Bridge of light The festive light installation at Bandra Reclamation casts a glimmer on the still waters as viewed from Mahim Reti Bunder A star descends on Kerala The Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) scheduled to be held at Kozhikode between January 22 to 25 has announced the participation of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams (below) as a key speaker. The festival is set to bring together influential voices from literature, art, science, culture, and public life. At KLF 2026, Williams is expected to reflect on her journeys beyond earth and speak about science, exploration, leadership, resilience, and human curiosity. The festival will host over 500 speakers from across the world, with Germany nominated as the guest nation for this year’s edition. The festival’s speaker line-up includes Nobel Laureates Abdulrazak Gurnah, Abhijit Banerjee, Olympian Ben Johnson, business leader Indra Nooyi, artist and illustrator Cheyenne Olivier, writer Gabriela Ybarra, economist Arvind Subramanian, linguist and author Peggy Mohan, and author and columnist Shobhaa De, among others. Ravi DeeCee, managing director of DC Books and chief facilitator of the festival, said, “Kerala Literature Festival has consistently expanded its vision to include science, discovery, leadership, and the human spirit. Sunita Williams represents the courage to explore the unknown and the discipline required to stretch human boundaries. She has also been a well-wisher [of the festival], which makes her presence at the festival especially meaningful as it will inspire audiences across generations.” It’s apple season A scene from Love, Bombs and Apples by Hassan Abdulrazzak. Pic courtesy/Youtube There is a wind from the Middle-East blowing into the city, come January. After Ahmed Tobasi’s rendition of And Here I Am in November, playwright Hassan Abdulrazzak’s Love, Bombs and Apples will find its way to the stage on Janaury 13 under Akvarious Productions. “It is a revival of the production that we had performed earlier. It is a searing, contextual, and deeply human work that is just as humorous. We had acquired the rights to the work a little while ago, and it was only right to bring it back in the new year,” shared theatremaker Adhaar Khurana (inset). The comedy tells the story of three men from different parts of the globe arriving at their epiphany through hilarious circumstances, shared by Khurana. The play will also feature Siddharth Kumar, Chaitnya Sharma and Kashin Shetty, the production will be helmed by Akarsh Khurana. Stamped and delivered The MCA-Wankhade Stadium stamp sheet. Pic/By Special Arragement Among the several Facebook respondents to Sunday mid-day’s December 21 feature on cricket stamps was Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik (above). The young administrator appeared a touch disappointed not to see an image of his association’s stamp (released earlier in the year to mark 50 years of Wankhede Stadium) on the page. “The Wankhede stadium stamp is missing,” Naik stated in the Facebook comments section, and he was right. The writer, who had mentioned the Wankhede stamp in his piece, pointed out that he didn’t possess said stamp, so Naik decided to not only send over the stamp, but also the whole folder which had a stamp sheet and more. Now, that’s a gesture stamped with sweetness! Pride on the pitch A previous edition of Queer Premier League held in Bandra earlier this year. PIC courtesy/Saksshie Juneja The Gaysi Family, in collaboration with Umang Support Group for LBT, The Humsafar Trust, and Mumbai Queer Pride, is all set to host the Queer Premier League on January 11 at SportingLions Turf in Bandra. The box cricket tournament will be an inclusive sporting space for the queer community, while raising funds for Mumbai Queer Pride scheduled to be held in February. Saksshie Juneja, founder of Gaysi Family explained, “The initiative challenges the unwelcoming exclusion queer people often face in sports, adding that pride belongs on the pitch too — centred and rooted in joy, access, and participation rather than performance.” All eyes on the sky, please A boy looks through the telescope A group of Mumbaikars will kick off their New Year by looking at the stars from an educational perspective at the Nehru Science Centre. They will be part of The Sky Observation programme offering an immersive learning experience for anyone above the age of five. An image of the sun The programme will feature four curated segments designed to introduce participants to astronomy. Sheetal Chopde, educational assistant at Nehru Science Centre, shared, “Participants will begin with a viewing of sunspots through a telescope. This is followed by a curated show titled Science of the Sphere that introduces attendees to the solar system. Attendees gather on the terrace for the talk on How to Observe the Sky. Pics courtesy/Nehru Science Centre The third segment includes a talk on the Moon and the journey of the stars, along with guidance on how to observe the sky. The programme will conclude with the Centre’s flagship activity — observing Saturn after sunset, around 7 pm.”
