Maharashtra / The Times of India
Maharashtra girls' sub-junior basketball team secured silver at the national championship in Telangana, losing to Tamil Nadu in the final 46-68. Despite the loss, they displayed improved performance compared to their earlier league round defeat against Tamil Nadu. Anusha Sontakke shone throughout the tournament, contributing significantly to Maharashtra's success, including a 28-point performance in the semifinal victory against Telangana.
NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the OBC community's concerns after being excluded from the recent cabinet expansion. Fadnavis assured Bhujbal that the government would address these concerns within the next two weeks. Bhujbal, who opposes including the Maratha community in the OBC category, recently skipped the winter legislative session in protest.
A 15-year-old boy in Maharashtra's Sangli district tragically died by suicide after his mother couldn't afford a mobile phone for his birthday. Vishwajeet Chamdanwale was found hanging at his home. He had celebrated his birthday two days prior and had requested the phone, but his mother refused due to financial constraints. Police are investigating.
Nargis Dutt Nagar, Bandra's largest slum, is slated for a massive redevelopment project worth Rs 10,000 crore. Omkar will rehabilitate over 1,500 families while Godrej Properties will develop luxury residences. Concerns exist among residents about transparency and eligibility, despite reassurances from developers and SRA about adherence to regulations and tenant rights. The project includes amenities and infrastructure improvements.
A sleeper bus carrying 34 passengers from Mumbai to Malwan caught fire near Kolad on the Mumbai-Goa highway late Sunday night. A loud bang alerted the driver, who quickly evacuated all sleeping passengers before the rear of the bus became engulfed in flames. Luggage was destroyed, but thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Over five centuries after the last recorded priestly exchange, Iranian Zoroastrian high priest Mobed Mehraban Pouladi visits India to strengthen ties with the Parsi community. He aims to foster unity and propose joint meetings between Iranian and Indian priests, observing ritual differences and highlighting the close-knit nature of Iranian Zoroastrians.
Central Railway completed a major infrastructure upgrade. Tracks between CSMT-Kalyan and Kalyan-Karjat were impacted. Crews launched girders for a new road over bridge and foot over bridge. Work took place overnight to minimize disruption. Some trains were diverted. The upgrades will improve passenger experience and safety.
Central Railway implemented megablocks on its suburban lines for maintenance. Main line fast services between Thane and Kalyan were affected from 10:40 am to 3:40 pm, diverting some Up trains to the slow line. Harbour line services between Thane and Vashi/Nerul were suspended from 11:10 am to 4:10 pm, impacting Trans-harbour lines.
Police arrested a gangster in a Nagpur cinema. Vishal Meshram was watching 'Pushpa 2'. He was wanted for murder and drug peddling. Police tracked him for 10 months. They caught him during the movie's climax. Meshram is now in jail.
Maharashtra's new government has allocated ministerial portfolios. The Shiv Sena retained most of its previous portfolios. The BJP secured key departments like revenue and water resources. The NCP gained control of food and civil supplies, medical education, and other areas. Several ministers of state were also appointed with multiple responsibilities.