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 December 23. Aries March 21 – April 20There’s an increase in monthly income soon. Make the most of even the smallest business opportunity if self-employed. A partnership with two people is revealed.Cosmic tip: Maintain right balance between work and leisure. Taurus April 21 – May 20Maintaining a practical mind-set helps keep life in the right perspective. Follow intuition if hesitant about a proposed trip. Cosmic tip: Accept life moves in karmic cycles. This one reveals endings and new beginnings. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Something negative you were expecting doesn’t manifest, which is a relief. The worst is over. News expected today is delayed till tomorrow.Cosmic tip: Make the most of a few days off from work. Cancer June 22 – July 23A very busy day dawns with you beginning work as soon as you begin traveling to office. Those wanting to buy property find three they like. Cosmic tip: Keep irritation under control even if difficult. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Singles should (ideally) take a new relationship slowly, giving it time to evolve into one of mutual understanding. Have a simple diet as panacea for heartburn/ acidity.Cosmic tip: Have a positive attitude towards work. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23There’s a temporary misunderstanding with a friend, but it’s best to let it be for now (explaining makes it worse).Cosmic tip: Stay away from making impulsive decisions that have no solid base to them. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Exchanging almost similar gifts reveals intuitively knowing what the person will appreciate. An older relative feels slightly low.Cosmic tip: Don’t take it personally if three people send regrets about a dinner party planned. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Being so sensitive comes with its’ own issues of feeling bad at the slightest hint of criticism. Cosmic tip: Continue with the modified diet and exercise regime, as positive results are already visible. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Life gradually balancing out to a manageable degree could also be because of a change in environment. Cosmic tip: Don’t resist changes as they lead to a better karmic cycle of greater abundance. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Stepping back from a confrontation is the right mind-set to hold onto for today. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Be practical when the situation demands and emotional when it is alright to be so. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19A work related e-mail brings better news than expected. Planning a holiday is half the fun.Cosmic tip: Don’t be over assertive as it can get to be quite annoying for the other person. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Knowing full well what’s the path forward is great, but at this time you need to rein in impetuosity and impatience. Cosmic tip: Consciously change the attitude to heal a friendship gone south.
23 December,2024 12:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseThis is one mandir-masjid dispute where the fight seems to be restricted to the courtroom. Outside it, everyone wishes the status quo continues. Atop Kalyan’s historic Durgadi Fort, for the last 50 years, Hindus have been celebrating Navratri at the Durgadevi temple, and just behind it, Muslims have been offering Eid prayers on the city’s only Eidgah ground. Both approach the administration for permission every time. On December 10, a civil judge (senior division, Kalyan) rejected the claim of the Majlis-e-Mushawarat Trust over the fort, bringing an abrupt end to a 48-year-old case. The judge ruled that the entire site belonged to the state government. This sudden order saw the communal temperature shoot up: Some Hindu litigants celebrated on the streets, while on social media, young Muslims pledged to “recover” the site. The police, however, managed to control the celebrations before they got out of hand. On their part, Trust members took to local TV channels to reassure the community that nothing had changed, and they would once again approach the administration on Eid for permission to hold prayers. Life returns to normal Eight days after the order, life seemed to have returned to normal. Indeed, some Muslims living in the vicinity of Durgadi Fort said they were hearing of the court order for the first time from this reporter. In a temple located deep inside the bylanes dotted with mosques and graveyards near the fort, Ram Singh Payaasi has just wrapped up the special annual Ram puja that spans an entire week. “You should have come an hour back to see the rush of devotees,’’ says the 69-year-old. Dr Girish Latke (left) and Saad Kazi hope Kalyan’s tradition of harmonious co-existence continues For the 30 years he has been a pujari in the Juna Thakurdwar Shri Ram Mandir, succeeding his father, Payaasi has never faced any friction with his Muslim neighbours. “All credit goes to the elders among them,” he says. Litigation over ownership of the Fort can be traced back to 1976, when the Trust challenged the state government’s 1974 decision to hand it over to the Kalyan municipal council. The same move was made by the government in 1967, but had to be given up in 1969 due to opposition by local Muslims. The suit was originally filed against the Collector of Thane, the Kalyan Municipal Council and the State. Later, Hindu residents, in their individual capacity, became defendants too, claiming ownership over the land on behalf of their community. For 48 years, no effective hearing took place as the matter went from the Thane court to the Kalyan court, and interim applications were filed. It was only in November this year that the court, suo moto, asked the Trust to prove that they had approached the court in time. On December 10, the court rejected their claim, saying it was time-barred. An unusually effective police response; the order’s silence on the right to worship by either community; and the fact that Eid is a good three months away, are not the only reasons behind Kalyan’s tension-free atmosphere. Perhaps the most important reason is the long-standing mutual respect between the two faiths in a city which can boast of a legacy inherited equally from Arab merchants, Marathas, Mughals, the Adil Shahi dynasty and Chhatrapati Shivaji. Muslims make up 25 per cent of the population here, with Konkani Muslims among Kalyan’s original residents. Just five days after the Durgadi Fort order was flashed in the media, eminent citizens of all faiths gathered to honour businessman and educationist Saad Kazi, who can trace nine generations of his family in Kalyan. Fluent in Marathi and Urdu, the 75-year-old claims among his close friends, Kalyankars from every community. While Kazi has childhood memories of roaming around a dilapidated masjid atop the fort, another Kalyankar, Professor Moin Don, recalls studying in those ruins. That masjid and a well near it are mentioned in the Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Thana (1872) which also records that after the Marathas conquered the Fort in 1760, a small temple was built there. While the masjid no longer exists, that small temple is now the Durgadevi temple. Dinesh Shetye “The Kalyan Municipal Council played a pivotal role in transforming the masjid into a temple,” alleges Faisal Kazi, lawyer for the Majlis-e-Mushawarat Trust that went to court in 1976. Pointing out that the merits of their claim were not looked at, advocate Kazi rued that “a 48-year-old matter has been given short shrift and rejected on a technicality.” As Kazi prepares to appeal, some among the Hindu side feel the matter should not be pursued further. “The court’s decision has not changed anything on the ground. That Shivaji Maharaj’s fort had an Eidgah ground is a reality that nobody can deny,” points out litigant Dinesh Shetye, who deplored the triumphant celebrations by some litigants that followed the order. Shetye, whose family has been living in Kalyan for 100 years, remembers an occasion when Eid and Navratri coincided, and he, then a young Shiv Sena member celebrating Navratri at the Durgadevi temple, offered a flower to Sabir Shaikh, for long the Muslim face of Bal Thackeray’s party who’d come for Eid prayers. Shetye, now with Sena (UBT), makes Ganpati idols as a hobby, and has fond memories of the way his construction supervisor, Usman Pathan, would enthusiastically buy clay for the idols, prepare it for moulding, dry the idols and then guard them every night. What lies ahead? Does this tradition hold among the youth? That question worries Dr Girish Latke, chairman, Shahu Shikshan Sanstha, that runs many colleges. The NCC, he feels, may not be enough to keep students busy, specially those hailing from farmers’ families, facing issues of survival. However, of the five Hindu collegians this reporter met at a local NGO’s office, only one spoke of how her siblings had been influenced by the BJP’s DJ-led yatras and campaign against meat consumption in her basti. All five have Muslim friends who were welcome in their homes, and with whom they visited temples, mosques and churches. Significantly, their parents all hail from Bihar. It appears that Kalyan’s original harmonious spirit has embraced even those who came from outside and chose to settle here. The question that worries many Kalyankars now is: Will the new Maharashtra government, which has been declared the owner of the fort, adhere to this spirit? While Vishwanath Bhoir, the Shinde Sena MLA who was re-elected, may have spent part of his MLA fund on the maintenance of the Eidgah ground on the Fort, will this generosity of spirit be shown by the Devendra Fadnavis-led government? That concern makes a challenge to the court order necessary, say Muslims. Once the matter is sub judice, status quo will prevail.
22 December,2024 11:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Jyoti PunwaniRepresentatives of Other Backward Class (OBC) organisations from various parts of Maharashtra met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Sunday, who is sulking over not being included in the new Mahayuti government, news agency PTI reported. The former Maharashtra minister, who represents the Yevla constituency in Nashik district, did not attend the winter session of the state legislature that concluded in Nagpur on Saturday. He had left for Nashik on the first day of the session, a day after 39 Mahayuti Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) took oath as ministers. Speaking to PTI, Bhujbal said OBC leaders from different parts of the state held a meeting in Mumbai before visiting him in the city. "They expressed shock over my exclusion from the ministry and said they would support me no matter what stance I take," said the senior NCP leader. According to PTI, Bhujbal claimed that the OBC representatives feel that the community's reservation is under threat and emphasised the need to unite and fight for its protection. OBC leaders are opposed to activist Manoj Jarange's demand for reservation for the Maratha community in the Kunbi category. Bhujbal has also been vocal in his opposition to the demand. When asked about his future course of action, Bhujbal said, "At 7 crore, OBCs constitute around 54 per cent of the population of Maharashtra. Is it easy to take a decision in a few meetings?" Earlier, Bhujbal had stated that he would not make any hasty decisions. "(NCP working president) Praful Patel and (state unit president) Sunil (Tatkare) tried hard to ensure that I was inducted [into the Maharashtra cabinet]. Even Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, until the very last minute, insisted on my inclusion. But I was not included," the former state minister for food supplies said. Without naming his party chief Ajit Pawar, Bhujbal remarked that it was futile to blame leaders of other parties, as each leader is responsible for their respective party. Bhujbal had also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had urged him to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Nashik. The veteran OBC leader said he had prepared for over a month, but his name was never announced as a candidate. Bhujbal expressed his eagerness to contest the Rajya Sabha bypoll but was overlooked by the party. NCP subsequently nominated Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar, who was elected as a member of the Upper House of Parliament. He mentioned that a campaign led by Jarange during the assembly elections cost him around 60,000 to 70,000 votes. Bhujbal also hinted at a potential OBC backlash in the upcoming local body elections. (With PTI inputs)
22 December,2024 11:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA case has been registered against AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) leader Imtiyaz Jaleel and 49 others for staging a protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah without permission in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, police said on Sunday. Jaleel took part in the demonstration at Paithan Gate on Saturday to protest Shah's remarks in the Parliament about Dr BR Ambedkar, an official said. According to news agency PTI, the official informed that the protest was held without permission during a curfew in the region. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), and no one has been arrested yet, the official said. Congress to hold press conferences in 150 cities demanding Amit Shah's resignation Congress leader Pawan Khera announced on Saturday that Congress Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, along with members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), will hold press conferences in 150 cities across the country. These conferences will focus on demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his controversial remarks regarding Dr BR Ambedkar made in the Rajya Sabha. Khera, speaking to the press, stated that the Congress party has been consistently calling for Shah’s resignation following his remarks during an attack on the opposition party. "On December 22 and 23, in over 150 cities, our MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, along with CWC members, will conduct press conferences to demand the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah and condemn his disrespect towards Babasaheb Ambedkar," Khera said. The Congress party’s protests against Amit Shah have intensified following his statement in the Rajya Sabha, which the party claims was an insult to Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and a symbol of the struggle for equality and justice for the marginalised. The Congress has been vocal in demanding that Shah be held accountable for his words. In addition to the press conferences, Khera also outlined plans for further demonstrations. On December 24, Congress will organise the Babasaheb Ambedkar Samman Marches across various districts in India. These marches will culminate in the submission of memorandums to President Droupadi Murmu through district collectors, reiterating the demand for Amit Shah’s resignation. (With inputs from PTI, ANI)
22 December,2024 06:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA major accident took place opposite Poonam Chambers in Worli after a speeding car rammed into a bus stop on Sunday afternoon, Mumbai Trafffic Police said. According to Worli Police, three people, including the driver of the car, have suffered injuries in the accident. The other two injured were those waiting for bus at the stop. The injured have been taken to Nair Hospital for treatment. The police said they have identified the car driver and are in the process of registering a first information report (FIR) against him. "The accident took place near Poonam Chambers and two people, along with the driver, have been injured. They have been taken to Nair Hospital,” a police officer said. More details are awaited.
22 December,2024 04:05 PM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheShiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray, who heads the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), came together at the wedding of the latter's nephew in Mumbai on Sunday. The politically estranged cousins were seen standing together along with other relatives at the wedding of Yash Deshpande, the son of Raj Thackeray's elder sister Jaywanti, who is close to Uddhav's wife Rashmi Thackeray. Raj Thackeray and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray were accompanied by their family members at the function held in Dadar. Smita Thackeray, the former wife of Uddhav Thackeray's elder brother Jaidev, was also seen at the function. Last week, Raj Thackeray attended the wedding of the son of Rashmi's brother Shridhar Patankar. But the MNS chief had left before Uddhav Thakeray arrived. Notably, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief and his wife had been introduced to each other through Jaywanti. Raj Thackeray quit the (undivided) Shiv Sena in 2005 and floated his own party the following year. In the last month's polls to the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, the Shiv Sena (UBT), which is part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), won 20 seats, while MNS drew a blank. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
22 December,2024 03:47 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIShiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Sunday expressed her discontent regarding Rahul Gandhi's forthcoming visit to Parbhani in Maharashtra, characterising it as hypocritical, reported news agency ANI. Shaina NC pointed out that the Congress leader, who is set to arrive via special flight, has shown little concern for the recent disturbances in Parliament. "Rahul Gandhi is coming to Parbhani by a special flight. He will come to Nanded, go to Parbhani and show that he is with Somnath Suryavanshi's family... My question is, when Rahul Gandhi sees such a scuffle outside the House, he does not even come out and is coming here with a special charter? People understand this hypocrisy. We are fully with Parbhani's Somnath Suryavanshi and his family, although we will never do any politics in this matter," Shaina NC told ANI. Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Parbhani on Monday, which is aimed at meeting the family of Somnath Vyankat Suryawanshi, a law student who tragically died in judicial custody following violent incidents in Parbhani earlier this month. The unrest was triggered by the alleged vandalism of a replica of the Indian Constitution. Congress leaders have expressed strong criticism regarding the handling of the Parbhani violence by the state government. MPs Varsha Gaikwad and Praniti Shinde have been particularly vocal, with Gaikwad condemning the violence and demanding swift accountability for those responsible. Gaikwad stated, “Action should be taken against those who vandalised the statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in Parbhani,” highlighting her discontent with the state's approach to maintaining order, especially amidst the curfew imposed in the city without restoring peace. She asserted that the authorities have failed to manage the situation effectively and should avoid registering false cases. She also criticised the authorities for their approach to law enforcement, stating, "They have failed to restore peace in Parbhani city. They should not register false cases," ANI stated. Sharad Pawar calls Fadnavis to discuss Parbhani violence and Beed sarpanch's murder Sharad Pawar, the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-Supremo), engaged in a telephonic discussion with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday, addressing concerns regarding the murder of a sarpanch in Beed and the death of a man following violent protests in Parbhani. Pawar, who visited the families of both victims on Saturday, sought accountability and swift action. According to PTI, he met the relatives of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, who was abducted and brutally murdered on December 9. He also visited the family of Somnath Suryavanshi, who allegedly died while in judicial custody after being arrested in connection with the Parbhani unrest. (With inputs from ANI, PTI)
22 December,2024 02:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a remarkable journey across Maharashtra, a male tiger born in the Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal has travelled an astounding 500 kilometres, reaching the Solapur district. This sighting is being closely monitored by the Maharashtra Forest Department, which has installed camera traps in the area to track the tiger’s movements. Sources from the Maharashtra Forest Department informed this newspaper that they are closely monitoring the tiger's movement, and camera traps have been installed in the area to track its further movements. Currently, the young male tiger is said to be in Barshi taluka of Solapur district. In Solapur, some farmers alerted forest department officials about an increase in cattle attacks in recent weeks. In response, the forest department installed camera traps. When the cameras were checked, officials were surprised to find an image of a male tiger. This is believed to be the first recorded sighting of a tiger at the Yedshi Ramalinga Wildlife Sanctuary in Dharashiv district, Marathwada. At present, the big cat is said to have entered Barshi taluka in Solapur district.
22 December,2024 02:17 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavSharad Pawar, the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-Supremo), engaged in a telephonic discussion with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday, addressing concerns regarding the murder of a sarpanch in Beed and the death of a man following violent protests in Parbhani. Pawar, who visited the families of both victims on Saturday, sought accountability and swift action. According to PTI, he met the relatives of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, who was abducted and brutally murdered on December 9. He also visited the family of Somnath Suryavanshi, who allegedly died while in judicial custody after being arrested in connection with the Parbhani unrest. The Parbhani violence, as reported by PTI, was triggered by the vandalisation of a replica of the Constitution, which led to widespread protests. The situation escalated, and Suryavanshi’s subsequent death in custody further fuelled tensions in the area. Speaking to reporters in Pune on Sunday, Pawar revealed that he had raised the matter during a telephonic conversation with the chief minister. "I discussed the gravity of the situation in Beed and Parbhani with the chief minister and urged him to take appropriate action," he stated, as per PTI. Fadnavis, on his part, had earlier announced judicial inquiries into both incidents. Additionally, financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each has been assured for the families of Santosh Deshmukh and Somnath Suryavanshi. Pawar welcomed the judicial probes and expressed hope that justice would be delivered swiftly. Pawar's call to the chief minister came while he was attending the Bhimthadi Jatra at the College of Agriculture in Pune. The NCP chief also extended an invitation to Fadnavis to attend the forthcoming 98th All India Marathi Literary Convention (Marathi Sahitya Sammelan), set to take place in Delhi. According to PTI reports, Pawar has been actively monitoring the unfolding situations in Beed and Parbhani. His visit to the affected families underscored the seriousness of the matter and the urgent need for resolution. The Beed sarpanch's murder and the Parbhani unrest have raised questions about law and order in the state. Pawar’s engagement with Fadnavis is being seen as an attempt to ensure that these incidents do not exacerbate tensions further. (With inputs from PTI)
22 December,2024 01:20 PM IST | MumbaiOn Sunday, Sharad Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), flagged off the "Family Run 3.0" marathon in Pune. The event, organised by the Jayesh Murkute Social Foundation, was led by Jayesh Sanjay Murkute, the Kothrud working president of NCP. At the event, Pune NCP president Prashant Jagtap praised Murkute for his consistent efforts in organising both political and social events in the Baner and Balewadi regions. He shared that Murkute, a young and active member of the party, has been instrumental in hosting numerous functions, including this marathon, which Pawar flagged off. "The atmosphere was fantastic as Pawar Sahib arrived at around 6:45 AM to attend the event," Jagtap told ANI. Additionally, Jagtap spoke on the possibility of the NCP contesting the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently. His remarks come after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut suggested that his party may contest the elections alone, citing demands from party workers. In response, Jagtap expressed that while NCP is open to contesting solo or in alliance with Congress, they remain focused on defeating the BJP. He stated, "If Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sanjay Raut are exploring a solo contest, we are also ready to go ahead independently or with Congress. However, we prefer an alliance, as breaking it could potentially benefit the BJP." The Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) have long been part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, which opposes the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. Jagtap also clarified that despite the recent differences within the coalition, their focus remains on stopping the BJP's influence in the state and across India. The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections witnessed a decisive victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti, which secured 235 seats. Shiv Sena and NCP garnered 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The BJP emerged as the dominant party, with 132 seats, marking a significant win in the state's political landscape. On Saturday, NCP leader Jayant Patil expressed his intent to address Raut's comments, suggesting further discussion on the future course of action for the alliance. (With inputs from ANI)
22 December,2024 10:32 AM IST | PuneIn a significant crackdown on child labour, a 49-year-old man has been booked for allegedly employing children as labourers at his packaging company in Maharashtra's Thane district. The police registered a case after a joint raid conducted by the labour department, women and child welfare authorities, and local police on Friday. According to an official from the Narpoli police station, the raid took place at four different shops owned by the accused in Vehale village, located in the Bhiwandi area of Thane. The company owner, who operates a packaging business, was found to have employed several minors at his premises. During the raid, the authorities discovered eight minor girls and one minor boy engaged in packing electronic goods, a task that they were forced to perform under questionable conditions. The authorities acted after receiving a tip-off and a subsequent investigation. The presence of the minor workers at the company raised immediate concerns over child exploitation and illegal child labour. As per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, employing minors in such conditions is a criminal offence, and the police moved swiftly to file an FIR against the accused. The packaging company, where the minors were discovered working, has now come under investigation, with the authorities looking into how long the children had been employed and the nature of their work. The accused has been charged under the relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice Act, and the police are now working to ensure that the minors are provided with the necessary protection and care. They are also working in collaboration with child welfare organisations to ensure that the children are returned to their families or placed in rehabilitation centres, depending on their circumstances. Similar case happened in the past where offences have been registered against four persons in Maharashtra's Thane and Palghar districts for allegedly employing children and practising bonded labour. The cases were registered at Padgha police station in Thane and Jawhar police station in Palghar on Monday and no arrests have been made so far, an official said. According to the police, the case registered in Jawhar was against Deoram Kandadkar and Pundalik Kandadkar, who had allegedly taken two sisters, aged six and eight, to Akole in Ahmednagar and employed them to graze sheep and goats. (With inputs from PTI)
22 December,2024 09:39 AM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
