The Times of India

Wedding season sees a shift in gold shopping patterns as high prices prompt customers to sell old jewellery for new, lightweight designs. Many are exploring lower caratage and convertible ornaments, while the ordinary middle class struggles to afford gold, impacting retail sales significantly.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray sharply criticized RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for calling linguistic assertion a disease. Thackeray defended regional pride, questioning Bhagwat's remarks and the attendance at the RSS event. He highlighted historical state reorganizations and migrant issues, accusing the RSS of indirect political maneuvering and imposing Hindi.

The Times of India's Happy Streets initiative transformed Chembur's RCF Road into a vibrant, vehicle-free community hub on February 1. Residents of all ages enjoyed a morning filled with fitness, art, and shared experiences, including a Zumba session with actress Dipshikkha Nagpal and a refreshing laughter club session.

Sunetra Pawar assumed charge as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister on Tuesday, 13 days after her husband Ajit Pawar's death. Accompanied by senior NCP leaders and her son Parth Pawar, she will attend the cabinet and business advisory committee meetings. She has been allocated excise, sports, minority welfare, and wakf departments, and appointed guardian minister of Beed and Pune.

Ghatkopar corporator Ritu Tawade is set for an unopposed victory in Mumbai's mayoral election, scheduled for Wednesday. She will become the city's eighth woman mayor, taking charge after the previous female mayor's tenure ended in 2022. Tawade's nomination by the Mahayuti alliance paves the way for her historic win.

Mumbai witnessed a rare event as 64 individuals took Jain diksha at Sanyamrang Utsav. Devotees gathered early to witness the ceremony led by revered acharyas. The event saw a large turnout, with a young couple also choosing renunciation together. Political leaders and community figures acknowledged the spiritual courage displayed. Chikuwadi Ground has now hosted 108 dikshas, reinforcing its spiritual significance.

Sewri residents are staging a silent march this weekend against years of civic neglect, including rampant illegal hawking, encroached footpaths, and noise pollution. Despite numerous complaints to authorities, residents of multiple high-rise complexes feel their daily lives have become unsafe and unliveable. They demand consistent enforcement of laws, not just temporary fixes, to restore basic civic order.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat advocated for a three-child policy to maintain a healthy population rate, citing declining Hindu population due to conversions and illegal immigration. He also called for Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar and emphasized the importance of respecting farm work and promoting Ayurveda at the grassroots level.

A BJP corporator has urged BMC to implement a congestion tax on single-occupant private vehicles in South Mumbai's business districts. The revenue generated would fund air quality improvements. Transport experts support the idea, emphasizing its holistic implementation alongside enhanced public transport to manage rising vehicle numbers.

A man disguised in a burqa was discovered traveling in a ladies' compartment on a Central Railway local train, sparking outrage among passengers. The incident, captured on video, led to an FIR being filed by the RPF. The accused managed to escape before being apprehended, and a search is ongoing.