Seeds of equality are bearing fruit |
The legacy of reforms pioneered by Savitribai Phule and gradually carried forward by other trailblazers is plain to see, with the levers of power in a male-dominated arena now firmly in women’s hands
Newly elected BJP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) corporators at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters. File pic/Ashish Raje
Mumbai is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation, setting new benchmarks in civic leadership. At the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), key levers of power are now in women’s hands. The mayor and leader of the Opposition’s posts are held by women, while crucial committees, such as BEST, Education and Improvement, are led by them.
In a civic body long perceived as a male-dominated arena, this is more than routine reshuffling. It signals a meaningful shift in the city’s governance landscape.
Urban administration is neither symbolic nor ceremonial. These are not “soft” responsibilities. They are complex, high-stakes portfolios that demand administrative skill, political negotiation, and fiscal discipline. Managing transport networks that carry millions, overseeing public health systems in one of the world’s densest cities, planning housing in a space-starved metropolis, and preparing for climate-related challenges that define coastal life — these are decisions that shape the daily........