In his appeal, Raj Thackeray called upon Fadnavis to take concrete, visible measures rather than discussions and conventions. “Maharashtra expects decisive steps from you, not speeches. Jai Maharashtra,” he signed off.     In October 2023,Sharad Pawar red-flagged ‘missing girls-women’ This is the second major social cause by a political leader, two years after Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar had red-flagged nearly 20,000 ‘missing women and girls’ from the state between Jan-May 2023.   In the present instance, Raj Thackeray said that “behind the statistics lies a far more disturbing reality involving organised, inter-state gangs that kidnap children, physically abuse them and force them into begging rings”.   “Little kids are assaulted, made to beg and shifted across states. Groups of children disappear suddenly, and the government appears unable, or unwilling, to grasp the seriousness of what is happening,” said Thackeray in a strong tone.

You Don’t Need to Know It All

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There’s an awkward moment we’ve all experienced. Someone mentions a major global event, a policy change, or a financial update, and suddenly everyone in the room seems to have something to say—except you. You smile, nod, and hope the spotlight shifts away before anyone notices you’re not quite up to date. And when they do, the usual comments follow: “Don’t you watch the news?” “How come your general knowledge is so weak?” It’s as though not knowing everything that’s going on in the world is some sort of failure.


But here’s a question worth reflecting on—why is it expected that everyone must be on top of every trending topic, political shift, economic update, or global issue? And more importantly, does not knowing everything really damage your personal brand?


We live in an age where information is thrown at us relentlessly. One scroll, one story, one podcast, and suddenly you're expected to form an opinion on 10 different issues. The pressure to “stay updated” is often more about perception than genuine awareness. But personal branding isn’t about being a walking news channel. It’s about being relevant, confident, and thoughtful. Knowing where to focus your attention is a strength—not a weakness.


People aren’t building successful brands because they know everything they’re doing it because they know the right things and know how to connect them to their work and audience. Your awareness needs to be purposeful, not performative.


The truth is, no one can stay updated with every sector of information. It’s simply not sustainable. What is sustainable—and strategic—is developing a clear filter. As a business owner or professional, staying updated on industry trends, client behavior, or changes that directly affect your growth is what matters most. If a current affair impacts your customers, your positioning, or your ability to serve—yes, it deserves your attention. But if not, you don’t owe anyone an explanation for not memorizing the headlines.


In fact, great personal branding isn’t about showing off what you know. It’s about how you respond when you don’t know something. A calm, “I haven’t read about that yet, what’s your view?” speaks volumes about your confidence, curiosity, and ability to hold space in a conversation without pretending. And that’s magnetic.


No one admires a know-it-all. But people deeply respect someone who’s present, intentional, and insightful. If you can draw connections between the world and your work, offer a fresh perspective, or even simplify something complex—your brand will stand out more than any encyclopaedia ever could.


So no, you don’t need to subscribe to every newsletter or debate over dinner tables just to prove you’re aware. Instead, you need to own your space with clarity. Curate your inputs wisely. Stay sharp in areas that influence your growth. Engage in conversations not to impress but to learn. That’s how a personal brand becomes powerful.


And if you’re a business owner, coach, or working professional trying to grow your presence and profits—here’s the good news. I’m onboarding just two high-end clientsthis month who are ready to 5x their revenue using personal branding. If you’re done just blending in, and ready to be seen as the go-to expert in your space, this is your cue.


You don’t need to know it all. But you do need to be known. As a Business Brand Strategist let me help you with developing your personal brand. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s connect and make your brand shine and profitable. You can reach out to me on:

Instagram: @suaveu6

LinkedIn: DivyaaAdvaani

YouTube:@ suaveu (Suave U – DivyaaAdvaani)


(The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+ countries. Views personal.)

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