Environmentalist Stalin D has alleged that chemical spraying is occurring behind the IT Park in Malad Dindoshi area of Mumbai, leading to the destruction of local vegetation. Stalin D alleged that the owner of this private forest has continuously denuded the mountain and sprayed an unimaginable amount of chemicals to destroy the natural vegetation and forests. "Any hill has two sides. The hillside behind the IT park is being flattened and watercourses altered. A beautiful Oshiwara river has become a narrow drain and has lost three or more of its tributaries, streams that flowed into it from this hill. Excavation is rampant, and all authorities have turned a blind eye for obvious reasons," Stalin D said. He also stated that when his repeated complaints fell on deaf ears for more than a decade, he moved to the NGT to seek justice for the environment. Stalin expressed shock that so many people residing next to this forest have not complained about this wanton destruction, despite their own homes being at risk of getting buried in a landslide. He pointed out that the mountain and hills are becoming unstable and that a huge tragedy is awaiting to happen. Watch video below Environmentalist Stalin D has alleged that chemical spraying are occurring behind the IT Park in Malad Dindoshi, leading to the destruction of local vegetation Via: @ranjeetnature #Malad #ITPark #News #Environment #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/Q3HsfLDLTF — Mid Day (@mid_day) September 29, 2024 "This may be a privately owned area, but there is absolutely no difference between the forests of SGNP and this area. In fact, we have videos and photos of wildlife on this plot in the sections that are yet to be denuded. The work of chopping the natural vegetation was mostly done at night, and after chopping, chemicals are sprayed in large quantities, resulting in a huge section looking like a manicured lawn. The patches of natural forests that still exist on the plot on the bottom of the MHADA colony side are clear proof of the original character of the land. This is deemed forest, and we seriously wonder why on earth the Forest department has not taken steps to claim this land and protect it. Instead, it has claimed a slum-infested section of the plot and has allowed this forest to be plundered," added Stalin. Stalin has demanded that a criminal investigation be conducted into all aspects that have resulted in this monumental ecological disaster, which is allegedly being perpetuated every single day. "We are shocked that the owner of the land has brazenly started cutting the vegetation and poisoning the land even after the NGT has taken cognizance of the issue. The BMC and MPCB have previously made reports of massive tree cutting and burning of vegetation on this site. Yet, they have done nothing to restore the natural balance of the site. We will expose the fraud in the coming days. The Chief Minister and MoEF need to intervene directly and order a detailed investigation into how this destruction was allowed for so long. Even today, we have taken evidence of fresh tree cutting on the forested slopes. People need to rally and save the forests and mountains," added Stalin.
29 September,2024 03:20 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA 50-year-old woman involved in the share trading business has allegedly fallen victim to an online investment fraud, losing Rs 60,000. The victim was enticed by promises of high returns, with claims of earning hourly profits on her investment. However, the scheme was revealed to be a scam. An FIR has been registered at the Vanraj police station, and authorities are currently investigating the case.
29 September,2024 01:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanDue to heavy rainfall, a section of the wall at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) wet and dry waste classification center in Shimpoli, Borivali West, collapsed on Sunday morning. This marks the third such collapse in the past three years, raising serious concerns about the wall's structural integrity. Due to heavy rain, a section of the wall collapsed at the BMC's wet and dry waste classification center in #Shimpoli, Borivali West, on Sunday morning. This marks the third collapse in three years, raising ongoing concerns about the wall's structural integrity At this center,… pic.twitter.com/7K1Nf5FTMz — Mid Day (@mid_day) September 29, 2024 At this center, the BMC separates wet and dry waste after collecting it from residents. Former Corporator Shiva Shetty arrived at the scene and promptly informed the BMC about the incident. Shiva Shetty stated, "This is the third time the wall has collapsed in the past three years, posing a significant risk to local residents. The foundation has deteriorated considerably. We have also raised complaints with the BMC, urging them to construct a stronger wall." Local residents voiced their concerns, stating that this is a critical issue and urged the BMC to prioritise constructing a new wall instead of making temporary repairs.
29 September,2024 12:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaThe BMC stated on Sunday that the water levels in Mumbai's seven reservoirs, which supply the city with potable water, have reached 99.09 per cent. Based on data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the combined water stock of the Mumbai lakes stands at 14,34,227 million litres at present, or 99.09 per cent of their capacity. Mumbai gets its water from the Upper and Middle Vaitarnas, Bhatsa, Tansa, Vihar, Tulsi, and Modak Sagar. The civic body's data on the Mumbai lakes indicates that Tansa's water level is 98.29 per cent. 100 per cent of the water stock is accessible at Modak-Sagar. Middle Vaitarna is 98.86 per cent, Upper Vaitarna is 99.79 per cent, Bhatsa is 98.89 per cent, Vihar is 100 per cent, and Tulsi is 100 per cent of the available useful water. In the wake of heavy rains, one more lake supplying water to Mumbai, Middle Vaitarna Lake, started overflowing on July 4. Lakes Vihar and Modak Sagar began to flood on July 25 due to persistently high rains. Around 4 pm on July 24, Tansa Lake started to overflow, increasing the amount of water stored in all seven reservoirs by 17 days in a single day. Approximately 400 million gallons of water are supplied to Mumbai by Tansa Lake, which is situated in the Shahpur region of Thane. On July 26, 2024, it overflowed. One of the two lakes that directly feed water to the BMC, Tulsi Lake, started to overflow on July 20 at around 8:30 am, mimicking the event that occurred on the same day last year at 1:28 pm, according to the civic body. Mumbai rains: Light to moderate to heavy rainfall expected today The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate spells of rainfall in Mumbai on Sunday, as per the latest Mumbai weather update. The weather agency, in their Mumbai weather update, has forecast a "partly cloudy sky with possibility of light to moderate rain in the city and its suburbs" for the next 24 hours. Temperatures are expected to range from a maximum of 31 degrees Celcius to a minimum of 25 degrees Celcius, the IMD said. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in its Mumbai weather update, said a high tide will occur at 10.34 pm, reaching a height of 3.53 metres, while a low tide is expected at 4.31 pm dropping to 1.52 metres.
29 September,2024 10:10 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate spells of rainfall in Mumbai on Sunday, as per the latest Mumbai weather update. The weather agency, in their Mumbai weather update, has forecast a "partly cloudy sky with possibility of light to moderate rain in the city and its suburbs" for the next 24 hours. Temperatures are expected to range from a maximum of 31 degrees Celcius to a minimum of 25 degrees Celcius, the IMD said. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in its Mumbai weather update, said a high tide will occur at 10.34 pm, reaching a height of 3.53 metres, while a low tide is expected at 4.31 pm dropping to 1.52 metres. Mumbai lakes supplying water reached 99.09 pc capacity The BMC had earlier stated on Sunday that the water levels in Mumbai's seven reservoirs, which supply the city with potable water, have reached 99.09 per cent. Based on data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the combined water stock of the Mumbai lakes stands at 14,34,227 million litres at present, or 99.09 per cent of their capacity. Mumbai gets its water from the Upper and Middle Vaitarnas, Bhatsa, Tansa, Vihar, Tulsi, and Modak Sagar. The civic body's data on the Mumbai lakes indicates that Tansa's water level is 98.29 per cent. 100 per cent of the water stock is accessible at Modak-Sagar. In Middle Vaitarna 98.86 per cent, Upper Vaitarna 99.79 per cent, Bhatsa 98.89 per cent, Vihar 100 per cent and Tulsi 100 per cent of useful water level is available. In the wake of heavy rains, one more lake supplying water to Mumbai, Middle Vaitarna Lake, started overflowing on July 4. Lakes Vihar and Modak Sagar began to flood on July 25 due to persistently high rains. Around 4 pm on July 24, Tansa Lake started to overflow, increasing the amount of water stored in all seven reservoirs by 17 days in a single day. Approximately 400 million gallons of water are supplied to Mumbai by Tansa Lake, which is situated in the Shahpur region of Thane. On July 26, 2024, it overflowed. One of the two lakes that directly feed water to the BMC, Tulsi Lake, started to overflow on July 20 at around 8:30 am, mimicking the event that occurred on the same day last year at 1:28 pm, according to the civic body.
29 September,2024 10:05 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentChief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar assured that ahead of the Assembly polls no exception will be made in shifting officers who have completed three years in the same place and those posted in their home districts. Kumar was speaking at a media briefing on Saturday. A day before, the Congress had reiterated its demand for the transfer of DGP Rashmi Shukla to ensure “fair and impartial” polls in the state. The CEC said, however, that he would not discuss individual cases there. Kumar was addressing media persons at the end of his two-day tour of Maharashtra, where assembly elections are due. He said the elections were to be held before November 26, the day the term of the current Assembly expires. He further said the commission will soon decide about holding the election in one or multiple phases, adding that all political parties had urged him to consider the festive season while deciding the schedule. On the matter of transfers, for which the state government was reprimanded on Friday, Kumar said there was a clear-cut rule: “Every government servant drafted for election work is deemed on deputation to us. We can deal with them. Whether the officer is on extension or contract, it depends on the nature of his work,” he said, adding that the officers will not be allowed to influence elections and decisions will be taken at an appropriate time. The CEC said candidates with criminal cases and their respective parties will have to advertise at least three times in print and electronic media about their background.
29 September,2024 08:49 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentMumbai Congress has decided to take up Byculla and Versova assembly constituency issue before the party high command in Delhi if the seat-sharing talks do not work out in their favour. MVA allies Shiv Sena UBT and Congress have both staked claim on these two seats. A Congress leader said the party cannot demand the Worli and Sewri seats as they are Sena UBT strongholds, and it is difficult to win in Malabar Hill, which is a BJP bastion. “In South Mumbai, if we can’t get Byculla, Congress will be limited to only two constituencies—Mumbadevi and Colaba,” the leader explained, adding, “In the Versova constituency, 20 applicants within Congress, including former Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey, have shown interest in contesting the election.” “It is difficult to say whether we will need to approach Delhi high command for these constituencies,” said Congress spokesperson Nazimuddin Rayeen.
29 September,2024 08:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveSeventeen-year-old Mumbai resident Arjun Agarwal did not have to look far for inspiration to contribute to society. Growing up, he saw his grandfather’s leaning towards social work, especially for the education of the underprivileged. They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and by his mid-teens, Agarwal had found his calling. Today, he is making a difference in a domain he understands well, ie, self-defence. The Class 12 student teaches Taekwondo to around 50 kids in Mulund’s Saptarshi Park every Sunday. Agarwal is an international-level Taekwondo player, boasting accolades like a gold medal in Kyorugi at the World Taekwondo Culture Expo in South Korea (2022), silver medals at the UK Korean Ambassador’s Cup and the KMAMA World Open Online Championship in 2021, and gold medals in the International School Sports Organisation tournaments in 2023 and 2022. He got into Taekwondo a decade ago, and today, he is a “Dan-2 Black Belt” (an advanced level black belt) in the Korean martial art. Kids enjoy a hearty meal post-practice To gather a batch of disadvantaged kids who he wanted to train, he reached out to Vile Parle-based NGO Bharat Vikas Parishad, which operates across various welfare sectors. He calls his initiative “Project Raksha”. “I was always shy. So much so that I hesitated to ask questions in class. But Taekwondo boosted my confidence. I wanted to teach this to the disadvantaged kids because I felt it would make them confident, strong, and self-sufficient,” says Agarwal. However, the road to full-fledged weekly training wasn’t smooth. Teaching is a demanding job, a lesson Agarwal learned when he was met with a group of 50 children, all around the age of 10. “So, to gain teaching experience, I began assisting my instructor every weekend, working with a group of 25 children for three months,” he says. By October 2023, he was ready to manage the batch of 50 on his own. But regardless of teaching experience, a classroom full of 10-year-olds is still challenging to control, so he uses a technique he learnt from his instructor—pairing the kids up to practise attack and defence moves—which keeps them engaged, and is a practical approach to learning self-defence. Kids surprise Agarwal all the time—some with their moves, and some with their resilience and grit. “I train a girl whose father is in jail and she lives without her mother. Despite this, she shows incredible enthusiasm and fights well. She says she aspires to be an IAS officer.” It has only taught him to be grateful for everything I have, mulls Agarwal. “I teach the kids combat moves instead of sports moves, as the former will be more useful if the need arises,” he explains. Some of Agarwal’s students are naturally better at Taekwondo moves than others, hinting they may have athletic talent, too. “We train far less than what is required for professional tournaments. But I can already recognise a few children who will perform far better if given professional-grade guidance and proper nutrition. My primary goal is to teach them defensive techniques. So, after a long day of training, we indulge in meals that a professional player would likely avoid, but the kids look forward to it,” he explains. Agarwal believes discipline is a by-product of martial arts. “You can’t practise a sport like Taekwondo without discipline,” he says. “So apart from the upper hand these kids will have in physical confrontations, they are also learning self-control and respect for other individuals. As a tradition, we bow before and after every fight, and now they even bow before their parents and guardians. It’s good to see these changes in them.” “I will soon be in college to study engineering. But I have started a programme in which selected students will be coached so that they can continue the Project Raksha even in my absence,” he says.
29 September,2024 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Anand SinghIn a significant relief, Maharashtra students who have completed their undergraduate education in Ayurveda from colleges in other states will now be eligible for admission to postgraduate courses in the state’s government, government-aided, and unaided colleges under the State Quota. Postgraduate Ayurveda admissions are managed through both the All India Quota and the State Quota. For Maharashtra residents, 85 per cent of seats in government and government-aided colleges are reserved under the State Quota, while 70 per cent of seats in private unaided colleges are similarly reserved. This gives priority to Maharashtra students for admission. Previously, Maharashtra students who earned their undergraduate Ayurveda degrees from institutions outside the state were not eligible for admission under the state quota. As a result, they had to compete for seats in Maharashtra’s colleges solely through the All India Quota. “This decision brings relief to many aspiring postgraduates and opens the door for greater opportunities within their home state. The revised admission rules apply to postgraduate courses in Ayurveda, Unani, and Homoeopathy for the academic year 2024-25,” said an official from the medical education department. Eligibility criteria for admission >> Candidates who have passed their Ayurveda undergraduate degree from recognised institutions outside Maharashtra must submit a state domicile certificate. >> Maharashtra students who were admitted to BAMS programmes in Ayurveda colleges outside the state under the 15 per cent All India Quota must provide a certificate from the dean of their respective colleges. >> Students must have scored at least the 50th percentile in the All India AYUSH Postgraduate Entrance Exam 2024. >> Differently-abled students must have achieved at least the 45th percentile in the same exam. >> Candidates must have passed the qualifying examination as per the Maharashtra Ayurvedic Practitioners Act, 1961, from a recognised college.
29 September,2024 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghIn a special initiative, the Mumbai Traffic Department has undertaken measures to streamline traffic across the city, and as part of the drive, has demolished 129 illegal speed breakers and installed plastic bollards at key locations. “We have removed 129 illegal speed breakers from various parallel roads across the city,” said Additional CP (Mumbai Traffic) M Ramkumar. “We found several speed breakers near schools and hospitals. Upon investigation, we discovered they were unauthorised,” a police official stated. In addition, the traffic department has installed orange plastic bollards near the entry and exit points of bridges. “We observed confusion at the turns of bridges, with vehicles coming from the wrong side. The orange bollards will prevent this,” an officer explained. Bollards have been installed near Vakola Bridge and Santa Cruz, among other major bridges, and the police report that drivers are now less confused at these junctions.
29 September,2024 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheThe police may have assured the Bombay High Court that they will soon find a burial sport for Badlapur school sexual assault case accused Akshay Shinde, but this is easier said than done. Wherever the authorities and the family went to search for a burial plot for Shinde, who was killed in an alleged police encounter on September 23, they were met with opposition from local residents. They were turned away from the burial grounds in Badlapur, and faced resistance from residents in Ambarnath as well. The authorities now intend to expand their search to Dombivli and Thane as well. Sources close to the family said it’s possible the parents are insisting on burial so that they have the option of exhumation later if any questions arise during the ongoing investigation of Shinde’s killing. A senior officer from Thane police told mid-day, “We are searching for a spot for the burial, and are in constant communication with local bodies to coordinate for this. But we yet to find a place.” Maruti Gaikwad, Chief Officer (CO) at the Kulgaon Badlapur municipal council, said, “We had received a request from the police for a burial plot. We showed them a list of burial places in our jurisdiction. Once they make a decision, further steps will be taken accordingly.” On the other hand, Prashant Rasal, CO at Ambarnath Municipal Council, said, “We haven’t received any request or letter on this from the police or any other authorities. Shinde lived in Badlapur, so the local body there must make the arrangements.”
29 September,2024 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Faisal TandelADVERTISEMENT