31 December,2025 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayYash Rupaye, son of 58-year-old Ramdas Rupaye, recounted the moment he realised his father was hurt in a bus accident near Bhandup station. “Like every day, I called my father to check if he had left the office. He didn’t answer my first call, so I thought he might be stuck in the train crowd. After waiting for 30-45 minutes, I called again — still no answer. This had never happened before. Neighbours then told us about an accident at Bhandup and insisted we try calling him. Eventually, we learned from a neighbour’s son at the site that my father had suffered a head injury,” Yash said. Ramdas Rupaye sustained head and facial injuries in the accident. “Perhaps if the footpaths weren’t encroached, the station road were less busy, or the driver more skilled, I would have reached home safely. We are a middle-class family, and while I am not the sole earning member, my income is essential for our basic needs,” he said. Ramdas received three stitches on the left side of his head and has a dislocation on his face and tongue. “Although a CT scan came back normal, he still experiences severe dizziness and cannot walk without support. Doctors say his condition is otherwise stable,” added Yash. Sole provider In another case, 39-year-old Sheetal Alve is conscious but critically injured. “Her condition is complex and requires prolonged care. She has a fractured and dislocated waist and left shoulder. Tests show she has lost 30-40 per cent sensation in her lower body, raising concerns about nerve damage. She also has visible bruises on her face,” said her sister-in-law, Mansi Kavle. Sheetal, who works at DMart in Kanjurmarg, is the sole breadwinner for her family. “I cannot work due to existing medical conditions, and we have no children. Doctors have advised complete bed rest for at least two months, which means she will be unable to work during this period. We have some savings, but her treatment will require them. The uncertainty surrounding her recovery and livelihood adds to our emotional trauma,” said her husband, Prakash Alve.
31 December,2025 09:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarIf he says the brakes failed, it must be true!” Sanjana Sawant, wife of BEST bus driver Santosh Sawant, told mid-day. “He has been driving buses for almost 25 years and never once in his career bumped another vehicle. He told the police the accident was due to brake failure. He tried to control the bus but wasn’t able to.” Asserting that her husband is innocent, Sanjana expressed remorse for the loss of lives and said that the family also prayed for those injured to recover soon. “The police must investigate the matter and take action accordingly,” she added. Santosh, 52, a resident of Marleshwar Krupa Chawl located in Bhandup West, worked as a driver with BEST’s Vikhroli Depot. “We are from Kankavli village and shifted to Mumbai 25 years ago. Earlier, Santosh worked with a finance company, but after shifting to Mumbai, he started driving jobs. He joined NMMT as a driver and later joined the BEST,” Sanjana said. The couple has a son working in Dubai.
31 December,2025 08:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaWith the fire brigade personnel unable to reach the site, the police were the first to reach the spot and lift the bus to rescue those trapped under. The injured were initially ferried to hospital in police vehicles, before ambulances could arrive. Immediately after the mishap, teams from Bhandup, Vikhroli, Navghar, Mulund and Parksite police stations rushed to the scene and, with the help of bystanders, lifted the bus to rescue trapped victims. Given the gravity of the situation, police pressed their vans and jeeps into service to ferry the injured to nearby hospitals. Hemrajsingh Rajput, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone VII), said, “The entire police force rose to the occasion and did an excellent job under extremely challenging circumstances,” he said. Senior Police Inspector Balasaheb Pawar of Bhandup police station said the rescue operation demanded instant decision-making. “There was no equipment, no crane had arrived, and the fire brigade was yet to reach. I decided to attempt the rescue using human force,” Pawar said. “We gathered people, lifted the tilted bus, and pulled out those trapped beneath it.” Pawar added that the rescue was a collective effort and lauded the crucial assistance provided by local residents who stepped forward without hesitation. “With ambulances delayed, police vehicles were used to transport the injured. Some were taken to Rajawadi Hospital, while others were shifted to MT Agarwal Hospital,” he said. After a while, the bus was moved with the help of the crane and the injured were taken to hospital in ambulances. “People were returning from work, carrying backpacks and handbags, tired and overwhelmed by everything that had happened. But when it came to helping out, people rose to the occasion and did their utmost best,” Rakesh Singhal, a local shopkeeper.
31 December,2025 08:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA man narrowly escaped serious harm after stepping away from a bus queue mere minutes before the mishap unfolded. The man, whose identity has been withheld, was standing in the same line as several other commuters waiting to board the bus, unaware of the danger that was about to strike. According to Yash, the man’s neighbour, “He stepped aside from the queue for barely two minutes to buy a packet of chips from a nearby shop. That brief pause proved life-saving. He told me that he went to buy chips, and before he could even finish the transaction, he heard shouting and screams from the bus stop.” 9.50 PMTime accident occurred
31 December,2025 08:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarShiv Sena minister Uday Samant on Tuesday claimed his party's alliance with the BJP was "intact" for all the 29 poll-bound municipal corporations in Maharashtra, an assertion coming amid uncertainty over the tie-up between the two parties in Pune, reported news agency PTI. An intense tussle has been going on over seat-sharing between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, members of the ruling Mahayuti coalition in the state, for polls to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which has 165 seats spread across 41 wards. The BJP, which heads Mahayuti, has reportedly offered 15 to 16 seats to the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. On Tuesday, the BJP-Shiv Sena could not reach a consensus on seat- sharing for PMC polls even as the deadline to file nominations ended, reported PTI. While local Shiv Sena claimed that the alliance between the two saffron parties has snapped, Samant insisted there was no truth in such assertions. Tie-up between Shiv Sena and BJP "intact" The Shiv Sena cabinet member emphasised that the tie-up between the two Mahayuti allies was "intact" in all the 29 municipal corporations going to polls on January 15, including Pune, reported PTI. "They (BJP) have distributed AB forms (required to file nominations as a party's official candidate) to their aspirants. Similarly, we have distributed AB forms to our aspirants. We have time (for seat-sharing) till January 2 (the last date for withdrawal of nominations)," he said, reported PTI. He maintained that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who belongs to the BJP, and Shiv Sena head Shinde will handle the nitty-gritty of seat distribution. Dhiraj Ghate, Pune city chief of the BJP, asserted that his party and the Shiv Sena are natural allies and added, "from day one we have been positive about contesting municipal corporation polls together," reported PTI. "Even when differences emerged, senior leaders, including Chief Minister Fadnavis (BJP) and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena), held discussions to resolve them. We remain hopeful that the senior leadership of both parties will arrive at a solution and continue the alliance across all municipal corporations," Ghate affirmed, reported PTI. The Pune Municipal Corporation and 28 other civic bodies will go to the polls on January 15, and the votes will be counted the following day. (With inputs from PTI)
31 December,2025 08:26 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThere are striking similarities between the BEST bus accident in Kurla that occurred in December last year and the recent accident in Bhandup on Monday. Both accidents occurred near busy railway stations (Bhandup West and Kurla West) at night, when there was heavy pedestrian traffic. Olectra Greentech buses While the two accidents occurred a year apart in December, both involved electric buses from Olectra Greentech operating for BEST. In Monday’s accident, the bus that struck pedestrians was a nine-metre air-conditioned electric bus wet-leased from Hyderabad-based Olectra Greentech, while the bus in the Kurla accident was also an electric bus manufactured by the same company. However, one key difference is that, unlike the Kurla bus, which was driven by wet-lease contractors, the Bhandup bus was manned by the BEST’s own staff. Both the buses went out of control, hitting pedestrians and vehicles causing multiple deaths and injuries. Four people were killed in the Bhandup accident on Monday night, while the Kurla accident claimed nine lives. Driver’s training Both these incidents focus on driver training and experience with electric buses (especially braking/acceleration response), operational safety on busy urban streets, and design/handling characteristics specific to electric bus models. Timing is another striking common factor between the two crashes: both incidents happened late at night, around the post-peak evening hours, when commuter spillover, hawkers, and poor visibility coincide on arterial stretches. Midi bus option Mumbai Vikas Samiti (MVS) had suggested midi buses near stations, as the roads are narrow and congested. However, BEST has gone for the nine-metre and twelve-metre-long buses. MVS suggested midi buses for a few stations where roads are narrow and also encroached by hawkers. “Nine-metre and twelve-metre buses can be used in other places,” said AV Shenoy of Mumbai Vikas Samiti and Mumbai Mobility Forum. Striking similarities >> Both accidents involve Olectra Greentech electric buses put to use by the BEST>> Both occurred during night post-peak hours in December>> Both happened on busy roads outside railway stations>> They also stress need for adequate driver training
31 December,2025 08:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA year after a BEST electric bus mishap left nine dead and at least 10 injured in Kurla, an eerily similar accident occurred where the driver of another such vehicle lost control while taking a U-turn near Bhandup railway station, killing four people and seriously wounding 10 to 12 pedestrians around 9.50 pm on Monday. The bus driver and conductor have been identified as Santosh Ramesh Sawant, 52, and Bhagwan Bhau Ghare, 47, respectively. The Bhandup police theorise that the bus driver possibly hit the accelerator instead of applying the brakes. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses told mid-day that due to the presence of illegal hawkers, bus drivers find it difficult to make U-turns at this spot. The incident >> Dozens of passengers had queued at the bus stop at the western side of Bhandup railway station>> Many hawkers were present at the spot, selling vegetables, clothes, toys, and watches>> Around 9.50 pm, the driver of the Route No. 715 bus lost control of the vehicle while executing a U-turn>> The bus ended up on the footpath where passengers were standing and rammed into a streetlight pole>> Four passengers were killed on the spot from the impact>> Terrified, the hawkers immediately fled with their goods The deceased Among the four who lost their lives is Varsha Jaggannath Sawant, a resident of Nardas Nagar, Bhandup West, who had just turned 24 on December 24. Sawant, who was residing with her parents and two sisters, worked as a nurse at Tata Memorial Hospital in Parel and had taken three days' leave to attend her cousin’s wedding in Satara. Narayan Kamble, 55, a daily-wage labourer who sustained fractures to both hands and legs A close relative told mid-day, “She was delighted on December 24, when we celebrated her birthday. She was helping her parents financially and was to resume working on Tuesday. She was standing in the queue on the footpath when she sustained fatal injuries to her head and back.” Another family member said, “When Varsha didn’t return home on time, we called her repeatedly. But she was not responding. Later, we received a call from the police, stating that she had been injured in an accident and was admitted to Agarwal Hospital in Bhandup. We rushed to the facility only to learn that she was dead.” A pass that belonged to one of the deceased, Varsha Sawant, a nurse who had just turned 24 on December 24 Another deceased, Prashant Shinde, 43, was working as a traffic warden, according to his brother-in-law, Shailesh Shirke. The sole breadwinner of his family, Shinde lived with his wife Kanchan and 10-year-old son, Soham, in Bhandup West. Shirke told mid-day, “Prashant had a daytime and nighttime job. Just a year ago, he started earning enough to get by comfortably. He was returning home from traffic warden duty at the time of the mishap.” The injured Mangesh Dukhande, another Bhandup West resident, was also on his was home when disaster struck. Dukhande sustained injuries to his nose and left leg. Dukhande, who was admitted to Agarwal hospital, said, “Though I saw the speeding bus, I couldn’t react and got trapped under it. It all happened in just two or three seconds. Passers-by removed me and admitted me to the hospital. The passengers didn’t have a chance to save themselves.” Narayan Kamble, 55, a daily-wage labourer, who resides in Shivaji Nagar, Bhandup West, sustained fractures to both hands and both legs as well as injuries to his back. Prashant Shinde, 43, a traffic warden who lost his life He said, “I was standing in the queue when the speeding bus suddenly appeared. I tried to jump to safety, but the vehicle hit me from the rear and ran over me. Locals removed me from under the bus and admitted me to the hospital. I’m grateful to be alive but am in intense pain.” Eyewitness accounts Dinesh Jain, Saree shop owner‘I was standing outside on the footpath when the bus rammed into a streetlight pole while making a U-turn. The pole saved many lives. This road is always busy because of hawkers, who impair movement of buses’ Hasmukh Savla, Local shopkeeper‘The bus first climbed on footpath and was then brought to a halt by the pole. Shopkeepers removed the injured from under the bus with help of locals’ Harshad Patel, Local shopkeeper‘We were closing our shops when the incident occurred. Many hawkers are blocking the path of buses. They should all be removed’ Munna Jani, Farsan shop owner‘The bus rammed into the pole in front of my shop. I am still traumatised. A small girl was crushed under a wheel in front of my eyes. We tried to rescue all the victims. There was blood everywhere’
