Mumbai civic chief Bhushan Gagrani on Sunday inaugurated the Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre at King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in Parel, making it the first government hospital in the city to offer a dedicated, technology-driven treatment and rehabilitation facility for sportspersons. The new centre, housed under a newly created independent sports medicine department, aims to provide comprehensive care for athletes suffering from sports-related injuries. It comprises a 20-bed ward and offers a wide range of treatment services—arthroscopy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, biophysics, sports psychology, and dietary support—under a single roof. The facility is equipped with advanced therapeutic technologies such as TECAR (transfer of energy capacitive and resistive) therapy, ultrasonic therapy, interferential therapy, shockwave therapy, and ice-and-heat therapy. Specialised equipment, including underwater treadmills, zero-gravity treadmills, D-wall and walker view machines, Aerolab, and Dynalab, will also be available to assist in rehabilitation. Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, Gagrani said the centre’s creation is a significant step toward supporting the sports sector in Mumbai. “This facility will provide world-class treatment and rehabilitation services to athletes, helping them return to competition safely,” he stated. The civic chief also noted that the initiative would contribute to enhancing KEM Hospital’s national standing and lauded the private sector’s role in supporting the project. Balkrishna Industries provided financial assistance for setting up the advanced treatment technologies at the centre. Gagrani praised the corporate contribution, saying it reflects a strong commitment to sports development and the spirit of social responsibility. Other dignitaries present at the event included Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Ughade, KEM Hospital Dean Dr Sangita Rawat, head of orthopaedics Dr Mohan Desai, and representatives from Balkrishna Industries, including Vijayalakshmi Poddar and Arvind Poddar. Highlighting the importance of such a facility in a metropolitan city like Mumbai, Gagrani referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for India’s preparation for international sporting events, including the Olympics. He said that athletes returning to competition after rehabilitation at the centre would benefit greatly from the services, adding with a smile that even he would like to be treated there if injured while playing sports or exercising. The Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre is now ready to provide treatment to patients of all age groups, with state-of-the-art healthcare standards and a full range of therapies designed to help athletes recover efficiently and safely.
14 December,2025 06:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (Mahavitaran), the country’s largest power distribution utility, has repaid a loan of Rs 12,800 crore taken from the State Bank of India (SBI) in a single instalment ahead of schedule, marking a significant step toward strengthening its financial position. Mahavitaran Chairman and Managing Director Lokesh Chandra said the prepayment was made through a combination of a fresh low-interest loan from another financial institution and the company’s own internal resources. The move has resulted in substantial savings on interest costs and reduced the utility’s overall debt burden. The development follows directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to improve Mahavitaran’s financial health and make the utility more resilient. In line with this vision, the company has undertaken a series of measures aimed at rationalising debt and improving liquidity. Prepayment was made through a combination of a fresh low-interest loan Mahavitaran had raised the Rs 12,800 crore loan from SBI in phases, at interest rates ranging between 8.65 per cent and 9.25 per cent. Of this, Rs 7,100 crore was refinanced by raising an equivalent loan from another financial institution at a lower interest rate of 8.25 per cent. The remaining Rs 5,634 crore was repaid directly from Mahavitaran’s own funds, further easing pressure on its balance sheet. At the time of availing the SBI loans, Mahavitaran had pledged revenue from 10 of its operational circles as collateral. These circles together generate an annual revenue of around Rs 30,000 crore. With the full repayment of SBI’s dues, this revenue stream has now been released from collateral obligations. According to the company, the unencumbered revenue base will enable Mahavitaran to raise loans of up to Rs 50,000 crore in the future at comparatively moderate interest rates, providing greater financial flexibility. The one-time prepayment of such a large loan is also expected to enhance Mahavitaran’s creditworthiness in the financial market. It is likely to boost investor confidence and strengthen the company’s prospects for raising funds through private or public bond issues. The improved financial profile is also seen as an important milestone if Mahavitaran pursues a stock market listing in the future.
14 December,2025 02:36 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, his deputy Eknath Shinde and ruling BJP, Shiv Sena legislators visited RSS founder K B Hedgewar's memorial in Nagpur on Sunday, while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders skipped the event. During the visit, Shiv Sena chief Shinde congratulated the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for completing 100 years of its formation, lauded present RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as a "true patriot", and said this is the year of "centenary of patriotism". The winter session of the Maharashtra legislature is currently underway in Nagpur. Ministers and MLAs belonging to the BJP visit the memorial of Hedgewar and the second Sanghchalak, M S Golwalkar, at the Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh every year during the winter session of the state legislature. Last year, MLAs Raju Karemore and Rajkumar Badole were the only representatives of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which has 41 legislators in the assembly, at the Smruti Mandir. On Sunday morning, Fadnavis, Shinde, state legislative assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar, council chairperson Ram Shinde and several other legislators of the BJP and Shiv Sena paid tributes at the memorial of Hedgewar and Golwalkar. Eknath Shinde lauds RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Later, speaking to reporters, Shinde said whenever they come to Nagpur for the winter session, they visit the Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir. "We all experience a different feeling and get strength and inspiration for patriotism and serving the nation after coming here. This is the centenary of patriotism," he said, reported PTI. "RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is a true patriot and is a big personality, who always guides the country as a Sanghchalak, and we, as common karyakarta (workers), always draw inspiration from him for serving society," he said, reported PTI. Dr Hedgewar established the RSS in Nagpur 100 years ago and it is a big achievement, Shinde noted. Nagpur is not just the second capital of the state, but the birthplace of RSS. Hence, everyone coming here, irrespective of caste, religion and region, learns the teachings of patriotism and serving the nation, he said. Shinde also said that the RSS, working for the last 100 years, is a historic achievement, reported PTI. "We, both RSS and Shiv Sena workers, are always present during calamities and work impartially for society," he said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
14 December,2025 02:11 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Police on Sunday dismissed as misleading a series of messages circulating on social media claiming a rise in cases of children going missing from the city, asserting that such posts do not reflect the actual situation on the ground. In an official clarification issued on X, the Mumbai Police said it treats every case of a missing child with the “utmost seriousness and empathy” and follows strict legal and procedural protocols while handling such complaints. The police emphasised that, in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment in Bachpan Bachao Aandolan vs Union of India, all cases involving missing minors are mandatorily registered as kidnapping cases to ensure immediate and comprehensive investigation. Facts About Misleading Messages regarding Children Missing from Mumbai.#MumbaiPolice4All pic.twitter.com/DmkT5G00DJ — मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) December 14, 2025 Sharing official data, the police said that over the past five years, around 98 per cent of minors reported missing in Mumbai—defined as children up to the age of 18—have been successfully traced and reunited with their families. “This year is no exception,” the statement said, underlining the force’s sustained track record in resolving such cases. The police added that search operations continue relentlessly until every missing child is located. Citing a recent example, they said a four-year-old girl who had gone missing from Mumbai six months ago was recently traced and rescued from Varanasi by a team from MRA Marg police station, highlighting the inter-state coordination involved in such efforts. According to the police, multiple teams—including the Crime Branch, local police units and specialised cells—are routinely deployed to trace missing children and ensure swift action in each case. “For us, every child matters and every family matters,” the Mumbai Police said, reaffirming its commitment to child safety. The police also appealed to citizens to avoid believing or sharing unverified information on social media and urged them to rely only on official sources for accurate updates, warning that misinformation can cause unnecessary panic and distress. Raj Thackeray urges Maharashtra government to act on rising child abductions Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday highlighted the growing menace of child abductions and missing children in the state, urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take urgent and concrete action. In a post on X, Thackeray said the number of children being abducted or going missing in Maharashtra has risen by nearly 30 per cent between 2021 and 2024, according to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. He expressed concern over inter-state gangs that abduct children, force them into labour, or make them beg, and criticised the government’s perceived inaction. “Some cases are registered, and official responses often mention children recovered and returned safely. Maharashtra does not need such generic answers,” Thackeray wrote. He questioned how many cases never even reach the police and highlighted the psychological trauma children face even after being rescued. Thackeray also raised concerns over children seen begging on streets, bus stands, and stations, urging investigations into whether the adults accompanying them are really their parents, and suggesting DNA tests if necessary. The MNS chief called for legislative discussions on child abductions, missing girls, and illegal land grabs, questioning the effectiveness of the Winter Session if ministers are often absent and critical issues go unaddressed. He added that the central government should coordinate with states to tackle the problem, but suggested it is currently distracted by other matters. “Maharashtra expects the Chief Minister and Home Minister to pay attention and take concrete steps, not just facilitate a discussion in the assembly,” he said.
14 December,2025 02:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEven as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar skipped the visit to RSS founder K B Hedgewar's memorial in Nagpur on Sunday, his party NCP stressed that it joined the Mahayuti alliance for the state's development, reported news agency PTI. The National Congress Party's ideology is based on the "progressive thoughts of (social reformers) Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar," NCP spokesperson Anand Paranjpe said, noting that it was not the first time that Pawar skipped the visit to Hedgewar's memorial, reported PTI. While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and ruling BJP, Shiv Sena legislators visited Hedgewar's memorial and paid tributes to him on Sunday morning, Pawar and other NCP leaders skipped the event. The winter session of the Maharashtra legislature is currently underway in Nagpur. Ministers and MLAs belonging to the BJP visit the memorial of Hedgewar and the second Sanghchalak, M S Golwalkar, at the Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh every year during the winter session of the state legislature, reported PTI. Last year, MLAs Raju Karemore and Rajkumar Badole were the only representatives of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which has 41 legislators in the assembly, at the Smruti Mandir. NCP spokesperson Paranjape said it is not the first time that Ajit Pawar skipped a visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder's memorial, reported PTI. "We stick to our principles and our focus is development of the state," he asserted, reported PTI. Sachin Sawant, spokesperson of the Opposition Congress, claimed the NCP has been hearing the "ideology" of RSS in cabinet meetings and unless Pawar's party agrees with it, they wouldn't be in power. In a post on X, Sawant criticised the RSS, alleging that it promotes ideologies that undermine democracy and the Constitution. Referring to Shinde and Shiv Sena legislators visiting Hedgewar's memorial, he charged that their focus is on "how to gain power through money distribution and destroy constitutional democracy." Despite being in existence for over 100 years, the RSS has failed to clearly define what Hindutva stands for, the Congress leader claimed. "At least now, they should clarify what Hindutva really means," he said. Sawant also alleged that RSS deliberations are less about intellectual debate and more about spreading divisive narratives in society. (With inputs from PTI)
14 December,2025 01:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe demolition of an old structure at Atgaon station in Thane district on the Central Railway turned tragic on Saturday after an iron staircase collapsed, killing a labourer and leaving another critically injured, an official said, reported news agency PTI. An official from the Shahapur police station said that the accident occurred while workers were dismantling the station's old ticket house. During the operation, a portion of an adjoining staircase, part of an ageing iron bridge structure, suddenly gave way and crashed down, trapping two labourers working below, he said, reported PTI. Police and railway officials rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. One labourer was pulled out with serious leg injuries and taken to the Shahapur sub-district hospital, where doctors said his condition remains critical, he said, reported PTI. The second labourer was trapped under the heavy, rusted iron staircase and was declared dead at the scene. Rescue teams had to use a gas cutter to retrieve the body, the official added. Man killed as MSRTC bus rams into motorcycle in Beed district In another incident, a 40-year-old man riding a motorcycle died after a bus operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) rammed into his two-wheeler in Beed district, police have said, reported PTI. The incident took place near Kakadhira on Beed-Ahilyanagar road on Wednesday evening, reported PTI. The deceased has been identified as Vishwas, alias Rajabhau Shivaji Baglane, a resident of Kakadhira in Beed tehsil, reported PTI. According to police, Baglane was going on a motorcycle from Beed towards his village when a speeding MSRTC bus hit his vehicle, killing him on the spot. A case has been registered against the bus driver, an official said. Senior citizen killed after autorickshaw overturns Meanwhile, a sixty-year-old man was killed after an autorickshaw overturned in Parli Vaijnath town in Beed district of Maharashtra on Friday afternoon, police said, reported PTI. The incident occurred at 2.30 pm near Neela cross road on Parli Vaijnath-Gangakhed Road, they said. The deceased has been identified as Baban Raut, who ran a barber shop in Parli Vaijnath, reported PTI. "He and his relatives were returning from Gangakhed after attending a wedding when the autorickshaw they were travelling overturned. There were a total of 10 passengers inside the vehicle. Soon after the accident, the driver fled from the spot," a police official said, reported PTI. Raut, who was sitting next to the driver, and received a severe blow from the vehicle's handle, causing him to lose consciousness and die on the spot. Other passengers sustained minor injuries, he said, reported PTI. Raut's body was taken to the Parli Vaijnath sub-district hospital, reported PTI. His son, Srinivas Raut, is the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) candidate for the Parli Municipal Council. (With inputs from PTI)
14 December,2025 01:25 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe opposition on Sunday criticised the Mahayuti government in the Assembly over the issue of trainees from the CM Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana being thrashed by the police, reported news agency IANS. Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who was joined by members Jayant Patil and Nana Patole, grilled Minister of Skill Development Mangal Prabhat Lodha on this issue and asked what the fate of these trainees will be after their 11-month training is completed. They jointly brought to the Minister’s notice during the discussion on the calling attention motion, the purported statements made by former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and current CM Devendra Fadnavis that these trainees will be given permanent jobs in the state government. However, Minister Shambhuraj Desai objected to statements by Wadettiwar, Patil and Patole clarifying that Shinde, during his tenure as the chief minister, had never spoken about giving a permanent job in the state government but had announced that the issue would be considered sympathetically, reported IANS. The scheme aims to provide job-oriented, on-the-job practical training to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements, enhance the skills and employability of young graduates and diploma holders and provide financial support in the form of a monthly stipend during the training period. Wadettiwar pointed out that the scheme was introduced by the state government before the Assembly elections with the promise of employment, which has now left the youth on the streets. He sharply criticised the government, asking, "What kind of system is this? Why were they beaten when they protested yesterday?," reported IANS. He said, "This scheme was brought in before the elections, and now it has been shut down. These children campaigned for the government; they toiled for you in the elections. What was the reward they received? They were severely beaten for protesting yesterday; some children sustained fractures. This shows the government's insensitive attitude. What about the future of these children? What happened to the promise made by the then Chief Minister that they would be permanently absorbed into the service?," reported IANS. Patil and Patole wanted Minister Lodha to explain the government’s policy to provide permanent jobs to the students after completing 11 months of training. After the opposition’s aggressive stance, Minister Lodha clarified that the scheme has not been closed down but assured the House that these trainees would be accommodated under a new scheme and that the government is formulating a new policy regarding this matter. (With inputs from IANS)
14 December,2025 01:15 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentA fire broke out on Sunday morning at a godown storing autorickshaws in Maharashtra's Thane district, officials said, reported news agency PTI. No casualties were reported, they said. The authorities were alerted at 5.45 am about the blaze at the godown, where autorickshaws were kept, at Kalher in the Bhiwandi area, a fire official said, reported PTI. A fire brigade team rushed to the spot and efforts were on to douse the blaze, he said. The cause of the fire was not yet known. Diesel tanker erupts in flames after hitting vehicle in Beed district; none injured In another incident, a speeding diesel tanker caught fire after hitting a heavy vehicle on a highway in Beed district of Maharashtra on Friday evening, but no casualties were reported in the incident, police officials said, reported PTI. The fuel tanker erupted in flames at 5.15 pm near Kolwadi on the Solapur-Dhule National Highway after hitting another vehicle, an official from the Beed police said. No one was injured in the fire, he added. Due to the massive quantity of diesel, the fire escalated rapidly, quickly engulfing the tanker and reducing it to ashes. The intensity of the blaze was such that trees lining the roadside also caught fire, sending huge plumes of smoke and flames high into the air, another official said, reported PTI. Rural police and Fire Brigade personnel immediately rushed to the scene and brought the inferno under control, he said. Tea stall owner dead, 2 injured as part of balcony collapses near railway station in Mumbai Meanwhile, a tea stall owner died and two others were injured when part of a balcony of a building located near Masjid Bunder railway station in south Mumbai collapsed on Thursday night, officials said. Citing Mumbai Fire Brigade, a civic official said the incident took place at Kotak Bhavan on Narsee Natha Street in Masjid (West) at around 9 pm when a portion of the second-floor balcony suddenly caved in. Three persons, including a tea stall owner, and his two customers were injured in the incident. The tea stall owner was operating his business from below the building, he said. All three persons were rushed to nearby state-run JJ Hospital, where doctors declared one of them, Mukesh Dendore (28) -- the stall owner -- dead, according to the official. The injured, identified as Shafiq Islam (40) and Shalikram Jaiswal (52), were undergoing treatment, the official added. (With inputs from PTI)
14 December,2025 11:37 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentMumbai woke up to clear skies and mild winter conditions on Sunday, December 14, offering residents a relatively pleasant start to the day. However, air quality across the city continued to be a cause for concern, with pollution levels remaining in the unhealthy category. The city recorded a minimum temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius during the morning hours. Weather conditions ranged from sunny to partly cloudy in some areas. Humidity levels were observed between 77 and 84 per cent, while moderate wind speeds of 11 to 14 km per hour prevailed across the city, according to latest Mumbai weather update. As per the latest Mumbai weather update, the maximum temperature is expected to climb to approximately 33 degrees Celsius during the day, while the minimum temperature may dip to around 18 degrees Celsius at night, providing generally comfortable weather conditions for residents. Humidity is likely to remain at about 77 per cent, helping limit discomfort despite the warmer afternoon. Despite the favourable weather, Mumbai’s air quality remained moderate, with the city recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 126, according to data from the SAMEER app. Experts warn that prolonged exposure to such pollution levels may cause breathing discomfort, particularly among individuals with asthma, lung ailments, or heart conditions. AQI readings varied across different parts of the city, with Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) recording 156, Borivali 89, Byculla 149, Chakala in Andheri East 113, Chembur 180, Colaba 124, Deonar 131, and Kandivali West 104, indicating uneven but persistent pollution levels across Mumbai. Delhi chokes under hazardous smog as air quality worsens; visibility low Air pollution in the national capital, which had already deteriorated into the ‘severe’ category, worsened further on Sunday as a thick blanket of toxic smog enveloped the city, pushing air quality to hazardous levels and affecting visibility in several areas. According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 461 at 7 am on Sunday, up from 431 recorded a day earlier. The alarming figures underscored the deepening air quality crisis gripping the national capital. All 40 air quality monitoring stations across Delhi reported readings in the ‘severe’ category, with several locations nearing the maximum measurable limit. Rohini emerged as one of the worst-affected areas, recording an AQI of 499, followed closely by Bawana at 498. Vivek Vihar reported 495, while Ashok Vihar and Wazirpur registered AQI levels of 493 each. Narela recorded 492, and Anand Vihar stood at 491. Other parts of the city also remained heavily polluted. ITO recorded an AQI of 485, Mundaka 486, Punjabi Bagh 478, Nehru Nagar 476, and both Chandni Chowk and Okhla registered readings of 470, reflecting widespread and persistent pollution across the capital city.
14 December,2025 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter pagadi tenants across the city received a long-awaited assurance from the state government on redevelopment, residents of gaothans, koliwadas and Adivasi padas, who are considered to be the sons of soil or the original inhabitants of Mumbai, have also asked for recognition of their habitation rights. Activist Godfrey Pimenta, representing the communities, has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the same. “We respectfully request the immediate notification and enforcement of demarcated boundaries for all Gaothans, Koliwadas, and Adivasi Padas in the Development Plan, dedicated FSI and redevelopment norms that are community-centric that aligns with local livelihoods,” said Pimenta. “These reforms will not only protect socio-cultural heritage but also ensure inclusive growth for all stakeholders in Mumbai’s urban and rural transformation,” said Sanfur Maxie Netto, the resident of Worli gaothan since 1971.
14 December,2025 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarAt Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Maharashtra, a long wait ended on a sweet note when vultures previously released into the wild returned to guide their friends, captive-bred birds, helping them learn their first lessons in survival including taking their maiden flight in the wild. The Maharashtra Forest Department, in collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), has been working to release the captive bred vultures in the wild. These vultures were brought from Pinjore in Haryana on April 24, 2025, and trained them to feed on carcasses. The vultures were then housed in the pre-release aviary, specially constructed in Pench for releasing them in the wild. The aviary helped them to acclaimatise to local environmental conditions. December 11 (Thursday) marked an important milestone in vulture conservation with the initiation of a soft release of critically endangered vultures under the ongoing Vulture recovery programme. PTR and BNHS had earlier released 10 Long billed Vultures in August 2024. Two birds from this released lot, have been spotted in PTR of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The 14 birds released on the day were exclusively vultures. Kishor Rithe, Director of BNHS, said, “The Wild vultures were also observed soaring and perching around the aviary during the release, further indicating habitat suitability and reinforcing the effectiveness of the release strategy.”
14 December,2025 07:22 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentADVERTISEMENT
