Do 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 August 12. Aries March 21 – April 20Embrace struggles, contemplating what can be learnt from this chapter in life. Time spent with your love slips by too fast.Cosmic tip: Don’t believe someone’s total honesty cloaked in shining wrapping. Taurus April 21 – May 20Protect your peace by spending precious free moments with those who are trustworthy. Be patient with family.Cosmic tip: Choose your inner circle wisely as friends shape our future. GeminiMay 21 – June 21This ability to emotionally distance yourself from an issue is why people trust your judgement which is practical and sane. Eat nutritious home cooked fresh food.Cosmic tip: Enjoy time spent with your love. Cancer June 22 – July 23Drive carefully. Staying away from avoidable distractions is wise. For the moment just go with the flow of life.Cosmic tip: Cut the noise in life, consciously pursuing peace. Leo July 24 - Aug 23A project/assignment is a feather in your cap. Continue thinking in a positive manner even if life slows down after 3 pm.Cosmic tip: Don’t trust anyone blindly (some are masters of deception). Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Stay consistent in whatever you undertake. Just be there for an office meeting even if you’d rather skip it to complete work. Cosmic tip: Concentrate on strengths and positive qualities. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Words used and flow of conversation is enchanting to someone. Enjoy the attention, but be hugely diplomatic. Cosmic tip: Face facts about one dream being baseless and fanciful in the extreme. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Singles enter a marriage dasha. Thinking about too many options at work is slightly confusing.Cosmic tip: Step back if a discussion turns too personal gradually. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Life experiences are the best teachers, especially when you know there’s no malice or ulterior motive in it. Cosmic tip: Live each day with purpose. Discipline beats doubts any day. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Receiving vindication and karmic justice feels so good. It was worth waiting for patiently. Cosmic tip: Agree with someone even if you can’t identify with what they are saying. Agree to disagree. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Some relationships are best left to jog along peacefully. Work is extra busy with one job coming up before the earlier one is even completed. Cosmic tip: Analyse why a situation didn’t work out. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Wait patiently for an expected message. Keep abundance flowing and positive karma bringing a glow by donating to your favourite social causes.Cosmic tip: Use an opportunity to move forward at top speed.
12 August,2025 02:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseA festive rehearsal turned into a tragedy in Dahisar in Mumbai late on Sunday night when labourer couple Sangeeta and Ramesh Jadhav lost their eldest son during a practice session for the upcoming Dahi Handi festival. The 11-year-old, identified as a member of the Navtarun Mitra Mandal, reportedly fell during the formation of a human pyramid in the Ketkipada area and succumbed to his injuries on the spot. According to the police, the boy had climbed the top tier of the human pyramid — the sixth layer — when he lost his balance and fell directly to the ground, hurting his head severely. “The preliminary postmortem report stated that natural head injuries were the reason for his death,” said Senior Police Inspector Sarje Rao Patil of Dahisar police station. An accidental death report has been filed and the organising group is being questioned about the safety measures that were taken. The incident occurred while the group was conducting one of its routine evening practice sessions to prepare for the Janmashtami festivities scheduled later this week on August 16. “He was our eldest son. We have two daughters and another son. He was our support and a ray of hope who would soon start earning for the family and support us. It feels like we have lost everything,” Ramesh Jadhav told mid-day as he sobbed relentlessly. The boy’s father Ramesh Jadhav said it feels like the family has lost everything. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Despite immediate attempts by fellow mandal members and onlookers to revive the boy, the impact is believed to have caused fatal head injuries. He was rushed to Bhagwati Hospital in Borivali West, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Relatives have alleged that smaller mandals often lack the funds for safety equipment such as helmets, harnesses, or crash mats, making accidents more likely. “He was on the topmost layer. All big mandals have proper protective gear, which can help avoid such accidents. But smaller groups suffer. Authorities announce rules, but why can’t they also provide safety gear to those who cannot afford it?” asked Hira Rathod, the boy’s uncle. The death has cast a pall over the local community. Several residents gathered outside the Jadhav home through Sunday night and Monday morning to offer condolences and moral support. “He was such a cheerful boy… always the first to join in festivals. We cannot believe he is gone,” said Rathod. Meanwhile, local leaders stepped forward with assistance. One politician announced monetary aid of Rs 5 lakh for the family and also promised to help build them a permanent house. However, relatives say no compensation can make up for their loss. With the festival just days away, the Dahisar tragedy is expected to fuel a debate over whether the thrill and competitive spirit of the tradition can ever truly balance with the responsibility of safeguarding participants, especially children. In 2014, the Bombay High Court had restricted the minimum age for participants to 14 years, citing safety concerns. Yet enforcement remains patchy. The boy’s mother Sangeeta Jadhav. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Ironically, on July 18, the Maharashtra government had announced an insurance cover of Rs 1.5 lakh for registered govindas participating in Dahi Handi this year. “We didn’t even know about this scheme. Nobody told us, so we didn’t register,” a Navtarun Mitra Mandal member told mid-day. The Dahisar incident is a grim reminder that while tradition can unite communities, neglecting safety can cost lives.
11 August,2025 10:51 PM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarA fire broke out at a garment unit in Bhandup (West) area of Mumbai, the civic officials said on Monday. They said that blaze was successfully brought under control by the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) by evening and no injuries have been reported in the incident. The fire was reported at around 1:38 pm at Allfit Garment, located on Duckline Road, Khindipada in Bhandup. The blaze was confined mainly to the first-floor loft of a ground plus two-storey structure, affecting an area of approximately 3,000 sq. ft, said the officials. According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade, the fire engulfed electric wiring, installations, readymade garments, plastic stock, sewing machines, wooden furniture, papers and documents. It also spread to the electric wiring of an mobile tower located next to the building. The fire brigade officials declared it a Level 1 (minor) fire at 1:50 pm. "The teams worked for several hours and successfully extinguished the fire by 7:50 pm," said an official, adding that the cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Fire breaks out at Bata showroom in Chembur, no injuries reported Meanwhile, in an another incident on Monday, a fire broke out at a footwear showroom in Chembur area of Mumbai, official said. According to the civic officials, a level-1 fire broke out early Monday morning at a Bata showroom in Chembur, causing damage to the store’s electrical wiring, installations, shoe stock, and false ceiling. According to officials, the incident was reported to the Control Room at 4:35 am, with an update received at 8:35 am. The fire affected a 2,000 sq ft area on the ground floor and part of the basement of a commercial building located at Shiv Ashish CHS, Road No. 19, near Malhar Hotel. The structure comprises a part basement, ground floor, and seven upper floors. The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) deployed multiple units to the scene, with assistance from the police, BMC ward staff, 108 ambulance service, PWD personnel, and Adani Electricity. The blaze was brought under control and fully extinguished by 7:50 am. No injuries were reported in the incident. Authorities are yet to confirm the cause of the fire.
11 August,2025 09:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThree police cases have been filed and 64 persons fined a total sum of Rs 32,000 by BMC in August for feeding pigeons in violation of orders, an official said on Monday, reported the PTI. The three FIRs comprise one in D Ward, which has four 'kabutarkhanas' (pigeon feeding spots), and two in G North Ward, which has a kaburkhana at Dadar West, he said. "Of the 64 persons fined, the maximum 12 were in P South Ward, which has three kaburkhanas. A sum of Rs 6000 was collected from the 12. At the iconic kabutarkhana in Dadar West, 11 persons have been fined Rs 5500. No action has been taken in this regard in B,C, E F South, N, and L Wards," the official informed, as per the PTI. As per the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the metropolis has 44 kabutarkhanas. P North and P East Wards lead with five each, while there are four each in K West and D Ward. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea against a Bombay High Court order directing the BMC to file FIRs against persons feeding pigeons at kabutarkhanas. A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi refused to intervene and said "parallel indulgence" was improper. The Supreme Court said that the petitioner could move the Bombay High Court for the order's modification. The top court was hearing an appeal filed by animal enthusiasts and others challenging an order of the Bombay High Court. The high court observed the issue was over public health and the grave and potential health hazard to people of all ages at large. Court had previously restrained the BMC from demolishing any of the old heritage kabutarkhanas in the metropolis, but refused to allow feeding of the birds, as per the PTI. The high court had then underlined the safety and predominance of human health from the menace created by the congregation of pigeons to be the biggest concern. On Saturday, police registered a case against a man for feeding pigeons from a grain-filled tray kept on the roof of his car in Dadar area and also seized his vehicle. (with PTI inputs)
11 August,2025 08:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railways will operate two special train services between Mumbai and Madgaon to cater to long weekend rush of passengers on August 17 and 18. The complete details of the train operations are given below: 01501 Special will depart Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) in Mumbai at 8.30 am on August 18 and arrive Madgaon at 10.40 pm the same day. 01502 Special will depart Madgaon at 4.30 pm on August 17 and arrive at LTT Mumbai at 6 am the next day. Both the trains will halt are Thane, Panvel, Pen, Roha, Mangaon, Veer, Khed, Chiplun, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Vilavade, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal, Sawantwadi Road, Thivim and Karmali stations. The Central Railway, in its press release on Monday, said that the trains will have one AC-2 tier, three AC-3 tier, two AC-3 tier economy, eight sleeper class, four general second class, one generator car and 1 second seating-and-guard’s brake van compartments. Passengers can make the reservations for Train no 01501 from Wednesday at all computerised reservation centres and on website www.irctc.co.in. For detailed timings at halts of these special trains, passengers can visit www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in or download the NTES App. Curbs leave Central Railway passengers stranded on Raksha Bandhan night Central Railway (CR) commuters were left suffering on Raksha Bandhan (Saturday, August 9) as late-night rail curbs and cancellations left them without trains, while other modes of transit, such as buses, were ill-prepared to ferry them. Commuters alleged that CR officials have been disconnected from the commuting public and never take any local festivities into account while planning their work. Top CR managers at the head office remained busy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of the Nagpur-Pune Vande Bharat train on Sunday morning. Being Raksha Bandhan, families returning home at night were stranded en masse at stations, leading to chaos. No elected representative from the city, however, raised the issue with CR. What was the work done? The local train cancellations were announced on the mainline, the harbour line and the trans-harbour line for several pending infrastructure works, including placing girders for the Lokgram bridge in Kalyan, delaunching of girders of an old road bridge in Ambernath on the main line, commissioning of the electronic interlocking signalling system at Vashi on the harbour line, and casting of a slab for a road bridge on the Thane-Vashi trans-harbour line. Lack of communication CR issued a press note around 10.30 pm on Friday, leading to problems as no newspaper was able to highlight it in time, leaving commuters unaware. There was a lack of proper announcements at stations, and the reach of social media handles remained limited. Commuters vent Krishna Rajendra, a commuter, told mid-day, “There were no trains after midnight towards Dombivli/Kalyan/Kasara. There was chaos at Thane railway station, and I was stranded with my family, baby in hand.” Another commuter, Saiyed Umar, said, “No local train available beyond Thane. Why? Children, women and senior citizens were present at railway stations.” An angry commuter, Akshaya Jadhav, said, “Don’t the Railways know that large crowds comprising families travel on Raksha Bandhan? Why does it plan blocks on such a day? This is what happens when you have railway managers who have no clue about the city.”
11 August,2025 08:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe reconstruction of the historic Bellasis flyover connecting Tardeo-Nagpada to Mumbai Central station is progressing rapidly. The project aims to be completed ahead of schedule, by 31 December 2025, instead of the originally planned April 2026, the BMC said on Monday. The Mumbai civic body, in an official statement said that the flyover’s work within the railway limits is being carried out by Western Railway, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is constructing the approach roads. In the first phase, the railway contractor has successfully installed 12 girders, each 36 metres long, as part of the major girder launching operation. The next steps involve girder bracing, deck sheet installation, and slab casting, all of which are planned to be completed by September 14, 2025. Around 40 traffic and power blocks will be taken to carry out these works safely. The bridge is being rebuilt after demolishing the 130-year-old British-era structure. In June, a joint meeting was held at the BMC Headquarters on June 24 and it was also attended by Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare, engineers from the BMC and Railways, including Uttam Shrote, Rajesh Mule, Rohit Mehla, and V. V. Satishan were also present at the meeting. The statement further said that under the leadership of BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani, several infrastructure projects are underway to ease traffic and improve road quality in Mumbai. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar stated that efforts are being made to complete the work by December 2025 so that the flyover can be opened for traffic earlier than expected. So far, soil testing, foundation work, and pillar construction have been completed. Obstructive structures have been removed, and on the eastern side, 4 out of 40 approach girders have already been placed. BMC and MDA have also signed an agreement with Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MahaRail) to construct a cable-stayed bridge near Mumbai Central as part of the long-term transport improvement plan. Bangar confirmed that the final remaining pillar work on the western approach road will begin soon, and the overall goal remains to finish all construction by end of December 2025.
11 August,2025 07:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a first-of-its-kind initiative, 86 Ganesh mandals in Girgaon have come together under the banner of “Girgaon Ganeshotsav” to host this year’s festivities with a unique cultural theme ‘Ashtavinayak Wari’. Eight mandals will recreate the replicas of Maharashtra’s revered Asthavinayak temples designed under the supervision of art director Sumeet Patil. The event set to blend tradition with technology aims to showcase Maharashtra’s spiritual heritage. The Girgaon Ganeshotsav’s Trustees and Committee, led by President Ganesh Lingayat and committee member Sharad Kamath visited the original temples, meeting trustees to present the concept. The temple authorities expressed full support and will attend the festivities, the Girgaon Ganeshotsav said in a statement. , They have announced that the celebrations will be rooted in Sanatan Dharma. Extensive security arrangements are in place to ensure smooth proceedings, claim the organisers. In association with the Sushirmala Foundation, the festival will launch a women’s empowerment and employment programme with many to be trained in crowd management during the 10-day event. Devotees will be able to book traditional puja sevas in advance. Appointed priests will conduct rituals with puja materials arranged at the pandals. Services include e-darshan and prasad delivery for devotees unable to attend in person.
11 August,2025 05:35 PM IST | Mumbai | Ronak MastakarEvery year during Ganeshotsav, Khetwadi in South Mumbai captures the city’s attention, as each lane is known for its majestic idols and spectacular pandals featuring innovative themes. Established in 1962, the Khetwadi 11th Galli Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal is celebrating its 64th year of festivities. This year, the 42-foot idol of ‘Mumbaicha Maharaja’, also known as ‘Khetwadi cha Lambodara’, is in the Swananda avatar, informed Hemant Dixit, President of the mandal. This year, on Sunday (August 10), the mandal unveiled the breathtaking idol of Lord Ganesha, making it a major attraction for huge crowds of devotees and visitors. In 2024, the mandal hosted a 47-foot idol, while in 2023, it featured a 45-foot idol. When asked about reducing the idol’s height, he said there were no specific reasons for lowering it. The idol is sculpted by Sunil Waradkar, a murtikar from Girgaon. Explaining this year’s theme, Dixit said, “We have made Swananda Loka our theme.” Swananda Loka is described as the heavenly realm of Lord Ganesha. “It is believed to be a place of eternal happiness and bliss, where Lord Ganesha resides as Swananda Bala Ganpati,” Dixit added. Speaking about the avatar, he said, “This year’s avatar matches our theme. The idol will be in the original ‘Swananda Ganpati’ form. Below the idol is a ‘Yali’.” The Yali is a mythical creature with a lion’s body, elephant’s head, and horse’s or lion’s legs. Lord Ganesha may be shown seated on a Yali as a throne, or the Yali may be part of the decorative prabhavali (arch or halo) behind the idol. Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Ganeshotsav, a 10-day Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, will be observed from August 27 to September 6.
11 August,2025 04:51 PM IST | Mumbai | Ronak MastakarThe Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea against a Bombay High Court order directing the BMC to file FIR against persons feeding pigeons in "kabutarkhanas" (pigeon feeding spots) in Mumbai, reported the PTI. A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi refused to intervene and said "parallel indulgence" was improper. The Supreme Court said that the petitioner could move the Bombay High Court for the order's modification. The top court was hearing an appeal filed by animal enthusiasts and others challenging an order of the Bombay High Court. The high court observed the issue was over public health and the grave and potential health hazard to people of all ages at large. Court had previously restrained the BMC from demolishing any of the old heritage kabutarkhanas in the metropolis, but refused to allow feeding of the birds, as per the PTI. The high court had then underlined the safety and predominance of human health from the menace created by the congregation of pigeons to be the biggest concern. The plea was filed by Pallavi Patil, Sneha Visaria and Savita Mahajan, who claimed the BMC started demolishing the feeding spots from July 3 onwards without legal backing. They argued the BMC's act violated the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Didn't order closure of 'kabutarkhanas', says Bombay HC, 'but people's health is important' Earlier, the Bombay High Court had last week, on Thursday, said it had not passed any order directing the closure of 'kabutarkhanas (pigeon-feeding spots)’ in the city, but only refrained from staying the closure order of the municipal corporation. An expert panel can study if the old kabutarkhanas in Mumbai should continue, however, "human life is of paramount importance”, the court said, adding, "If something affects the larger health of senior citizens and kids, then it should be looked into. There has to be a balance.” Earlier this week, sheets were placed covering the kabutarkhanas in the city, leading to protests from some Mumbaikars. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had then claimed that the kabutarkhanas were closed following the HC’s order. A bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Arif Doctor, however, clarified on Thursday that it had not passed any order, PTI reported. "It was the BMC's (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) decision (to close Kabutarkhanas) which was challenged before us. We did not pass any order. We only did not grant any interim relief," the high court had said. (with PTI inputs)
11 August,2025 04:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray on Monday accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of "shielding corrupt" ministers in his cabinet, and claimed the ruling Mahayuti has relegated the state to the last position in development and top in corruption, reported news agency PTI. Speaking at a protest organised here to demand the sacking of "corrupt" ministers, primarily from the rival Shiv Sena, which is a constituent of the Mahayuti along with the BJP and NCP, Thackeray said the agitation will continue until those ministers are shown the door. The Sena (UBT) said it has carried out similar agitation across the state. Thackeray asked the party workers to inform the public about the "corrupt" actions of the Mahayuti ministers. "We gave them (government) evidence (against ministers) and yet there is no action on them. Someone is running a dance bar, and another has a bag full of notes. There is no need of even any probe now, yet the CM does not sack the ministers," Thackeray said, reported PTI. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has been demanding the resignation of ministers Yogesh Kadam, Sanjay Shirsat, Sanjay Rathod, all belonging to the ruling Shiv Sena, and Manikrao Kokate of the NCP. "I pity Fadnavis. Why is he shielding these corrupt ministers? He does not have the courage to sack them despite the brute majority," Thackeray claimed, reported PTI. "The Mahayuti has relegated Maharashtra to the last position and top position in corruption," the former CM alleged, reported PTI. Kadam has been accused by Thackeray's party of running a dance bar with a permit in his mother's name, a charge denied by the minister. Kokate has been facing flak for allegedly playing rummy in the state legislative council and for "insensitive" remarks against farmers. The Sena (UBT) has been targeting Shirsat after a video showed him purportedly sitting in a room with a partially opened bag containing bundles of cash. The minister has rubbished the claim and said the bag contained only clothes. The Thackeray-led party has also accused Minister Sanjay Rathod of indulging in corruption. It also sought to link BJP minister Girish Mahajan with an alleged "honeytrap" scandal. Kadam, Shirsat and Rathod were among the 39 MLAs who backed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde when he rebelled against Thackeray in 2022. The rebellion resulted in the collapse of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government and split into the then-undivided Shiv Sena. Uddhav Thackeray recalled that when the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition was in power from 1995-99, five ministers were asked to quit by Sena founder Bal Thackeray because there were allegations of corruption against them. The Sena (UBT) chief also targeted the Centre over Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation as vice president, reported PTI. He said no explanation was given for Dhankhar's sudden resignation, and sought information on his "disappearance". "Where is the (former) vice president?" Thackeray asked, reported PTI. In a sudden move, Dhankhar resigned as vice president on July 22, citing medical reasons. The opposition has raised questions over his resignation. (With inputs from PTI)
11 August,2025 02:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn Indian rat snake was spotted moving along an iron rod below the roof of a house in Aarey Milk Colony on Sunday night. The residents immediately informed snake rescuer Kaushal Dubey, who safely rescued the reptile and released it back into the wild. According to Dubey, the snake might have entered the house while following a rat. “While returning from work on Sunday evening, I was called to rescue a rat snake stuck above a ceiling inside a house. After reaching the spot, I realised it may have entered while following a rat. The rat snake was safely rescued and released into the wild. Such human-wildlife interactions remind us to respect wildlife and always seek trained help instead of harming these harmless creatures, which play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling the population of rodents,” Dubey said. 8-foot Indian rat snake rescued from Mulund housing society Earlier, in July, an 8-foot-long Indian rat snake created a panicking situation. The unexpected visit of the snake in the residential premises prompted a swift call to the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW). As reported, the Indian rat snake entered the electric meter room of a housing society at Veena Nagar in Mulund West. Acting swiftly on the information, Kunal Thakkar from Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare reached the location and safely rescued the reptile. After the snake was safely rescued by Kunal Thakkar, it was medically examined by Dr. Kirti Sathe. After a thorough medical examination, the non-venomous reptile was released back to its natural habitat in coordination with the Forest Department. Pawan Sharma, Founder and President of RAWW, noted that “The snake was suspected to be displaced due to heavy rains, which is quite common in the suburban areas sharing space with the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Citizens have learnt the way of coexistence over the years and opt for a safe rescue and rehab rather than eliminating snakes by taking matters into their own hands, sending a positive message to society at large. In February, a rare Ornate Flying Snake (Chrysopelea ornata) was rescued by a wildlife welfare association NGO in the Dahanu region of Maharashtra. The snake, which is native to southern Maharashtra, is believed to have travelled to Dahanu via a brick truck from the same region.
11 August,2025 01:43 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavADVERTISEMENT
