The 97th birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray was marked by the two factions of the Shiv Sena separately on Monday. While Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction unveiled Bal Thackeray’s portrait in the central hall of the state legislature in South Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray paid tribute to his late father at Bal Thackeray’s lifesize statue installed at Regal Circle in Colaba. Though Uddhav was invited by the state government for the unveiling of Bal Thackeray’s oil portrait, he has chosen to skip the function.
Monday is the day when Uddhav’s term as Shiv Sena party president ends. He has not been re-elected yet owing to the ongoing battle of who controls the Shiv Sena before the Election Commission. While the Uddhav-led UBT faction had sought permission to hold the election from EC, it has not been given by the poll panel yet. Uddhav will also address the party workers at Shanmukhanand Hall Monday evening to mark the birth anniversary of the Sena founder.
The Vadodara-Virar section of the Delhi-Mumbai expressway. (Twitter/@NitinGadkari)
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday shared pictures of the Vadodara-Virar section of the under progress Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. “Stunning views from Vadodara – Virar Section of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Limiting the distance for prosperous India,” he tweeted.
Gadkari had said that the 1386-km eight-lane expressway, the fastest and longest of India, between Delhi and Mumbai would be almost complete in December this year. Once complete, the expressway will shorten the time to cover the distance to 12 hours.
Samajwadi Party state president Abu Azmi
Saying that ‘renaming smaller cities was a political move to polarise the society on religious lines, which never helps the common people’, Samajwadi Party (SP) state president Abu Azmi said on Sunday, “Rather than renaming just two to three cities… rename Maharashtra after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”
“There are just three cities — Aurangabad, Osmanabad and Ahmednagar — which are named after Mughal rulers,” Azmi said, adding that the SP was not in favour of renaming of the cities.
Maharashtra Navirman Sena president Raj Thackeray (File)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has asked the MNS workers to ensure the party’s win in civic bodies, where the elections are due. Thackeray was addressing a meeting of the party office-bearers during his visit to Thane on Saturday. Elections to various civic bodies including Thane and the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation are due and the dates are yet to be announced.
In the first phase of initiative, BMC will install sanitary pad dispensing machines at 5,000 public toilets. (File, representational Photo)
BMC has planned to install 500 sanitary pad dispensing units along with incinerators for used pads at 5000 public toilets in Mumbai. In the first phase of this initiative, BMC will install these machines at 5000 public toilets, with a focus on those located in slum areas in the city, said officials.
Presently, about 55 per cent of Mumbai’s population lives in slum areas in the city. There are 7,543 public toilets in the city, of which 1999 are municipal toilets, 4694 are MHADA-owned public toilets, and 846 are pay-and-use public ones.
The elevated new Metro lines passing from Link Road and Western Express Highway, both important roads in Mumbai, are expected to turn into an important mode of public transportation. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)
The newly commissioned Mumbai Metro lines 2A and 7, passing through densely populated areas between Dahisar and Andheri on the east and west sides of the city recorded over one lakh ridership on the second day after starting commercial operations.
According to the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd, an undertaking of the Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), the new lines recorded a ridership of 1.10 lakh till 8 pm on the second day.
The Congress on Monday demanded Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who has expressed the desire to quit, be sacked by the President and not allowed to quit, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction took a dig saying "better late than never". The Congress and NCP, both members of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) along with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, also said Koshyari should have written to the President to discharge him of all responsibilities if he believed the position of the governor is Constitutional and not political one.
Amid political bickering and visible unease among leaders of different political parties, an oil portrait of Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray was unveiled at the central hall of state legislative building by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Monday. “We formed the government following the teachings of Balasaheb Thackeray of fighting against injustice with courage and self respect,” said Shinde, taking a dig at Uddhav. “He never compromised on his ideology to grab power or chief minister’s post. We learned this from him and we are working on his ideals.”
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his reference to the erstwhile Shiv Sena-controlled BMC which “kept money in fixed deposits in bank instead of being used for the city’s development” and stated that the BJP was eyeing Mumbaikar’s hard-earned money. During the day, Uddhav also announced an electoral alliance with Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA).
Mumbai first reported Covid-19 cases on March 11, 2020.(Representational)
After almost two years and 10 months, Mumbai did not record any fresh cases of Covid-19 Tuesday. The city achieved this feat for the first time since March 16, 2020.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) bulletin noted zero Covid-19 cases and associated deaths Tuesday. A total of 3,000 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.
This development comes at a time when there were anticipations of another outbreak owing to the sudden surge in cases in neighbouring China. Read more
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held interactions with industrial heads across sectors in Mumbai Tuesday and said he was in the state not to take away projects from Maharashtra but only wanted to optimise investment potential in his state.
“We have not come here to take away projects from Maharashtra. To the contrary, It is our endeavour to work together keeping India’s growth and development (in mind),” said Mann. Read more
The central government on Tuesday issued a notification for appointment of advocate Neela Kedar Gokhale as an additional judge of the Bombay High Court for a period of two years. The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, had recommended elevation of Gokhale as a judge of Bombay High Court on January 10.
Gokhale had represented Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit — an accused in the 2008 Malegaon Blast case — among others before the Bombay High Court. Read more
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said there were less chances of "large changes" in the weather in Mumbai and Maharashtra in the next 48 hours.
The IMD's Mumbai unit refuted speculations that the temperatures might drop further during the rest of the week. “There are two consecutive westerly disturbances likely to take place this week. However, indicators show that there are less chances of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, witnessing any large changes in weather. There are equal chances of temperature rising or falling by one degree Celsius in the next 48 hours,” a scientist at the IMD, Mumbai told news agency PTI..
Mumbai on Tuesday recorded minimum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius. It may increase or decrease by one degree depending on various factors that influence weather, she said. (PTI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Tuesday said his government has prioritised Mumbai's infrastructure development and will make the city pothole-free in two years.
"The state government has taken the infrastructure development of Mumbai on fast track, starting with the city's beautification and redevelopment of old dilapidated buildings and koliwadas. The state government is focused on a complete Mumbai makeover," Shinde said while addressing a television programme.
The chief minister said that the recurring issue of potholes in the state capital will be addressed effectively. "Stress on zero tolerance to potholes is our directive [to officers]", he added. Read more
Shivaji Park, located in Dadar, has been declared a 'No-fly zone' on January 26, say police.
THE MUMBAI Metro Line 2A and 7 that opened to the public on January 20 may have received a warm welcome from Mumbaikars, but has made auto-rickshaw and cab drivers an unhappy lot. With commuters, who travel across the western and eastern sub-urban localities, now opting for the metro, rickshaw and cab drivers are fretting over their reduced earnings.
The new metro line, unveiled on January 19 by PM Narendra Modi, has reduced travel time between Dahisar and Andheri by about 75 minutes, and much to the relief of Mumbaikars, has helped decongest the Western Express Highway and SV Road. Read more
The Bombay High Court recently granted interim relief of no coercive action till January 31 to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal and his wife Anita Goyal in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The central agency had in 2020 taken cognisance of an FIR by Mumbai police at MRA Marg police station on a complaint from a travel agency. In 2021, a closure report was also filed in a cheating case filed by the Mumbai police against Jet Airways, Naresh Goyal and Anita. Even as the ED opposed it, the court had accepted the report.
A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj K Chavan was on January 17 hearing a plea by the Goyals seeking to quash the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) by the ED. Read more
More from Cities
A total of 3,546 women in the state have lost their lives to preventable cervical cancer in the five years between 2017-2021. With an average of over 700 deaths each year, doctors are stressing the need to introduce human papillomavirus (HPV)—a vaccine for cervical cancer—in the national immunisation programme to save more women from succumbing to the disease.
Cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. The data on death toll was compiled by the state health department.
The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is human papillomavirus virus (HPV)—a common infection. Most infections occur after people become sexually active, and most people clear the virus without problems. There are over 100 types of HPV, and not all are linked to cancer. The HPV types, or strains, most frequently associated with cervical cancer, are HPV16 and HPV18. HPV infections are more commonly seen in people who have multiple sexual partners. Read more
Mumbai’s night temperatures dropped to 14.8 degrees Celsius on Monday, in comparison to the night temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Despite the marginal drop, Mumbaikars have reported experiencing much cooler weather in the past two days.
On Monday, Mumbai recorded day temperatures of 26.5 degrees Celsius, which was much cooler than adjoining cities known for cold temperatures such as Pune, which recorded 31.2 degrees Celsius and Nashik (28.5 degrees Celsius), with night temperatures in Pune at 12.3 degrees Celsius. As per Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), day temperatures in Mumbai on Monday were up to four degrees below normal, whereas night temperatures were up to 1.4 degrees below normal. Read more
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that former Mumbai police chief Sanjay Pandey had been given a “target” to arrest him but the police officer could not succeed as he had done nothing wrong. Fadnavis was speaking at an event organised here by regional news channel ABP Majha.
“The Mahavikas Aghadi government had given a target to then Mumbai police commissioner Sanjay Pandey to put me in jail. The MVA government had given orders to frame me or slap some criminal charges (on me) anyhow,” said the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader.
Fadnavis returned as the deputy chief minister last year after a revolt by Eknath Shinde split the Shiv Sena and led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government that also comprised the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.
“It is the truth and now you can ask any police official. They will also tell about it,” he said adding, “However, I had done nothing that would help them put me in jail, and thus they failed.” Fadnavis also said that he does not hold any personal animosity against Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, who was the chief minister with the support of the Congress and NCP. (PTI)
A special court in Mumbai on Tuesday adjourned the hearing in a money laundering case against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and others to February 27. Rajya Sabha member Raut was present before special judge R N Rokade on Tuesday. The matter was listed for hearing before framing of charges in the case.
However, the proceedings could not take place due to non-submission of summon reports to other accused by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a probe into the case.
The ED had arrested Raut on August 1, 2022 for his alleged role in financial irregularities in connection with the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl (row tenement) in suburban Goregaon. (PTI)
The decision of Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to step down from his post is his personal choice and nobody asked him to resign, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Tuesday.
Koshyari had said, in a statement released by Raj Bhavan Monday, he has conveyed his desire to step down to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I have always received love and affection from the Hon’ble Prime Minister and I hope to receive the same in this regard. It was an absolute honour and privilege for me to serve as the Rajya Sevak or Rajyapal of a great state like Maharashtra – the land of saints, social reformers and valiant fighters… I can never forget the love and affection I have received from the people of Maharashtra during the last little more than three years,” Koshyari said in the statement. Read more
While holding the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government responsible for overlooking environmental issues that caused the Air Quality Index (AQI) to dip from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ this winter, the BJP has demanded a roadmap to make Mumbai pollution free by 2035.
The city’s air quality has dipped to unhealthy levels. According to experts, more than 50 per cent of this pollution is due to the sudden surge in construction activities, increased vehicular emissions and changes in wind speed this winter. The government needs to intervene and take immediate measures to prevent further deterioration, Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar said. Read more
With the competitive celebration by the two Shiv Senas of Balasaheb Thackeray’s birth anniversary on Monday again underlining the unsettled matter of Eknath Shinde‘s position, any little encouraging sign from ally BJP goes far in Maharashtra political circles.
So, for some days now, what remains a matter of discussion is the warmth shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards the Maharashtra Chief Minister during his recent visit to Mumbai – Modi’s first since the BJP manoeuvred the split in the Sena to form a government with the Shinde faction, six months ago. Read full Political Pulse here
In two separate incidents, one on Sunday and the other Monday, the Mumbai Airport Customs personnel intercepted two foreign nationals and seized 90,000 USD concealed in the pages of books and over 2.5 kg of gold paste from their respective possessions. Both the passengers were arrested. (ANI)
Two persons were killed after their scooter hit the wall of a flyover and they fell off the bridge in Maharashtra's Thane city on Tuesday, civic officials said.
The accident took place at around 3.30 am on the flyover at Castle Mill Naka when the victims were going towards Thane station from Majiwada, Thane Municipal Corporation's regional disaster management cell chief Avinash Sawant said.
The scooter rider lost control over the two-wheeler and it hit the protection wall of the flyover, he said. Both the victims fell from the flyover and received severe injuries. They were rushed to the Thane civil hospital where doctors declared them brought dead, the official said.
The deceased have been identified as Pratik Vinod More (21), resident of Lokmanya Nagar in Thane city, and Rajesh Bechenprasad Gupta (26) from Ulhasnagar town, the official said. The bodies were sent for post-mortem, he added. (PTI)
The Maharashtra government has decided to set up a centre to teach the philosophies of ancient Indian thinker Chanakya.
According to Maharashtra minister for tourism and skill development Mangal Prabhat Lodha, the centre–Chanakya Excellence Centre–will come up at Karla near Lonavala of Maharashtra.
Chanakya’s philosophy of law, politics, economics and finance, governance and international relations will be taught at the centre, a senior official said. Read more
The Mumbai police has arrested three persons who have been allegedly duping people through fake insurance schemes, job opportunities and other activities.
The police tracked down the accused while investigating a case wherein a dry-fruits trader from Ghatkopar lost over Rs 4.40 crore over the past one year.
After registering an FIR in the case late last year, the cyber police (east region) began investigation and found that the Rs 4.40 crores had been transferred to a total of 27 bank accounts across the country. Read more
A 50-year-old trustee of a school in Mumbai has been booked for rape, molestation and criminal intimidation under IPC and Protection of Children under Offences Act (POCSO) after a Class IX student complained against him.
Police said the accused, who is at large, allegedly sexually assaulted her several times inside his cabin on the school premises. The alleged assaults began on December 28 when the trustee allegedly called her to his cabin, according to the police. Read more
Actor Sheezan Khan, arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide of his co-star Tunisha Sharma, has moved the Bombay High Court seeking bail and quashing of the case.
Khan in his petitions said to have a relationship and break-ups are normal facets of life and hence he cannot be held responsible for Tunisha's death.
While Khan's plea seeking bail would be heard by a single bench of Justice M S Karnik on Tuesday, his second petition for quashing of the FIR and release on interim bail is likely to be heard by a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and P K Chavan on January 30. (PTI)
Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina on Monday accused the Congress of being a "group of traitors" after opposition leader Digvijaya Singh questioned the 2019 surgical strikes on terror camps by Indian armed forces across the border.
He said the Congress should be ashamed by seeking proof of the surgical strikes carried out by the IAF in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
"The Congress has once again stabbed Bharat Mata in the back. By questioning the surgical strikes, the party has humiliated our brave Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel who carried out the strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan and destroyed terror camps," Raina said. (PTI)
An oil portrait of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray was unveiled in the Maharashtra legislative building here on Monday in an event boycotted by his son and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray as the BJP and the ruling Eknath Shinde-led camp sought to lay claim on the late Hindutva icon's political legacy.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads a faction of the Shiv Sena, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, unveiled the portrait in the Central Hall of Vidhan Bhavan on the occasion of the 97th birth anniversary of Bal Thackeray.
Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya, a former minister and the MLA from Worli in Mumbai, and other family members stayed away from the official event. (PTI)
Shivsena (UBT) party chief Uddhav Thackeray Monday paid respects at Late Balasaheb Thackeray's statue at Regal Cinema on the occasion of his birth anniversary. He was joined by Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray.
(Express Photos By Ganesh shirsekar)
Speaking at Vidhan Bhawan, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Monday said Bal Thackeray always "had the remote" to control the state in his hands but only "used the remote control for larger public welfare".
"We learnt from Bal Thackeray to always stand with ordinary worker. And lend helping hands to activists in crisis," Shinde added.
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde Monday said Bal Thackeray took Maharashtra's politics to the grassroots and empowered individuals from ordinary households without any political background.
Shinde said, 'There was a time when politics was confined to handful families. Bal Thackeray took politics to grassroots. He empowered individuals from ordinary households without any political background.'
He added that he was inspired and drawn to Bal Thackeray's thoughts and work at the young age of 16 years. 'He has played significant role in shaping my life and career,' Shinde said.
