Mumbai, known for its mild winters and humid summers, is experiencing an unusual heatwave in February, with temperatures soaring to 37-38 degrees Celsius. On Sunday, Mumbai recorded a slight drop in temperatures, with the maximum temperature at 34.8 degrees Celsius. On Saturday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 35.3 degrees Celsius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience a clear sky on Sunday, March 2. Temperatures will range from a cool 21 degrees Celsius in the morning to a warm 34 degrees Celsius during the day. The relative humidity is 57 per cent. The sun rose at 06:57 AM and will set at 06:44 PM. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Santacruz observatory in suburban Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. The weather department's data showed that the city observatory in Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 30.8 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather update forecasts a "clear sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI in 'moderate' category On March 2, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality remained in the 'moderate' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 107 at 9:05 AM. As per the SAMEER app dashboard, many areas across Mumbai showed 'moderate' AQI. Bandra Kurla Complex recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 138. Chembur, Ghatkopar and Malad recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 106, 109 and 109, respectively. Meanwhile, Colaba, Byculla, Borivali and Sion recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 80, 93, 87 and 96, respectively. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 113, while Thane registered a 'moderate' AQI of 100. The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'.
02 March,2025 09:39 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmidst the ongoing SSC board examinations, a school in Ghatkopar held a gathering with a difference. It was the reunion of the school’s first SSC batch of 1975—and the ex-students all wore the school uniform of white shirt, maroon tie and the metal badge which was specially made to commemorate the occasion. Among those who attended the Golden Reunion were batch SSC topper Subash Mahadevan and Marathi teacher Vidya Patil, 82, form Prabhadevi. The 32 ex-students, mostly in their mid-sixties, flew in from from New Zealand, USA, Bengaluru and Delhi, for the reunion held on February 27 at SIES (Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial) School, formerly known as NBWS High School, in Ghatkopar (West). Rajeswari Nair, science coordinator at SIES, facilitated the reunion and recalled that it began with an email from ex-student V Krishnan in the US, a month earlier, proposing the meet-up. Nair, accompanied by Devdas Nair, treasurer of SIES and chairman of Dr APJ School Society, got in touch with as many of the 46-strong batch as possible to organise the meet-up. “The rest, as they say, is history—an unforgettable experience that will stay with us forever,” she said. “It was heartwarming to have our alumni back in their alma mater, and we felt honoured to share this special moment with them. It was incredible to see 32 out of the 46 students (all in their mid-60s) from across Indian and overseas participate in school attire. The event began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by school prayer and national pledge,” she said. The Humble Beginnings Speaking to Mid-Day, the alumi recalled their journey stating, “The year was 1964. The neighborhood (Ghatkopar W) had two well-established schools—Fatima High School and Sarvajanik School—where most children went. But our parents chose a different path, believing in the vision of a new school that would shape the future. What awaited us was no grand school building, but instead, three car garages in two different residential buildings, Shakti Nivas and Vasanji Bhanji building, repurposed into makeshift classrooms,” the ex-students recalled. There were no proper desks—perhaps not even chairs. Rainwater would flow past the garages on stormy days, and large street dogs would watch us with curiosity as we, tiny four-year-olds, bravely made our way inside. But once we stepped in, magic happened. Our teachers filled those bare-walled garages with warmth, laughter, and knowledge. We made our first friends, learned our ABCs, practiced multiplication tables, and celebrated birthdays in the simplest yet most joyous ways. The garages may have been small, but our spirits were boundless. We even had two divisions—Lalitha Teacher for Division A and Yogam Teacher for Division B. Those garages became the cradle of our friendships, friendships that would last a lifetime. We cannot ever forget our dear watchman Joshi who was a man of all seasons, our hero – always so protective and even carried us on his shoulders during rain floods. A New Chapter Begins In 1967, an exciting milestone awaited us—we moved to a brick school building at Rifle Range, Ghatkopar (W). It was just a single-story structure then, but for us, it was a palace! For the first time, we had a school bus, making multiple stops—Gopal Bhuvan, CSD Quarters, and more—transforming our daily commute into an adventure. Even more exciting was the merging of our two divisions into one unified class. Mary Joseph Teacher, became our class teacher in Standard 3, and we proudly wore our first school uniforms, complete with a badge. The school tie came a year later. Class 4 – The Legend of Eliyamma Teacher. If there was one teacher who inspired both fear and deep affection, it was our beloved Eliyamma Teacher. Strict yet loving, she commanded discipline with an iron hand (and sometimes, a cane!), but beneath that tough exterior lay a heart of gold. She had a special fondness for the boys, and we, in turn, adored her. Many of us cried through Standard 5, missing her firm yet caring presence. Becoming ‘Big Kids’ By Standard 5, we had officially graduated into Secondary School, earning newfound respect at home and among neighbours. Our guide on this journey was our young, tall, and ever-graceful class teacher, Ms Mary Verghese (Koshy). She instilled in us a love for perfection—encouraging neat handwriting, well-covered notebooks, and a sense of discipline that shaped us into diligent students. Our class steadily grew, welcoming new friends each year. Every new student brought fresh energy, new talents, and new mischief. We bonded, competed, learned, and, most importantly, stuck together. A World of New Subjects By Standard 8, a new academic challenge awaited us—Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and New Mathematics. Each subject had a dedicated, passionate teacher - Gemini Baburajan for Chemistry; Sreedevi Teacher for Physics; Balakrishnan Sir for New Maths & Laxmi Venkataraman for English. Our dear class teacher taught us Biology too. This was also the year we also wore full pants and also became Scouts and Guides, proudly wearing our new uniforms and learning survival skills, team work, and responsibility. The Sanskrit vs Marathi Debate Standard 9 brought a tough decision—choosing between Sanskrit and Marathi. Many of us were torn because our Marathi teacher, the ever energetic, charming Vidya Patil was so full of life and energy, making every class fun. Though we split into two groups, our bond as a class remained unshaken, recalled the alumni. Class X – The Terrific Batch of ’75 The final year brought a new SSC syllabus, unfamiliar to both students and teachers. There was tension, uncertainty, and a flurry of revision classes in February 1975. Then came the moment of triumph—The Class of 1975 achieved a 100% pass rate, a record that still stands strong today! Our success was a testament to the dedication of our teachers, the hard work of every student, and the unwavering spirit of friendship and support that defined our class, they said. Sixty-five-year-old Subash Mahadevan topped the SSC batch, scoring 537 /700 marks. He recalled, “I scored a distinction in SSC and as we moved to acquire higher degrees, we lost contact with most of our classmates. Some became chartered accountants, insurance professionals and bankers while others settled overseas or left Mumbai. It was only during our silver jubilee meet (25 years after leaving school in early 2000) that we got reunited, again. Today, nearly 10 per cent of our classmates have already left the world and those who could not attend the reunion were either out of the city, or themselves unwell or were taking care of their elderly parents / grandchildren.” 50 Years Later – Still the Same at Heart “Today, half a century has passed since we walked out of school as graduates, ready to take on the world. We may have grayed a little, gained a few wrinkles, and seen life’s ups and downs—but in spirit, we are still those same young boys and girls who laughed, learned, and dreamed together. Between us, time has stood still. We are The Class of 1975 – The New Batch of SSC (Maharashtra, Pune Board) - The Terrific ’75. Here’s to our school, our teachers, our friendships, and the memories that bind us forever,” said Krishnan V. “Instead of meeting at a hotel or resort, we decided to meet in the school after 50 years and were overwhelmed with the positive response from school management, to welcome us, open heartedly,” said the alumni. New Name, Old Love “Our beloved NBWS school, though it may now have a new name and new management, the essence of NBWS remains the same in our heart. It is still our sweet school, the place where our childhood memories were shaped. Every brick, every wall, every class room, the benches, the steps, and the corridors hold the echoes of our laughter, our lessons, and our friendships. They always call out for us. Just as a married daughter remains deeply rooted in her parents’ hearts, our school will always be ours—woven into the fabric of our lives and memories. Nothing has changed—still our own school,” said the emotional gathering.
02 March,2025 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe Hirkani Kaksh, a designated room for lactating mothers and children up to six years, within a school run by the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC), was allegedly misused as a bar. Bottles of alcohol and food items were found inside the facility. The state government has set up Hirkani Kaksh (Hirkani rooms) across public and semi-public offices, educational institutions, corporate firms, police stations, railway stations, bus terminals, and hospitals statewide to provide designated feeding space for lactating mothers. Located in Ulhasnagar Camp Number 3’s Farwar Line area, municipal schools number 29 and 8, house three nursing rooms set up under the state government scheme. NCP office-bearer Naresh Gaikwad received a tip-off about the rooms being misused for inappropriate activities and investigated the matter. Adjacent Hirkani Kaksh were found in a state of neglect, too, and were reportedly filled with garbage, including plastic waste and food leftovers, highlighting the lack of maintenance by the concerned authorities. Neelam Kadam, an official from the UMC education department, attributed the situation to a staffing shortage. “Due to a shortage of staff, new employees, including those in the cleaning department, were hired, and this incident occurred during that period,” she stated. However, Kadam assured that an inquiry is underway. “The administration is conducting a thorough investigation, and appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty,” she added.
02 March,2025 07:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe forest department, acting on a tip-off, busted illegal excavation taking place in a forest near Pelhar village, in Mandvi near Virar. Three trucks were seized from the location and an offence has been registered against the three drivers. Range Forest Officer Rita Vaidya from Mandvi Range of the Dahanu Forest Division confirmed, “Our staff visited the location on Thursday and found illegal excavation going on in the forest area. An offence has been registered under the sections of Indian Forest Act against three people.” Sources from the forest department told this newspaper that they suspect the illegal excavation work was being carried out as an alleged extension of a stone quarry near Pelhar village. The sources added that the stone quarry operator was issued a warning in the past to his allocated area. Such unauthorised excavation or mining poses a huge threat to the forest biodiversity, said the officials involved in the operation, including Avinash Sargar, Ashish Bhore, Raut and Pagi.
02 March,2025 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavThe newly constructed Matunga Z Bridge has finally opened, more than a year after the original foot overbridge (FOB) was shut for reconstruction.mid-day had reported in January that the bridge would open to public in February. “The Z bridge has been opened and there are a few finishing works that can keep happening. As promised, we have opened the bridge in February-end,” a CR spokesperson said. The snazzy new Z bridge is an improvement on its predecessor The snazzy new bridge is a crucial link between Matunga east and west, and is used by lakhs of officegoers, students and local residents, who have been forced to take long detours while the FOB was shut. There are several municipal schools in the area, IES, Raja Shivaji school complex, apart from colleges like Ruia, Ruparel, Khalsa, VJTI and Welingkar, besides the vegetable market, flower market and several temples. The bridge’s closure in January 2024 caused great inconvenience to pedestrians who throng the area daily. Mega block Meanwhile, commuters can expect some disruption in local train services this morning on Central Railway due to a 10-hour block that began last night. The block which began at 11.15 pm yesterday, will end at 9.15 am today. Due to this, no local or mail/express trains will go beyond Byculla on the main line and Wadala on the harbour line. Up and Down suburban services on the Main line will be short terminated at and originate from Byculla, Parel, Dadar and Kurla stations. The Central Railway has asked the BEST undertaking to run additional buses between affected railway stations. The block has been scheduled for the extension of platforms 12 and 13 at CSMT to accommodate longer 24-coach trains. On Monday, too, the CSMT-Karjat local leaving CSMT at 4.47 am will short-originate from Mumbra at 5.53 am. On Western Railway, too, train services will be hit till 11am, while re-girdering work on the fast lines between Grant Road and Mumbai Central stations is carried out from 10 pm on Saturday to 11 am on Sunday.
02 March,2025 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarCool Cat This feline model at Crawford Market doesn’t seem to appreciate the man’s attempt at familiarity Konichiwa, chef Kably Nooresha Kably accepting the award from the Ambassador of Japan to India, Keiichi Ono In a landmark moment for India’s culinary scene, Chef Nooresha Kably and Chef Brehadeesh Kumar have been named Goodwill Ambassadors for promoting Japanese Cuisine by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). This marks the first time India-based chefs have received this honour. A pioneer in Japanese gastronomy in India, Kably reinvented herself at 45, training in Japan and launching Izumi in Mumbai and Goa. “It marks the highlight of everything my partners, the Izumi team, and I have been striving for—to deliver an authentic Japanese food experience to patrons in India,” says Kably, adding, “I am immensely grateful to the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestries and Fisheries and the Embassy of Japan.” An eye for horror Shruti Haasan (centre) with the film festival founder, Sapna Bhavnani, on her right. Pic/Parijat Pansaray It’s only fitting that the city’s very own goth queen Shruti Haasan should make her international debut with a spooky film, and we were most pleased to catch the first peek at it recently at the Wench Film Festival. British psychological thriller film The Eye, which stars Haasan in the lead role, premiered at the horror film fest’s opening day in Andheri. Haasan essays the role of Diana, a widow who travels back to the island where her husband Felix drowned to scatter his ashes. There, she learns of the Evil Eye ritual which can bring her husband (played by Mark Rowley) back from death. “I’ve always been drawn to stories that explore love, darkness, and self-discovery,” Haasan said at the premier, adding, “The Eye allowed me to confront those emotions on screen, and working with such an incredibly talented all-female creative team made the experience even more special.” The Eye, directed by Daphne Schmon, is set for theatrical release this year. It numbers among 35 women-and-queer-made films (out of a total of 42) being screened at the festival. This year, founder Sapna Bhavnani also launched Terror Talkies, the country’s first horror and fantasy publication. Get cleaning with the kids Viyomi (left) and Aisha Inspired by a school programme on pollution in our oceans, two seven-year-olds are organising a beach clean-up on Carter Road today. Aisha Nihalani and Viyomi Mataliya, Standard 2 students at Ecole Mondiale World School (Juhu), have taken it upon themselves to initiate a clean-up drive in collaboration with Carter Clean Up. “It was Viyomi’s idea and we decided to do this together,” says Aisha. Viyomi chimes in, “We have put a lot of effort into it and are so excited about our first ever clean up-drive.” Please join the girls and lend a hand today between 7.30 am and 8.30 am at Carter Road. It’s a double celebration for jolly good Farokh Engineer Farokh Engineer Not all cricket stars are too reserved to make new friends, but some of them take the “don’t talk to strangers” dictum to another level. To be fair to the modern-day cricketer, in the wake of all sorts of restrictions, it is not always possible to interact with fans. Farokh Engineer is different, though. The former India wicketkeeper-batsman is in Mumbai and had two parties thrown for him (on Tuesday by Cipla’s head honcho Yusuf Hamied and former journalist Khalid Ansari on Wednesday) to celebrate him turning 87 on February 25. This diarist dropped in at the second party. He heard Engineer sing the Paul Anka-composed, Frank Sinatra-performed My Way and listened to Engineer’s speech in which he expressed great delight at seeing so many known faces. And to those who didn’t know him, he urged them to come and say hello, chat and share a drink with him. Mind you, we are sure that Engineer will do that for anyone who wishes to meet him. And for that, and many more of his great qualities, Farokh Maneksha Engineer is a jolly good fellow! You have a postcard The ensemble before a performance One of the events piquing our interest the coming week is a play in which both actors and audience are on the move. Postcards from Colaba is a bilingual play, in English with some portions in Hindi, performed over a scenic 1-km stretch in Colaba. There are shows slated for March 4, 5 and 6 (7 pm and 10 pm). The play promoters explained, “Colaba’s legacy as a symbol of Bombay’s subterranean indulgences is made up of chance encounters and unwritten testimonies, all hidden in plain sight.” They added, “From film director Riyad Vinci Wadia’s misadventures in a city library, to the Gateway of India bearing majestic witness to nocturnal shenanigans, the show weaves an intimate tapestry of Colaba’s alternative history. The walk is punctuated with theatrical pieces that are all performed in verse.” Book your walking space now at https://bit.ly/3CVL5Dy Wear comfy shoes to stride with pride, pun intended of course.
02 March,2025 07:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Team SMDDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign. AriesMarch 21 – April 19Balancing your professional and personal life may be easier than expected—you just need to make conscious choices. Avoid any risky investments..Career tip: Do not make any important medical decisions before weighing all options. Those with gastric issues need to take extra care about what they eat. TaurusApril 20 – May 20Those in a committed relationship may want to take it to the next level. Make financial choices and decisions only after careful examination.Career tip: Focus on making small changes that will impact your health in the long term. Take extra care of your throat if you are prone to coughs. GeminiMay 21 – June 20Any property matters need to be handled carefully, especially if it is a legal issue. Deal with relationship or friendship issues promptly. Don’t take the other person for granted.Career tip: Those prone to migraines sould avoid triggering environments and foods. Make efforts to include at least one healthy habit into your daily routine. CancerJune 21 – July 22Let go of the past. Try not to blame yourself for any mistakes you think you may have made. Avoid any complicated investments.Career tip: Those with respiratory issues should make sure they take their medication efficiently. Drink enough water, according to your individual needs. LeoJuly 23 – Aug 22 If fearful, one can find it difficult to balancing what they want and what is right. Stay out of any office politics at work.Career tip: Seniors need to take extra care of themselves. Avoid extremes in your diet and fitness plans—take a balanced and holistic approach to your health. VirgoAug 23 – Sept 22Be clear in your expectations during any negotiations. This is a positive time for long term investments—just be patient.Career tip: TSmall changes in habits could lead to a significant difference in energy levels. Those having challenges conceiving a child should seek take medical assistance. LibraSept 23 – Oct 22Those on a limited budget need to be careful with the smallest of expenses. Make sure you are prepared before getting into any meetingsCareer tip: Get enough rest if you feel slightly unwell or tired. Try to avoid any unnecessarily medication. Double check any medical reports if you feel there has been a mistake in the readings. ScorpioOct 23 – Nov 21Approach situations from a position of advantage. Know when to let go if things don’t go as planned. Be careful of what you say online.Career tip: Those with heart or high blood pressure related health issues need to take extra care. Seniors might want to work on strengthening their bones. SagittariusNov 22 – Dec 21Just do your best if you are at the centre of a personal crisis. This is a positive time for friendships and relationships..Career tip: Those suffering from a chronic illness need to follow their doctors’ guidelines efficiently. Avoid any food that makes you feel sluggish and lazy. CapricornDec 22 – Jan 19Stay focused and choose carefully if you have multiple options. Advice from a mentor should be taken in it’s context and modified to suit your situation.Career tip: Those who want to manage their weight should be disciplined with their diet. Take extra care if you have a compromised immune system. AquariusJan 20 – Feb 18Deal with any stressful situation as best possible, and do not take on more responsibilities than you can handle. Make time for friends you can trust.Career tip: Try and eat home cooked meals. This is a positive time for those who want to conceive a child. PiscesFeb 19 – March 21Those in a creative career are in a positive phase and should make the most of all opportunities. Choose wisely if you have multiple investment choices..Career tip: Eat only what suits you if you have digestive issues. Be careful of your spine and back as you could hurt yourself.
02 March,2025 12:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Aparna BoseThe Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that his party will stake claim to the post of Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, reported the PTI. He argued that in the past, this post was given to opposition parties even as they had not won 10 per cent of the seats at that time. The combined strength of the opposition parties in the 288-member state assembly is nearly 50, he said. The budget session of the Maharashtra legislature will be held between March 3 and 26. "Shiv Sena (UBT) will stake claim to the post of LoP in the Vidhan Sabha. Even if the strength of MLAs is less, there is no law or provision in the Constitution which says that the House should function without the LoP. Shiv Sena (UBT) has the strength of 20," Sanjay Raut claimed, according to the PTI. In the past, the Congress leaders said that if the Sena (UBT) stakes claim to the post of LoP in the assembly, then it will demand the same post in the legislative council. Currently, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Ambadas Danve is the LoP in the legislative council but his tenure as an MLC will end in August this year. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance comprises the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) and Congress. The Sena (UBT) has 20 MLAs in the assembly, followed by the Congress (16) and NCP (SP) (10). "Hope the Speaker accepts our demand of getting the LoP's post," Sanjay Raut said. When asked why none of the top leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT) went to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Sanjay Raut said that the party follows RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in this. "I did not see Mohan Bhagwat going to the Maha Kumbh and taking a dip in the Ganga. We were waiting for him (Bhagwat) to go to the Maha Kumbh and we would have followed them. None of the senior RSS functionaries went to the Maha Kumbh. We had plans of doing so, but we did not see any of them going there," the Rajya Sabha member said, the news agency reported. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the ruling Shiv Sena, has attacked Uddhav Thackeray for skipping the Maha Kumbh. (with PTI inputs)
01 March,2025 11:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar on Saturday said that the controversy and allegations of higher rates of High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) in Maharashtra vis-a-vis the other states was uncalled for. There had been social media posts and reports comparing rates from Maharashtra and other states, with Maharashtra showing the highest rates for change of number plates. "There are two elements. The high security registration cost and the cost of its fitment. Other states have only displayed the cost of the high security registration plates in the rate list. But motorists in those states have been complaining of fleecing by mechanics and agents in the name of fitment charges, where customers are being exorbitantly charged. So in Maharashtra, we have also fixed the fitment charges and included them in the cost, which is why the overall rates look higher as compared to other states. We have deliberately included the cost in the rate list and made it fool proof so that there is no scope for agents or mechanics to charge any exorbitant charges. They have to follow the fixed rates with no separate charges for fitment," Maharashtra transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar told the media today. "The plate rates and fitment charges in other states have created some confusion in the minds of the people. There have been incidents in the past where people were being charged extra money in the name of fitment charges. As a solution to this, the state government has decided to combine the plate rates and fitment charges. No one will be able to charge plate rates and fitment charges in different ways," he further clarified. "Adequate centers have been set up in every district for this and instructions have been given to the RTO officers in places where centers are not available to set up the necessary centers," he said. "After a petition filed in the Supreme Court, the court directed all the states to follow the regulation and get the number plates installed as per provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. The tender process regarding the number plates has been done as per the rules and it has also received the approval of the High Power Committee. The action has been taken only after showing the rates and all the necessary details of other states to the High Power Committee and getting their approval," he said. Cost of installing High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) (GST to be charged additionally) - Two-wheeler-Rs 450 - Three-wheeler-Rs 500 - Light Motor Vehicles-Rs 745 - Heavy Vehicles-Rs 745
01 March,2025 10:04 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday asked the police athletes to aim for Olympics and assured them of full support from the state government in their preparations for it, reported the PTI. CM Fadnavis assured all support from his government to athletes from the police department in their endeavour to compete in top-notch tournaments, including the Olympics. In line with this vision, 'Mission Olympics' has been launched to integrate police teams into India's preparations to host the event in 2036, he said, according to the PTI. "Sports foster team spirit. This is a great opportunity for police personnel to showcase their talent. The government will provide all necessary support to ensure our police athletes can compete at the highest levels, including the Olympics," the CM said while addressing the closing ceremony of the 35th Maharashtra Police Sports Meet in Maharashtra's Thane district. CM Fadnavis, however, expressed concerned at the drop in the number of participants when compared to the previous edition. While the 2024 edition of the state police meet had 3500 participants, the figure was 2900 for this year, he noted, and asked the Director General of Police to take rectification measures for future events. CM Fadnavis expressed satisfaction over the increase in the number of women participants. The 35th Maharashtra State Police Sports Competition 2025 concluded with a grand ceremony in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. During the event, the Chief Minister awarded prizes to the outstanding male and female police teams for their excellent performance in the competition. Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his happiness that the 35th Maharashtra State Police Sports Competition was successfully held in Thane. He mentioned that these competitions are held every year at different locations, providing an opportunity for police athletes to showcase their skills. This year, 13 teams participated, including 2,323 male and 606 female athletes. The competition featured 18 sports, including athletics, football, volleyball, basketball, kho-kho, kabaddi, taekwondo, boxing, hockey, weightlifting, powerlifting, bodybuilding, and swimming. Chief Minister Fadnavis praised Maharashtra’s police force, calling it the best in the country. He highlighted that the state police have maintained law and order and helped Maharashtra become the number one industrial state in the country. (with PTI inputs)
01 March,2025 09:34 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe special cause committee of MHADA constituted by the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board to determine the eligibility of 11 applicants for transit tenement allocation will hold a final hearing on March 6 after the applicants failed to attend the previous hearing, an official statement said on Saturday. The committee had earlier scheduled its first hearing on February 27 but the applicants failed to attended the hearing, the statement said. it further said that in the interest of justice, the committee has decided to grant them one final opportunity, it said, adding that the hearing for the 11 applicants will now be held on March 6. The committee has urged all applicants to be present in person along with the required documents as specified by the board, the statement said. The first hearing was originally scheduled on February 27 and notification letters were issued by the committee for the applicants to attend. These notices were sent via registered post to the addresses available with the board. However, the postal authorities returned these letters as the addresses provided by the applicants to the board were incomplete, it said. In response, the committee assigned board officials to personally deliver the notices at the given addresses. However, the applicants were not found at these locations. Since it was essential for the applicants to receive the hearing notice, the committee published a public advertisement in various newspapers listing the names of the concerned applicants and requesting their attendance, the statement further said. Meanwhile, only one applicant personally visited the MHADA office and collected the notice regarding the hearing. Since all 11 applicants remained absent, it was must that their identity verification and document validation should be held in their presence before the committee, it said. MHADA Vice President & CEO, Sanjeev Jaiswal, IAS, has directed the three-member committee, chaired by the Deputy Chief Engineer of the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board, to provide a final opportunity for the 11 applicants to present their case and following the review of the submitted documents, the committee will finalise the eligibility of the applicants and prepare a detailed report on transit tenement allocation. The report is expected to be available soon, and an appropriate decision on the allocation of transit tenements will be made only after determining the eligibility of the 11 applicants, the official statement said.
01 March,2025 07:25 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentADVERTISEMENT
