The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test or CET Cell has called for applicants for 40 district liaison officers to help out exam applicants and registered students resolve their queries and difficulties at a local level. Officials from the CET Cell noted that while the student helplines are active, pupils often have to make the long haul journey from districts and villages in Maharasthra to the CET Cell office that is located in New Excelsior Theatre at Fort. Officials noted that the presence of these district liaison officers will help resolve manageable student concerns locally and swiftly. The officers will be tasked with providing information about syllabus, answering queries about application process, exam schedules, and other student doubts. Other technical queries faced by students during the CAP rounds, fee payments, option registrations and allotments are also to be resolved at the local level now. Providing information about various scholarships, counselling, alternative programmes has also been marked as the district officer’s responsibility. An official from the CET Cell stated, “While the student helpline us active, pupils often make the long haul journey to the CET Cell office in Mumbai. Now, the presence of these district liaison officers will help resolve the manageable student concerns locally and swiftly.” This academic year saw a number of students approaching the Mumbai-based CET Cell to flag concerns about the financial irregularities faced by the students while enrolling into colleges. Now, at the district level, the cell is to resolve, track and store such student complaints.
04 January,2026 07:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarIn a setback to environmentalists pushing for the protection of India’s fragile hill ecosystems, the Union government has stated that road projects involving hill tunnelling do not require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The Centre’s position emerged from a response given by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by the Navi Mumbai based NGO NatConnect Foundation. Green activist BN Kumar who is the director of the environmental organisation, in his RTI, had asked details of environmental clearance for the '2,100-crore Kharghar–Turbhe Link Road (KTLR), which cuts twin 1.8-km tunnels through the ecologically sensitive Kharghar–Parsik hill stretch near Pandavkada in Navi Mumbai. Citing the EIA Notification, 2006, the ministry in the RTI response stated that only National Highways and State Highways require prior environmental clearance, and that tunnels are not covered separately under the notification. Environmentalists warn that the ministry’s position effectively throws hills open to rampant drilling and cutting, potentially allowing mining activity to be carried out under the same exemption, and inevitably harming hill biodiversity. Kumar cited tunnel collapses in Uttarakhand and Telangana “Yet, instead of correcting regulatory blind spots, hills are being exploited with no environmental checks,” he added. 2100 crBudget of Kharghar-Turbhe Link Road being built on Parsik Hill
04 January,2026 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentWhile learning finance from textbooks is one way to go about things, a group of Mumbai students tried walking the talk. Two student groups from Mumbai and one from Navi Mumbai entered a global contest in which they trade on a simulated stock exchange. The Bloomberg Global Trading contest allowed students to act as wealth managers, functioning according to the timings of the New York Stock Exchange. With a corpus set at $1 million, their goal was to grow their wealth. Ranking 40th globally, and 15th in Asia, one of the Mumbai teams from NMIMS managed to make a profit of $72,000 above their corpus, bringing the university in the top 100 ranks in a first. The students were required to analyse different stocks and make their position in the market over six weeks. “We usually think long term when it comes to wealth management. Working on a short time span really helped us understand the nitty-gritties of the market. We took more risks and saw how well they panned out in the short term,” said Vishal Jagwani, 20, a student with the Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics, who was on the top-40 team from NMIMS. “I think I am less scared after this exercise. Whether I’m studying, trading, or simply playing a sport, I am less afraid of failing,” said 18-year-old Aarav Thosani, who is in his first year of BSc Finance at NMIMS Navi Mumbai. $72KProfit the students made in a six-week trading period
04 January,2026 07:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarAn electric fire broke out in an 18-storey building in Andheri West on Saturday, tearing through a gymnasium, lobby and lift chamber on the first floor. All residents were evacuated safely. One resident and three firemen were taken to Cooper Hospital for treatment due to smoke inhalation. All four are in stable condition, said officials. The fire started at 2.10 pm in the electrical shaft in C wing of Chandiwala Pearl Regency building. Mumbai Fire Brigade officials told Sunday mid-day, “A total of 27 residents [from the first to third floor] were evacuated. Nine residents from various other floors were rescued by ladder owing to smoke logging.”
04 January,2026 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarThe State Election Commission (SEC) has sought a detailed report on all cases where candidates have been elected unopposed in the ongoing municipal elections across Maharashtra. According to unconfirmed media reports and political circles, 70 candidates have been elected unopposed so far. The BJP leads the tally with 44 unopposed winners, followed by Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena with 22. Ajit Pawar’s NCP has two such candidates, while two others belong to smaller parties or independents. A senior official from the SEC, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the commission routinely seeks reports whenever a candidate is elected unopposed. “The SEC always calls for a report in such cases. This is the standard procedure. In the present instance as well, a detailed report has been sought,” the official said. When asked about the number of candidates who may have won as corporator and that too unopposed, the official said the final figure is not yet clear. “Until the report is submitted and approved, officials have been instructed not to declare any winners,” the SEC official added. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was taken aback with the development. “I have seen many elections, but I have never seen one where so many candidates have been elected unopposed,” Raj mentioned while reacting to the development. Even Shiv Sena UBT leader and Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut termed slammed the BJP led alliance partners and their ruling regime for this outcome. “Candidates are threatened and forced to withdraw from the polls. This is nothing but misuse of power,” Raut added. 44BJP candidates reportedly elected unopposed 22Shiv Sena (Shinde) candidates who won unopposed 2NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidates who won unopposed
04 January,2026 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarA things of beauty A majestic view of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Building, from the columns of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus at the junction of Dadabhai Naoroji Road and Mahapalika Marg Mumbai’s water tankers turn into art The exhibit Seen Unseen showcases water tankers as works of art Mumbai’s water tankers aren’t usually the kind of city characters that make it to gallery walls. But at 47A Design Gallery in Khotachiwadi, artist Zainab Tambawala turns these giants into protagonists. The exhibit Seen Unseen showcases these tankers along with handcarts, workers, and bus-stop silences into works of art. “I love to look for patterns and stories, and I kept seeing the water tanker. It had suddenly become part of the landscape, increasing in number. For me, they became an element that needed a closer look,” Tambawala told us. Not your normal love story Set in rural Rajasthan, Dohri Zindagi is a play adapted from Padmashri Vijaydaan Detha’s story, Bijji Neha Singh from Why Loiter has adapted and devised a play based on a short story “Dohri Zindagi” by Padmashri Vijaydaan Detha “Bijji”. Narrating a unique queer love story, the theatre producer, director, playwright and actor explains how she was inspired by the story when she read it in 2011. “Back then, the theatre space was heavily male-dominated and there was no representation of lesbian love on stage. I was enamoured by the fluidity of love and sexuality in Bijji’s story,” Singh says. So she set to work producing, acting and making the story come alive on stage. The play opened in 2016 for the first time at the Gender Bender festival in Bangalore and had its first show of 2026 on 2nd January at Rangshila theatre in Andheri. “ It was our 75th show that we performed this week, and we have many more shows all over the country in Goa, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Pune and so on,” she mentions. A tale of queer love set in rural Rajasthan, the play travels through love, betrayal and questions the bounds of sexuality. This play doesn’t play around Eden Creek, Bengal, an adaptation of Dwight Watson’s American play Eden Creek, comes back to theatres on January 10 after a warmly received run at the Prithvi Festival last November. Set in pre-Partition Bengal against the Great Famine and the freedom struggle, the play traces the intertwined lives of five women living along the Hooghly’s tributaries. Kaizaad Kotwal, (R) Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal “The best compliment we got was that audiences didn’t realise it was adapted. They thought it was a genuinely Indian story,” says co-director Kaizaad Kotwal. The play revisits a production first staged privately in 1988 by his mother and co-director, Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal. “This play is for anybody who has a mother or is a mother,” he laughs. Rock ‘n’ roll whizzing in The 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I – Chassis 17EX One of the most iconic pre-War Rolls-Royces in the world, the 1928 Phantom I, Chassis 17EX, is all set to roll into Mumbai on January 25 at the VCCCI Annual Vintage Car Fiesta 2026 at the World Trade Centre in Cuffe in Mumbai. The Rolls represents the pinnacle of Indian royal motoring heritage. The car (sacrilege to call it just a car) has been showcased at the world’s most prestigious events, including Pebble Beach, Villa d’Este, Salon Rétromobile (Paris), Balatonfüred, and Chantilly Arts & Elegance. The car’s desi connection is fascinating. We learn that it had been sold just before Christmas in 1928 to Maharaja Hari Singh Bahadur of Jammu & Kashmir. The Kashmir princely family alone acquired at least 26 Rolls-Royce motor cars. Nitin Dossa, chairman VCCCI said, “this is a moment of immense pride for Indian automotive enthusiasts. Chassis 17EX will be showcased in India for the very first time. This historic appearance marks a significant milestone, not just for vintage car aficionados but for history buffs too. It is about bringing home a powerful symbol of India’s princely past.” It is not just a car but royalty, history and legacy on wheels. Vintage bats make us nostalgic Dilip Vengsarkar using a Symonds bat in 1981-82 One gets to see all kinds of cricket characters on Facebook. One such person is Stratis Comino, a bat connoisseur. Recently, Comino put out his first XI of cricket bats that included a Stuart Surridge (SS), Gray Nicolls, County, Kookaburra, Symonds, Slazenger, Brian Lara Gray Nicolls, Newbery, Saint Peter (SP), Millichamp & Hall, and Callen Comino also put out his “Indian made XI.” The first XI of bats. Pic courtesy/Stratis Comino’s Facebook account This range presumably emerged from a 1980s collection because all 11 were Symonds bats. There was a time in the early 1980s when a lot of batsmen in the Indian team used Symonds’s Super Tusker. They are no longer seen at sports shops. Times have changed for bats too! The Indian 12. Pic courtesy/Stratis Comino’s Facebook account
04 January,2026 06:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Team SMDDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign. AriesMarch 21 – April 19Deal with situations promptly and handle circumstances well. Avoid making risky investments even if they sound very good..Health tip: Staying disciplined in your good habits is important if you want to sustain good health in the long term. Make sure you drink enough water. TaurusApril 20 – May 20Any restrictive situation can be worked through with focus and clarity. This is a positive time for investments and finances.Health tip: Those who suffer from headaches often might want to check if a particular food or drink is a trigger. Seniors should get regular age appropriate exercise regularly. GeminiMay 21 – June 20Put in your best at work, and make practical choices if you need to make decisions. Spend quality time with your spouse or partner.Health tip: Those in a job that puts them in the spotlight or online might want to have a small fitness makeover. Pay attention to any advice from your doctor. CancerJune 21 – July 22Any legal situation might move suddenly, and you need to be well prepared. This is a positive time for singles — be very sure about what you want.Health tip: Any chronic illness can become worse if you do not take care of yourself. Focus on creating a sustainable lifestyle. LeoJuly 23 – Aug 22 Let go of the past, but learn from it so you do not repeat mistakes. Avoid making risky financial choices, and avoid spending unnecessarily.Health tip: Make sure you avoid triggering situations if you suffer from migraines. Small changes in habits will make a difference over time.. VirgoAug 23 – Sept 22Find the balance that works for you and let go of what does not. Avoid dealing with difficult people and handle those you cannot avoid.Health tip: Those who need medical tests done should not delay them. Be mindful about what you eat, especially if you have a sensitive digestive system. LibraSept 23 – Oct 22Be very clear in your communication, and do not take it for granted that if the other person has understood you properly. This is a positive time for singles.Health tip: Those with back issues should be a little extra careful and not get distracted while working out. Maintain a balanced schedule. ScorpioOct 23 – Nov 21Handle any challenges calmly and think before you speak. Make well thought out decisions instead of reacting from past experiences.Health tip: Get your eyes tested if you have not done it for some time. Be consistent with any lifestyle changes you need to make. SagittariusNov 22 – Dec 21Balance your personal and professional life without compromising on either. Handle bosses and seniors with intelligence and caution.Health tip: A small habit that is not so good for you could set you back if you have any goals you want to achieve. Make lifestyle changes only after careful thought. CapricornDec 22 – Jan 19Have clear communication if you are dealing with a situation that involves legalities. Let go of any friendship that is not positive.Health tip: A disciplined routine is important, and so are the smaller lifestyle choices you make. Those who have gastric issues need to be very careful about what they eat. AquariusJan 20 – Feb 18Look at the options you have before speaking your mind bluntly. Pay attention to family traditions, and do your best to follow them.Health tip: Take a little extra care if you have high blood pressure issues. Those who want to conceive a child are in a positive phase. PiscesFeb 19 – March 21Be mindful while dealing with any authority figures. Keep any plans to yourself for now, and don’t talk about it prematurely even to people you are close to.Health tip: A habit that is not so good might cause a setback. Those with circulation issues need to take care of themselves.
04 January,2026 06:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Aparna BoseMaharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Saturday demanded the resignation of Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol, alleging his involvement in the issuance of a passport to a known criminal. Mohol, however, has already denied the allegation, reported the PTI. Sapkal referred to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s press conference held on Friday to intensify his attack on the BJP leader. Ajit Pawar had defended the decision to give election tickets to candidates with criminal backgrounds for the upcoming civic polls, stating that no individual can be termed a criminal until proven guilty. He also cited allegations levelled against him in the past, including the Rs 70,000-crore irrigation scam, to underline his point, according to the PTI. His remarks came after Mohol criticised the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for fielding candidates allegedly linked to criminal activities. Reference to fugitive gangster In an apparent reference to gangster Nilesh Ghaywal, who reportedly fled the country while facing a firing case, Pawar questioned who had facilitated his escape. The Opposition has accused Mohol of playing a role in securing a passport for Ghaywal, a charge the minister has rejected. “It is a matter of grave concern for national security that a person with a known criminal background could obtain a passport through political influence. This is a direct violation of the Passport Act, 1967,” Sapkal said, citing Ajit Pawar’s comments. Call for CBI probe Sapkal demanded that Mohol, who serves as Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, resign immediately. He also called for a high-level investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to expose what he described as a political–criminal nexus, as per PTI. Attack on ruling coalition Criticising the ruling Mahayuti alliance, Sapkal said those who once labelled Pawar the “king of corruption” were now sharing power with him, exposing the double standards of the coalition. The Mahayuti comprises the BJP, the NCP led by Ajit Pawar, and the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. “Corruption among those in power prevents accountability. If the government is serious about its clean image, it must explain how individuals facing serious allegations are being protected,” Sapkal said, the news agency reported. Claims of challenge to top leadership Sapkal further claimed that Pawar’s assertion of sharing power with leaders who once accused him amounted to a direct challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Allegations against assembly speaker The Congress leader also urged the Election Commission to act on allegations against Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, who has been accused of violating the model code of conduct during the ongoing civic election process, reported PTI. Narwekar, the BJP MLA from Colaba in south Mumbai, has dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. “The Election Commission should act, if not in deference to public opinion, then at least guided by its conscience. An offence should have been registered by now, but the Commission appears to be acting at the behest of the BJP,” Sapkal alleged. Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for the following day. (with PTI inputs)
03 January,2026 10:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith the battle for control of Mumbai civic body intensifying ahead of the BMC Election 2026, the ruling Mahayuti alliance on Saturday launched a sharp political attack on its rivals while projecting development and governance as its core agenda. Addressing a joint rally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the BMC elections as a contest to change Mumbai’s image and improve the lives of its citizens. Fadnavis said the Mahayuti was a coalition that delivered on its promises, unlike others who, he claimed, relied only on empty rhetoric -- a veiled reference to the Shiv Sena (UBT). "Vote us to power in the BMC and see the difference we make to the city," the Chief Minister urged. Fadnavis also used the rally to counter claims made by the Thackeray cousins over the Marathi identity of Mumbai’s leadership. "Mumbai’s mayor will be Marathi only," he said. First joint public meeting of the BJP–Shinde Sena alliance The rally marked the first joint public meeting of the BJP–Shinde Sena alliance for the prestigious civic polls. The undivided Shiv Sena ruled the BMC for nearly 25 years. Until 2017, the Shiv Sena and the BJP jointly governed the civic body before contesting separately in that year’s elections. In 2017, the undivided Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 84 seats, while the BJP followed closely with 82 seats in the 227-member civic body. Echoing similar views, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that Balasaheb Thackeray was "the only brand". He was responding to claims by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray that the Thackeray brand had reunited. Mumbai’s mayor would be Marathi The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) have claimed that if the BJP–Shinde alliance comes to power, Mumbai could get a non-Marathi mayor. Both Fadnavis and Shinde reiterated that Mumbai’s mayor would be Marathi. Shinde appeals to citizens to vote for alliance In 2022, Shinde led a rebellion within the Shiv Sena that forced Uddhav Thackeray to step down as chief minister, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. Shinde later joined hands with the BJP to form a new government in Maharashtra. Continuing his attack, Shinde said during the rally, "It was Balasaheb Thackeray’s dream to see the Ram temple constructed, and Narendra Modi fulfilled it. Those who tried to create hurdles in Mumbai Metro projects should answer to the people." He added that Modi had provided Mumbai with much-needed projects and support, which, he claimed, earlier Congress-led governments at the Centre had failed to deliver. Rejecting allegations that the Union government was weakening Mumbai, Shinde said it was instead working to strengthen and unite the city. "We must bring a government aligned with our ideology to the BMC," Shinde said, appealing to citizens to vote for the BJP–Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance. The BMC polls Elections to the BMC and 28 other municipal corporations will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for the following day. With civic polls approaching, the Fadnavis–Shinde leadership is seeking to wrest control of Mumbai’s civic body from the Thackeray-led camp, promising improved infrastructure, better governance and faster development to reassert political dominance in the city. Aim to make Mumbai more safer and more liveable Calling for stricter law enforcement and infrastructure expansion, Fadnavis said his government’s priority was to make Mumbai more safer and more liveable. He added that authorities would identify and take action against illegal Bangladeshi migrants living in the city and deport those found to be staying unlawfully. Launching another veiled attack on the Thackeray cousins, Fadnavis said, "The Marathi manoos has been pushed out of the city over the years. Who is responsible for the decline of Mumbai’s traditional working-class communities, including mill workers?" Concluding his speech, the Chief Minister outlined plans to ease daily commuting problems. "New roads, bridges, tunnels and freeways are part of a larger plan to decongest traffic and reduce travel time," Fadnavis said, adding that Mumbaikars should not have to spend hours stuck on the roads.
03 January,2026 10:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarA total of 15,931 candidates are in the fray for elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra on January 15, the State Election Commission (SEC) announced on Saturday for the upcoming Maharashtra local body elections, reported the PTI. According to the SEC, 33,247 nominations were filed, of which 24,771 were declared valid after scrutiny. Out of these, 8,840 candidates withdrew their nominations before the deadline at 3 pm on Friday. The elections cover 2,869 seats spread across 893 wards. Except for Mumbai, which has 227 seats, the remaining municipal corporations feature multi-member wards. 1,700 candidates to contest in BMC polls In Mumbai, the country’s financial capital, 2,516 nominations were filed, and 2,153 were found valid. After 453 candidates withdrew, 1,700 candidates remain in the race for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Around 2,516 nomination papers received were scrutinised on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, civic officials said. As many as 164 nomination papers were declared invalid during scrutiny, while the remaining 2,185 nomination papers were declared valid. The deadline for withdrawing nominations or candidature applications was Friday. As of Saturday’s latest update, 167 nomination papers were declared invalid, 2,231 were found valid, and 453 were withdrawn, bringing the final number of candidates to 1,700, officials said. Pune records highest Number of withdrawals Pune Municipal Corporation saw the highest withdrawals among the 29 civic bodies. Out of 3,061 nominations, 2,134 were valid, but 968 candidates withdrew, leaving 1,166 candidates contesting 165 seats across 41 wards. Nagpur, Nashik, and other cities In Nagpur Municipal Corporation, with 38 wards and 151 seats, 1,442 nominations were received, 1,293 declared valid, and after 300 withdrawals, 993 candidates remain, the data showed on Saturday. Other notable withdrawals include -- - Nashik - 661 - Solapur - 532 - Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar - 552 - Pimpri-Chinchwad - 443 - Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar - 859 - Nashik - 735 - Navi Mumbai - 499 Final candidate list released The SEC stated that the release of the final candidate list marks the completion of the scrutiny and withdrawal process, paving the way for polling on 15 January and counting of votes the following day.
03 January,2026 08:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Customs department on Saturday said that it has seized diamonds, gold and drugs worth crores of rupees at Mumbai airport and nabbed the passengers involved in smuggling them. According to the Mumbai Customs, during checking at Mumbai airport between December 30 and 31, 2025, officers of the Airport Commissionerate of Mumbai Customs Zone–III intercepted several high-value items being smuggled by some of the passengers. In one case, 849.6 carats of diamonds worth approximately Rs 2.52 crore were recovered from a passenger who had concealed the diamonds inside their body cavity. Gold smuggling cases Customs officials recovered gold in multiple cases. In one such case around 89 grams of 24-carat gold rhodium-plated buttons valued at Rs 11.35 lakh from a passenger. In an another case, 1.47 kg of 24-carat gold dust in wax form, worth around Rs 1.87 crore, was recovered from a passenger and an airport staff member. The operation involved Bangladeshi transit passengers handing over the gold to airport staff. The officials also recovered 160 grams of 24-carat gold valued at Rs 20.41 lakh from two passengers, based on specific intelligence in a separate case. Hydroponic weed seizures The officials also intercepted suspected hydroponic weed in two separate cases. In the first such case, 8.008 kg, worth an estimated Rs 8.008 crore in the illicit market, from a passenger arriving from Bangkok. The individual was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. In a different case, 1.946 kg, valued at approximately Rs 1.946 crore, was seized from another Bangkok passenger arriving at airport, who was also arrested under the NDPS Act. Strict measures based on profiling and intelligence Officials said the operations were carried out using spot checks, APIS profiling, and specific intelligence inputs to ensure prevention of smuggling and illegal activities at Mumbai airport.
03 January,2026 08:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanADVERTISEMENT
