The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has served a notice to the Borivli-based Sheth Gopalji Hemraj High School and Junior College, popularly known as GH school, for turning a playground into a turf. Last year, in October, the civic body issued a stop-work notice under Section 354(A) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act to the school management. The latter replied to it on November 6, stating that the changes were only meant for students' physical and mental activities. After receiving the response, the BMC issued speaking orders the same month categorically mentioning that the reply did not convince it and that the educational institute should remove unauthorised construction within 24 hours. The R Central ward office of the BMC confirmed the development, but when mid-day reached out to the school authorities last week, they refused to speak on the subject. The school managed by the Borivali Education Society in Borivali East is said to have a playground area measuring over 30,000 square feet. Following complaints of the school turning this into turf, alumnus Sanjay Savla, through his advocate Mukesh Gupta, on May 27 this year served a notice to the BMC for not initiating action against the unauthorised construction. Savla and Gupta attended a public grievance (PG) hearing at the R Central ward office on June 10. “BMC officials admitted there was an irregularity and assured us of taking action as per the law in this particular case,” Gupta added. Gupta claimed that the turf can be booked online via the KheloMore app and if any individual attempts to book it offline, the payment transaction reflects a transfer into the account of Sports Gurukul Pvt Ltd. “What is the connection between the school trust and the sports company? Has the ground been given to a third party for commercial operation? Only a probe and audit of the school and company’s account will clear the ambiguity,” the lawyer added. Sandhya Nandedkar, assistant commissioner, R Central ward, admitted that the civic body plans to carry out a demolition drive to remove the unauthorised construction. “The demolition will be carried out as soon as the necessary manpower and required protection from the police department is made available,” Nandedkar added.
01 July,2024 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarEven on the last day of June, the useable water in the two major sources was at zero. Now, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is hoping for a continuous spell of rain for the week. Although there has been a slight rise in the lake levels over the last two days, the lakes are still waiting for significant rainfall. The Bhatsa Dam’s useful water content is at zero. Bhatsa is a major source, supplying almost 1,887 million litres of water regularly. Meanwhile, the Modak Sagar dam’s useful water is also at zero. This dam supplies around 400 million litres of water on normal days. The total water stock in all seven lakes was 79,056 million litres on Sunday morning, which is 5.46 per cent of the total stock. According to civic data, the current water stock is half of what it was in the last two years. In 2023, the water stock was 1.57 lakh million litres, while in 2022, it was 1.52 lakh million litres. BMC officials said that the IMD has predicted good rain, and they are hoping for a continuous spell of rain for at least a week, which is needed to speedily increase the lake levels. Currently, there is no proposal to increase the water cut. “We are monitoring the situation,” officials added.
01 July,2024 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe residents of Oshiwara and Goregaon are dissatisfied with the slow progress on the extension of the Mrinal Tai Gore Flyover. They are urging authorities to expedite the project, as this critical connector is expected to alleviate traffic problems in the area. Initially scheduled for completion in 2022, the project has been delayed due to technical challenges, including construction over the Oshiwara River. The work of the connector arm of the Mrinal Tai Gore Flyover that will connect Goregaon East with Goregaon West and Oshiwara Link Road has been going on for many years and daily commuters have been complaining about the slow pace of work. The connecting arm of the flyover will pass over the SV Road and Oshiwara River, and then land on Relief Road, bypassing the traffic signal on SV Road at Ram Mandir. During morning and evening peak hours, motorists get stuck in traffic at the Ram Mandir signal and Relief Road signal. This issue will be resolved once the bridge work is completed. Two-way traffic on one side of the road has resulted in very narrow lanes The Oshiwara bridge work passing over SV road is also in progress and only two lanes of the bridge are operational from where two-way traffic is diverted. As the condition of the old bridge is not good, heavy vehicles are not allowed. In June 2019, the BMC, during a structural audit, found that the bridge was in a dilapidated condition. The northbound portion of the bridge was later demolished and two-way traffic was allowed on the southbound portion of the structure, which has two lanes. A daily commuter, Madhu Parasrampuria, said that it has been many years since the bridge over the Oshiwara River is closed on one side and two-way traffic is allowed on one side of the bridge. “This has rendered the bridge unusable for BEST buses and all bus routes were realigned to adjust to this disruption in 2018. However, six years down the line, there are no signs of the bridge repair works getting completed anytime soon. Also, for smaller vehicles, the path has become very narrow and single-laned, which causes a major traffic bottleneck due to which the traffic spillover is spread across hundreds of meters, mostly throughout the day. In rush hours it gets worse. Such disruption of traffic flow on an important road for such a long time makes it seem like there is no effort from the authorities. The traffic spillover in the evening rush hours is the worst and leads to kilometre-long jams up to Jogeshwari Behram Baug Junction.” said Parasrampuria. Vishal Kelkar, a resident of Sunteck City, Oshiwara District Centre said, “Oshiwara District Centre (Ram Mandir area) is touted as a major hub by MMRDA but the infrastructure work is never-ending. Mrinal Tai Gore Flyover extension work has been going on for over five years. And so is the work on the two small bridges on Oshiwara River, one of which is on SV Road. That bridge work has been going on for over five years and it has caused major traffic issues. Instead of any value addition to locals, it has become an agony to commute.” The work on the Oshiwara River bridge is still pending, along with some other smaller parts, according to a BMC official. There were some technical issues with the bridge in the past, but officials are aiming to complete the project next year. This is the second part of the project and is officially known as the Mrinal Tai Gore Flyover. According to records, in 2018, the BMC approved the extension of the Mrinal Tai Gore Flyover in Goregaon West. The 840-meter-long extension was estimated to cost around R203 crore. Although the actual work began in 2019 and was initially set to be completed by 2022, the BMC later extended the timeline to December 2023. Currently, the BMC is planning to finish the project by next year. According to the plan, this extension will benefit commuters on the Ram Mandir Road, SV Road, New Link Road, Western Express Highway towards Goregoan and part of Jogeshwari. This flyover will give direct access from the Western Express Highway to New Link Road. Sandeep Patel, former corporator of Goregoan, said this bridge is delayed due to various technical reasons, as BMC needs to construct over Oshiwara River. “I’m constantly following up on the bridge work and the BMC should complete this project soon.” Dhaval Shah, president of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens’ Association, said, “This is an important project for lakhs people. It’s lagging behind since many years and there is no sense of urgency by authorities. The work needs to be taken up on war footing.”
01 July,2024 07:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav | Sameer SurveMore than 90 per cent of establishments, including dhabas and hotels along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, do not have the required licence from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Despite this, they continue operating as the civic body allows them to run without final approval from the authority. Following a mid-day cover page story on July 4 last year, NHAI officials have been issuing notices to these establishments. In response to stricter regulations, these businesses have started seeking provisional approval from NHAI for access to NH-48. Most establishments have been using highway land for entry and exit without obtaining final approval from NHAI, which involves paying a licence fee and other charges. Sumit Kumar, manager (technical) of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway of NHAI, told mid-day, “These dhabas and hotels are running along highway but they have not been granted permission for construction of access to the NH-48. It is the reason, we have been issuing them notices since February. Now, the erring facilities, including dhabas and hotels, have started to approach us with access proposal applications,” Kumar told mid-day. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), businesses wanting access to national highways must submit a self-certified proposal for permission. “After we receive the proposal and a Rs 10,000 processing fee, we grant provisional approval. They then need to pay R20,000 and provide a R3 lakh bank guarantee as a security deposit,” explained Kumar. Kumar added, “Most businesses along the highway have received provisional approvals. They then obtained a commencement certificate (CC) from the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC), built their structures, and secured operation certificates to run their businesses.” “However, over 90 per cent of these dhabas, hotels, and petrol pumps do not have the necessary NHAI permission but continue to operate,” Kumar noted. He said, “We’ve asked the VVCMC commissioner to ensure businesses get final NHAI approval before issuing them an operation certificate for NH-48.” The encroachments along NH-48 caused severe flooding last monsoon, leaving road users stranded for hours. Illegal dhabas, resorts, and other businesses blocked a culvert meant to drain rainwater. After the mid-day story exposed the issue, authorities, including VVCMC, NHAI, and police, cleared the culvert. However, activists claimed the action was insufficient as only parts of the illegal structures were removed. Many of these businesses have since reopened, continuing to disrupt traffic. Kumar said, “We’ve installed culverts at four locations and plan to add more after the monsoon to address the flooding issue.” White topping work status “The highway in the Konkan region receives over 3,000 mm of rain annually, which worsens potholes and maintenance issues, causing traffic jams,” he explained. Started in December 2023, the white-topping project aimed to finish before the next monsoon to prevent traffic problems. “So far, 38 per cent of the work is done, covering over 65 km,” Kumar added. Issues faced during white topping >> The white-topping work has been taken up by the contractor at 5-6 locations, with a minimum of 2 lanes kept open for traffic. >> Simultaneously, the work of 4 VUPs (provided at blackspot/accident spots) has also been taken up on this stretch. >> The work of replacing pipe culverts with box culverts is also in progress at 4 locations. Box culvert laying is completed, and white-topping is balanced, which will be taken up after the monsoon. >> Overall, there are 13-14 construction zones on this stretch, and 3-lane traffic is regulated in 2 lanes, leading to congestion for road users. >> The stretch has very heavy traffic, approximately 80,000 PCU at Khaniwade toll, which increases significantly to 1 lakh PCU in the VVMC area, causing traffic congestion during rush hours. >> The frequency of breakdowns of heavy vehicles during peak summer was very high, resulting in blockages of already reduced lanes.
01 July,2024 07:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaA recent disclosure from the Rummaging and Intelligence (R&I) wing of Mumbai Customs has unveiled a staggering amount of seized goods, valued at Rs 127.13 crore, currently stockpiled in the customs warehouse in Mumbai. This revelation was brought to light through a comprehensive response to a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by this reporter. Gold Among the seized goods, a significant portion comprises gold, with a haul worth Rs 22.35 crore as of April 30, 2024. However, according to the present market rate, the same amount of gold stands at a value of approximately Rs 23 crore. Further scrutiny of the disclosed data reveals that the R&I wing recorded a total seizure of Rs 33.82 crore in 2022, followed by Rs 30.73 crore in 2023. Additionally, the inventory of seized gold in the customs warehouse is equally alarming, totalling Rs 2234.25 lakh, which amounts to Rs 2288.42 lakh according to current gold market prices. A detailed breakdown indicates that as of December 31, 2023, a substantial amount of gold, totalling 89.529 kg, was stored in the warehouse with a recorded book value of Rs 26,16,03,000. Recalculating the value based on the current gold rate reveals an amount of Rs 55,81,64,074.05. SOPs for seized gold The Ministry of Finance has mandated that seized gold be sold to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL). SPMCIL will collect, transport, and convert the gold into standard bars at one of its three India Government Mints (IG Mint) facilities. Customs Commissionerates will hand over the gold to SPMCIL, ensuring evidentiary value is maintained through witnessed handovers, videography, and documentation. SPMCIL will deliver the gold bars to RBI, which will credit the government account. This process ensures a secure and transparent disposal of seized gold. Electronics The value of electronics stored by R&I in the customs warehouse is Rs 957.49 lakh as of April 30, 2024. Since the make and model of electronics seized by the customs R&I wing vary widely, including laptops of various companies, mobile phones of various brands, and other items, there is no accurate way of finding the current value of the seized electronic goods stored in the warehouse. SOPs for seized electronics According to Mumbai Customs officials, “The seized electronics are usually auctioned in lots. The process is conducted either every quarter or a half-year basis, based on the seized goods.” According to previous press releases from Mumbai Customs, “The goods are offered for sale on an ‘as is where is basis’ and ‘what is there basis’ without any guarantee as regards to quantity, quality, and other physical parameters, including required NOC, if any. Bidders are advised to inspect the lot carefully before bidding, and customs is not responsible for any discrepancy regarding goods noticed at the time of delivery.” “Only those bidders registered with the GST authority and have a valid registration number can participate in the auction, and post-auction payments are to be done via either Demand Draft or Postal Money Order,” disclosed officials of Mumbai Customs. Process of seized gold disposal >> Intimation to SMPCIL >> Collection of gold by SMPCIL, transportation to India government mints>> Preliminary assessment, melting/minting into standard gold bars, final assessment>> Delivery of standard gold bars to RBI>> Payment by RBI through crediting into the government account
01 July,2024 06:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariTwo days after announcing the dismissal of 55 faculty members and 60 non-teaching staff due to a lack of funds from the Tata Education Trust (TET), the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) administration has reversed its decision. Following assurances from TET to release the necessary funds for salaries, the institute has revoked the terminations. The dismissed staff, some with over a decade of service, were contractual employees. The initial reason for their dismissal was the non-receipt of grants from TET, which funded their salaries. Among the teaching staff, 20 were from the Mumbai campus, 15 from Hyderabad, 14 from Guwahati, and six from Tuljapur. The permanent faculty members are on the University Grants Commission (UGC) payroll. An email from the office of the officiating registrar, Anil Sutar, stated that the institute had made several attempts to secure the grant from TET. In the absence of an extension, services were set to end on June 30. This decision drew widespread criticism. The Progressive Students’ Forum (PSF), a student collective, issued a statement condemning the mass termination and demanding its immediate revocation. They argued that the termination risked the livelihoods of employees and threatened the future of students and the quality of education. Collective’s condemnation The students’ body stated: “As students, we express our concern about this decision. The previous years’ NIRF [National Institutional Ranking Framework] data shows that the student-faculty ratio is being impacted negatively. The result has been that students are facing delays in receiving student aid and are being threatened in the name of fee payment. While becoming a public institute should have relieved the pressure from students coming from economically and socially marginalised backgrounds, the Central government takeover has resulted in added monetary pressures. The latest move of robbing a hundred teaching and non-teaching staff at the institute of their jobs highlights the BJP government's anti-education and anti-TISS stance. The BJP-led Central government and the current TISS administration are directly responsible for taking away the livelihoods of nearly a hundred employees and putting the future of its students also at risk. The recent blunders made by the Ministry of Education in conducting nationwide entrance examinations only add to the incompetence of the central government.” Institute’s statement Meanwhile, in a u-turn on Sunday, TISS issued a statement reversing their decision, which read, “TISS, established in 1936 as a deemed university and fully funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of the Government of India, is currently governed by the TISS Society in accordance with mandates from the University Grants Commission. Recently, a controversy has arisen in the media regarding the temporary discontinuation of services for 55 faculty members and 60 non-teaching staff across four campuses It.” According to the statement, all 55 faculty and 60 non-teaching staff were appointed under programmes funded by the TET and were on a contractual basis with an exact programme period. “Ongoing discussions with the TET have provided assurance that resources will be made available to TISS to resolve this issue. TET has committed to releasing funds for the salaries of TET project/programme faculty and non-teaching staff. The letter numbered Admn/5(1) TET-Faculty & Staff/2024, dated June 28, 2024, addressed to all concerned TET Programme faculty and non-teaching staff, is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect. They are requested to continue their work, and salaries will be released as soon as the TET support grant is received by the institute.”
01 July,2024 06:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghData from the Deonar Abattoir office of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reveals a significant increase in reported dog bite cases in the city from 2020 to 2023. The information highlights serious concerns for public safety and animal welfare and underscores the need for immediate action to address the growing issue of dog bites in the city, activists say. The data obtained through an RTI query filed with the BMC Veterinary Health Department at Deonar Abattoir, social activist Jeetendra Ghadge revealed that dog bites reported at the four licencing establishments, rising from 610 in 2020 to 1,141 in 2022, with a slight dip to 1,123 in 2023. Notably, stray dogs account for all incidents. According to Ghadge of the Young Whistleblowers Foundation, the information indicates a worrying trend with implications for public safety and animal welfare. “3,508 dog bites were reported during this period, with a solitary incident involving a pet dog, leaving the remaining cases attributed to stray dogs. This spike in incidents highlights the pressing need for effective measures to address the burgeoning issue of stray dog population and associated risks to public health,” Ghadge said. Criticising the BMC’s efforts to execute sterilisation programmes, Ghadge said, “The rising number of dog bite incidents, from 610 in 2020 to 1,123 in 2023, calls for an urgency of implementing robust sterilisation measures to curb the growth of the stray dog population. However, concerns have been raised regarding the BMC’s failure to prioritise and effectively execute sterilisation programmes.” Neal Shah, a Charni Road resident, highlighted BMC’s inadequate focus on sterilisation efforts, “I have been feeding dogs for the past decade and currently feed at least 80 to 100 dogs daily. I started with five to ten dogs, but the number gradually increased. Whenever I notice a rise in the number of stray dogs, I report it to animal NGOs and the BMC, which helps get them sterilised. However, dog bites increase when animals are hungry or unsterilised, and this needs urgent attention from the civic body.” The number of dog licences issued has increased from 2,581 in 2020 to 6,605 in 2022, indicating a rise in pet ownership. The total number of dog licences issued by the BMC between January 1, 2020, and March 2024 is 20,721. Ghadge added: “The BMC should not only address stray dog populations but also establish a dedicated portal for reporting complaints related to cruelty towards stray dogs and also towards pet dogs by their owners. We come across instances where pet owners neglect their responsibilities as outlined by the guidelines set forth by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). The BMC should enforce rules and also spread awareness in Housing Societies.” Kalim Pasha Pathan, general manager of Deonar Abattoir, did not respond to calls or messages.
01 July,2024 06:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghFrom today, July 1, three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Surakasha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023—will come into force across the country, thereby making India, probably, one of the few countries in the world to have two parallel criminal laws. The new criminal law will replace the old colonial criminal laws—Indian Penal Code-1860, Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 and Indian Evidence Act 1872. However, the pendency of court cases (as per old acts) has crossed over 4.50 crore across India, which includes over 53 lakh pending cases at various stages in district and taluka courts of Maharashtra, as per the National Judiciary Grid Data. This humungous pendency has made the practising advocates concerned about the overburdening of the existing court infrastructure system, especially in rural parts. The lawyers felt infrastructure needed to be built simultaneously for speedy delivery of justice. Judicial infra inadequate Mubin Solkar, a criminal lawyer, said, ‘Although new laws, if enacted for the betterment of society, should be welcomed by all, including the legal fraternity, unfortunately, these three laws are being seen as instruments of a police state. Certain provisions of these laws can undoubtedly result in misuse of power and authority by law enforcement agencies, and this is indeed alarming. The legal fraternity is also apprehensive with regard to the interpretation and implementation of these provisions.” Adv Mubin Solkar is a criminal lawyer/ Sourced Photo “Besides the fact that these enactments would create two parallel systems of justice dispensation, the unimaginable burden that it would put upon the Indian judiciary and the legal fraternity, is worrisome. Our judicial infrastructure is far from adequate, whether in terms of courtrooms, court staff, public prosecutors, basic amenities for litigants and lawyers, digital infrastructure, technological support mechanism. etc.,” said Solkar. Increase in pendency of cases “The new laws will cause an unprecedented burden on both the judges and lawyers who would be grappling with issues relating to a harmonious application of these laws to old and new cases, and the proper adjudication and enforcement of its provisions. This is bound to cause a huge delay in disposal of. The condition of our courts, more particularly in the rural areas, is pathetic. The infrastructure in our district courts is deficient and the technological support structure for online court hearings is totally lacking,” said Solkar. Way out “There is a lot to be done for the Indian judiciary in terms of improving the infrastructure, providing cutting-edge technology, appointing adequate court staff and making available basic amenities for litigants and lawyers. Only thereafter would it make sense to bring in the new laws, and that too after taking into confidence all the stakeholders, and more particularly incorporating their valuable inputs. Failure to take into account the disastrous consequences the new laws would have on the backlog of cases would result in delaying and denying justice,” said Solkar. Practical challenges Mohini Priya, advocate on record, Supreme Court said, “The subordinate judiciary in India is likely to face several practical problems when implementing the new criminal laws set to be enforced from July 1. These include inadequate infrastructure, such as modern technology, and staff, which are crucial for effective law implementation. Judges and court staff may not receive timely and comprehensive training, leading to misinterpretation and inconsistent application of the new laws.” “Integrating new legal provisions with existing norms requires significant adjustments, and gaps in coordination with law enforcement can hinder enforcement. Additionally, limited public awareness and understanding of the new laws can complicate compliance, necessitating extensive outreach and education efforts,” said advocate Mohini. Mohini Priya, advocate on record, Supreme Court/ Sourced Photo Change is inevitable Dr Tanaya Kamlakar, assistant professor and Director, Centre for Research in Criminal Justice, Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai, said, “Change is inevitable and introduction of new criminal laws—BNS, BNSS and BSA—from July 1 is India’s way of reforming the criminal justice system from the over century old colonial practice which has to be updated. We have to begin from somewhere and I personally feel that the new criminal law will ensure that digitisation and usage of technology will enhance the investigation process, thereby bringing in much-required transparency and accountability, on the investigating officer and the police/agency, which will hereafter be done in a time bound manner, and the digital records, will be in the system for verification.” Dr Tanaya Kamlakar, assistant professor and Director, Centre for Research in Criminal Justice, MNLU SOPs circulated “While the new law will have its challenges, especially in the rural and district courts, but this according to me, will be a short-term hindrance. In long run the scenario will change for good. The Ministry of Home Affairs, has already chalked out and circulated standard operating procedures (SOP) on technicalities and training for police and other agencies, which will be conducted by senior officers and a team from Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D),” said Dr Tanaya Kamlakar, academician, MNLU, Mumbai. “If we all work together to efficiently implement it by being willing to digitise criminal justice thereby making it speedy, we can expect a robust system backed by forensic evidence and transparency,” Dr Kamlakar said.
01 July,2024 06:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonIn a major development in the human trafficking racket, the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested another senior officer of the Indian Navy along with his girlfriend and two civilians from Jammu and Kashmir. According to the crime branch, the Indian officers had been involved in this racket for the past 1.5 years, charging Rs 10 lakh-12 lakh per candidate. The candidates applied through them because wages in South Korea are higher than in other countries, and the involvement of Indian Navy officials made people trust them. Earlier, the CIU busted a human trafficking racket wherein where candidates would go to South Korea, destroy their passports to seek asylum, and secure jobs with higher wages than in any other country. On Friday, the CIU arrested Navy Lieutenant Commander Vipin Dagar. Based on his interrogation, they also arrested Sub-Lieutenant Commander Brahma Jyoti Sharma, 29, and his girlfriend, Simran Jeti, a Pune resident who teaches foreign languages. Two additional arrests were made in Jammu and Kashmir involving civilians identified as Ravi Kumar and Deepak Dogra. According to the crime branch, Sharma is the mastermind in the case. “So far, we have found 14 passports of candidates interested in going to South Korea, and we believe that several candidates were already sent abroad, with each person being charged Rs 10 lakh-12 lakh,” said Lakhmi Gautam, joint commissioner (crime). Officials have stated that most of these candidates were from Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi. “However, since it is difficult to secure visas from these high-sensitive zones, the Navy officials obtained their passports from Mumbai,” an officer said. Officials received information from the South Korean embassy when Dagar was creating a ruckus at the embassy for the visa of one of his candidates from Jammu and Kashmir identified as Dr Ravi Kumar. According to the crime branch, they discovered that the accused, Sharma, had received over Rs 1.65 crore in his account in recent years, while his girlfriend Jeti had around Rs 47 lakh. Officials also found that Jeti had opened several accounts in her family members' names, which Sharma used to transfer the proceeds of the crime. They also formed a company called Tosha International to send candidates to South Korea. The police have seized 14 passports and rubber stamps from Dagar. “Deepak Dogra appears to have been monitoring the overall operation and identifying potential targets who wanted to go abroad on work visas. The police custody of the accused is till July 5. Further investigations are underway," said an officer.
01 July,2024 06:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanIn with a bang A rising wave makes a splash, drenching visitors gathered to witness the high tide over the weekend at Marine Drive. A new place to call home A moment from a painting workshop at the community space Tweet Foundation, a Delhi-based community centre established in 2015 to support the trans rights movement, is ensuring everyone in the city has a place to call home this monsoon. The community has opened its doors to Garima Greh in Goregaon, a home where trans men and women can live a dignified life for free. “Many trans individuals escape their toxic households and find themselves in unpleasant predicaments. We aim to give them a safe space and train them in soft skills like communication to make them employable in corporate offices,” a community member explained over a call. The space is equipped to accommodate 20 trans individuals in a batch. Those interested, can reach out to @tweet_foundation. City’s wishes for the Dalai Lama Members of Friends of Tibet at a previous celebration in Mumbai Followers of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will celebrate the spiritual leader’s birthday in the city. On July 6, Friends of Tibet will head to Shishu-van School in Matunga to distribute free saplings to ring in the celebrations. “We wanted the celebrations to be in tune with His Holiness’ teachings of peace and love towards all beings,” shared Rohit Singh, an organising member. Reminiscing the last audience that the community had with the Dalai Lama in Mumbai during a 2018 visit, he revealed, “We enquire about his well- being every time we meet. With a reassuring smile, His Holiness asks us not to worry and gives us his blessings. These are memories we will cherish forever.” Post-poll punchlines Rajasthan-based comedian Shyam Rangeela (below) will need no introduction at his upcoming show in Mumbai. The 29-year-old made news in the build-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when he decided to contest against the PM in Varanasi. It was rejected due to an incomplete affidavit and other procedural deficiencies. Set to perform a candid show titled Main Hoon Shyam Rangeela, he shared, “During my time in Varanasi, I had to shed my usual humourous personality for a more formal one when I appeared in public. it’s time to bring the jokes back,” he told us. While Rangeela has performed the set for audiences before, he reveals that the upcoming performance will draw inspiration from the hectic pre-election saga. “Things got pretty challenging leading up to the elections. When I would come back to my hotel room, I’d laugh about the absurdity of it all. The two weeks I spent in Varanasi were challenging, but they offered me a perspective that helped me hone my comic skills,” he recalled. As for what the future holds for Rangeela, he shared, “I have always had a deep interest in politics and the state of the world. I began with mimicry and slowly moved to jokes with political undertones. My style of comedy will remain the same. As for stepping into politics, I will let time decide.” A happy toy story in Kandivali Mitalee Gandhi at the toy bank Fed up of the constant clutter arising from impulsive toy purchases for her two-year-old child, Kandivali’s Mitalee Gandhi has launched a toy bank called Rent A Joy in the suburb. “The idea is to offer a set of four toys every week. At the end of the week, these toys can be swapped for a new set. This keeps the child interested and curbs unnecessary purchases,” she explained. The store also offers educational learning aids, books, and sensory play tools. “Educators are increasingly turning to sensory play. It helps a child develop gross motor skills at the right age. Children’s needs are evolving rapidly, and we must keep up with them,” she added. Another win for India cinema Nidhi Saxena (right) and Bhadra Basu during the filming of the movie After fellow alumnus Payal Kapadia’s unforgettable win in Cannes, it’s now city-based filmmaker Nidhi Saxena’s turn to bring accolades to her alma mater, FTII Pune. Saxena’s film, Sad Letters of an Imaginary Woman, has bagged the coveted Asian Cinema Fund in the post-production category, making her the first woman to achieve the feat. The 81-minute-long film, shot in Ahmedabad, follows a melancholic woman who writes anguished letters and phone calls to her childhood self, amidst the decay of her ancestral home, “I was absolutely delighted when the news came in. This marks the fruition of more than 10 years of effort,” she told us, further revealing that veteran director Kamal Swaroop deserves equal credit for the achievement. “I started shooting the film even before the screenplay was finalised. While many warned me against it, Swaroop came in as a mentor and encouraged me to take the plunge,” she revealed. The film will premiere at the Busan International Film Festival in October.
01 July,2024 06:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayDo 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 July 1. Aries March 21 – April 20Setting long-term plans for professional life must be reachable, but also practical. Being possessive and to a certain extent, unreasonable back-fires badly.Cosmic tip: Remember, having patience brings results. Taurus April 21 – May 20Moving away from a hesitant mood allows making the first effort to get in touch with someone new you’ve met.Cosmic tip: Complete property matters that have been neglected due to various reasons. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Insisting on buying something very expensive may cause a major difference of opinion with your spouse/partner.Cosmic tip: Have a safe approach to some aspects of life that cause strife. Cancer June 22 – July 23A sequence of events lead you to some strange and unexplained scenarios. Keep wits about you.Cosmic tip: Remember the good times, knowing they will return again as life is a never-ending karmic cycle. Leo July 24 - Aug 23True, you have to silence your ego, but it’s worth it finally. Do maintain a healthy diet.Cosmic tip: Do your very best to sustain and nurture this relationship going through periods of upheaval. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Just dealing with expenses as they appear is a wiser mindset, since they can’t be put off. Do get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Listen to intuition if unsure about the next course of action. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22It’s normal to feel a little taken for granted since you are always there for family. What makes it better is their appreciation.Cosmic tip: Do upgrade technological skills even though already good at this. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22There’s everything to gain by giving up a habit you’ve been trying to for so many years. Older Scorpios must take care of their bone health.Cosmic tip: Make the most of this time together. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Every problem has a solution, but you may not see it if bogged down by negative thoughts. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Remember, worrying never helped anyone. Have faith that all will be well. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Making time to have a meeting with a client even though you are so busy is fraught with irritations and angry retorts you should silence.Cosmic tip: Be conscious of the impression you create. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19It’s great when schedules evolve as planned and all meetings are held on time. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Avoid discussing personal matters at work except in vague terms that don’t reveal anything. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Keep within the client’s budget, avoid travel, having video calls instead. Avoid discussing financial details with friends and extended family.Cosmic tip: Make a tricky decision with full faith.
01 July,2024 12:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseADVERTISEMENT
