Feels like home Spot Swordtail butterflies form a flutter near the busy Thane-Borivli twin tunnel project site at Magathane in Borivli. Asha Bhosle (1933-2026): Handmade homage Shreehari Pavale; (right) Tures a portrait of Asha Bhosle. Pic Courtesy/Shreehari Pavale It was a quiet 90 minutes for Navi Mumbai-based rangoli artist Shreehari Pavale when he heard of Asha Bhosle’s passing on Sunday. “I left a major ongoing art project and rushed to Vishnudas Bhave Natyagruha in Vashi to create a tribute,” said Pavale, who also created a similar tribute for Lata Mangeshkar when she had passed away in 2022. Over the next hour and a half, passers-by watched Pavale piece together a touching tribute to the late icon at the venue’s lobby. ‘Eka suvarnayuga cha ant [The end of a golden era]’ says the rangoli. “Nobody had to invite me, or pay me to make this artwork. Asha ji had a special place in my heart, and this is my way of saying my last goodbye. That’s the impact greats like her leave on their fans,” he told us. Rest in smiles, Asha ji A dated photo of Ramdas Padhye with Bhosle; Satyajit Padhye with Asha Bhosle. Pics Courtesy/Padhye Family She laughed, and laughed, and laughed,” that’s how ventriloquist Satyajit Padhye, and we’re sure her fans across the world, would love to remember Asha Bhosle. Padhye recalled how a performance at Veer Savarkar Auditorium in Dadar a decade ago left the late singer in a jolly mood. “She met me after the show and told me I must never give up performing. I kept my word. When I perform with my puppets now, I often sneak in a rendition of Asha ji’s Deewana Hua Badal,” he revealed. To put Asha tai’s long career in perspective, she was witness to both Satyajit and his father, veteran ventriloquist Ramdas Padhye’s early acts. Give peace a chance Anand Patwardhan at the march. Pic Courtesy/Mumbai for peace; (right) A participant walks with Mahatma Phule’s message The April heatwave did not deter a 150-strong crowd of citizens who gathered to celebrate the bicentenary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, hosted by Mumbai For Peace, on April 11 at Reti Bunder in Mahim. Film buffs would have spotted the renowned filmmaker Anand Patwardhan who joined the walk that passed through Parsi Colony, Sindhi Colony, Marinagar, Moghul Lane, and Kapad Bazaar. “The walk is part of several events in support of communal harmony. We spoke to community members, and recalled the work of leaders like Mahatma Phule, Dr BR Ambedkar, Savitri Mai, and Fatima Shaikh to assert the historical plurality of our state,” a member of the group shared. Aarey, have you heard? A tarpa performance in Aarey in 2024. Pic Courtesy/Prakash Bhoir Word in the woods is that Aarey Forest is set to see its first theatre festival next month. The open-air Tarpa Theatre Festival will host theatre, music, and local tarpa performances under its towering trees and open grounds on May 15, 16 and 17. “You can trace the festival’s roots back to the Save Aarey movement, when street plays filled Aarey’s green lanes. We’re bringing it back in a larger, structured format,” said founder and actor Harshad Tambe. What’s commendable is that the festival will give back to the tribal communities by employing local residents in its production, marketing, and programming teams. To keep an eye on updates and line-ups, log on to @tarpatheatrefestival.
14 April,2026 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayThe first phase of online registration for Std XI admissions opened on April 10. mid-day has learned that nearly 50,000 students have already filled out Part 1 forms on the portal. Director of Education (Secondary) Mahesh Palkar said the process is expected to run smoothly this year, with first-year junior college (FYJC) lectures likely to begin by early July. Last year, registrations began in May, but this year the portal was opened nearly a month earlier. The second part of admissions will begin after Std X results are declared. Officials said early access will help students understand the interface. Process changes Along with routine measures like personnel training and five call centres, the department is also considering reducing the gap between the two merit lists and linking portals. “Various provisions have been made to ensure that the central admission process is more streamlined this year. The portal will be synced with Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) and state board data to make things easier for students. The students from other boards also have enough time to add their details,” said Deputy Director Suchita Patekar. Mumbai prep On April 11, Mumbai division officials conducted a guidance session on YouTube for parents, principals and students. Training sessions for education inspectors, school heads and other stakeholders are also planned.
14 April,2026 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarIn an incident that has raised serious security concerns in one of the city’s busiest business districts, a security guard was brutally murdered in broad daylight close to the MHADA office in Bandra East on Monday afternoon. At around 2.15 pm, the victim was allegedly attacked with a knife by two unidentified assailants who slit the throat of the 25-year-old man working as a security guard at a construction site. The injured guard was rushed to nearby Guru Nanak Hospital by an auto driver, however, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The deceased has been identified as Abhinav Kumar Chaudhary, a native of Bhagalpur, Bihar, who had recently joined duty at the site on April 1, 2026. He was employed by Torrear Security Agency. A fellow security guard, who reported for duty shortly after the incident, said on condition of anonymity, “I came for duty around 3 pm and got to know that he had been attacked earlier. I don’t know the reason, but I was told his throat was slit.” Police Speak Senior PI Sarika Patil of Kherwadi Police Station confirmed the incident and said that the accused were on foot at the time of the attack. “The accused did not arrive in any vehicle. After committing the crime, they fled in an auto. We are scanning CCTV footage from the area and the accused will be arrested soon,” she said. Repeated attempts to contact DCP Maneesh Kalwaniya for a statement went unanswered. Investigation launched Police are scanning CCTV footage from the area and probing possible motives, including personal enmity and professional disputes. No arrests had been made at the time of going to press. Police sources revealed that investigators are also probing a possible love triangle angle behind the murder, though no motive has been established yet. Police said the body will be sent to Sion Hospital for post-mortem.
14 April,2026 08:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghIn a boost to healthcare in Maharashtra, the state government has approved a Rs 3708 crore project to strengthen medical education, nursing, and overall health services. The funding will be supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and aims to improve infrastructure, ensure the availability of well-trained medical professionals, and provide access to quality healthcare across the state. The decision was taken at the state cabinet meeting held at Mantralaya in Mumbai on Monday, April 13. Skill University in Mumbai In another key decision, the Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved a proposal allowing the Indian Education Society (IES) to set up an IES Skill Tech University in Mumbai. April 13Day when the approval was granted at the state cabinet meeting
14 April,2026 08:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarEleven people were killed in an accident on the Rayate bridge along the Kalyan-Ahilyanagar highway near Murbad on Monday morning. Preliminary findings by the police suggest speeding led to a head-on collision between a Maruti Eeco heading towards Murbad and a concrete mixer truck travelling towards Kalyan, as traffic was operating on a single carriageway. The impact overturned the Eeco, killing all occupants on the spot. 2. The driver of the speeding vehicle loses control and crashes into a cement mixer vehicle coming from the opposite direction Villages on the way The incident took place on the newly opened Mumbai-Vadodara National Highway stretch connecting Kalyan to Murbad, locally known as the Kalyan-Murbad road, which extends up to Titwala and beyond. The route passes through several small villages, with residents largely relying on public transport for daily commute. 3. Locals rush in to rescue those trapped in the mangled Eeco van The accident occurred on a two-lane stretch where one carriageway towards Murbad is still under construction, forcing traffic from both directions onto a single side. According to police, all the victims were locals — residents of villages along the Kalyan-Murbad-Titwala belt (Goveli, Rayate, Devgaon, Tembhare, Devraliwadi), and nearby hamlets — who frequently travelled on the same route using similar vehicles. For years, Eeco vans, designed to seat six, including the driver, have been illegally ferrying passengers in large numbers. The mangled Eeco van after the crash. Pics/By Special Arrangement Truck driver flees The police have booked the drivers of both vehicles. While the Eeco driver died, the driver of the concrete mixer truck fled the scene. An FIR has been registered against them under charges of negligence amounting to death, rash and negligent driving, speeding, and overloading. All occupants killed While nine occupants of the Eeco, including the driver, were crushed inside the vehicle after it overturned on impact, two others were flung onto the road and taken to a different hospital. . Prashant alias Bablu Rupesh Chandane, 21. Bhushan Ghorpade, 49. Jija Govinda Kembari, 50. Ananta Pawar, 38. Deepak Gavli, 38. Ganpat Jainu Madhe, 32. Sneha Mohpe, 22. Mansi Mohpe, 20. Prathamesh Mohpe, 17(Remaining victims yet to be identified) Voices A traffic police officer, ‘Drivers make people squeeze in, sit between rows, and crowd together to maximise earnings per trip. In this case too, around 13-15 people were packed into the vehicle.’ MLASpeak Kisan Shankar Kathore, MLA, Murbad Assembly constituency‘The road cannot be blamed; it is newly constructed and in good condition. It’s possible the driver lost control while braking, which could have caused the collision. But people must also take responsibility. Why board a vehicle meant for six when there are already over 10 passengers inside? I will take up the matter with higher authorities and seek accountability.’
14 April,2026 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerAs Maharashtra prepares to implement the New Education Policy (NEP) in phases, school teachers will undergo training for the revised syllabus ahead of the 2026-27 academic year. The NEP was introduced for Std I last year, and in May this year, teachers must complete mandated training hours for Std II, III, and IV. While Std VI will also adopt a new syllabus this year, its training module is yet to be rolled out. OfficialSpeak The academic year will begin on June 15, 2026, making May training compulsory. Teachers have been assigned fixed training durations — three days for Std II and four days each for Std III and IV. Training will be conducted in batches of 60, with separate sessions for Marathi and other mediums, as well as Urdu-medium schools, across state, district, and taluka levels. The new policy follows a 5+3+3+4 structure — covering foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary stages — under which the curriculum which was already introduced for Std I in 2025-26, and is to be followed by Std II, III, IV, and VI in 2026-27, while the rest of the grades will be brought into the policy by 2028.
14 April,2026 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarThe non-AC, door-closing train arrived in Mumbai on Monday with a number of features. A first-hand look by mid-day at the Kurla car shed revealed that the train has managed to maintain all its segregated compartments, has larger windows, forced ventilation, more leg space, and above all, bigger luggage compartments. The train, split into units of six, each with vestibules, has internal partitions to separate ladies, first class and other compartments. It has coaches meant for the disabled as well. The rake, numbered 268201-268212, is the very first such train on Indian Railways. Windows on the new train are more than double the size of those on current trains 1900mmSize of windows in new train 900mmSize of windows in current non-AC trains The large luggage compartment in the new train. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar Possible issues Coach alignments might differ from existing norms due to the technical layout of the train, which might lead to a passenger scramble at the last minute. Also there are concerns that the door opening and closing might delay existing trains. Train trials The train has been numbered and categorised as a new category of train, which means it will have to undergo mandatory trials before passenger use, which will take a few months to complete. Key differences . The coach is built on an AC EMU shell, but maintaining the various classes of first class (with cushion seats), ladies, the disabled one, and others. Hence though vestibuled, it has physical partitions to segregate these coaches.. The windows are wider at 1900 mm, with sliding glass panels like buses as compared to the 900 mm windows in existing trains.. The blowers are powerful, forcing 10,000 cubic metres/hour air into the coach, with two such units in every coach.. The leg space between the two seats has been increased for comfortable seating and wider gangway.. The luggage compartment at either ends of the train is two times larger than the existing ones.. The doors have been shut and along with glass panels on the top, to improve air circulation, these coaches feature louvred (slatted) doors that allow air movement while keeping doors closed for safety.
14 April,2026 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarLegendary playback singer Asha Bhosle was laid to rest with full state honours at the Late Bhagoji Baluji Keer Hindu Crematorium in Shivaji Park, Dadar West, on Monday. Public figures, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, his deputies Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar and Bollywood actors Aamir Khan, Vicky Kaushal, and Vivek Oberoi, attended the funeral and paid their respects at the crematorium. Police personnel stand guard outside the crematorium during the ceremony. Pic/Satej Shinde As per arrangements made by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the general public was restricted from accessing the crematorium when the ceremony was underway. Preparations, which started early on Monday morning, also included barricading around the crematorium perimeter, keeping fire engines on standby and deploying police personnel, and security was tightened around noon. Ayushi Tiwari State dignitaries arrived at the crematorium around 3.30 pm, and the funeral cortège reached the spot an hour later. Following this, a formal respect-paying ceremony culminating in a three-volley salute was held, and the mortal remains of the legend were consigned to flames around 5.30 pm. Describing his feelings while saluting the legendary singer, the leader of the rifle party, Ramesh Lokhande, API, Maharashtra Police, simply said, “Achha laga”. 400No. of police personnel stationed at Shivaji Park Musical tributes Before the pyre was lit, singers Shaan, Sudesh Bhosle, and Anup Jalota sought to honour the icon with vocal performances. Sudesh Bhosle, who sang Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana, eulogised, “She left us in her advanced years, but it still feels like, “Abhi Abhi to aayi ho .... Asha ji abhi na jao chod kar ki dil abhi bhara nahi”. Shaan performed Pyaar Ke Mod Pe while paying tribute to the artiste who recorded at least 12,000 songs over an eight-decade career that started when she was just 10. Security arrangements DS Choudhary. Pic/Sarthak Mehta DS Choudhary, fire officer, Mumbai Fire BrigadeSenior Police Inspector Vilas Dater of the Shivaji Park police station told mid-day that 400 police personnel and 300 Home Guard volunteers were involved in the security arrangements at the crematorium. DS Choudhary, fire officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade, said, “We have a fire engine ready with preloaded water hoses deployed across the crematorium.” Tearful mourners eulogise legend Ramesh Thakkar and Bharti Thakkar. Pics/Sarthak Mehta Ramesh Thakkar, 70, Matunga resident ‘I’ve been listening to Ashaji’s songs since my youth. Whenever I am feeling down, her music helps me. I adore her voice. I am here to pay my respects. I pray her reincarnation has the same voice’ Bharti Thakkar, 63‘I’ve been listening to Ashaji for five decades. She is the most played singer at our house. I felt a strong urge to come here and catch a glance of her mortal remains, but unfortunately, entry is restricted at the crematorium’ The last rites Pandit Sujit Chinchadkar. Pic/Satej Shinde Pandit Sujit ChinchadkarA team of over six priests, including Pandits Sujit Chinchadkar, Prakash Bhat, and Kiran Ghogate, performed the last rites. Pandit Chinchadkar said, “Ashaji’s family hails from the Goa region [Bhosle’s family, the Mangeshkars, has its roots in the Goan village of Mangeshi], thus the rituals were carried out accordingly. We had performed the rituals for [her elder sister] Lataji as well. Now we are here to serve Ashaji’s soul as well.” Industry mourns Mandar Ahluwalia Mandar Ahluwalia, film director and producer‘She is a legend. I knew her for nearly a decade. She was very humble. She was called the Koyal of Bollywood for a reason. She was the last of the melody queens’
14 April,2026 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Sarthak MehtaDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for April 14. Aries March 21 – April 20A karmic cycle of life moving ahead quicker than usual requires being one step ahead of priorities. Avoid overtraining. Ask for dietary guidance. Cosmic tip: Stop seeking clarity from others. TaurusApril 21 – May 20Take your time about making a relationship decision. Be extra careful while working out or lifting anything heavy. Cosmic tip: Use silence and quietness to heal yourself. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Maintaining a professional, but cordial attitude at work makes you a winner. Two parties are lined up for the weekend. Cosmic tip: Maintain self-respect in a relationship. Cancer June 22 – July 23An important relationship passing through a challenging time needs patience and a genuine desire to understand the person’s point of view. Cosmic tip: Don’t make easy decisions which are actually wrong. Leo July 24 - Aug 23A legal/bureaucratic issue is in your favour, making you sigh with relief, letting go of tension. Cosmic tip: Step back for a while if having second thoughts about a friendship/a newly minted relationship. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Some Virgos have an increased income, so utilise a part of it in savings. Use challenges as opportunities to take you to the next level. Cosmic tip: Be restrained in conversations. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Keep the diet healthy every day. Take care of any small medical issue. Cosmic tip: Consider life from a renewed perspective even if you feel each day is quite predictable, but is not. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22The spiritual path appears clearer now that you’ve spent so much time thinking about where you went wrong. Singles, stay away from problematic situations. Cosmic tip: Avoid even going near a water body. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Moving on from a situation because of which a wedge was created unintentionally is a good way to turn life around gradually. Cosmic tip: Spend time alone if that helps bring clarity to a complicated situation. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Taking time to make a decision is usually the norm; except today for a change. A new assignment requires focused and immediate work. Cosmic tip: Avoid self-medicating. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Believe you are taking the best possible decisions with full awareness of prevailing circumstances. Cosmic tip: Don’t keep harping on the past. Any decision taken was right for that karmic cycle. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Letting go of unnecessary arguments helps protect vital energy that can be directed towards worthy issues. Cosmic tip: Go ahead and make lifestyle changes if you feel up to following them.
14 April,2026 01:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put in place a range of arrangements across Mumbai ahead of the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on April 14, officials said. Civic facilities have been set up at key locations, including Chaityabhoomi and Rajgruha, where large crowds are expected to gather to pay tribute. Every year, thousands of followers visit Chaityabhoomi in Dadar, the cremation site of Dr. Ambedkar, to mark the occasion. In anticipation of a similar turnout this year, the BMC said it has focused on ensuring basic infrastructure and safety measures are in place to manage the flow of visitors. Leaders to Visit Chaityabhoomi According to the BMC, several senior leaders are expected to visit Chaityabhoomi on Tuesday morning to offer floral tributes. These include Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar, as well as Mayor Ritu Tawde and Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadigaonkar. Crowd Management and Civic Facilities To handle the expected crowds, the BMC said it has set up facilities such as drinking water stations, mobile toilets, and sanitation services in and around Chaityabhoomi and nearby areas. Control rooms have also been established to coordinate operations and respond to any issues during the day. The civic body added that CCTV cameras have been installed at multiple locations for monitoring, and lifeguard boats have been deployed along the adjoining coastline as a precautionary measure. Fire brigade teams will also remain on standby. Medical and Emergency Preparedness The BMC said medical services will be available at the site, with teams of doctors and healthcare staff deployed at key points. Ambulances have been stationed in the vicinity to ensure quick response in case of emergencies. Officials said these arrangements are part of routine preparedness measures taken every year to ensure that visitors can pay their respects without inconvenience. Exhibition on Ambedkar’s Life According to the BMC, a photo exhibition highlighting the life and work of Dr. Ambedkar will be organised at Chaityabhoomi on April 14. The exhibition will feature photographs documenting key moments from his life and public career. A coffee table book on Dr. Ambedkar, regarded as the architect of the Indian Constitution, will also be available for visitors at the venue, the civic body said. Live Streaming of the Programme The BMC said the commemorative programme at Chaityabhoomi will be streamed live on its official YouTube channel. It will also be broadcast on social media platforms such as Facebook and X, allowing people who are unable to attend in person to follow the event. With a steady influx of visitors expected throughout the day, the BMC has appealed to the public to follow on-ground instructions and cooperate with authorities to ensure smooth crowd management, officials said.
13 April,2026 10:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAt least eleven people were killed and two others seriously injured after a van collided with a cement mixer in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Monday, police said, reported the PTI. The accident took place at around 11:30 am on Raita bridge in Govili village of Murbad area in Thane. According to officials, the van crashed into a cement mixer coming from the opposite direction, leading to a severe impact. Casualties and injuries Police said that 11 occupants of the van died in the accident. Two others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, the news agency reported. Their condition is reported to be serious. The officials said that the rescue teams, medical staff and local police reached the spot soon after the incident. Efforts were made to assist the injured and clear the wreckage from the bridge, according to the PTI. The officials said that more details about the victims and the cause of the crash are awaited. An investigation has been initiated to determine the circumstances leading to the accident. Eight men, three women among those dead At least 11 occupants of the van have died, and two injured have been shifted to the central hospital at Ulhasnagar, Murbad tehsildar Abhijit Deshmukh said. Six of the victims have been identified, and the process of identifying the others is underway, a senior police official said. The deceased included eight men and three women, he said. Following the accident, traffic was affected on the road from Kalyan to Ahilyanagar for a few hours. The stretch has now been cleared, he said. Shinde expresses grief Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde expressed grief. In a post on X, he wrote, "at least 11 people were killed in a tragic road accident on the Kalyan-Ahilyanagar National Highway." He conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for peace to the departed souls. Shinde wrote that an investigation into the accident has been initiated and the incident will be properly probed. Speeding truck kills seven pilgrims on Lakhtar-Viramgam highway in Gujarat Meanwhile, in an another incident, seven members of a pilgrim group from the Bharwad community were killed while several others suffered injuries after a speeding truck ran over them on the Lakhtar-Viramgam Highway in Gujarat's Surendranagar district in the early hours of Monday. The accident took place between Chharad and Bhaskarpara villages near Lakhtar around 1.20 am when a group of foot pilgrims, travelling from Gadhka village in Rajkot towards Viramgam for temple darshan and a flag-hoisting ritual, was hit from behind by a dumper truck. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. "The mishap in Surendranagar district, Gujarat, is deeply distressing. Heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," the PM's office posted on X. The victims belonged to the Mundhva family and were part of a larger group of around 700 devotees undertaking the pilgrimage. Seven people, including five women and two men, died on the spot. The deceased were identified as Masabhai Mundhva, Jaluben Mundhva, Raniben Lambariya and Vajiben Mundhva, among others. (with PTI inputs)
13 April,2026 10:01 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
