Smriti Mandhana Named BBC Indian Sportswoman Of The Year For 2025
New Delhi: Star batter Smriti Mandhana, who played a pivotal role in India's historic 2025 Women's World Cup triumph, was named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025 at a glittering function here on Monday. Chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh won the Emerging Player of the Year award, for her historic FIDE Women's World Cup triumph at just 20. Preethi Pal was named the Para-Sportswoman of the Year, for winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in track and field, while Anjali Bhagwat was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her pioneering career as India's first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final and her trailblazing success on the world stage. Mandhana, who is currently touring Australia with the Indian team for multi-format bilateral assignments, said in a video message: Thank you BBC for giving me the awardfor Best Sportswoman of the Year. 2025 was a special year for women's cricket, especiallytowards the end we had a World Cup and I'm happy I could contribute and help India win matches.. At 29, the left-handed batter is already among the game's greats, with the second-highest number of centuries in women's One Day Internationals and ranking third in total runsscored among current players worldwide. Hailing from Sangli city in Maharashtra, the affable Mandhana was inspired by her father and brother, both of whom played cricket at the district level. In September last year, she made a 50-ball hundred against Australia ? the fastest 50 over international ton (men and women) by an Indian in the format, breaking Virat Kohli's record. The award winners were decided by a distinguished grand jury comprising Leander Paes, Deepa Malik, and Anju Bobby George. Praising the athletes' achievements CEO of BBC News, Jonathan Munro said: Congratulations to this year's winners who showcase the very best in sporting excellence. The BBC World Service is committed to bringing such stories of human endeavour and outstanding success to audiences across India and around the world.. Additionally, the ceremony also celebrated a wide spectrum of talent and impact, recognizing star performers and changemakers for redefining the landscape of Indian sport. Womens World T20 2018: Smirti Mandhana smashes career-best 83 as India outclass Australia by 48 runs Also Watch: BBC Star Performers of the Year 2025 Indian Women's Cricket Team: for their historic World Cup victory. Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal: for their trailblazing performances at the World Para Athletics Championship. Indian Women's Cricket Team for the Blind: for their inspiring World Cup victory. Indian Women's Kabaddi Team: for their smashing victory in World Cup. BBC Changemakers of the Year 2025 Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team: for breaking barriers in a non-traditional sport. Rajbir Kaur: Indian field hockey player and former captain of the women's national team. Savita Punia: Indian field hockey player and current member of the national team. Paani Devi: recognised for her impactful contribution to grassroots sport.
Third Tigress Hirkani Released into the Wild at Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is an ambitious government project spanning 1,165 sq. km across the Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur districts, known for its rich biodiversity and rare species
Congress Accuses BJPs Patil Of Intimidating Opposition Candidates
Officials from the Maharashtra SEC said they had sought a report from the Sangli district collector, who is also in charge of the Zilla Parishad elections, in connection with the Congress partys complaint.
Smriti Mandhanas ex Palash Muchhal accused of cheating again
Mumbai: A 34-year-old actor and producer has approached police in Maharashtras Sangli district alleging that he was cheated by composer and filmmaker Palash Muchhal of Rs 40 lakh, police said on Thursday. No First Information Report has been registered in the case so far. Vidnyan Mane, a local resident, on Tuesday submitted an application seeking 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 .
Actor Alleges Music Composer Palash Muchhal Cheated Him Of Rs 40 Lakh
A 34-year-old actor and producer has approached police in Maharashtra's Sangli district alleging that he was cheated by composer and filmmaker Palash Muchhal of Rs 40 lakh, police said on Thursday.
Pawar Reunion Fails to Win Election
The BJP also led in several civic bodies across western Maharashtra, including Kolhapur, Satara, Solapur and Sangli, underlining its expanding footprint in the region.
11-year-old boy saves 9-year-old sister from leopard in Sangli
NAGPUR: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the BJP has set a record in local body polls with 48 per cent of councillors winning on the party symbol, and its candidates elected as presidents in 129 municipal councils. He attributed the Mahayuti alliance's success in the municipal council and nagar panchayat elections to the BJP organisation and development agenda of the government. Counting of votes for elections to the posts of president and members in 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats held in two phases began in the morning. Fadnavis said the BJP has once again emerged as the single largest party. 48 per cent councillors have been elected on the BJP symbol, which is a record. The BJP has created another record with 3,300 councillors being elected from the party. BJP candidates have been elected as presidents in 129 municipal councils. In 75 per cent of the local bodies, Mahayuti nominees have been elected as municipal presidents, he said. Fadnavis emphasised that the BJP's national leadership has put faith in the state leadership for elections. It is the team effort - the organisation and government. We fought the polls on the development plank. I led a positive campaign on the development agenda. I never criticised any political leader or party. I solicited votes on the development agenda, the work done by the government so far, and our blueprint for the future, the chief minister told a press conference. In the multi-dimensional contests, Mahayuti allies- the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP- contested against each other in some places. There were alliances as well as friendly fights among Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents- the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress. The opposition Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) virtually conceded defeat in the elections, accusing the election commission of facilitating the victory of the ruling Mahayuti. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal congratulated the party candidates who won the posts of municipal president and councillors. In a terse comment, he congratulated the state poll body for helping the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut attributed the victory of Mahayuti to ampering of EVMs. He said the opposition couldn't withstand a hailstorm of money. His party colleague Ambadas Danve alleged money and muscle power shaped the Mahayuti win. The Mahayuti has bagged a larger number of seats as compared to constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, thanks to the muscle and money power deployed by the ruling parties, Danve told PTI in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan claimed the party had got a decisive mandate as voters had rejected the Opposition's fake narrative. He claimed the Mahayuti had won more than 250 councils, nagar parishads and nagar panchayats out of 288, with BJP candidates securing 134 out of 236 council chief posts and over 3,000 councillor seats. The Opposition levelled all kinds of allegations during the campaign, but people saw through them. Uddhav Thackeray himself said he had nothing to offer to the people and that is why his party was rejected. His party could not even win council chairperson posts in double digits, Chavan claimed. Now, Mumbaikars too would reject the opposition's narrative in the upcoming BMC polls, he said. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the overwhelming success of the BJP was a victory of the (party) workers. This is a victory of our workers. Thank you to the people who supported the BJP by maintaining faith in its development-oriented working style, the Union minister stated. Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule claimed the Mahayuti is headed to secure two-thirds seats. The Mahayuti has taken a very good lead in Maharashtra and the people have rejected the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), he added. State minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale claimed BJP candidate Amol Mohite was elected municipal president in Satara district by 42,000 votes, an outcome that even surpassed the vote margins typically seen in assembly elections. Minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam claimed the Mahayuti had registered a clean sweep in Khed municipal council in Ratnagiri district by winning all 21 seats, including 17 seats won by Shiv Sena. The BJP has won the president's post in four out of five local bodies in Udgir, Ahmedpur, Nilanga, and Renapur in Latur district, while its ally NCP bagged the seat in Ausa. In the Beed district, the Mahayuti combine has taken a decisive lead. People have demolished the plot of the Opposition to defame Parli and Beed through the results of the local body polls, former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde claimed. The Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) claimed they had retained their party bastions in Chandrapur and Sangli districts. The Congress won the municipal council president's post as well as 21 of the 23 seats in the Brahmapuri municipal council in Chandrapur district, party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said. The BJP and NCP have secured one seat each. In the Urun-Ishwarpur municipal council in Sangli district, the NCP (SP) has won 23 seats as well as the post of council president, senior leader Jayant Patil claimed. In Palghar district, the Shiv Sena has won the president's election in the municipal councils of Palghar and Dahanu, while the BJP bagged the president's posts in Jawhar municipal council and Wada Nagar Panchayat. Recounting of votes was ordered after the Congress objected to the 116-vote win of BJP candidate Ajay Agrawal in Kamptee municipal council polls in Nagpur district, an official said. In a setback for the BJP, the party candidate for the post of Loha municipal council president, Gajanan Suryavanshi, and his five kin lost. The post was won by Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, whose candidate, incidentally, is named Sharad Pawar. The NCP emerged victorious in Loha, Kandhar, Degloor and Umri, while the BJP won in Kundalwadi, Mudkhed and Bhokar in Nanded district. The Shiv Sena and Marathwada Janhit Party won from two places each, while the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress emerged victorious from one place each, officials said. Only the NCP (SP) led by opposition stalwart Sharad Pawar failed to capture any of the municipal councils that went to polls in the district, they added. BJP consolidates Mahayuti dominance in Maharashtra local body polls, big blow to MVA
Not just toast anymore: Avocado finds its way into Indian chutneys, tikkis and thalis
Avocado consumption is surging across India, moving beyond big cities to smaller towns like Sangli and Patna. Imports have seen a significant jump, with demand growing rapidly. Even farmers in states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are experimenting with avocado cultivation. This boom is reshaping agricultural choices and making the fruit accessible to a wider audience nationwide.
Grape crop damage affects raisin exports from Maharashtra
The damage has been most severe in Nashik and Sangli regions
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is among the 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra to which elections will be held on January 15, Wednesday. The counting of votes is scheduled for January 16, Friday, the State Election Commission (SEC) announced on Monday. Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are among the other prominent civic bodies going to polls. He reportedly confirmed that the election code of conduct has now come into force in all 29 local bodies. As many as 2,869 seats in these municipal corporations will be up for grabs in these local bodies, where elections are due since early 2022. Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said the nomination process will begin on December 23, Tuesday with candidates allowed to make their submissions for a week until December 30. Scrutiny of papers will be done on December 31, and January 2, Friday, will be the last date of withdrawal of nominations, he said. Symbol allocation and the final list of candidates will be published on January 3. Polling in the 29 municipal corporations spread across Maharashtra will take place on January 15 and votes will be counted the next day, news agency PTI quoted Waghmare as saying. He said these 29 civic bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), have 2,869 seats on offer and 3.48 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in these major urban centres of the state. After long and tiring political blame games and court battles, the Supreme Court had finally given the deadline of January 31 to conduct the polls, reported Marathi media. Full list of local bodies heading to polls: BMC Pune Municipal Corporation Nagpur Municipal Corporation Solapur Municipal Corporation Kolhapur Municipal Corporation Thane Municipal Corporation Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Nashik Municipal Corporation Aurangabad Municipal Corporation Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation Amravati Municipal Corporation New Mumbai Municipal Corporation NandedWaghala Municipal Corporation Ulhas Nagar Municipal Corporation Sangli-Miraj-Kupwara Municipal Corporation Malegaon Municipal Corporation Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation Akola Municipal Corporation Bhayander Municipal Corporation Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation Dhule Municipal Corporation Jalgaon Municipal Corporation Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation Parbhani Municipal Corporation Chandrapur Municipal Corporation Latur Municipal Corporation Panvel Municipal Corporation Ichalkaranji Municipal Corporation Jalna Municipal Corporation Dates to remember: Application submission window: December 2330, 2025 Application scrutiny: December 31, 2025 Last date for withdrawal of candidature: January 2, 2026 Election symbol allocation and release of final candidate list: January 3, 2026 Polling date: January 15, 2026 Counting of votes: January 16, 2026
Smriti Mandhana confirms separation Wedding has been called off
Hyderabad: Indias vice captain Smriti Mandhana has officially spoken about the ongoing rumours surrounding her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal. After weeks of speculation, the cricketer confirmed that the wedding has been called off. The wedding was originally planned for November 23 in Sangli. However, on the morning of the ceremony, Mandhanas father, Srinivas 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 .
Violence, clashes reported in first phase of Maharashtra local body polls
The first phase of polling for 264 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra on Tuesday was marred by violence, clashes and allegations of malpractice across several districts, police said. Despite the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP being allies at the state level, their workers fought each other in multiple places, with some local units even tying up with Opposition parties. Violent incidents were reported from Mahad (Raigad), Gevrai (Beed), Muktai Nagar (Jalgaon), Bhor (Pune), Mhaswad (Satara), Jat (Sangli), Hingoli, Buldhana, Dahanu (Thane) and Shahada (Nandurbar). In Mahad, supporters of Vikas Gogawale, son of Shiv Sena minister Bharat Gogawale and NCPs Sushant Jabre clashed in the Nave Nagar area, where one person was seen brandishing a firearm. Stone pelting erupted in Gevrai, with vehicles vandalised near a BJP leaders residence, prompting police to resort to lathi-charge. Two bogus voters were detained in Buldhana. A major controversy surfaced in Hingoli after a video showed Shiv Sena MLA Santosh Bangar entering a polling booth, looking into the voting compartment as a woman cast her ballot and speaking to her. A case has been registered and officials have launched a probe. BJP workers and police also faced off in Jat, Sangli. Technical issues added to voters frustration, with at least four EVMs failing in Nandurbar and similar complaints emerging from Amaravati, Badlapur, Nanded, Jalgaon, Yavatmal, Bhokardan and Akluj. In Chandrapurs Gadchandur, a voter smashed an EVM. In Yeola, Nashik district, locals caught a worker of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena allegedly distributing money and handed him over to the police. Authorities said they were investigating multiple incidents even as polling continued amid heavy security. (With inputs from PTI)
Smriti Mandhanas father, Shrinivas Mandhana, was discharged from the hospital on Monday morning after his health deteriorated over the weekend. He was admitted on Sunday (November 23) in Sangli the Indian cricketers hometown on the very day Smriti and musician-filmmaker Palaash Muchhal were scheduled to get married.
Palash and Smriti were supposed to tie the knot on November 23. He was admitted to a hospital in Sangli, Smriti's hometown.
Smriti Mandhana deletes wedding photos, spark separation rumours
Hyderabad: Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana was set to marry music composer Palash Muchhal in Sangli on Sunday. However, the celebrations came to a sudden halt when her father, Shrinivas Mandhana, developed heart attack-like symptoms during breakfast. He was immediately rushed to Sarvhit Hospital. Doctors said the episode was likely caused by physical or emotional stress 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 .
Why has Smriti Mandhana, Palash Muchhal's wedding been postponed? Here's what we know
Cricket star Smriti Madhana's wedding with music composer Palash Muchhal was scheduled on November 23, 2025 in Sangli, Maharashtra, her hometown.
Smriti Mandhanas father suffers heart attack during her wedding
Hyderabad: The much-awaited wedding of Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal has been postponed following a sudden family emergency. Smritis father, Srinivas Mandhana, suffered a heart attack at their farmhouse in Samdol, Sangli, just as wedding preparations were in full swing. Father Hospitalized, Condition Stable According to Smritis business manager, Tuhin Mishra, 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 .
Smriti Mandhana's Wedding Postponed After Father Suffers Heart Attack, Confirms Manager
Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhals wedding has been postponed indefinitely after the cricketers father suffered a sudden heart attack during the celebrations in Sangli. He was rushed to the hospital, and all wedding rituals were halted, ...
Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal's wedding postponed after her father falls ill, says manager
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana's wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal has been indefinitely postponed due to a medical emergency. Her father, Srinivas Mandhana, was hospitalized, leading to the cancellation of the ceremony scheduled for November 23 in Sangli. Both families are requesting privacy as they focus on his recovery.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal are set to marry on November 23, 2025. The wedding will be a private ceremony in Mandhana's hometown of Sangli, Maharashtra. The couple's combined net worth is estimated between Rs 50 crore and Rs 75 crore. Pre-wedding festivities, including sangeet and mehendi ceremonies, have already begun.
Smriti Set To Marry Palash Today. All You Need To Know About Their Love Story
Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal are set to marry today in an afternoon ceremony in Sangli, Maharashtra.
Arranged raves for celebrities and gangsters, claims drugs case accused deported from UAE
MUMBAI: An accused in a mephedrone seizure case has told Mumbai Police that he used to organise rave parties in the country and abroad for film and fashion celebrities as well as gangsters, officials have said. Mohammed Salim Mohammed Suhail Shaikh, deported from Dubai last month, is currently in the custody of the Ghatkopar unit of the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC). The officials claimed that during interrogation, Shaikh alleged that he used to organise drug parties in the country and abroad, which were attended by fashion and film celebrities, besides gangster Dawood Ibrahim's nephew Alishah Parkar. Shaikh allegedly used to provide drugs to the participants, the officials told PTI on Thursday. The ANC is investigating who the other participants were, and also if other drug traffickers organised such parties for these celebrities, the officials said and did not rule out the possibility of questioning the celebrities named by Shaikh. Shaikh was known as Lavish in the narcotics trade for his lavish lifestyle and used expensive cars, watches, and clothes. He was initially arrested by the crime branch after his deportation over a Rs 252 crore mephedrone seizure in western Maharashtra's Sangli district in March 2024. According to police, he is part of an international drug syndicate and operated from Dubai. He was deported following a Red Corner Notice.
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Islampur In Maharashtra's Sangli Renamed Ishwarpur, Govt Issues Gazette Notification
Last month, the Central government's national mapping agency, Survey of India, officially approved the name.
Who is Indian Cricketer Smriti Mandhana
From Sanglis local fields to leading India to its first Womens World Cup title, Smriti Mandhanas journey defines excellence and inspiration in womens cricket
Run, Smriti Mandhana, Run A Sprint From Sangli To The Brink Of History
Smriti Mandhana's childhood coach speaks about the journey of India's prized opener ahead of the World Cup final.
Step inside Smriti Mandhana's rs 34 crore empire - from her lavish Sangli apartment and swanky car collection to her million-dollar WPL contract and top brand endorsements. India's batting queen continues to rule both the crease and the business world with record-breaking success.
Rs 252-crore mephedrone haul: Key accused deported from Dubai; in police custody
Mumbai police have apprehended a key suspect in a massive mephedrone seizure case. Mohammed Salim Mohammed Sohail Shaikh was brought back from Dubai after his deportation. He is the third accused to be extradited from the UAE in this operation. The police had previously busted a drug manufacturing unit in Sangli district, seizing contraband worth Rs 252 crore.