31 December,2025 08:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania | Aishwarya IyerMaharashtra Home Department on Tuesday issued a Government Resolution (GR) allowing restaurants, hotels, and orchestra bars across the state to remain open until 5:00 AM for the New Year 2026, reported news agency IANS. The government resolution, dated December 30, 2025, aims to streamline the annual permission process and accommodate the high demand during the year-end holiday season, reported IANS. According to the resolution, the relaxation of operating hours applies to December 31 (New Year’s Eve). On these days, establishments are permitted to continue operations until 5:00 AM the following morning, reported IANS. The government noted that the resolution was issued to avoid administrative delays caused by late applications from various organisations each year. While the hours have been extended, the state has imposed strict conditions to ensure public safety and order. According to the government resolution, the establishment owners must deploy adequate private security guards both inside and outside their premises to prevent any law and order issues, reported IANS. The primary responsibility for any untoward incidents or crimes occurring within or around the premises rests solely with the owner/licensee holder. Despite the time extension, all establishments must strictly adhere to noise pollution laws and Supreme/High Court guidelines regarding the use of loudspeakers and sound systems. This permission is strictly applicable to indoor/enclosed establishments only. Open-air venues or businesses operating in open spaces are not granted this extension. The police administration has been directed to take necessary precautions to maintain public peace and security during these extended hours. Mumbai gears up for New Year 2026 celebrations; over 17,000 cops to be on duty Meanwhile, the Mumbai police have deployed more than 17,000 personnel as part of elaborate security arrangements to maintain law and order during the New Year 2026 celebrations, an official said on Tuesday. Large gatherings are expected at prominent places in the city, including the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaon Chowpatty, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu and Versova beaches starting Wednesday evening. The celebrations at various hotels, restaurants and malls are likely to continue till the wee hours of Thursday. In view of the celebrations, the police have made arrangements for a strict vigil to avoid any untoward incident in the city, the official said. Nakabandi (police checkposts) will be set up at key locations, important roads, and patrolling on streets will be intensified, he said. "The Mumbai police, along with the traffic wing, have deployed a massive security force comprising 10 Additional Commissioners of Police, 38 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 61 Assistant Commissioners of Police, 2,790 police officers and 14,200 police personnel," the official said. (With inputs from IANS and PTI)
31 December,2025 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSantosh Ramesh Sawant, the driver of the BEST bus involved in the mishap in Bhandup that claimed four lives on Monday night, has told the police that the vehicle’s handbrake was faulty. Sources said the claim is being verified, and the bus has been sent to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for a technical inspection. Sawant, 52, a resident of Tembipada in Bhandup, who has been placed under arrest, has been working with the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking as a permanent driver since 2008. The bus involved in the mishap that occurred on Monday night. Pic/By Special Arrangement Police said Sawant was driving the bus near Bhandup railway station and was making a U-turn when he rammed into pedestrians waiting along the roadside, killing four people and injuring several others. The incident occurred on the narrow station road during peak hours, worsening the impact of the crash. Driver’s claims Sawant told the police that there was an issue with the bus’s handbrake, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. According to police sources, it was his first ride at the start of his shift. He said the handbrake was already engaged, and when he tried to start the bus by stepping on it, the vehicle moved unexpectedly. In an attempt to stop it, he pressed the brake, which unfortunately led to the crash. Forensic experts at the scene of the mishap, where four were killed after a BEST bus driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, in Bhandup West. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi Police said it will be ascertained at the RTO whether a mechanical defect contributed to the mishap. Meanwhile, chances are that the previous shift bus driver will be summoned to record his statement. “Sawant did not flee the scene after the crash; instead, he stayed to assist the victims, police said. He was arrested on the spot and, on Tuesday morning, was produced in court, which remanded him in police custody until January 3,” said Balasaheb Pawar, senior police inspector, Bhandup police. The bus conductor, identified as Bhagwan Bhau Ghare, 47, was also on duty at the time of the accident. Police said his role and statement are being examined as part of the investigation. A senior police officer said there was no prima facie indication that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the mishap. Legal ramifications An FIR has been registered, and further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the crash was caused by driver error, mechanical failure, or a combination of factors. Sawant has been charged under severe sections of the BNS.
31 December,2025 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerDo 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 December 31. Aries March 21 – April 20Here you are being perfectly polite, but the opposite person is being unnecessarily rude. Be safe if going out at night. Welcoming the New Year with friends is fun. Cosmic tip: Change whatever you can. TaurusApril 21 – May 20It’s been quite an uphill task to complete office work before the due date, but you manage. Health is good, but get enough sleep. Cosmic tip: Deal with responsibilities to the best of your ability. GeminiMay 21 – June 21It’s so annoying when the boss gives last minute work, and you were thinking of leaving office earlier than usual. Family is unhappy with you getting home late.Cosmic tip: Nurture relationships important for you. Cancer June 22 – July 23Reconciliation between couples can manifest easily, since they still love each other. Family getting together to share dinner is a thoughtful and a loving gesture.Cosmic tip: Be vulnerable, but tough at the same time. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Be careful with cash, valuables and cupboard and car keys. Think logically when listening to a third hand description of something. Health is good. Cosmic tip: Enjoy this unexpected time with friends and family. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Choosing a focal point for the future carefully finds you in a pensive mood. Keeping information to yourself is important. Enjoy the big plans for today.Cosmic tip: Remain focused in the present moment. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Making use of time management skills helps complete more than necessary work. Delegating work also helps. Financially it’s a positive ending for 2025. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Work towards reaching a cherished goal. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Being organized helps dealing with a day when there is so much to do immediately and simultaneously.Cosmic tip: Understand karma by realizing only you have the power to change yourself (if you want to). Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Financial security is strong and no longer an issue. News may be delayed in reaching. Get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Forgive genuinely (on the last day of the year). Feel a heavy weight slip off. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20A successful business/ career phase continues into the New Year. Drink enough water. Cosmic tip: Be aware of areas in life that can be left by themselves to flow along according to cosmic rhythm. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19It’s an emotional time when everyone seems to be over-reacting. You be the sane voice in all that noise. An increase in salary/ promotion is revealed.Cosmic tip: Stay away from making emotional decisions. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20A pre-decided boring trip turns out to be interesting. Work continues unabated, making you feel inundated by it sometimes. Cosmic tip: Keep faith strong, making positive karmas to the best of your ability and knowledge.
31 December,2025 05:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseADVERTISEMENT
