Ahead of the polling for the BMC Election 2026 and other civic bodies in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde made a significant announcement regarding the state government's flagship scheme -- 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana'. Speaking at a rally in Ghatkopar area of eastern Mumbai, Shinde assured women that the current monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 is set to be increased soon. While addressing the rally, the Deputy Chief Minister also emphasised that the welfare scheme is a permanent fixture of his administration. Eknath Shinde, while addressing the rally, said, “I started the Ladki Bahin Yojana during my tenure, and regardless of what the opposition claims, this scheme will not be shut down,” Shinde declared. Shinde said, “Currently, our sisters receive Rs 1,500, but we are going to increase this amount. We stand by the promises made in our manifesto. Our goal is to see our sisters become self-reliant and ‘Lakhpatis’ (millionaires),” as cited by news agency IANS. He further promised that every family, regardless of “eligible” or “ineligible” status, would be provided with a rightful home. He also assured that the Urban Development Department would ensure there is no shortage of funds for these housing projects. Maharashtra Government to deposit Rs 3000 to ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana’ beneficiaries on January 14 In a related development, State Minister and BJP leader Girish Mahajan confirmed that the government is expediting payments for the festive season. As reported by news agency IANS, to mark the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the state government will deposit a combined instalment of Rs 3,000 (covering the months of December and January) into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Funds will be deposited before January 14. Maharashtra State Minister Mahajan also reiterated that the Mahayuti government, under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, remains committed to the economic empowerment of women, reported PTI. This move is being seen as a major outreach effort by the ruling Mahayuti alliance to consolidate its support base among women voters ahead of the crucial BMC election in 2026 and other civic body polls across the state. (With inputs from IANS)
11 January,2026 05:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday suggested that RC construction mixers could be shifted out of the city and precast structures at sites must be promoted to curb Mumbai air pollution, reported the PTI. Goyal underlined the need to incentivise the use of precast and steel construction technologies to reduce dust pollution generated during building activities in Mumbai. Addressing a gathering of businesspersons and housing society office-bearers at Adarsh Complex in Malad West, Piyush Goyal said that globally, reinforced concrete (RC) mixers are rarely used, with most countries relying on steel and precast structures instead. “Across the world, you don’t see RC mixers. You see steel and precast construction. They may be slightly more expensive, but I am considering discussing with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis whether concessions and incentives can be offered for adopting these methods,” he said, according to the PTI. RC mixers should be moved out of city Piyush Goyal pointed out that construction dust is a major contributor to air pollution in Mumbai and called for RC construction mixers to be shifted outside the city limits. “I have personally removed four to five such mixers from my parliamentary constituency,” he added, as per the PTI. Consensus with builders over restrictions Instead of imposing strict bans on polluting construction processes, the Union Minister suggested building a consensus among developers to voluntarily adopt cleaner construction practices, including precast and steel technologies, to curb pollution. Need for dedicated grounds for public events Goyal, who represents North Mumbai in the Lok Sabha and also serves as the Union Commerce and Industry Minister, stressed the importance of earmarking specific public grounds for religious, cultural and sporting events to reduce pressure on residential and public spaces. Focus on civic issues ahead of polls Referring to the upcoming January 15 municipal corporation elections, Goyal said he was deliberately restricting his remarks to local civic concerns. “As these are municipal corporation elections, I am not touching upon international matters, including my recent visit to Brussels, where the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement was almost finalised,” he said, according to the PTI. (with PTI inputs)
11 January,2026 04:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray‘s joint rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar, Mumbai Police on Saturday issued a traffic advisory for motorists, saying that large crowds were expected at the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS public rally for BMC Election 2026. Mumbai Traffic Police have announced major traffic restrictions in the Dadar area on Sunday, January 11, in view of the 'Jahir Sabha’ (public meeting) organised by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). "The rally is part of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Election 2026 campaign," said an official. A large number of supporters are expected to arrive from different parts of Maharashtra, many in private vehicles and buses, the official said. The police have warned of heavy traffic congestion on nearby roads, including the western and eastern express highways. Traffic restriction timings The traffic regulations will be in force from: 10 am on January 11, 2026, until midnight No-parking zones in Dadar and around Shivaji Park. A notification issued by Mumbai Traffic Police said that the parking will be strictly prohibited on the following roads: - Swatantryaveer Savarkar Marg (Century Junction to Hari Om Junction) - Entire Keluskar Road (north and south) - MB Raut Marg - Pandurang Naik Marg (Shivaji Park Road No 5) - Dadasaheb Rege Marg - Dilip Gupte Marg (Shivaji Park Gate No 4 to Shitaladevi Road) - LJ Marg (Gadkari Junction to Shobha Hotel) - NC Kelkar Marg (Hanuman Temple Junction to Gadkari Junction) - TH Kataria Marg (Ganga Vihar Junction to Asawari Junction) - Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marg (Maheshwari Circle to Kohinoor Junction) - Tilak Road (Kotwal Garden Circle to RA Kidwai Road) - Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road (Sealink Road to Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk) - Thadani Marg - Dr Annie Besant Road (Poddar Hospital Junction to Hardikar Junction) Roads closed and traffic diversions - Swatantryaveer Savarkar Marg (northbound) Closed from Siddhivinayak Temple Junction to Yes Bank Junction Alternate routes: SK Bole Road, Agar Bazaar, Portuguese Church Road, Gokhale Road - Swatantryaveer Savarkar Marg (Southbound)** Closed from Yes Bank Junction to Siddhivinayak Temple Junction Alternate routes: Pandurang Naik Road, LJ Road, Gokhale Road, NC Kelkar Road Instructions for rally participants Vehicles bringing participants must drop them at designated alighting points and then move to approved parking areas. From western and northern suburbs Drop-off near Mahim Railway Station Parking at- - Reti Bandar, Mahim - Senapati Bapat Road - Kohinoor Public Parking - India Bulls Finance Centre Parking - Kamgar Maidan - India Bull One Centre (light vehicles) From eastern suburbs (Thane and Navi Mumbai) - Drop-off near Dadar TT Circle Parking towards Five Gardens, Matunga and RAK 4 Roads. From South Mumbai - Vehicles will drop passengers near Five Gardens, Matunga or RAK 4 Roads - Parking will be arranged at designated locations near Dadar TT Circle and Worli Designated Parking Locations - Buses on Senapati Bapat Marg (Mahim Station to Tilak Bridge) - Buses at Reti Bandar, Mahim - Buses on Lady Jamshedji Road and Nathalal Parikh Road, Matunga -Buses on RAK 4 Road and Pandurang Budhkar Marg - Cars at Kamgar Stadium, Kohinoor Parking, India Bulls Finance Centre, Raheja Parking - Additional bus and car parking at Worli, Sasmira Road, and Sudam Kalu Ahire Road Public Advisory Mumbai Traffic Police have urged citizens to avoid the Shivaji Park and Dadar area during the event hours and to use public transport where possible. Motorists are requested to follow traffic police instructions to avoid inconvenience.
11 January,2026 03:25 PM IST | Mumbai | Asif RizviJust ahead of Maharashtra civic polls, state Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Saturday dared the BJP and the NCP to step out of power and then level accusations at each other. Harshwardhan Sapkal, while slamming the BJP and NCP, asserted, “The state has a triple-engine government of the BJP, Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party. All three parties have come together only to enjoy the spoils of power. While remaining in power, Ajit Pawar is making open and serious allegations against the BJP, and the BJP, in turn, is making allegations against Ajit Pawar,” as cited by IANS. Sapkal further added, “If these two parties only want to trade accusations, then why cling to power? Step out of power first and then make allegations.” While talking to the media in Pune, the Congress state president said that NCP leader Ajit Pawar is accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of being the most corrupt party, while the BJP is accusing Ajit Pawar of corruption. Ajit Pawar on the alleged 'land scam' When asked about the Parth Pawar land scam, Ajit Pawar responds with “Jai Jinendra” and “Jai Jain Boarding”. He highlighted, “These people are changing colours in a manner that would put even a chameleon to