While on Monday the residents of 19 dilapidated buildings near Elphinstone bridge were assured by the state government that they would be rehabilitated in the same area to facilitate the demolition and reconstruction of the bridge, just a few kilometres away, the residents of 15 buildings—who have been served eviction notices by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA)—remain clueless about their future. If the residents of Elphinstone are being heard and given justice, then why can’t the residents of Lalbaug be heard? If there is a disagreement between parties that is delaying redevelopment, they can certainly approach higher authorities. The authorities will be duty-bound to help them without bias. If this can be done for one group of residents, it should be done for others as well,” said local MLA Ajay Choudhary. MHADA’s evacuation notice displayed inside the premises of Narayan Ashram Building No 6. Pics/Shadab Khan When it comes to building redevelopment, residents’ opposition is often a major hurdle. But in the case of Narayan Ashram (Building No 6) in Lalbaug, it’s not the tenants blocking the process—it’s a dispute between the landowner and a potential developer. Last year, MHADA declared the building dilapidated and has since issued multiple notices to both the landowner and the tenants. A recent notice sent to Lalbaugcha Raja idol maker Santosh Kambli stated that he must vacate his flat immediately due to a dangerously tilted wall. “The rear side of the wall between shop no 4 and 5 is buckled and has settled. It is in a dilapidated condition and may collapse at any moment, resulting in loss of life and property. It is therefore necessary to vacate the premises immediately to avoid danger,” the notice read. However, Kambli is refusing to vacate. “We’re not against redevelopment,” he said. “But how do you expect us to give consent without knowing who the developer is? A few days ago, our landowner said he was in talks with a developer and showed us some paperwork. We insisted on meeting the developer, but that hasn't happened yet. Meanwhile, the landowner keeps delaying things on technical grounds, and now we’re being harassed by the authorities through such notices.” “We are not against our landowner either—we’re just stuck. We’ll give our consent once a developer is finalised and introduced to us,” he added. Meanwhile, residents of Narayan Ashram Building No 7 have already agreed to redevelopment. Their landowner has signed a joint venture with Bhagwati Developers. “We’ve completed all the necessary paperwork and submitted our proposal to MHADA,” said Kulin Vohra, proprietor of Bhagwati Developers. “We hope Building No 6 joins in too. Redeveloping a single building attached to others is difficult in a cramped area like Ganesh Gully. Joint redevelopment will benefit everyone.” Why some are upset? While all residents of Building No 6 appear willing to proceed with redevelopment, trust issues with the landowner have stalled the process. “There’s been a lot of back and forth from the landowner. We don’t understand the delay—when both residents and a developer are ready, what’s the holdup?” asked one resident. “The process can move ahead smoothly under Section 79(A) of the MHADA Act. But because of these delays, we’re now considering invoking 79(B) to bypass the owner. The only problem is, many tenants are scared they’ll be targeted if they take that step.” Exterior view of Narayan Ashram Buildings No 6 and 7, both declared dilapidated by MHADA. Pics/Shadab Khan Another resident added, “Talks have been going on for three to four years. Frustrated, we recently renovated our house. And now, if they’re asking us to vacate immediately, that money’s wasted.” When questioned, the owner of Building No 6, Prasad Gavankar, said, “Matters are under development. More details will be shared when there’s progress.” Understanding MHADA Act Section 79(A) mandates compulsory redevelopment for cessed buildings declared dangerous by MHADA or its repair board. Once a notice is issued, property owners have three months to act. If they don’t, occupants have six additional months to propose redevelopment. Section 79(B) allows tenants to submit a redevelopment proposal themselves if the owner fails to act within the given timeframe. Both Narayan Ashram buildings are among the 13,800 buildings MHADA has identified for redevelopment in the city. Meanwhile, 13 other buildings along the same lane are facing similar issues. “The BMC and MHADA are not on the same page,” said Pagadi Association chairperson Vinita Rane. “All 15 buildings stand on BMC-owned land leased to landowners, but were constructed by MHADA. MHADA hasn’t coordinated with BMC, so issues like collapsing walls are neglected in the blame game.” Rane added, “When we asked MHADA officials to inspect the tilted wall, they seemed clueless. They didn’t even know how to implement 79(A). The miscommunication and lack of knowledge among authorities are putting residents under tremendous stress.” Despite multiple calls from mid-day, MHADA officials declined to comment.
30 April,2025 06:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarThere is good news for the residents of Aarey Milk Colony who have long depended on Aarey Hospital. Officials from the Aarey chief executive’s office told mid-day that the BMC has given an in-principle nod to operate the hospital. In October, mid-day had reported how over 1,00,000 residents in Aarey had access to just one government doctor. The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is also currently hearing a case related to the issue. The CEO of Aarey Milk Colony, S Shirpurkar, said, “In another five to six months, Aarey Hospital will be equipped with proper infrastructure and necessary facilities. The BMC has given its in-principle approval to run the hospital as a primary healthcare centre. It will have a doctor and staff on duty round-the-clock, which will greatly benefit local residents, including those living in tribal hamlets.” One lakh residents of Aarey Colony have access to just one govt doctor. File pics/Nimesh Dave In December 2024, mid-day had reported that, following its earlier story highlighting the poor state of Aarey Hospital—managed by the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department—renovation work had begun with an estimated budget of Rs 1.10 crore. On October 18, mid-day published a report, which highlighted that only one doctor was available for a population of over one lakh within Aarey Milk Colony. On October 21, the SHRC issued directives to the department to deposit Rs 50,000 into the CM’s Relief Fund within four weeks for failing to submit improvement plans. These directives came during the hearing of a case prompted by a 2022 mid-day report that exposed the hospital's dismal state. The SHRC had taken suo motu cognisance of the report and sought details to upgrade healthcare services. During a visit in October 2023, mid-day found only one doctor, a pharmacist, and a few staff members on duty. The hospital’s structure was in poor condition. This newspaper has consistently highlighted the plight of Aarey residents, whether they fall ill, suffer injuries, or encounter wild animals. These patients are often rushed to the Trauma centre in Goregaon East, on the Western Express Highway, as the only hospital in the area remains barely functional. The BMC conducts vaccination drives twice a week, but essential medicines remain in short supply. The area has 27 tribal hamlets, about 32 slum pockets, and several cattle farm units. While a few small private dispensaries exist, residents insist that a fully-equipped govt hospital is desperately needed.
30 April,2025 06:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavWater wonderful idea A monkey makes a long swing from a branch to quench its thirst at a pond in Alibaug Wild canvas in Vasai The graffiti in Vasai. PIC COURTESY/SIDDHESH VINOD SAPTE Turning Vasai’s streets into a melange of colours, graffiti artist Siddhesh Vinod Sapte aka NME’s (right) latest work not only fuses elements of the art form but also carries an important message about wildlife. “The idea was to play with forms and simplify the style. This piece was inspired by a signboard I saw at the crocodile viewpoint in my hometown, Chiplun. It read, ‘Dekho magar pyaar se’, which is a clever play of words where magar means ‘but’ as well as ‘crocodile’ in Hindi. The graffiti is trying to convey how wildlife isn’t separate from us, humans. It is a part of our larger ecosystem,” he shared with this diarist. From Assam to Bandra A moment from the band, Bound Morphemes’ performance. Pic courtesy/Assam Association The Assam Association Mumbai welcomed spring with a cultural celebration of Rongali Bihu at a Bandra venue last week. Held every year in April, when the granaries are full of fresh produce, the festival stayed true to its spirit of community bonding and fun. It included a traditional husori performance, a dance-drama performance, and an indie rock act by Guwahati-based band, Bound Morphemes. “This is one of the ways for us to enjoy the fun of the festival and give back to the community as well,” Devabrata Chakravarty, (inset) general secretary of the association, told us. Mango mania The posters explain the many types of mangoes. Pics courtesy/Imperfect Orange The season’s sweet offerings, mangoes, might be flying off the shelves this summer, but do you know the types of mangoes you can get your hands on? Jiya Somaiya founder of Imperfect Orange, a culture collective on Instagram has now devised an A to Z guide for you to refer. “Every summer, my family has several conversations about what variety of mango can be used for the household favourite, aam ras. This led me to dig deeper into the types of Indian mangoes, their flavour profiles and varieties to research more about them,” Somaiya revealed to this diarist. A new Mumbai star is born Arushi Nigam and Avenev Mukherjee in performance. Pic courtesy/Aadyam Theatre Back in December 2023, The Guide section had written about the album created by Dhruv Ghanekar for the Devika Shahani-backed production, Mumbai Star, as it headed for Japan. Now, the show will be part of the latest offering by Aadyam Theatre, and open in the city on May 24 and 25. Shahani shared, “Mumbai Star is very close to my heart. It is a universal story about one of the most important relationships of our lives — the guru and shishya. Aadyam is taking a new and bold step in this different storytelling form.” With Akarsh Khurana and Arghya Lahiri taking on the script, director Nadir Khan added, “The show celebrates dance — both modern and traditional, and dancers themselves as individuals and a collective. We are hopeful that the industry will allow it to grow and innovate.” A paw-fect evening with friends A participant cuddles a dog during the event. Pic courtesy/Yoda Last Sunday witnessed a fun session for animal lovers and their furry friends who signed up for a special fundraising event for stray dogs, Padel With Paws, at St Stanislaus High School’s Padel Park in Bandra West. Akarsh Hebbar, co-founder of animal welfare NGO, YODA, shared, “Over 30 players from Mumbai’s padel community came together to attend coaching sessions by coach Victor Perez, to make the sport accessible to newcomers. A vibrant, festive atmosphere was created with curated pop-up stalls.”
30 April,2025 06:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayThe Maharashtra Mahaparyatan Utsav will be held at Mahabaleshwar from May 2 to 4. Organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), this three-day state tourism festival is expected to be a unique experience for visitors, with 60 luxurious five-star tents, laser shows, various tourism excursions, and a vibrant line-up of cultural events. Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai announced the event during a press conference held at the Ministry’s Legislative Press Room. The festival is being launched under the guidance of Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar with an aim to promote and brand major tourist destinations in the state every year. The Maharashtra Mahaparvatana Utsav will open on May 2 at 5 pm at the Golf Club Grounds in Mahabaleshwar in Shinde and Pawar’s presence. The other major attendees will include tourism minister Desai, Public Works Minister Shivendra Singh Rajé Bhosale, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Jaykumar Gore, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil. Governor CP Radhakrishnan will inaugurate the newly renovated Chhatrapati Pratapsingh Garden and the restored Petit Library on May 3. In light of the recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam, the government has announced the formation of a Maharashtra Tourist Safety Force to ensure the safety of tourists. The force will be operational from May 3, under the Governor’s supervision. It will be deployed in Mahabaleshwar for a three-month period. What is in store for visitors The festival will feature an array of activities, including cultural performances by renowned artists, a Fort-and-Weapon Exhibition, food festivals, adventure sports, workshops for children, helicopter rides, drone shows, temple tours, among others. Additionally, there will be sessions on water tourism opportunities, biodynamic farming, and the state’s tourism policy for 2024. The Maharashtra Tourism Policy and Agricultural Tourism will also be discussed in dedicated seminars. The festival will feature 60 luxurious five-star tents for visitors. Some of these tents will be set up near the Golf Club Grounds, while others will be located near the Mapro Garden in Mauje Bhose. Visitors will also get a chance to take in panoramic views of Mahabaleshwar, with helicopter rides available daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Adventure enthusiasts can also take part in activities such as paragliding, parasailing, and water sports at Dubhash Farm and Tapola. Taking inspiration from Maharashtra’s rich history of forts, a Fort-and-Weapon Exhibition will be held at the Chhatrapati Pratapsingh Garden near Venna Lake from 9 am to 7 pm. The exhibition will showcase replicas of 10 major forts from the Maratha Empire, along with nearly 1,000 antique weapons from the Shivaji era. The Venna Lake Festival will be another major attraction at the event. A Laser-and-Light Show will be held in the evening on May 2 and 3, followed by a Drone Show on May 4, showcasing the rich history of Satara through 300 drones. Additionally, a ‘Kids Zone’ will be set up at Seth Gangadhar Makharia Garden for children to participate in workshops on pottery, painting, storytelling, and photography. For culinary lovers, a Food Festival at Seth Gangadhar Makharia High School will be organised over the three days, featuring a wide variety of dishes from all the regions of the state, including Marathwada, Vidarbha, Konkan, and Western Maharashtra. Additionally, special food stalls from Satara and Maan will offer unique local delicacies. A Flea Market will also be set up, where visitors can explore handicrafts and products made by local women entrepreneurs. A grand Carnival Parade will take place on May 3 at 4 pm, with performances of traditional folk dances, including Pavli, Adivasi Dance, Vasudev, Gondhali, and Kadkalakshmi. The parade will begin at Swargiya Balasaheb Thackeray Chowk and end at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk. For fitness enthusiasts, yoga sessions will be held at Wilson Point on May 3 and 4 from 6 am to 7 am. The sessions will be led by Dr Gajanan Saraf and his team. Morning Raagas, a musical programme featuring bansuri (flute) by Amar Oak, will also be held. A Fun Run and Cyclothon has been organised, with the Fun Run starting at Wilson Point and finishing at Aram Guest House Grounds. The festival will also provide opportunities for visitors to explore historical temples such as Panchganga Mandir and Krishnai Mandir. There will be experiential tours of villages, agricultural tourism, and strawberry farm visits, too. Minister Shambhuraj Desai has expressed hope that this festival will help in promoting the historic and cultural richness of Maharashtra and attracting tourists from across the country and the globe. Through this initiative, the state aims to position Maharashtra as a prime destination for tourism by offering a unique blend of culture, adventure, and heritage.
30 April,2025 05:02 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Construction Committee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, announced on Tuesday that the construction of the Ram Mandir will be completed by 5 June this year. Speaking to ANI, Mishra stressed that 99 per cent of the construction work is now finished. "Ram temple construction will be completed by 5 June this year. Ninety-nine per cent of the temple construction work has now been completed. The 'Garbhagriha', where Ram Lalla is enshrined, had already been completed earlier. However, the first and second floors and the shikhar (main spire) above were still under construction. Today, the Dhwajdand (temple flagpole) has been installed atop the shikhar, which is essentially a symbolic declaration that the work on the shikhar is now complete. The overall construction of the temple is now nearly finished," Mishra stated. He also revealed that the installation of the Ram Darbar—featuring the idols of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lord Hanuman —on the temple’s first floor is scheduled for May 23. "All preparations for this have been completed. The idols will arrive in Ayodhya on May 23 and will be placed in their respective sanctums. Following this, there will be some associated religious ceremonies. On June 5, Lord Ram will be ceremoniously enshrined according to our faith and rituals," he said. Mishra added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given special emphasis to seven temples within the complex, dedicated to sages and devotees associated with Lord Ram. #WATCH | "Ram temple construction will be completed by June 5 this year," says Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Construction Committee of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. pic.twitter.com/BROEkoA92Z — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2025 "These seven temples are also now complete. The temples of Maharishi Valmiki, Shri Vashisht ji, Vishwamitra ji, Ahilya ji, Nishadraj Maharaj, Shabari Mata, and Agastya Muni located within the temple premises will also be opened to the public after 5 June. The worship rituals for the Ram Darbar and the six temples built along the Parkota (outer boundary) will take place on 5 June. Champat Rai ji will announce a detailed programme for the 5 June ceremonies," he stated. "One or two days after 5 June, once the temple is fully completed, devotees will be able to visit all the different temples within the premises for darshan," Mishra added. Mishra also emphasised that they are hopeful and inspired by the unwavering faith of the devotees after the temple witnessed daily footfall between 75,000 to 1 lakh. Speaking on the challenges faced during construction, Mishra said: "We faced many geographical challenges during the construction. Sourcing materials from various places was also a major challenge. There were many discussions regarding engineering and design because our vision was that this temple should last for the next 1,000 years without damage. For me, these engineering challenges were the toughest part. The solution to all these challenges can be summed up in one word: teamwork." He also praised Prime Minister Modi and recalled his time working with him. "I worked under the Prime Minister for nearly six years. Back in those days, even before the Supreme Court's verdict had come, he often used to say that he would only visit Ayodhya once the construction of the temple began. I remember him indicating that in the past 15–20 years, although he had travelled to surrounding districts for political events, he had not gone to Ayodhya. It was clear in his mind that a temple would be built in Ayodhya—no matter what." (With ANI inputs)
30 April,2025 04:20 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for April 30. Aries March 21 – April 20Seek solutions in a situation not of your making, to end it. Those in a relationship enter a karmic cycle of giving and receiving a commitment. Cosmic tip: Continue to have faith in God. Taurus April 21 – May 20Intuition, emotional feelings and a take charge attitude are in perfect sync with each other. Receiving good news acts as a special gift from the universe.Cosmic tip: Weigh out words before uttering them. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Don’t play mind games as it’s better to lay all your cards on the table, seeking an explanation. Cosmic tip: Maintain a gentle attitude that keeps you calm without upsetting your conscience later on. Cancer June 22 – July 23Discuss issues honestly to heal a relationship. Remain focused and dedicated to personal work ethics you’ve followed diligently. Cosmic tip: Giving back to the universe may seem unfair, but that’s how karma works. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Drive carefully, following all traffic safety rules. A friend who had ‘unfriended’ you gets in touch. A relative shares joyful news.Cosmic tip: Don’t be influenced by what you are told. Be logical. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23A school friend may shift geographically closer, which is great. Do an objective evaluation of efforts done so far as career is concerned. Be practical. Cosmic tip: Keep the final big picture in mind. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22A business presentation requires exceptionally thorough research and fact finding (don’t leave anything to chance). A short holiday at the end of the month is enjoyable.Cosmic tip: Give unconditional love to receive likewise. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Some deal with more responsibility at work which begins an upward career graph and an increased income. Eat wholesome freshly cooked food.Cosmic tip: Welcome a changed awareness with praise towards the Higher Power. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Financial news of great importance is received, and that too, when expected. Business negotiations move ahead in a comforting and reassuring manner.Cosmic tip: Accept what appears to be karmic justice with a happy heart. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Impossibly short deadlines are dealt with efficiently, creating a favourable impression at work. Some plan a mini getaway with their spouse/ partner. Get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Believe God is looking after you continuously. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19An event removes stress and strain you’ve been under. A slightly aggravating day ends finally and you are relieved. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Give unconditional love because you know that’s the right attitude. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20There are a variety of creative tools available; source them out before beginning the project. Do make enough time to just relax.Cosmic tip: Don’t allow a difference of opinion to create an unnecessary rift.
30 April,2025 02:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseIn a bid to promote clean mobility, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced a toll waiver for all electric four-wheeler passenger vehicles and electric buses on some of the state's major expressways. The decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting held in Mumbai on Tuesday. It was decided that the electric vehicles will not have to pay tolls on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link), Samruddhi Mahamarg (Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Expressway), the officials said. They said that a 50 per cent toll discount will be offered to electric vehicles on other state and national highways under the Public Works Department (PWD) of Maharashtra. "The decision is aimed to encourage the use of electric vehicles and reducing pollution by promoting clean and sustainable transport in the state," an official said. The state cabinet also gave its approval to Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy, 2025. Under the policy, aimed to push for green mobility and encourage usage of electric vehicles, the state government besides announcing toll waiver-concession, has decided that all electric vehicles sold and registered in Maharashtra would be exempted from motor vehicle tax and registration certificate or renewal fees and discounts would also be given on purchase of vehicles till 2030. As per the statement issued by CM Devendra Fadnavis' office, "10 per cent discount will be given on the original price of electric two-wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers (non transport), buses of state transport undertaking and private, state/urban transport undertakings."
29 April,2025 10:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday said that it has launched a dedicated ‘War Room’ at its headquarters in Fort area of south Mumbai to the ongoing pre-monsoon desilting work in Mumbai. In a post on X, the Mumbai civic body wrote, "In order to enhance monitoring, transparency and efficiency in drain desilting operations across Mumbai, a ‘War Room’ has been made operational at BMC headquarters and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner chief Bhushan Gagrani conducted an inspection." 🔹In order to enhance monitoring, transparency and efficiency in drain (nallah) desilting operations across Mumbai, a ‘War Room’ has been made operational at the sixth floor of the extended wing at the BMC Headquarters. Municipal Commissioner & Administrator Shri Bhushan Gagrani… pic.twitter.com/reMeK2zoBU — माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) April 29, 2025 The war room will function in two shifts daily, from 8 am to 11 pm, with continuous monitoring by a team that includes one engineer and three other staff members, said Additional Municipal Commissioner (Project) Abhijit Bangar. This year, the contracts for desilting work include stricter terms and conditions. The video documentation of 30 seconds, along with photographs, has been made mandatory for the work. For minor drains, CCTV footage before and after the desilting is compulsory. All these images and videos will be streamed live in the War Room. Explaining about AI-Powered work, an official said, "Around 7,000 minutes of video footage is expected to be uploaded during the entire desilting period. This footage will be reviewed using AI systems. If any irregularities or unusual occurrences are detected, those videos will be flagged and separated for further review. These flagged videos will then be manually and physically verified by the team. When a vehicle arrives at the weighbridge, it is mandatory to remove the tarpaulin cover. If the cover is not removed, the AI system will automatically flag this, and a weight receipt will not be generated for that vehicle. If an incorrect or manipulated video is uploaded—such as a video recorded from another video—the system is trained to detect such discrepancies." He added, "All major drains and the Mithi River have been geo-referenced. If a desilting vehicle is found at a location other than the designated nullah area, weighbridge, or dumping site, the system will flag the anomaly. If a vehicle carries significantly more weight than the usual expected load, the system will detect it for further investigation. Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, LLaMA, etc., will be used in the desilting process. These AI-powered tools will help analyse the large volumes of data generated and facilitate easier data analytics and insights." During a recent nullah desilting visit in Mumbai, Gagrani had stated that although the desilting work is progressing satisfactorily, residents from nearby areas continue to dump plastic and other waste materials into the nullah. He appealed to residents living alongside nullah and all citizens of Mumbai not to dump solid waste, discarded items, or plastic materials into the drains, and instead extend their cooperation to the BMC. Gagrani had mentioned that 43 percent of the pre-monsoon desilting target has already been completed, and the remaining work will be expedited within the next month. He said, transparency has been introduced in the silt removal process this year. All video footage received during desilting operations is being analysed using artificial intelligence systems. For the first time, AI is being used to monitor desilting work and ensure full transparency in operations, which has significantly aided the administration. Gagrani further added that to regulate the flow of floodwaters, the Storm Water Drains Department has installed flood control gate at certain locations. These gates help manage water pressure, prevent structural damage, and maintain a controlled and safe flow of water. When the water pressure or level exceeds a specific threshold, the gate opens automatically to release the excess water.
29 April,2025 09:52 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentMaharashtra Government has acquired the famous 'Raghuji Sword' for Rs 47.15 lakh, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday. It is a historic sword belonging to Raje Raghuji Bhonsle, founder of the Bhonsle dynasty of Nagpur, who in 1745 led the battle against the Nawab of Bengal, Fadnavis said on X. नागपूरच्या भोसले घराण्याचे संस्थापक राजे रघुजी भोसले यांची लंडनमध्ये लिलावात निघालेली ऐतिहासिक तलवार ही राज्य सरकारने खरेदी केली आहे, हे सांगताना मला आनंद होतो. त्यामुळे आपल्या मराठा साम्राज्यातील एक मौलिक आणि ऐतिहासिक ठेव आता महाराष्ट्रात येणार आहे.रघुजी भोसले हे छत्रपती शाहू… pic.twitter.com/rQlt06cKme — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) April 29, 2025 The sword was acquired not directly but through an intermediary due to some technical problems, the CM informed. Sotheby's which conducted the auction on Tuesday, said on its portal that the basket-hilt sword (khanda) was sold for 38,100 pounds. The estimate before the auction was between 6,000 and 8,000 pounds, it added. "The slightly curved, European-style single-edged blade with two fullers and imitation maker's marks towards the forte, the spine gold inlaid with Devanagari script, set in a traditional 'basket'-style hilt fully overlaid with worked gold, the grip covered in green woven wool," is how the global auction house described the sword. "The inscription in Devanagari script on the spine suggests that it was made for the Maratha general Raghuji Bhonsle (1739-55), who established a large kingdom centred on the city of Nagpur in the north of the Deccan," it said. "The long straight blade has been marked to appear European in origin. Indian imitations of European blades are in the Wallace Collection (inv. Nos.OA 1452, OA 1455, OA 1811 and OA 1873). Swords mounted with European blades made in centres including Solingen in Germany and in Venice and Genoa were known as firanghi (Frankish) and were sought after in Indian courts. William Hawkins, travelling in India from 1608-13, reported that Jahangir had 2200 swords with German blades in his treasury (William Foster (ed.), Early Travels on India, 1583-1619, Oxford University Press, 1921, p.103)," it said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
29 April,2025 09:14 PM IST | Mumbai | PTILok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from Kalyan, Shrikant Shinde, has criticised the Congress over its “hypocrisy and insensitivity” regarding the Pahalgam terror attack. The Shiv Sena leader said that instead of politicising the tragedy, the Congress must first clarify its internal stance on the controversial and divisive statements made by senior party members. "Before demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the party should first convene a meeting of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and take action against its own leaders who have insulted the victims," said Shinde, who is also the Shiv Sena's Parliamentary Party leader. He specifically named several Congress leaders, including Maharashtra legislator Vijay Wadettiwar, who questioned the credibility of the victims’ accounts. Shinde also slammed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister RB Timmapur, who cast doubt on the terrorist nature of the attack by injecting religious undertones. He also alleged that former minister Saifuddin Soz appeared to support Pakistan’s narrative and slammed Tariq Hameed Karra, who called for dialogue with Pakistan even in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. These, Dr Shinde argued, were not isolated personal opinions but reflected a dangerous, anti-national mindset within the Congress. He also condemned remarks by Robert Vadra, the husband of Wayanad Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, after he attributed the attack to the alleged injustices faced by Muslims in India. “Such statements are not only politically irresponsible but also deeply insulting to the widows, families, and children of the victims. They trivialise the pain of those who have suffered an irreparable loss,” Shinde said in Mumbai. He also questioned the moral standing of the Congress to demand a Parliamentary debate without first addressing these divisive voices within its own ranks. “Does the Congress stand with the innocent civilians killed in the attack, or with its leaders who seem to rationalise or defend the perpetrators?” he questioned. The MP, who is the son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, called for unity and national resolve in the face of terrorism and urged Congress to reject its politics of appeasement and misleading narratives.
29 April,2025 08:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVijay Singhal, the Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), on Tuesday reviewed the Kharghar-Turbhe Tunnel Link Road and CIDCO’s housing scheme at Kharghar. He was joined by CIDCO’s Joint Managing Directors Shantanu Goel and Dr Raja Dayanidhi, Chief Engineer (Navi Mumbai International Airport and Special Projects) Sheela Karunakaran, Additional Chief Engineer Prabhakar Phulari, and Superintending Engineer Santosh Ombhase, among other officers. The tunnel link road project will connect Turbhe in North Navi Mumbai and Kharghar in the southern end of the city. This four-lane tunnel route is proposed to be approximately 5.490 km long from the Sion-Panvel Highway, opposite Juinagar Railway Station, to Central Park in Kharghar. The connector will comprise a 1.763-km-long tunnel. Singhal also reviewed CIDCO’s transit-oriented housing project near Kharghar Railway Station. He directed the officials concerned to complete the work for the two projects at a faster pace and within the stipulated time.
29 April,2025 07:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarADVERTISEMENT