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that like an ocean, Bal Thackeray was silent at some times and stormy at others.
"Bal Thackeray could have become the CM if he wished. But post and position never held any appeal to him. Bal Thackeray was a editor, cartoonist," Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis remembered that when he was summoned by the state legislative assembly for breach of privilege, he displayed great sense of humor. "He left a lasting impression on youths, legislators and common persons. He was generous. The large heartedness which was an integral aspect of Bal Thackeray made his connect to people across sections. He was known for absolute bluntness with conviction," Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis further said that Bal Thackeray spoke firmly and never retracted his statements. "His politics was on principle and conviction. He never did power-driven politics based on calculations and number game. He got individuals without any caste or community base elected. His ideology and thoughts will last for ever. He will be remembered as an example of how to keep alive Hindutva and Marathi Asmita," he added.
In a surprise decision, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari announced Monday that he has expressed his desire to be “discharged of all political responsibilities” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the latter’s visit to Mumbai on January 19. Koshyari’s decision follows months of wrangling with the state Opposition, who accused him of extreme bias.
A veteran BJP leader and RSS functionary, Koshyari has courted controversy since he was nominated Governor of Maharashtra in September 2019, with speeches that have been branded intemperate by many, including some members of the ruling BJP.
Read full story here
Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s mother Mehrunisa Siddiqui filed an FIR against the actor’s wife Zainab. The Versova police said the actor’s mother has alleged that Zainab had an argument with her.
The police added they have called her for questioning after the actor’s mother lodged the First Information Report. Read more
MNS chief Raj Thackeray, while speaking at Vidhan Bhawan, said his association with Bal Thackeray goes to his childhood days.
"He (Balasaheb) taught me to walk, drove me to school, taught me painting. He was a versatile personality. I have inherited his thoughts as his legacy," Raj said.
He went on to remember that it was Bal Thackeray who owned up to the Babri mosque demolition, when the BJP tried to distance itself from matter.
Speaking at the Vidhan Bhawan's Central Hall, BJP leader Narayan Rane said nobody can measure up to Bal Thackeray's stature.
"We joined the Shiv Sena not for the sake of power or posts but for the true spirit for the sake of Hindutva and Marathi population. I won't comment on today's Shiv Sena workers. I don't know about others. I was given the CM post by Balasaheb. I was not bothered about fake tigers then and not even today."
"I gave him (Balasaheb) pain when I left Sena. He called me next day and asked me to forget everything. I couldn't do that. What I am today, is because of Balasaheb Thackeray," Rane said.
Bal Thackeray taught the Marathi manoos to live with dignity and pride and cared for everybody like a father, Rane added.
Speaking on the long overdue BMC polls, Uddhav Thackeray said the civic body was in deficit till 2002 to the tune of Rs 6000 crore. "BMC is the country's richest civic body. But I warn the BJP and Centre to not exploit Mumbai. Don't eye BMC's fixed deposit, it is for employee's pension and development of the city," he said.
Uddhav further asked what CM Shinde was doing while projects went from Maharashtra to Gujarat. He also hit out at Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis for visiting Karnataka, despite the ongoing border dispute.
Uddhav further announced that Shiv Sena (UBT) will hold a public rally in Mumbai soon.
Uddhav Thackeray said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi seeking guidance from NCP chief Sharad Pawar became a bone of contention, while CM Eknath Shinde shared the stage with Pawar on Sunday.
"The Shinde faction-BJP alliances boasts of being PM Modi's men. But they are using Bal Thackeray's face. I give them open challenge to use Modi's face and face the elections," Uddhav said.
At the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s event at Shanmukhananda Hall on Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary, party president Uddhav Thackeray said traitors can be bought and sold with 'khokhas' (money), but die-hard Sainiks are always loyal and committed. "The massive crowd and support which has assembled here cannot be brought with money," he said.
Announcing the alliance formed with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi earlier on Monday, Uddhav said that the grandsons of Prabodhankar Thackeray and Dr BR Ambedkar have come together. "VBA president Prakash Ambedkar and I have decided join hands in national interest," he said.
At the Vidhan Bhawan's Central Hall, where the unveiling of the portrait of Bal Thackeray started, CM Eknath Shinde, Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Opposition leader Ajit Pawar and MNS leader Raj Thackeray were in attendance.
Pawar said Bal Thackeray represented all castes, communities and religions, and it is unfair to restrict him as a Hindu leader."More than Hinduhridaysamrat, Balasaheb's true identity is of Shiv Sena chief. Balasaheb was certainly a king of heart of Hindus. But he was not limited to that. He was supported by Muslims, Buddhists and those of other religions. He wasn't against Muslims. He was against Pro-Pakistan elements in the country," he said.
As the Shiv Sena (UBT) function to commemorate Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary began at Shanmukhananda Hall, party leader Sanjay Raut said efforts are on to finish the party, but that will never happen.
"The Shiv Sena was built on sacrifice and blood. It is the hard work of Bal Thackeray and thousands and lakhs of die hard sainiks. Nobody recognizes (Eknath) Shinde. There is only one Shiv Sena and that is Bal Thackeray's Shiv Sena which led by Uddhav Thackeray," Raut said.
Maharashtra Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant said the state's BJP unit has been constantly pointing fingers at the Centre over the removal of Bhagat Singh Koshiyari as Governor.
"On the contrary, the Governor has been demanding to relieve him, but Centre is neglecting the demand. It seems, the Modi government and BJP leaders want to keep him here despite all his statements against the idols of Maharashtra. Does that mean his statements were at the direction of the Centre?" he asked.
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said that he has conveyed his desire to step down from his political responsibilities to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s recent visit to Mumbai.
In a statement issued by Raj Bhavan, Governor Koshyari has expressed his desire to spend the rest of his life reading, writing and other leisurely activities.
“It was an absolute honour and privilege for me to serve as the Rajya Sevak or Rajyapal of a great state like Maharashtra – the land of Saints, Social reformers and valiant fighters,” said Koshyari.
“I can never forget the love and affection I have received from the people of Maharashtra during the last little more than 3 years. During the recent visit of the Hon'ble Prime Minister to Mumbai, I have conveyed to him my desire to be discharged of all political responsibilities and to spend the remainder of my life in reading, writing and other activities. I have always received the love and affection from the Hon’ble Prime Minister and I hope to receive the same in this regard,” Koshyari stated in the press release issued by Raj Bhavan.
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui's mother Mehrunisa Siddiqui has filed a complaint against the actor's former wife Zainab alias Alia, the Versova police said Monday.
The cops have called her for questioning. It is alleged that Zainab had an argument with Siddiqui's mother. "There is a property dispute between Nawazuddin, his mother and Zainab alias Alia. A case has been registered under sections 452, 323, 504 and 506 of IPC. Zainab is Nawazuddin's second wife," Versova police said. According to police, Nawazuddin and his wife separated in 2011.
"She was residing separately with their children. Yesterday, she came to their residence when the actor was not at home. His 75-year-old mother was at home. Mehrunisa has filed a complaint with the Versova police following which a case of trespassing has been registered," Senior Inspector Siraj Inamdar said.
Ending days of suspense, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar addressed a joint press conference on Monday to announce an alliance. Speaking on the occasion, Uddhav said: “Nation first. We have come together to safeguard the national interests and address the concerns of people at the grassroots.”
A 20-month-old baby girl was allegedly raped by her neighbour in Worli area of central Mumbai, police said on Monday.
The incident came to light after the child's parents approached the police to lodge a complaint against their neighbour on Sunday, an official said.
As per the complaint, the family lives in a tenement and their 35-year-old neighbour had allegedly raped the toddler when the parents were away a couple of days ago, he said.
The parents realised something was amiss when the child kept crying and complaining about being in pain, the official said. An FIR under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against the accused, who has been arrested, he added. (PTI)
The new Mumbai Metro lines 2A and 7, which were opened to the public on Friday, January 20, are expected to reduce the load on the suburban railway network on the western line and cut vehicular traffic by 25 per cent, according to authorities.
On Saturday, both lines recorded over 1.10 lakh ridership as per the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd (MMMOCL), an undertaking of the Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA). On Monday, however, the ridership is expected to be much higher. Read more
The body of an unidentified man was found in a lake in Maharashtra's Thane district on Monday, police said. The body of a man, aged around 45 years, was found in Shil lake around 11.30 am, said Avinash Sawant, chief of the regional disaster management cell (RDMC).
Local firemen and RDMC team fished out the body, which has been sent to a government hospital for post-mortem, he said. A case of accidental death has been registered and the local police are probing into the death, the official added. (PTI)
The erstwhile Vagir was commissioned on November 1, 1973, and undertook numerous operational missions including deterrent patrols, according to a Navy press release. The submarine was decommissioned on January 7, 2001, after serving the nation for about three decades.
Launched and named Vagir on November 12, 2020, the submarine in its new avatar has the distinction of having the lowest build time among all indigenously manufactured submarines to date. Read more
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari Monday offered floral tributes to the portraits of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Balasaheb Thackeray on the occasion of their birth anniversary.
Mumbai witnessed a minimum temperature of 15.6 degrees Celsius on Monday, data from the Santacruz station showed. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature recorded at Colaba was 17.5 degrees Celsius, according to IMD.
In comparison to Sunday, the minimum temperature dropped by 1.7 degree Celsius in Colaba, and 1.4 degree Celsius in Santacruz.
A maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius was recorded on Sunday at Santacruz, while the Colaba station recorded 26.4 degrees Celsius.
While Maharashtra celebrates the 97th birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, NCP (MP) Supriya Sule said Monday the ugly battle over Thackeray's political legacy was extremely painful and unfortunate. The Pawar Family and Thackeray family always had a very cordial relationship for the last five decades.
Mumbai's air quality was recorded under the poor category on Monday. The AQI of Mumbai was 225.
*In several locations, Mumbai record very poor air quality, including BKC (329), Chembur (312).
*Mumbai recorded poor air quality at Andheri (239), and Colaba (206).
*Moderate air quality was recorded at Mazagaon (197), Bhandup (145), Borivali (142), Malad (135), Worli (104)
* Navi Mumbai recorded an AQI of 307 (very poor category)
Experts have attributed the poor AQI to the current weather and wind patterns along with local factors like construction works and vehicular emission, that pertains to dust pollution.
The Bombay High Court is set to hear the anticipatory bail plea by actor Rakhi Sawant who was detained by Mumbai police last week and was brought to Amboli police station in connection with a complaint filed by a model. The complainant alleged that Sawant made her inappropriate videos and photos viral.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday remembered Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on the occasion of his 97th birth anniversary.
"Remembering Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on his birth anniversary. I will always cherish my various interactions with him. He was blessed with rich knowledge and wit. He devoted his life to public welfare," the Prime Minister tweeted.
As Monday marks the 97th birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid his respects to the late leader via his official Twitter account.
INS Vagir, the fifth submarine of the Kalvari Class submarines, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Monday, giving a boost to the force's prowess.
INS Vagir, which has been built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited here with technology transfer from France, was commissioned in a ceremony attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.
"The submarine will boost the Indian Navy's capability to further India's maritime interests in deterring the enemy, and conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to provide decisive blow in the times of crisis," the Navy said.
'Vagir' means sand shark, which represents stealth and fearlessness, two qualities synonymous with the ethos of a submariner, it said. Equipped with some of the best sensors in the world, its weapons package include sufficient wire guided torpedoes and sub-surface to surface missiles to neutralise a large enemy fleet, the Navy said. (PTI)
On the occasion of his father and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray's 97th birth anniversary, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's team Monday shared an old picture of him with Balasaheb and Aaditya Thackeray. The image was shared via the official account of the Office of Uddhavs Thackeray.
Poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar has challenged the summons issued against him by a magistrate court on a Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh (RSS) supporter’s complaint over alleged defamatory remarks during a TV interview in 2021.
Akhtar’s criminal revision petition stated that the the court, before issuing summons to him in its order on December 13, 2022, had not followed proper procedure and had “jumped to conclusions in a hasty and inappropriate manner”. Read more