shame. Instead of accusing each other while remaining in power, Ajit Pawar should resign and step out of the government, or else the BJP should withdraw its support for Ajit Pawar’s party.” “But they will not do so. Both parties are two sides of the same coin. There is no morality left among the BJP, Shinde Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party,” he claimed, he added. The Maharashtra Congress chief also said that Pune has a great historical, cultural and educational tradition and heritage. The city was known as the cradle of education and a cultural city, but now it has come to be identified as a city plagued by the drug trade, koyta gangs, corruption and crumbling basic infrastructure. The state Congress chief further stressed, “Now it is for the people of Pune themselves to preserve the true Puneri spirit,” as per IANS. Responding to another question, Sapkal added that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is a weak party and will accept anyone into its fold. He also alleged, “They have already included goons and hoodlums, and now they have even included rapists in the party,” as per IANS. (With inputs from IANS)
11 January,2026 03:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs the Mahayuti, comprising Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Republican Party of India (A), on Sunday released its manifesto for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde harped on the issue of Marathi Pride, with promises to uplift Mumbai's Marathi Manus and protect the Marathi language and Marathi culture, especially by ensuring affordable housing for all Mumbaikars while also making Mumbai an internationally benchmarked city in the next five years. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on the other hand, focused on the Mahayuti's performance milestones across sectors of housing, road, railway, and metro transport; availability of water through the Gargai Dam; better solid waste management, especially with the waste-to-energy project at Deonar Dumping Ground; sewage treatment plants; health; and creation of employment through high-paying jobs, keeping up with the international trend of creating global capacity centres. He announced that at the end of their BMC government's tenure of 5 years (2030), an action taken report along with a fact sheet will be presented against the promises made in this Mahayuti Manifesto. After the alliance Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS and NCP (SP) released their manifesto last Sunday, and the Congress Party released their manifesto later in the week, all eyes were on the present ruling coalition of Maharashtra for its manifesto for the BMC election 2026. Notably, NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, will not contest the BMC elections as part of the coalition. Mahayuti's manifesto was published at the hands of Fadnavis, Shinde, and RPI chief Ramdas Athavale. It features Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, and Anand Dighe, who Shinde considers his political guru. Other BJP and Shiv Sena leaders also present on the dais for this occasion were Vinod Tawde, Ashish Shelar, Amit Satam, Milind Deora, and Rahul Shewale. Among the financial sops announced as part of the manifesto are a 50 per cent fare reduction in BEST for all women, no hike in water tax for the next 5 years, and interest-free loans for women up to Rs 5 lakh to start their own businesses. Speaking on the occasion, Eknath Shinde said, "We are releasing Mahayuti's manifesto at the hands of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Today's manifesto is for Mumbaikars to better their everyday life. We have the Mahayuti government at the Centre and state, and on January 15, the Mahayuti government will be formed in BMC. This will mark the true makeover of Mumbai." Shinde added, "In 3.5 years we have worked in Mumbai, and this work is in front of you. With me as CM for the first 2.5 years and Devendra Fadnavis as CM for the past year. This is for the wellbeing of Mumbai's Marathi people and the protection of the Marathi language and Marathi culture." Speaking about the MMR region, Shinde said, "The core Mumbaikar who has gone out of Mumbai, we will bring them back respectfully. They have shifted to Vasai Virar, Nalasopara, Badlapur, etc. Who is responsible for this?" Fadnavis said, "In the past few years, we have made efforts and instilled confidence in Mumbaikars that their issues can be solved. We have done a lot of work to actually solve these issues. Even if anyone else gives their manifesto, our track record shows that we will ensure all promises are fulfilled." The Chief Minister also added, "Mumbai's Marathi manus should not have to leave Mumbai; we will give them homes in Mumbai. We have done this in Abhyudaya Nagar, BDD Chawl, and Patra Chawl. Some people only speak of homes for Marathi manus, but we are the action takers."
11 January,2026 02:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSThe maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 31 degrees Celsius and 17 degrees Celsius, respectively, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). As per the Sameer app, Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) on Sunday stands at 115, which falls under the moderate category. This level of air pollution may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung conditions, asthma, or heart diseases. AQI across Mumbai Bandra Kurla Complex: 144Borivali East: 132Byculla: 95Andheri: 138Chembur: 105Colaba: 99Deonar: 128Ghatkopar: 121 Air quality a nationwide crisis, govt response exceedingly ineffective: Congress The Congress on Sunday cited a report to claim that air quality in India is a nationwide, structural crisis and that the government’s response has been “exceedingly ineffective and inadequate.” The party demanded a thorough reform of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), according to the news agency PTI. Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said that the NCAP, propagated as the National Clean Air Programme, is actually another kind of NCAP — a “Notional Clean Air Programme.” The former environment minister said a new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has confirmed what he described as India’s “worst-kept secret”: that air quality is a nationwide, structural crisis for which the government response has been exceedingly ineffective and inadequate, reported PTI. Using satellite data, the study found that nearly 44 per cent of Indian cities — 1,787 out of 4,041 statutory towns assessed — suffer from chronic air pollution, with annual PM2.5 levels consistently exceeding national standards over five years (2019–2024, excluding 2020), Ramesh said in a statement. Pointing out that the report also highlighted the ineffectiveness of the NCAP, the Congress leader said that despite the scale of the problem involving 1,787 towns, only 130 cities are covered under the programme. Of these 130 cities, 28 still lack continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS), he claimed. Among the 102 cities with monitoring infrastructure, 100 reported PM10 levels of 80 per cent or higher, Ramesh said, adding that in total, the NCAP currently addresses only 4 per cent of India’s chronically polluted cities. Reiterating his criticism, Ramesh said the NCAP, propagated as the National Clean Air Programme, is in reality a “Notional Clean Air Programme” and asserted that it needs a thorough overhaul and reform. “The first step must be to acknowledge the public health crisis linked to air pollution across wide swathes of India. Consequently, we must revisit and completely revamp both the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) put into effect in November 2009,” he said, reported PTI. Ramesh urged the government to drastically increase funding under the NCAP. “The current budget, inclusive of NCAP funding and the 15th Finance Commission’s grants, is about Rs 10,500 crore, spread across 131 cities. Our cities need at least 10 to 20 times more funding. NCAP must be made a Rs 25,000 crore programme and expanded to cover the 1,000 most polluted towns in the country,” he said. He further said the NCAP must adopt PM2.5 levels as the primary yardstick for performance and reorient its focus towards key emission sources such as the burning of solid fuels, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution. “The NCAP must be given legal backing, an enforcement mechanism, and serious data-monitoring capacity for every Indian city, beyond the current focus only on ‘non-attainment’ cities,” Ramesh argued. He also asserted that air pollution norms for coal-fired power plants must be enforced immediately and that all power plants must install flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) units by the end of 2026. “The National Green Tribunal’s independence must be restored, and the anti-people environmental law amendments of the last 10 years must be rolled back,” Ramesh said. “Twice in Parliament — first on July 29, 2024, and then on December 9, 2025 — the Modi government has attempted to downplay the health impact of air pollution. The Modi government is not blind to the truth; it is only attempting to cover up the scale of its incompetence and negligence,” he alleged. (With PTI inputs)
11 January,2026 01:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Kasturba Marg police have arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly snatching a bag containing Rs 2.5 lakh in cash from a 77-year-old retired businessman in Borivali East. According to the police, the incident occurred on January 5, between 5 pm and 5:10 pm near the Omkareshwar Temple, close to the Western Express Highway in Borivali East. The complainant, Riddhesh Shah (77), a resident of Shantivan, Dahisar East, had collected Rs 2.5 lakh in cash from a money transfer office at Hari Om Plaza. The amount was sent by his daughter from Surat for his wife’s medical treatment. As Shah waited for an auto-rickshaw, an unidentified man ran up from behind, snatched the bag containing the cash from his hand, and fled towards the highway. Shah raised an alarm, but the accused managed to escape. Following the complaint, officers from the Kasturba Marg police station and the crime detection team scanned CCTV footage from the area and identified the suspect. The accused, Vijay Chander Sapte (25), a resident of Navapada near Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali East, was later traced and arrested. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to the crime. Police said cash worth Rs 2.42 lakh has been recovered from the accused. A case has been registered at Kasturba Marg police station under Crime Register No. 08/26 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway.
11 January,2026 12:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe 43rd Court of the Metropolitan Magistrate at Borivali has convicted Treasa Abraham Samuel in a 28-year-old cheque bounce case, holding her guilty under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The court sentenced her to one year of imprisonment and directed her to pay Rs 8.20 lakh as compensation to the complainant. The court also stated that the compensation will carry 9 per cent yearly interest until the full amount is paid. If she fails to pay the money within the stipulated time, she will have to serve an additional three months in jail. As Samuel was not present when the judgment was delivered, the court issued a non-bailable warrant against her. According to the prosecution, the complaint was filed by Abdul Hamid Khan, a Malvani resident originally from Kashmir and proprietor of Azad Security Services. Khan stated that he had been providing security services to the accused since 1990 for her properties in Gorai (Manori) and Orlem. Speaking to mid-day, Khan said that while security services at the Orlem property were later discontinued, two guards continued to be deployed round-the-clock at the accused’s Manori bungalow. Payments, however, were allegedly irregular and made in instalments, leading to outstanding dues of around Rs 4.25 lakh. After repeated demands, the accused allegedly issued three cheques — one for Rs 4,400, another for Rs 2 lakh, and a third for Rs 2.25 lakh. While the cheque for Rs 4,400 was honoured, the remaining two were returned unpaid due to “insufficient funds.” Despite a legal demand notice, the accused failed to clear the dues, prompting Khan to file a cheque bounce complaint in June 1997. During the prolonged trial, the accused allegedly remained absent on several occasions, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant. She was later arrested and released on bail. Khan further alleged that the accused attempted to mislead the court and managed to get the case transferred to a Mumbai court. After years of litigation, the matter was eventually transferred back to the Borivli court, which delivered its verdict on January 1, 2026. Welcoming the judgment, Khan said, “This verdict sends a strong message to those who misuse cheques in commercial transactions. Justice may be delayed, but it is never denied.”
11 January,2026 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThis Sion school would have made education reformists Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule swell with pride as educators continue to preserve the tradition of letting students due to appear in class 10 board examination come to study for 12 hours. The 67-year tradition is held up by D S High School located in Sion where a ‘shibir’ or ‘study camp’ is held ahead of Maharashtra State Board Examinations. Here the students pay only Rs 400 for the textbook and if that is not possible, the school trust steps in and pays on the student’s behalf. This year the shibir is being conducted from December 30 to January 12. The school is known to cater to Marathi speaking students with only Math and English being taught in a non-Marathi language. The students in this school hail from areas such as Dharavi, Pratiksha Nagar, Chunabhatti, and Kurla, among other localities, where finding space to sit in a crammed house, without noise and interruptions is next to impossible. The educators who have help preserve this tradition in a school located in the heart of the city Kalpana Patil, the principal, explains that for 90 per cent of the students attending the Marathi or semi-English medium often find it difficult to concentrate in the cramped homes they reside in. One can gauge the lack of infrastructure back home from Patil’s remark: “They get the Sunday off so they can wash their uniforms.” “When the whole family resides in a 10x10 room, the child may not get the right environment for board preparations. Sometimes it’s the familial environment, living conditions, or other responsibilities of the parents which may hamper the child’s readiness for this milestone exam. We want to help our children up until the last mile,” said Patil. Which is why D S High School’s 10-day study camp, where students spend half of the day — a total of 12 hours — at school, has been a tradition closely guarded by each generation of educators and principals. This year, the school hall is filled with the hum of morning prayers by 176 students at 7 am sharp. Soon after, an hour of revising the syllabus is ticked off as the first task of the day and then students attempt their first mock paper. Shaurya Utekar and Siraj Mulani A timeout from academics is introduced via breakfast and then, the drill repeats. Students end up attempting four exams of different subjects throughout the day and take quick breaks in between and refuel on food. In order to ensure some other form of relief from the continuous study, students are asked to do a brief yoga session and a few eye exercises for visual reprieve. Other than providing them a study discipline, the school is gently shepherding the students to perform under pressure. One of the ways the school does this is by making the students race against time. The student gets one-and-a-half hours to attempt an exam that is otherwise allotted three hours by the Maharashtra State Board. “This helps them improve their writing speed,” said Adesh Arun Patil, the teacher who is co-ordinating the camp this year. “We thoroughly correct two papers and share feedback on the other two. Even when students are attempting the exam in the open-book format, they are able to gauge their weak spots. Additionally we have separate sessions to resolve doubts if any,” he added. The batch of 2026 then logs off from their 12-hour schedule with meditation and pasaydaan and heads back home at 7 pm. Over these 10 days, the students end up attempting 36 question papers which are compiled in a textbook, four for each subject. What might be perceived as gruelling has turned into a fun discipline that takes away the exam jitters from students. It doesn’t feel like a drill but serves as socialisation during one of the most tense and defining exams of a student’s life. Lunch boxes are shared in the school hall, with stolen moments for mischief, all while studying. In a rare display of dedication that might be absent during a time where education has become synonymous with business, all 28 teachers at D S High School, who are responsible for students from Class 5 to Class 10, take turns manning the ‘shibir’. Everyone, including the principal, puts in nearly two extra hours during the camp. When the shibir sees challenges — like it does during every civic election, when many educators are called upon for poll duties — parents come to the rescue and volunteer time and manpower. But in the day of online classes, study music to help you concentrate and the Internet feeding into not just students but even the adults’ know-it-all syndrome, are students even interested in this shibir? The answer is evident when students like Shaurya Utekar, who steps out with his father to distribute newspapers to doorsteps, rushes back to make it in time for the morning prayers. “I wake up at 5 am to help out my father,” said Utekar. “I distribute newspapers around our locality in Takiya Ward, Kurla, and show up at school by 7 am,” he added. The 16-year-old fell out of the habit of studying on his own after the lockdown and the camp has helped him get back in the zone. Siraj Mulani, Shaurya’s friend, wakes up at 4 am too. But for wrestling practice, in order to achieve his dream of becoming a sportsman. Mulani is a member of Lal Bahadur Shastri Vyayamsahala near Matunga’s Z-bridge. “I practise kushti from 4.30 am to 6 am, have food, and show up for study camp. After returning by 8 pm, I practise again till 10 pm and fall asleep instantly,” he told Sunday mid-day. The routine was tough at first, says Mulani, who now has got the hang of things. The camp closes with a ceremony, where students are to share their feedback and pupils who worked the hardest get felicitated. The classroom doors will remain open for them until February 17, two days before the SSC board exams commence. “What helps is that most of our teachers and trustees from Shiv Shikshan today are our alumni, which is why our Marathi school is given as much importance as the schools following other boards, languages,” Principal Patil added. Parents Speak Nisha Koli, Parent, Dharavi resident‘Owing to the camp, my daughter has gotten better at writing and learning. She now feels more responsible about her academics. We’ll know the full effect of this activity once we get their papers back’ The tradition Students at the shibir solving an exam paper on a timer The Sion-based school has been running a study camp for Class 10 students for the past 67 years. Up until 1995, the camp was residential. Owing to preferences of parents and space crunches, students now only spend the daytime at school. While they bring their own tiffins for lunch, the school manages to get tea and pav for their other breaks on their own buck. Ripple Effect . After class 10, the school has also involved 44 students from Class 8 to prepare them for the scholarship exams.. 40 students from Class 5 also attend the camp, but only for 7 hours. Alumni Speak ‘I came from a modest household in Kurla. Money was always tight, and there were times when even basic necessities felt like luxuries. When competitive exam fees were due, my teachers would quietly pay them for me and my friends. The education camp pushed us far beyond what we thought were our limits — not just academically, but mentally. The rigorous schedule, the focused environment, and the shared sense of purpose among students built a mental toughness that proved invaluable during the board exams. When exam day arrived, we weren’t nervous; we were prepared. The shibir had already tested us in ways that made the actual exams feel manageable. It gave us the confidence that comes from knowing you’ve put in the work.’ School alumnus, Rohit Mandage, who now resides in California
11 January,2026 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarA fire in Goregaon claimed the lives of three members of a family in the early hours of Saturday. According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade, the incident was reported at 3.06 am from Bhagatsingh Nagar, Rajaram Lane, near Janata Stores in Goregaon West. The fire broke out in a ground-plus-one-floor residential structure, triggering panic among residents in the densely populated locality. Fire officials said the blaze was confined to electric wiring and household articles on the ground floor, while on the first floor apparel belonging to three occupants — two males and one female — caught fire. Locals acted swiftly and attempted to control the flames using water buckets even before the fire brigade reached the spot. Firemen, on arrival, disconnected the electricity supply and continued firefighting operations using water buckets. The fire was completely extinguished by 3.16 am, barely 10 minutes after it was reported. Despite the quick response, three people were trapped inside. They were rescued and rushed to HBT Trauma Care Hospital, but doctors declared all three brought dead. The deceased have been identified as Harshada Pawaskar, 19, her younger brother Kushal Pawaskar, 12, and their father Sanjog Pawaskar, 48. They are survived by Sanjog’s wife and their third child, a 17-year-old daughter, both of whom were not at home, said police officers. “While the father died due to 60 per cent burns, the daughter’s and son’s cause of death was smoke inhalation,” said Dr Meenakshi Khandode, who conducted the autopsy.
11 January,2026 10:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarUS against the world Youngsters enjoy a moment at Versova beach. Hark, it’s the park Take a look at this nook The Shivaji Park (SP) maidan is in focus with the estranged cousins and now partners Raj and Udhav Thackeray set to hold their pre- poll BMC rally today (Sunday, January 11). Yet, it is not politicking that we are worried about. Just the general state of a corner of the Maidan, tucked away next to the aaji-aajoba park which in English is grandparents park in Ingliss-Vingliss. That corner, which was in good condition with local gym equipment, sees infra in disrepair, seats broken and generally unusable. While there is good infra inside the grandparents park, this older equipment in the earlier much frequented corner needs attention an uplift. Rally and recently becoming “pally” is all very well, but this Maidan needs constant “third eye” like they say in cricket which looks at upgradation (keep the space open though) and maintenance. The king of funny is back! Don’t chase the algorithm, keep it real, says YouTuber KSI KSI is returning to Mumbai with a little more time, a little less rush and a brand-new reason — Try Not To Laugh IRL: India Edition. The British YouTuber says the city’s “mad energy” is what makes it the perfect playground for the format. “India is naturally funny,” he explains, pointing to the chaos, quick reactions and unfiltered humour that thrive on the streets. Doing it IRL keeps things raw and unpredictable — exactly how he likes it. This visit, he feels more settled. The crowds and pace don’t throw him off anymore, though he’s still cautiously negotiating his spice limits. “Meeting Indian fans offline,” he adds, “hits harder than online noise ever could.” And for creators, his advice is simple. “Don’t chase algorithms. Build something real, and the world will follow.” For Pete’s sake… look! Colin Miller, Shane Warne in 1993 and Peter Siddle There were no frills about Peter Siddle when he ran in and bowled fast for Australia. He went about his job quietly and efficiently to collect 221 wickets in 67 Tests. Indian fans will remember Siddle for hitting current Team India coach Gautam Gambhir on the head in Mohali, where the Victorian made his Test debut in 2008. He followed that up by claiming the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar. Only the other day we discovered that Siddle, 41, has now a new colour to his hair while parading his skills for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League. The light shade to his hair reminds this diarist of two of Siddle’s fellow Australians – the late Shane Warne and all-rounder Colin Miller, who even coloured his hair blue in the 2000-01 season. Colourful Warne would have surely approved Siddle’s hair statement! Queer eye Akshay Jha Akshay Jha, 35, creative head of Intimacy Project, is producing Iktsuarpok (English title: The Weight of Longing), a queer feature film that will have its festival premiere at the 22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival. The screening will take place on January 13 at the PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy under the Indian Competition section. Directed and written by Dr Omkar Bhatkar, Jha explains, “It [the film] explores the magical space created when the right mix of people meet at the right place at the right time and everything held within them gets expressed.” Coining our history The book recounts history from the lens of indigenous coins The Hinduja Foundation has unveiled Early North India and Its Coinage, a new book that traces the region’s history through its ancient currency, documenting coins from 300 BCE to 300 CE and featuring over 850 specimens. Launched in Lucknow, the book by historian Dr Devendra Handa offers insights into the political, cultural, and religious life of early North India. “This publication marks an important step in introducing a significant part of North India’s glorious heritage to the public,” said CEO Raman Kalyanakrishnan. Dr Handa added, “Years of close study, verification and engagement with rare collections turned this research into a personal scholarly pursuit rather than a purely academic exercise.”
11 January,2026 09:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Team SMDADVERTISEMENT
