Always defame Hindus: BJP hits out at Congress on distorting Sanatan Dharma
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 5 (IANS) BJP MLA Ram Kadam on Monday hit out at senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, accusing him of repeatedly attempting to defame Hinduism and questioning Singh's remarks on Sanatan Dharma. Kadam's remarks came after Singh accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) of distorting Sanatan Dharma and dividing the country along religious lines through the promotion of Hindutva. Singh's comments drew a sharp reaction from the BJP. The discourse in this country has shifted to constantly harping on Hinduism, driven by the RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad promoting 'Hindutva', a term coined by Savarkar. Because of this, rifts have been created across the country between Hindus and Muslims, between Hindus and Sikhs, and between Hindus and Christians. India belongs to everyone. Unity in diversity is our strength, Singh said in a video posted on X. The 79-year-old Congress leader is set to undertake a 'Sanatan Swabhiman Yatra', a foot march from Ujjain to Ayodhya to protest what he described as the alleged exploitation of religion. He also claimed that the word Hindu does not appear in religious scriptures. Today, no one speaks of the Hindu religion; people speak of Sanatan Dharma. The word Hindu does not appear anywhere in our scriptures, be it the Vedas, Upanishads or Puranas. This is the Sanatan Dharma that the VHP and the RSS are distorting, Singh had said. Reacting to the remarks, Kadam told IANS, This is the same Digvijaya Singh who has always tried to defame Hindus. He linked our sacred saffron colour with terrorism. Kadam also turned to the construction and consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. When Ram Lalla's consecration ceremony was held in Ayodhya, and the idol was installed, he raised questions about the appearance of the idol. Congress leaders had such cruel and anti-Hindu views that the Ram Temple should not be built in Ayodhya, that the verdict should not come in favour of Hindus, and if it did, it should come late, he alleged. They still hold such views, and that is why they appointed their lawyers in the country's highest judiciary, Kadam added. The BJP MLA then reacted to the joint protest march led by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters on Sunday. The protest targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Kadam questioned the nature of the protest and said, Was the Thackeray brothers' protest a protest or a fancy dress competition? Someone came dressed as Gabbar Singh, someone as the Election Commissioner, and many other impersonators. Perhaps it was a competition to see who could tell the most lies on stage. The leaders were telling lies one after another. A year ago, to be precise, 11 months ago, in November 2025, these same people took to the streets and protested, demanding the removal of names that appeared twice or thrice on the voter list and the names of fake voters, he said. Whose demand was this? It was the demand of those who launched the protest, and the Election Commission is currently carrying out the same work. Have they forgotten their own demands? Kadam asked. He also criticised the opposition leaders over their objections to electronic voting machines (EVMs). The EVMs they were talking about were introduced during the Congress regime. Even Congress members were speaking out against them, which is amazing. Uddhav Thackeray has been winning municipal elections for the past 30 years using these same EVMs, Kadam told IANS. Turning to the ongoing protest by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants in Pune, Kadam said the state government stood with the students and had accepted their demands. We stand with the MPSC students, and the Maharashtra government has accepted their demands, including 100 per cent support from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he said. However, Kadam alleged that leaders associated with the Sharad Pawar faction were attempting to use the students' agitation for political purposes. Now, if leaders of the Sharad Pawar faction are deliberately trying to promote petty politics by infiltrating their workers under the guise of these students, it is unfortunate, he said. The Maharashtra government does not have the authority to fulfil the demands the students are protesting for. How can it assume the authority that rests with the President? This movement is not of the students; it is of the Sharad Pawar faction, Kadam alleged. Meanwhile, Monday marked the fifth day of the MPSC students' protest in Pune. The agitation has seen three groups emerge amid differences over the various demands raised by the aspirants.
Arijit Singh to embark on nationwide tour starting January 2027 celebrating his 20 years in music
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 5 (IANS) Playback singer Arijit Singh, who has completed 2 decades in the business, has announced a 9-city stadium-scale India Tour from January 2027 to May 2027. The tour will span cities like Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Pune, Indore and Hyderabad. Talking about the show, Arijit Singh said in a statement, 20 years of music is a journey I feel very grateful for. The greatest part of it has always been the people, the listeners who have given these songs a life of their own. He further mentioned, Im really looking forward to travelling across India and experiencing that love together, live on stage. There are so many songs, so many memories and so many people to meet. I cant wait. The experience will feature 360-degree spatial audio, kinetic LED fixtures, panoramic screens, laser arrays and stadium-scale pyrotechnics, with a live production designed to immerse fans in the experience. Mohit Bijlani, Founder, Team Innovation, said, We take immense pride in presenting a nationwide tour of this magnitude to audiences across the country. Bringing Indias most loved voice to so many cities is a deeply meaningful milestone for our team. It is a genuine tribute to an extraordinary musical legacy, and we are thrilled to create an unprecedented live event. Every single detail of this journey is being designed to world-class standards, offering fans a live experience at a scale never seen before in his home country. The tour is presented by Kotak Solitaire, and produced and promoted by Team Innovation. Varun Khare, CEO, thumpN said, There are very few artists whose announcement can make an entire country stop and ask one question:,When do the tickets go on sale? Arijit Singh is one of them. His music has an extraordinary ability to bring people together, and we expect these shows to be exactly that. Thousands of people singing the same words, at the same time, in the same place. For thumpN, being the ticketing platform for this tour is a privilege> Our job is to make sure that getting from I need to be there to actually being there in the moment is as seamless as possible. Were incredibly excited to bring this experience to fans across all 9 cities, he added.
Aaditya Thackeray to join Pune MPSC protest, backs demand for chairpersons exit
I have just spoken to Vivekanand Patil. October 6, I will go and sit with the students participating in the MPSC agitation in Pune, Aaditya Thackeray
Bharat Forge wins Pratt & Whitney Canada contract for aerospace components
Bharat Forge Ltd on Monday said it has secured a long-term contract from Pratt & Whitney Canada for the supply of mission-critical aerospace engine components. The components will be manufactured at Bharat Forge's aerospace facility in India, the company said. We look forward to supporting Pratt & Whitney Canada's programs and furthering India's advancement in aerospace manufacturing expertise, Amit Kalyani, Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge, said. This collaboration reflects Pratt & Whitney's commitment to building a resilient, high-performing global supply chain that supports its customers and future growth ambitions, said Nathalie Rivet, Vice President, Supply Chain, Pratt & Whitney Canada. Pune-based Bharat Forge is a global leader in providing high performance, innovative safety critical components and solutions for several sectors including automotive, power, oil and gas, construction & mining, rail, marine, defence and ...
WeWork India expands Bengaluru, Pune footprint with two new centres
The new Whitefield and Wakad centres add around 2.25 lakh sq ft to WeWork India's portfolio, taking its network to 79 centres across eight cities
MPSC protest: Rohit Pawar issues 48-hour ultimatum, warns of Pune bandh
NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar demanded the immediate removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, citing allegations of paper leaks and a lack of transparency in the commissions functioning. He warned that failure to address the demands could see more than one lakh students take to the streets of Pune
'BJP winning in states it couldn't even at peak of Modi wave': Abhijeet Dipke says no point in polls
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 5 (IANS) Veteran actors Jackie Shroff and Smita Jaykar, who shared the screen in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Devdas, recently reunited for a day at the formers picturesque farmhouse. Smita took to her social media account to share a series of pictures from her visit, further giving fans a glimpse of her fun-filled day surrounded by nature and animals. Sharing the photos, she wrote, Day spent at Jackie Shroff farm house What an experience. She also added hashtags including #jackieshroff, #smitajaykar, #farmhouse and #dayspentwell. The pictures capture the actors enjoying the lush surroundings of Jackies farmhouse. In one picture, Smita is seen posing alongside Jackie and another guest. Another picture shows Smita posing with a man in front of a horse. The visit also appeared to be an animal-filled one, with Smita seen feeding and interacting with a cow. In another frame, she is seen holding a large yellow-green reptile, while another picture shows her happily posing with a fluffy white rabbit. Smita is also seen holding an iguana in another picture. The carousel gives a glimpse of Jackies farmhouse, located between Mumbai and Pune, that is known for its extensive greenery and a variety of animals, including cows, ducks and rabbits. The post also received a warm reaction from Jackies wife, Ayesha Shroff, who dropped pink heart emoticons in the comments. Jackie Shroff and Smita Jaykars reunion also brought back memories of their association with Devdas. In Bhansalis 2002 adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyays classic novel, Jackie played Chunnilal, Devdas close friend. Smita, meanwhile, played Kaushalya Mukherjee, Devdas mother. The films cast also included Shah Rukh Khan as Devdas Mukherjee, Aishwarya Rai as Paro, Madhuri Dixit as Chandramukhi, Kirron Kher as Sumitra and several other prominent actors. Released in 2002, Devdas was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and produced by Bharat Shah. The film was based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyays celebrated novel and featured a screenplay by Bhansali and Prakash Kapadia. Ismail Darbar and Monty Sharma composed the music, while Binod Pradhan handled cinematography and Nitin Chandrakant Desai was responsible for the production design. The film went on to become one of the most celebrated films of Bhansalis career.
Maharashtra village put up for sale is finally promised a water pipeline, after 25-year wait
Marathwada fodder crisis looms: Beed, Jalna have just over two months of stock left
Five held for providing mule accounts to cyber fraudsters
Industry-academia collaboration key to semiconductor research: Chandrakant Patil
21 open-category students selected for Maharashtra overseas education scholarship
Delhi-based gang attempts to break open flats in Baner society; one nabbed
Motorcycle rider gives lift to minor, got bullet in the back
NCP (SP) will clarify stand on SIR issue soon, wrongdoers must be held accountable: Sharad Pawar
MPSC protest widens as students groups split over exam pattern, Pawar urges CM to initiate dialogue
Pune airport to get full-body scanners in phased rollout: Mohol
Alandi civic body to crack down on coaching centres flouting norms
PMC cracks down on illegal construction waste dumping across Pune
Bird strike on Hyderabad bound flight; Flyers safe
Protests Intensify in Pune as MPSC Students Demand Justice with Political Support
MPSC students protests escalate in Pune, with political leaders rallying support amid hunger strikes and demands for government action. Protests Intensify in Pune as MPSC Students Demand Justice with Political Support
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Indias supercomputing capabilities are expanding rapidly, with the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) enabling wider access to high-performance computing for applications ranging from artificial intelligence and weather forecasting to healthcare, disaster management and space research, the government said on Sunday. Indias supercomputing journey has evolved significantly since the development of PARAM 8000 in the early 1990s, with the country now building a national high-performance computing ecosystem under the NSM, launched in April 2015. As of September 2026, the mission has deployed 40 supercomputers with a combined computing capacity of 68 petaflops (PF), strengthening access to advanced computing infrastructure across research and academic institutions. The government said high-performance computing is increasingly essential for accelerating scientific discovery and technological innovation, particularly as Indias digital ecosystem continues to generate large volumes of data. India generates nearly 20 per cent of the worlds data, while emerging applications such as artificial intelligence, weather prediction, climate modelling and space research require increasingly powerful computing infrastructure. Supercomputers enable massive datasets to be processed and complex simulations to be conducted at much faster speeds by combining large numbers of processors to perform calculations simultaneously. This makes them critical infrastructure for advanced scientific research and strategic applications. The government said HPC is already supporting applications with direct societal benefits, including crop-yield prediction, disease-outbreak tracking, drug discovery and forecasting areas likely to be affected by river floods. The technology is also being used across areas such as Computational Biology, Weather Prediction and Climate Modelling, Disaster Management, Big Data Analytics and Astrophysics, helping researchers tackle increasingly complex scientific and technological challenges. The National Supercomputing Mission was launched with an outlay of around Rs 4,500 crore and is jointly steered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The mission aims to strengthen self-reliance in supercomputing and build indigenous high-performance computing capabilities in India. It promotes the use of supercomputing for research, development and problem-solving across a range of scientific and technological disciplines, while also developing solutions for societal applications. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, are implementing the mission. Under the NSM, India is also developing indigenous technologies covering servers, software, cooling systems and networking, alongside expanding its supercomputing infrastructure.
BJP announces three candidates for Maharashtra MLC polls (Lead)
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 4 (IANS) Political manoeuvres in Maharashtra have intensified after the Election Commission announced the upcoming Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) elections. On the heels of the Congress Party's announcement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released its official list of candidates for three key constituencies: Nagpur Graduate: Former MLA Sudhakar Kohale; Pune Graduate: Smita Jadhav, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Dr D Y Patil University, Pune Teachers: Kaustubh Gawade, Chief Executive Officer of the prominent Shri Swami Vivekanand Shikshan Sanstha in Kolhapur. With the announcement of these nominees, BJP will contest three seats, leaving Nagpur Teachers constituency to Shiv Sena and Aurangabad Graduates constituency to NCP. Polling for the five constituencies is slated for October 23. Kohale has been fielded to take on the incumbent Congress MLC, Abhijit Wanjari. Kohale, a seasoned leader and educator by background, previously served as a two-time municipal corporator, Water Supply Committee Chairman in Nagpur, and Nagpur East MLA (2014). In Pune Graduate Constituency, Dr Jadhav will face the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which has yet to declare its nominee. In Pune Teachers Constituency, Gawade will take on the sitting legislator Jayant Asgaonkar, who has been renominated by the Congress party. Incidentally, Shiv Sena and NCP have yet to announce their nominations. Shiv Sena has staked its claim over Pune and Amravati Teachers Constituencies. Congress has already announced Prof Aditi Rishikesh Pohare as nominee for the Amravati Teachers' Constituency. The Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SP are angry over Congress's decision to announce three nominees. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on September 22 sounded the poll bugle for the elections to five key Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) seats, triggering intense political manoeuvring within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The election covers three Graduate constituencies (Aurangabad, Pune, and Nagpur) and two Teachers constituencies (Amravati and Pune), where the terms of the sitting members are set to expire on December 6, 2026. According to the official schedule released by the ECI, the last date for nominations: October 6, 2026; scrutiny of nominations: October 7, 2026; last date for withdrawal: October 9, 2026; polling day: October 23, 2026 (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM); and counting of votes: October 27, 2026. Incumbent representatives from Graduate Constituencies include Aurangabad Division Bhanudasrao Satish Chavan (NCP), Pune Division Arun Ganpati Lad (NCP-SP) and Nagpur Division Abhijit Govindrao Wanjari (Congress). The legislative members from the Teachers Constituencies include Amravati Division Kiran Ramrao Sarnaik (Independent but officially joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena as an associate member) and Pune Division Jayant Dinkar Asgaonkar (Congress).
BJP names three candidates for Maharashtra MLC polls; media baron's wife on the ruling party list
The BJP has announced its candidates for various constituencies in the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. Dr Smita Jadhav will contest from the Pune Division Graduates constituency, while Sudhakar Kohle is fielded from Nagpur. Additionally, Kaustubh Gawde represents the Pune Division Teachers constituency in the elections. These biennial elections will occur on October 23, with results expected on October 27.
BJP Names 3 Candidates For Maharashtra MLC Polls; Media Baron's Wife On The List
Biennial elections are being held for Pune Division Graduates, Nagpur Division Graduates, Pune Division Teachers, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates and Amravati Teachers constituencies. Polling will take place on October 23
Bird strike hits Pune flight near Hyderabad airport
Hyderabad: A Pune-Shamshabad flight witnessed a bird strike on Saturday, October 3, near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad. The incident took place when the aircraft was near Shamshabad. Fortunately, despite the bird strike, the flight landed safely at the airport in Hyderabad. After landing, the officials conducted a check. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Sharad Pawar backs Thackeray brothers' protest, says SIR issue not limited to Mumbai
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday backed the joint protest march being led by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray in Mumbai against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying the demand was not limited to the city and that similar concerns were being raised across Maharashtra. Addressing a press conference, Pawar said political parties should come together to find a solution to alleged irregularities in the electoral process and take action against those found responsible. This demand is not limited to Mumbai. It is also being raised in Pune and Nagpur, and in several other parts of the state. The state government is going through the SIR process. When all concerned political parties come together to find a solution to this issue and take a decision regarding those who have committed irregularities, we will stand with them and extend our support, Pawar said. Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Th...
BJP names Dinesh Arya as RS candidate from U'khand, Koel Mallick from Bengal
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced Dinesh Arya as its candidate for the 2026 Rajya Sabha biennial election in Uttarakhand and Rukmini Mallick (Koel Mallick) from West Bengal. In Uttarakhand, the by-election is necessitated by the completion of the term of sitting Rajya Sabha member Naresh Bansal. Actress-turned-politician Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as Koel Mallick, recently switched to the BJP from the Trinamool Congress. She resigned as Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member in July this year, leaving the seat vacant and forcing a by-election. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on September 22 had announced the biennial elections for 11 Rajya Sabha seats, along with a by-election for one seat from West Bengal, on October 16. Of the 11 seats going to the polls in the biennial elections, 10 are from Uttar Pradesh, and one is from Uttarakhand. The West Bengal election will be held to fill a casual vacancy in the Upper House. The notification for the elections was issued on September 29, while the last date for filing nominations will be October 6. The scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on October 7, followed by the last date for withdrawal of candidature on October 9. Polling for the Rajya Sabha seats will be held on October 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while counting of votes will begin at 5 p.m. on the same day. In Uttar Pradesh, the terms of 10 sitting Rajya Sabha members are coming to an end. The members whose terms are expiring include Arun Singh, Geeta alias Chandraprabha, Brij Lal, Ram Gopal Yadav, Ramji Gautam, B.L. Verma, Seema Dwivedi, Dinesh Sharma and Hardeep Singh Puri. Earlier in the day, the BJP announced its candidates for three Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies for the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council election. The BJP has fielded Smita Yogesh Jadhav from the Pune Division Graduates' constituency, Sudhakar Vitthalrao Kohle from the Nagpur Division Graduates' constituency and Kaustubh Muralidhar Gawde from the Pune Division Teachers' constituency. The announcement comes after discussions within the ruling alliance over the distribution of the five seats going to polls. According to MahaYuti leaders, the alliance has finalised a 3:1:1 formula for the elections. Under the arrangement, the BJP will contest three seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will contest one seat and the Shiv Sena will contest the remaining one seat. The NCP has been allotted the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates' constituency, while the Shiv Sena will contest the Amravati Teachers' constituency.
BJP Announces Candidates for Maharashtra MLC Elections, Focusing on Pune and Nagpur Seats
The BJP has revealed its candidates for the Maharashtra MLC elections, targeting key seats in Pune and Nagpur. BJP Announces Candidates for Maharashtra MLC Elections, Focusing on Pune and Nagpur Seats
BJP announces candidates for Maharashtra Legislative Council polls 2026
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced three candidates for the 2026 Maharashtra Legislative Council elections from the Graduates' and Teachers' constituencies. The BJP's Central Election Committee approved the names of the candidates, according to a press release issued by the party's central office in New Delhi on October 4, 2026. The announcement covers the Pune Division Graduates' constituency, Nagpur Division Graduates' constituency and Pune Division Teachers' constituency.
Pune Rural police have alleged in a chargesheet that realtor Ketan Agarwals fianc Siya Goyal and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary researched deaths at Lohagad Fort and other methods before his killing. Agarwal, 26, died after allegedly being pushed from the fort in June. The 5,053-page chargesheet cites digital evidence, including online searches, messages, call records and social media material.
Pune-Hyderabad Flight Suffers Bird Hit, Lands Safely
After the plane landed, the authorities carried out a runway inspection.
MPSC protests: Supriya Sule urges Maharashtra CM to hold dialogue to find solution
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule said that she has personally intervened to mediate the ongoing Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) student agitation, calling on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to resolve the deadlock through executive dialogue. Addressing the media, Sule said that she has requested Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for an immediate pause in the demonstrations to allow constructive negotiations between the administration and the protesting aspirants. I had called the Chief Minister and urged that the agitation be paused so a solution could be found through dialogue. Pramod Patil was to convey certain instructions from the Chief Minister to the students and was supposed to call me after the discussion. I am awaiting his call, she said. The remarks came amid the ongoing agitation by MPSC aspirants over various examination-related demands. Students have previously held protests in Pune seeking action over alleged examination irre...
Three held on charge of robbery
Residents turn balconies, terraces into home medicinal gardens
Man held for bludgeoning friend to death
Pune air quality dips to moderate; many now affected by dust, vehicle smoke, say doctors
Truck rams into vehicles due to brake failure in Pirangut; 1 killed
Yerawada MHADA residents protest stalled redevelopment, demand mini-clusters
City-based firm loses 9L in email spoofing scam
Man robbed of Rs34,500, assaulted after argument over being addressed by name
Woman loses Rs49 lakh in online share trading fraud
PM Modi to visit Baramati on Nov 3: Pawar
Pune societies flag red tape, committee action risk under new redevelopment rules
First-time voter clause puts 1.52cr state electors in a bind
Rahul Gandhi to raise MPSC aspirants demands before state govt
After Abu Dhabi debut, drought hits farmers fruit export dream
Metro to run every 5 minutes during rush hours
Why Indias independent filmmakers are reclaiming the language of cinema
Will make Marathi the language of knowledge: Maha CM
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 3 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that Marathi is not merely a medium of communication but a bearer of rich culture and a witness to a glorious history. Endowed with a vast vocabulary, a rich literary tradition and diverse dialects, Marathi will be further empowered in the 21st century as a digital language and a language of knowledge, he said. Along with increasing the everyday use of Marathi, he urged expanding its application in modern domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital technology, quantum computing, space technology and biotechnology. Against the backdrop of Marathi receiving classical language status, CM Fadnavis was speaking at the launch of the Classical Marathi Language Week and Classical Marathi Language Honour Day. Stating that Marathi is inherently ancient and classical, CM Fadnavis said that receiving official recognition as a classical language from the Central Government is a moment of pride for all Marathi speakers. He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, conferring classical language status on Marathi has highlighted Maharashtra's linguistic and cultural heritage at the national level. Reminding the audience of history, he added that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj emphasised the native language alongside the vision of Swarajya, striving to promote Marathi in state administration and giving a new direction to its use in governance. Noting that Marathi ranks 13th among the most spoken languages in the world, the Chief Minister highlighted its global character. He mentioned that the Marathi Encyclopedia (Gnyankosh) and Shabdaratnakar, compiled in the 20th century, contained between 1.1 million and 1.3 million words. By comparison, he pointed out that the Oxford English Dictionary contains around 600,000 words, while languages such as Mandarin, Spanish and French have roughly 300,000 to 350,000 words. The official Marathi dictionary currently published by the state government contains around 300,000 words, and the Chief Minister stressed the need to work on subsequent editions to expand this vocabulary to 1.3 million words. Citing Marathi's rich lexicon, CM Fadnavis underscored the importance of its encyclopaedic and lexicographical traditions. Millions of words recorded across various dictionaries showcase Marathi's deep linguistic heritage. He said this vocabulary should not remain merely a matter of pride but must be effectively used in modern knowledge generation. Making concepts in science, technology, economics, education and research available in Marathi will truly elevate it into a language of knowledge, he added. CM Fadnavis noted that communication channels are evolving rapidly because of digital technology. In this landscape, Marathi should not be confined to traditional use but integrated with new technology. He stressed the need to leverage Marathi AI to increase the language's effective footprint in artificial intelligence, make information and knowledge resources available across digital platforms, and produce high-quality Marathi content on OTT platforms and social media. He expressed confidence that providing knowledge resources in cutting-edge fields such as quantum computing, space technology and biotechnology would enable the younger generation to absorb modern knowledge in their mother tongue. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Marathi is not just Maharashtra's identity but also its self-respect. Adorned with a rich legacy spanning from Saint Dnyaneshwar to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Marathi has now travelled across oceans and made its mark globally, he said. The state government is committed to accelerating the global expansion of Marathi in the future, he added. Expanding the use of Marathi in modern domains such as digital media, social networks, podcasts, gaming and coding is essential to connect the younger generation with the language, he said. Minister of Marathi Language Uday Samant said the state government is committed to preserving, promoting and globally expanding Marathi language and culture, with several ambitious initiatives launched for its holistic development. He informed that work is underway to establish a Centre of Excellence for Marathi at Deccan University in Pune, a Global Marathi Centre named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in London, 100 dictionaries for various regional dialects across the state, and nine Marathi Skill Development Centres.
Maha CM launches Mumbai Book Festival 2026 logo and website
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 3 (IANS) Marking a major milestone for Maharashtras literary landscape, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday unveiled the official logo and website for the Mumbai Book Festival 2026. The announcement marks the commencement of preparations for a six-day celebration of books, literature, art and culture scheduled to take place from Nov 24 to Nov 29, 2026, at the University of Mumbais Kalina Campus. Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra and the University of Mumbai, the festival aims to celebrate Indias rich and diverse literary traditions, deepen the nations reading culture, nurture young readers and build a dynamic platform for intellectual exchange. The launch ceremony took place in the presence of several key dignitaries and stakeholders, including Milind Marathe, Chairman, National Book Trust, India; Ravindra Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai; Ameet Satam, Chief Organiser; Acharya Pawan Tripathi, Chief Convenor; and Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, India. Adding to the occasions significance, CM Fadnavis shared the announcement on social media, emphasising the festivals vital role in connecting the public with literature. The launch coincides with a significant anniversary. Exactly two years earlier, on Oct 3, 2024, the Marathi language was officially conferred the status of a Classical Language. Announcing the Mumbai Book Festival on Oct 3, 2026, connects this proud heritage with a renewed commitment to promoting reading across the state, the Chief Minister said. Now, NBT brings this large-scale initiative to Indias economic capital, Marathe said. He added that the upcoming festival at the Kalina Campus would serve as a single destination for readers, families, students and literature enthusiasts across Mumbai, featuring dedicated children and youth zones, interactive learning activities, workshops and talent-development programmes. Dozens of publishers will display works across multiple genres and languages under one roof. In addition, there will be evening performances showcasing local and national performing arts. Marathe said that the National Book Trust, established on Aug 1, 1957, operates on three core mandates: curating diverse literature, fostering multilingual translation, and promoting a culture of reading through the translation of outstanding literature across various Indian and international languages. It focuses on producing India-centric, non-academic, general-reading books for all age groups. During book festivals, Meet the Author sessions, translation workshops and youth writing initiatives are also organised. While the New Delhi World Book Fair remains NBTs flagship annual event, the trust has actively expanded its footprint across India to ensure books reach every citizen. NBT has successfully hosted regional festivals across the country, including the Gomti Book Festival in Lucknow, the Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar, as well as events in Patna, Sambalpur, Shillong, Pune, Nagpur, Goa, Ahmedabad and even at an altitude of 11,500 feet in Ladakh, Marathe said.
People of Purpose: Aarshiya Das
Aarshiya Das and her co-founders are building a community-led education model combining dropout prevention, foundational learning and STEM pathways in Pune.
Congress names candidates for Maharashtra MLC polls
The party renominated MLC Abhijit Wanjari for the constituency for Graduates of Nagpur Division, and member Jayant Dinkar Asagaonkar for the seat for Teachers of Pune Division. The party fielded Aditi Pohare for the constituency for Teachers of Amravati.
Maharashtra FDA cancels Cipla Pune warehouse licences over misbranding
Regulatory clampdown triggered by findings of misbranding, storage lapses at Wadki, Pune
FDA cancels Pune Cipla facility's drug sale and distribution licences
Chris Gayle's Iconic 175-Run Record For RCB Broken By 20-Year Proteas Star
The 20-year-old left-hander surpassed Gayle's unbeaten 175 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Pune Warriors India in the 2013 Indian Premier League, ending the West Indian's 13-year hold on the...
'Poisonous capsules, 50kg rat poison': How Pune man planned to poison 15,000 people in Mumbai
Maharashtra FDA Revokes Cipla Warehouse License in Pune
The Maharashtra FDA has canceled the license of Ciplas Pune warehouse due to multiple violations in drug handling and packaging. Maharashtra FDA Revokes Cipla Warehouse License in Pune
Parents to get bigger role in school development
Diveagar beach tragedy exposes regulatory vacuum around coaching class trips
Diveagar tragedy exposes gaps in beach safety, cops claim victims didnt know swimming
PMC pilots early-warning system for seasonal fever and diarrhoea
Sharad Pawar tours drought-hit villages, promises to take up farmer demands with CM Fadnavis
Iris scan, Aadhaar app if fingerprint fails during property registration
No UPI Day to protest proposed MDR affects sales for city traders
Case against two for duping woman of Rs27 lakh on promise of govt job
Pune customs catches woman from city airport with cannabis worth 1 crore
Man assaulted, robbed after meeting gay dating app contact in Pune
Pune fire brigade makes submission of Form B twice a year mandatory
Pune city at 34.8C, its third-highest Oct maximum since 2014
Periodic Assessment Test for Std II to VIII in Nov to assess learning outcomes
Pune to get Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Marathi at Deccan College
Khadakwasla circle dams end Sept on 6-yr low, storage dips to 94% of total capacity
Survey of wells, borewells from Pune city areas on the cards amid potential water scarcity
Milk procurement price goes up, retail rate likely to increase
Centre approves classical Marathi centre at Punes Deccan College
Why were students allowed in water at high tide?: Father of Pune teen who drowned at Diveagar beach
Maharashtra FDA cancels Cipla warehouse's drug sale licences in Pune
Maharashtra FDA has cancelled the wholesale drug sale licences of Cipla Pharma & Life Sciences Ltd's C&F warehouse in Wadki, Pune, following an inspection that revealed alleged misbranding of Reactin Plus and multiple violations involving medicine storage, cleanliness and record-keeping
CBI arrests five, including CPWD engineer, in Rs 1 crore Wadala NOC bribery case
CBI has arrested five people, including a CPWD Executive Engineer posted in Mumbai, in an alleged bribery case involving an NOC for a Wadala land parcel. The agency recovered Rs 50 lakh allegedly paid as a bribe and found another Rs 53.87 lakh during searches in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune
Cipla Disappointed By Maharashtra FDA Action, Says Pune Warehouse Complies With Protocols
Cipla said it is reviewing the Maharashtra FDA order cancelling its Pune warehouse licences, while maintaining the facility follows storage and distribution protocols.
Rs 50 lakh bribe: CBI arrests Mumbai CPWD engineer, kin, 3 officials of real estate firm
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 2 (IANS) The CBI arrested an Executive Engineer of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Mumbai, his relative and three officials of a Mumbai-based real estate group, in a Rs 50 lakh bribery case related to the issuance of a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for a land parcel, an official said on Friday. Vikrant Verma, Executive Engineer, CPWD Mumbai; Saurav Gupta, Vermas relative based in Pune; and Arvind Semwal, Vice President, Baya Company, were among those named in the FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday, the official said. The arrested accused were produced before the Special CBI Judge in Mumbai on Friday, the official said in a statement. The accused were booked by the CBI for penal offences including criminal conspiracy, bribing a public servant, taking undue advantage, influencing a public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of personal influence, obtaining undue advantage without consideration by a public servant and abetment, the statement said. The FIR said that the real estate company wanted to obtain an NOC from CPWD Mumbai in respect of a parcel of land at Antop Hill, South Mumbai. It wanted the NOC to state that the CPWD had no claim on the aforementioned tract of land, which would enable Baya Company to carry out a construction project there. It was alleged that the accused Executive Engineer demanded undue advantage of Rs 1 crore, later reduced it to Rs 70 lakh, through his relative, for issuing the NOC. The FIR said, Source information revealed that on September 30, Saurav Gupta and Vikrant Verma had a discussion where it was mentioned by Gupta that he is considering summoning Semwal to a location near the mall opposite the L&T building in Navi Mumbai. He further said that he would collect the cash and would depart for Pune straightaway, the FIR said. The CBI laid a trap on Thursday and caught the relative of the accused public servant while he was carrying the bribe amount of Rs 50 lakh, which he had accepted from the Vice President of the real estate group on behalf of the Executive Engineer, said the statement. The Executive Engineer was apprehended at Vashi, Navi Mumbai, where he was waiting to receive the bribe. A manager of the real estate group and a partner of the firm seeking the NOC, who were present during the transaction, were also arrested, the CBI said. While approving the registration of the FIR, CBI Superintendent of Police Amit Vasava noted, The aforementioned commissions and omissions on the part of Vikrant Verma, Saurav Gupta, Arvind Semwal and other unidentified individuals constitute offences U/s 7,7A, 8, 11 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and U/s 61 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The construction firm has its registered office at 203-ZO4,2nd Floor, Orbit Plaza, New Prabhadevi Road, Mumbai and is represented by its partners Vilas Kharche and Anil Deshmukh. Arvind Semwal is currently occupying the position of vice president at the company, said the FIR. It was further found during the investigation that the NOC was issued without an entry in the dispatch register against payment of Rs 50 lakh, with the balance of Rs 20 lakh to be paid after a week, the CBI said. Searches were subsequently conducted at the premises of the accused and their associates in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune, which led to the recovery of cash of about Rs 53.87 lakh (in addition to the bribe amount of Rs 50 Lakh), documents relating to immovable properties and other documents, the CBI said.
Cipla's Pune Godown Loses Drug Licence Over 'Misbranding, Storage Violations'
A major reason for the action was the misbranding of 'Reactin Plus', a Schedule-H drug that cannot be sold over the counter.
Maharashtra FDA cancels Cipla Warehouse Pune licence over alleged packaging, storage lapses
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 2 (IANS) The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the drug sale and distribution licences of Cipla Pharma & Life Sciences Ltd's carrying and forwarding (C&F) warehouse in Wadki, Pune, citing a series of alleged regulatory violations related to drug packaging, storage conditions, inventory management and documentation. The licence cancellation order was issued on October 1 by the Assistant Commissioner (Drugs), Division 3, Pune, following a fresh review conducted in accordance with directions from the Bombay High Court. The latest action comes after earlier proceedings initiated against the facility on August 27 were withdrawn and reconsidered under a revised regulatory process. According to the FDA, the earlier action had raised concerns over the packaging and promotion of Reactin Plus Tablets, a Schedule H prescription medicine. The regulator alleged that the product packaging contained unauthorised claims and highlighted several shortcomings in warehouse operations, including storage practices, record maintenance and procedures for handling expired medicines. Following the High Court's directions, the FDA issued a revised show-cause notice to Cipla on September 4. The company submitted its written response on September 11 and subsequently appeared for a personal hearing on September 21. After examining the company's submissions, inspection reports, records and applicable legal provisions, the licensing authority issued a fresh order revoking the licences. The regulator said the latest decision represented an independent determination based on the findings of the renewed proceedings and was not merely a reiteration of the earlier action. A key focus of the FDA's review was Reactin Plus. According to the regulator, the medicine's packaging described it as an analgesic and listed multiple uses, including relief from headache, muscular pain, backache, joint pain, sprain, body ache and toothache. The FDA also objected to the use of a human figure and visual depictions suggesting relief from muscular pain. The agency alleged that the claims, wording and illustrations on the packaging did not comply with statutory requirements and amounted to misbranding under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The regulator further stated that Cipla's responsibilities as the marketer of the product could not be avoided solely because the medicine was manufactured by a separate entity. Apart from the packaging-related issues, the FDA inspection reportedly uncovered several deficiencies in warehouse management. These included the absence of the mandatory Form 35 inspection book, inadequate storage infrastructure that resulted in medicines being kept directly on the floor, accumulation of dust on drug stocks and shortcomings in overall cleanliness and maintenance. The regulator also observed that expired medicines were allegedly not stored in a separately designated area clearly marked as Expiry-Not for Sale. In addition, it cited the absence of prescribed standard operating procedures and records related to the disposal of expired drugs.
Cipla's Pune warehouse licences cancelled afresh by FDA
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the drug sale and distribution licences of Cipla Pharma and Life Sciences Ltd's carrying and forwarding (C and F) warehouse in Pune. This action follows alleged violations related to packaging, storage, documentation, and recall of Reactin Plus Tablets, a Schedule H drug. The FDA cited issues like misbranding, inadequate storage conditions, and deficiencies in record-keeping, reiterating its commitment to ensuring medicine safety and compliance.
