Mumbai Beat

8220;Bhagwat should furnish evidence to back his allegations about my so-called links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and in case he fails to do so, he should jump into the sea,8221; Thackeray has said in a statement published in the Sena mouthpiece Saamna today. The Sena leader justified the sacking of the navy chief saying, 8220;Otherwise, the virus of a mad dog would have spread to other armed forces affecting discipline of the services.8221;

In a direct attack on Bhagwat, Thackeray alleged that because of a corrupt navy chief like you, boats of smugglers could reach our shores safely.8221;

Bird population on the decline

Research and observations over the past quarter century in this island city and surrounding regions had revealed gloomy findings for ornithologists and bird-lovers, with over 40 speciesbeing diminished, out of the 269 recorded species and sub-species of birds. According to wildlife conservationist Sunjoy Monga population of over 30 woodland species, and over a dozen others, have diminished. His research in Mumbai and neighbouring areas is based on sightings and call-notes. Be it the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the adjoining Karnala bird sanctuary, or the birds found near the lakes in Mumbai, the avian population in general has shown a sharp decline.

Muslims mark martyrs8217; day

The Shia community in Mumbai today mourned the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Holy Prophet, by taking out tazia processions, marking the 10th day of Moharram. At several places, especially in Muslim-dominated areas tazia procession were taken out by followers of Islam, and to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, they were also seen beating their chests to commemorate the sacrifice of the great martyrs. Members of Shia community were also seen beating themselves with chains to remind the publicabout the sacrifices of martyrs. In the month of Moharram, Oct 20, 680 AD, Imam Hussain, along with his family including children and infants, were killed at Karbala, on the banks of the Euphrates in Iraq. He was provoked into a battle with only 72 of his followers against a sea of soldiers led by the greedy usurper of power and money, Yazid, whose father and grandfather Abu Sufiyan 8212; arch-enemy of Prophet had always tried to sabotage the Prophet8217;s mission.

Cancer centre at Lilavati

Actress Rekha today inaugurated a free cancer awareness workshop exclusively for women marking the inauguration of Women8217;s Cancer Screening and Awareness Clinic at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Bandra W.