A chartered aircraft carrying NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed while attempting to land in Baramati, Pune district, on Wednesday morning, leaving four people dead, officials told PTI. Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, 3 others on board dead after aircraft crashes in Pune district: Official — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026 The Mumbai–Baramati charter plane crash-landed at around 8.45 am in Baramati, ANI reported. Ajit Pawar was among those on board the aircraft at the time of the incident. VIDEO | An aircraft with Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on board crashes in Pune district: Official.(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/1sjBDpYRGA — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026 Authorities said three others travelling on the plane also lost their lives. Emergency teams rushed to the site soon after the crash, while further details on the cause of the accident are awaited. Ajit Pawar was headed to Baramati to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad Elections. Pawar was in Mumbai on Tuesday where he attended a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis. Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and concerned officials were present.
28 January,2026 09:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA demolition drive launched by the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) administration against alleged encroachments inside the protected forest area faced stiff resistance on Tuesday, forcing authorities to temporarily postpone the action. Forest department officials said the drive targets encroachers who were earlier declared eligible for rehabilitation and relocated to Chandivli in Powai, but allegedly sold or rented out their allotted homes and later returned to re-encroach forest land within the national park. Sources told mid-day that the demolition was deferred following protests by locals. Protests at the park According to officials, the first phase of the drive focuses on encroachments in the Navapada area of SGNP, involving families who were previously resettled under the rehabilitation programme. On Tuesday morning, hundreds of people, including men and women, gathered inside the park to oppose the demolition.Forest department sources alleged that certain local elements were misleading and instigating residents, including those claiming tribal status, which added to tensions on the ground. Following the protest, the SGNP administration issued a detailed press statement to clarify the rationale behind the demolition drive and address concerns raised by locals. Heavy police deployment outside the SGNP during the ongoing drive to remove alleged encroachments on Monday. Background of the issue In 1997, the Bombay High Court directed that all encroachments on forest land within SGNP be removed. The court laid down clear eligibility criteria for rehabilitation, stating that only those residing within the protected area and whose names appeared on the electoral roll as of January 1, 1995, would be considered. Initially, eligible families were proposed to be rehabilitated at Shirdon near Kalyan. The plan was later revised, and rehabilitation was shifted to Chandivli in Powai. Under Phase I of the rehabilitation programme, more than 11,000 eligible families were allotted tenements at Chandivli. High-Powered Committee During the contempt proceedings, the court constituted a High-Powered Committee to ensure compliance with its orders and to recommend measures for the protection of SGNP. 385 families re-encroached According to the SGNP statement, deliberations involving agencies such as SRA, MHADA, BMC, CIDCO, MMRDA, AAI, the Collector’s office, forest officials and police revealed that approximately 385 families who had already received rehabilitation housing at Chandivli had returned and re-encroached upon forest land inside SGNP. “These individuals have already availed the rehabilitation benefits extended by the state government. Their return to occupy forest land amounts to misuse of the rehabilitation scheme and the sympathetic view taken by the government,” the statement said. The High-Powered Committee subsequently ordered their eviction as a first step toward ensuring full compliance with the high court’s directions. Notices issued SGNP authorities said detailed enquiries were conducted and affected families were given an opportunity to be heard. Eviction notices were published at all relevant locations on January 17, asking the identified families to vacate the premises voluntarily. ‘Eviction unavoidable’ “In these circumstances, it has become imperative to evict persons misusing the system, notwithstanding isolated cases of hardship, in order to uphold the rule of law, protect forest land and ensure equitable implementation of the Hon’ble Court’s orders,” the SGNP statement said. The administration appealed to stakeholders and the public to support the drive in the interest of environmental protection and the forest ecosystem, as well as to safeguard the rights of eligible families still awaiting rehabilitation.
28 January,2026 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA Republic Day celebration in Vikroli’s Tagore Nagar, also called Ambedkar Nagar, turned fatal when four-year-old Angel Solkar was killed by falling loudspeakers. The incident occurred on Monday around 11 am, when two large loudspeakers had been placed on the ground for the area’s Republic Day programme. Spot where the accident took place According to CCTV footage, a man carrying a large bundle of rugs accidentally entangled the load in the speaker wiring, causing the equipment to topple. Angel, who was running nearby, was struck. She was rushed to Ruby Hospital, which allegedly refused admission, and later declared dead at Godrej Memorial Hospital. Some residents alleged that timely medical care might have saved Angel’s life. “Immediately after the incident, she was rushed to Ruby Hospital, which is very close by, but the hospital allegedly refused to admit her. She was then taken to Godrej Memorial Hospital on the Eastern Express Highway, where she was declared dead on arrival. Perhaps timely treatment could have made a difference,” a resident said. Vikhroli police have registered a case under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with death caused by negligence. The FIR names Vinod Parmar, the organiser of the loudspeaker setup, and Sayyad Guran, the man carrying the rugs, as accused. Notices have been issued for both to appear for questioning as the investigation continues. The loudspeakers belonged to Bharat Mata Mandir’s mandal, usually used for religious events, but were playing patriotic songs that day. Angel lived in the neighbourhood with her parents and elder brother. Her father, Rajesh Kumar Solkar, runs a mobile repair shop in the neighbourhood. FourAge of the victim
28 January,2026 09:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerIn a first for the school, nearly 55-60 Std IX students of MPS Shankarwadi English School, Jogeshwari East, participated in a drone and robotics workshop on Saturday, January 24. The 2.5-hour introductory session was conducted to help bridge the gap between emerging drone technology and the current education system. The workshop began in classrooms, where students were given a basic understanding of how drones function, the technology behind them, and their multiple applications. The students were later taken to the school hall, where they watched a miniature drone being operated. Career opportunities in the drone sector formed a key part of the session. “Even after completing Std X, students can obtain a DGCA-certified drone pilot licence and explore careers in drone engineering, aerospace engineering, drone piloting, photography, videography, aerial mapping, surveillance, logistics, agriculture, and disaster management, among other fields,” said Gaurav Jain, programme lead education, Nurture Aerospace, a robotics and drone solutions company. The organisation is now in the process of tying up with the civic body to conduct similar sessions for students of different grades and across other schools. After the examination season, students from Std VI, VII, and VIII of the same school will also participate in the workshops. Gaurav Jain, workshop trainer, conducting the session “There is a common misconception that drones are a niche subject and students may not be interested. However, we found that school students are extremely curious and eager to learn new technologies,” Jain added. Officials said the initiative aims to ensure civic school students get exposure to industries that private school students are often already familiar with. “This programme has been launched on a pilot basis at the Jogeshwari school to gauge the response from students and parents. Based on the feedback, we plan to expand it on a larger scale,” said education officer Sujata Khare. Jan 24 Day when the workshop was held
28 January,2026 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarA joint drive by the Amboli police, traffic police, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has brought major relief to residents of Andheri West, with three chronically congested roads finally cleared of illegal obstructions. Sawant Road, Veera Desai Road, and Duttaji Salvi Road, which routinely witnessed severe traffic snarls, were freed of illegal hawkers, abandoned vehicles and unauthorised parking of dumpers, tankers, and JCB machines. As a result, commute time on these stretches has dropped sharply from nearly 25 minutes earlier to about 10 minutes now. Residents said repeated complaints to civic and police authorities in the past had failed to yield results. The breakthrough came after the Amboli police initiated a joint meeting with the BMC and traffic police, leading to coordinated enforcement on the ground. Vehicles and heavy machinery illegally parked on Andheri West roads before the joint action by authorities. Sanjay Sawant, a resident of Gundecha Symphony Society on Veera Desai Road, said daily travel had become exhausting due to congestion. “Every day we struggled to cross our own area. We were stuck for at least 25 minutes just to pass one lane. Tankers and JCB machines were parked everywhere. Despite several complaints, nothing changed earlier,” he said. He added that emergency services were frequently affected. “School buses and ambulances were often stuck. Now we can actually see the road. Earlier, all we saw were vehicles and traffic jams. More than 60 societies on this stretch were impacted. We are thankful to the BMC, traffic police, and Amboli police, and have even invited them for a felicitation,” Sawant said.Another resident, Nakul Vaid, said the situation had earlier turned unsafe. “There was no footpath left for walking as everything was encroached. Dumpers and tankers dominated the area, and residents were threatened whenever issues were raised. Traffic kept increasing, and public urination was common. We only hope this problem does not return,” he said. Suresh Makhija, a committee member of Gundecha Society, said the clearance had restored basic dignity for residents. “For years, heavy dumpers, cranes and JCBs were parked here. Their drivers created a nuisance by bathing and urinating on the roads. For the first time in many years, the issue has been resolved. I am 76 years old and can finally walk safely on a footpath,” he said. SK Rout, chairman of Palash A and B Wing Cooperative Housing Society, said residents had noticed a visible change. “There is no unauthorised commercial vehicle parking, no roadside urination and no antisocial elements gathering. Earlier, it took 25 minutes to cross Veera Desai Road. Now it barely takes 10 minutes,” he said. A senior police officer from Amboli police station said three FIRs were registered for illegal parking that posed a threat to public safety. “More than 150 illegal hawkers were removed. Earlier only one lane was usable due to encroachments. All lanes are now clear. We have towed 37 abandoned vehicles and continue to tow 50 to 60 illegally parked vehicles daily,” the officer said. Senior Inspector Pramod Kokate of Amboli police station said the enforcement drive would continue. “We seized abandoned vehicles, JCBs, tankers and trucks. Three FIRs were registered for dangerous parking that endangered lives. The action will continue in coordination with the BMC and traffic police to ensure congestion does not return,” he said. 60Approx. no. of societies that were affected
28 January,2026 08:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaOn Tuesday morning, hundreds of people, including men and women, gathered inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) to oppose the demolition drive, leading to tense scenes in the protected area. The demolition drive sparked strong resistance from residents, which they claim have been their homes for generations. The protesters alleged that the move violates their traditional rights and ignores protections under the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The residents condemned the administration’s action of issuing eviction notices during a holiday period, leaving them little time to respond or seek legal remedies. Why the demolition drive in SGNP sparked protests The forest department launched the drive targeting families in the Navapada area of SGNP, previously resettled at Chandivali in Powai under a rehabilitation programme. Officials allege that some beneficiaries sold or rented out their allotted homes and later reoccupied forest land inside SGNP. Forest officials maintain that the action is part of legal measures to reclaim protected land. They cite violations by some families of the rehabilitation conditions. Residents claim the demolition affects long-standing local communities. Tensions escalated but no violence has been reported so far. Activists question eviction and rehabilitation process Activist Aslam Shaikh said that Adivasi communities are an integral part of SGNP, having lived in the area for decades with a traditional ecosystem-based lifestyle deeply intertwined with the forest. He questioned whether the government, while planning to relocate the Adivasis, also intends to relocate their entire ecosystem, asserting that the communities cannot be separated from their natural surroundings. Shaikh alleged that decision-makers lack an understanding of the Adivasi way of life and are unwilling to engage meaningfully with the community. Raising concerns over rehabilitation, he said there has been no proper research on how the Adivasi population will be resettled. He claimed that no comprehensive survey has been conducted, noting that only a small number of families have accepted rehabilitation housing in Chandivali, while residents from more than 10 padas are still awaiting accommodation. Despite this, Shaikh alleged that the government is attempting to evict all Adivasi residents from the national park. Activist flags legal and procedural lapses Aarey activist Amrita Bhattacharjee told Mid-Day that the dispute dates back to 1995, when a petition led to a court order directing the removal of what were termed illegal encroachments. She alleged that during that period, some Adivasi families were compelled to accept rehabilitation flats in Chandivali. Bhattacharjee pointed out that the original order predates the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which became applicable to forest areas under municipal corporations in 2015. She said tribal communities should not be treated as encroachers and relocated to slum rehabilitation buildings without due process under the FRA. She also questioned the role of the Tribal Development Department and its project office in Borivali, stating that the authorities should have conducted awareness programmes and facilitated the filing of forest rights claims. "Notices were served on January 22 asking residents to submit documentary proof by January 24, following which announcements were made that demolitions would begin from January 27," Bhattacharjee said. Bhattacharjee claimed that notices were issued to 10 out of 11 Adivasi padas in the area, affecting around 350 families. "The residents alleged that entire families were deemed ineligible for protection because one member had accepted rehabilitation decades ago," she said. SGNP gates closed temporarily amid tension Amid heightened tension in the area, the SGNP administration announced that the park’s main entrance would remain closed to tourists and the general public on Tuesday, January 27. “All concerned are hereby informed that today, on Tuesday, 27.01.2026, the main entrance of Sanjay Gandhi National Park will remain closed for tourists and the general public,” said an official notice issued by the Deputy Director (South), SGNP, requesting cooperation from citizens. According to forest department sources, the demolition drive was halted by afternoon. SGNP Director issues clarification on eviction drive The Conservator of Forests and Director, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, issued a detailed statement seeking to address what the administration termed “misconceptions” surrounding the eviction drive. The statement stated that in 1997, the Bombay High Court directed the removal of all encroachments on forest land within SGNP and laid down specific eligibility criteria for rehabilitation. Only those residing within the protected area and whose names appeared on the electoral roll as of January 1, 1995, were deemed eligible. Under Phase I of the rehabilitation programme, more than 11,000 eligible families were allotted tenements at Chandivali, Powai. However, 299 families could not be rehabilitated due to a shortage of constructed tenements and were earmarked for Phase II. High-Powered Committee and re-encroachment findings As the 1997 court directions were not fully complied with, a contempt petition was filed and remains pending. The High Court subsequently constituted a High-Powered Committee to oversee compliance and recommend measures to protect SGNP. The committee comprises former Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Dilip Bhosale, former Maharashtra Chief Secretary Nitin Kareer, former Maharashtra Director General of Police Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, and SGNP Director Anitta Patil as Member Secretary. During consultations with various government agencies and stakeholders, the committee found that around 385 families who had already received rehabilitation at Chandivali had allegedly re-encroached upon forest land within SGNP. The administration said such actions amounted to misuse of the rehabilitation scheme and that their eviction was ordered as a first step toward ensuring rehabilitation for other eligible families still awaiting allotment. Notices issued after the enquiry, says the administration According to the statement, SGNP authorities conducted detailed enquiries and provided hearings to the concerned families before identifying those who had allegedly re-encroached after rehabilitation. Eviction notices were published at relevant locations on January 17, 2026, asking occupants to vacate voluntarily. The administration stressed that unless such families are evicted, other eligible beneficiaries would continue to be deprived of rehabilitation benefits envisioned under the 1997 court order. Tribal status claim rejected by SGNP authorities The SGNP administration rejected claims that the eviction drive targets tribal communities, calling such arguments untenable. The statement cited a Bombay High Court judgment in Manik Rama Sapte vs State of Maharashtra, which held that original tribal inhabitants of the forest area were rehabilitated to Palghar in 1977 and that no original Adivasi population remains within SGNP. The administration maintained that the current occupants are governed by the 1997 High Court order, which has attained finality. Stating that the eviction drive is mandatory to uphold the rule of law, protect forest land and ensure equitable rehabilitation, the SGNP administration appealed for public support. The statement urged stakeholders to cooperate in safeguarding the forest ecosystem of the park and ensuring that eligible families awaiting rehabilitation receive their due benefits in accordance with court orders. What politicians have said An NCP (SP) spokesperson, in a post on X, raised concerns over the ongoing actions inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, alleging that Adivasi padas are being demolished without proper surveys or verification under the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The spokesperson claimed that basic services such as electricity and transport have been cut, children have been forced out of school, and families who have lived in the area for generations are being labelled as encroachers. Calling the actions “displacement without due process,” the post warned that if demolitions continue without adherence to the law, affected residents would be compelled to intensify democratic protests and seek legal remedies. What’s happening inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park needs to be on record.Adivasi padas are being demolished without surveys, without Forest Rights Act verification, and with basic services cut. Families who’ve lived here for generations are being labelled encroachers. Children… pic.twitter.com/9gULnm4At3 — Anish Gawande (@anishgawande) January 27, 2026 In a separate post, the spokesperson said he had written to the Forest Minister, urging an immediate halt to what he described as illegal evictions of Adivasi padas inside the national park without FRA verification. He reiterated that continued demolitions would leave no option but to escalate protests and pursue legal action. AAP Mumbai working president Ruben Mascarenhas also expressed concern in a post on X, alleging that Adivasi communities—whom he described as Mumbai’s indigenous people—are being unlawfully displaced from their padas within Sanjay Gandhi National Park and that their homes are being demolished. He said attempts to visit the padas along with AAP Mumbai leaders to move the court were hindered, describing the situation as chaotic. According to Mascarenhas, the area has been barricaded, water and electricity supplies disconnected, and public transport suspended. He termed these actions a gross violation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the principles of natural justice, asserting that Adivasis are the city’s original inhabitants and not encroachers, and called for an immediate halt to the demolitions. URGENT : Adivasis- Mumbai’s indigenous people are being wrongly displaced from their Padas inside SGNP, their houses are being DEMOLISHED.Tried visiting the padas with @AAPMumbai leaders, to move court. Situation is chaotic. SGNP has been barricaded, water supply and… pic.twitter.com/WI3MfSCDZc — Ruben Mascarenhas (@rubenmasc) January 27, 2026
28 January,2026 08:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Ronak MastakarA quiet Tuesday morning in Malwani turned into a scene of chaos after a gas leak triggered a massive explosion that ripped through a residential structure, leaving seven people from two families with burn injuries and reducing parts of the structure to rubble. The blast occurred around 9.30 am inside a two-storey chawl structure near AC Masjid, located at MHB Colony gate no. 8 in Malwani, Malad West. Police said the explosion occurred in a first-floor house occupied by the Chaudhary family, where gas had allegedly leaked and accumulated after an LPG cylinder emptied completely. The moment someone attempted to ignite the stove, the trapped gas exploded violently, turning the house into a ball of fire within seconds. Windows shattered, and glass rained onto the street below, while metal roof sheets were blown apart and the ceiling collapsed. The first floor house where the blast occurred. Pics/By Special Arrangement The injured from the Chaudhary family have been identified as Vijay Ashok Chaudhary, 55, Ruma Vijay Chaudhary alias Khan, 43, Alisha Vijay Chaudhary alias Khan, 20, Tausif Vijay Chaudhary alias Khan,22, and Alikasam, 18. The impact was so powerful that the second-floor slab gave way and crashed onto the first floor, trapping occupants in flames and debris. Living on the second floor was Aftab Alam Ansari, 55, with his wife Julekha Ansari, daughters Nusrat Sheikh, 29, and Nilofar Sheikh, 24 — both school teachers — and his two-year-old grandson Adil Sheikh. Julekha and the toddler suffered burn injuries after falling into the inferno below. Aftab Alam narrowly escaped as he was bathing in the bathroom at the time, while his daughters were not at home, having left for work earlier. Residents described the explosion as “earth-shaking”. “The walls trembled… people rushed out thinking it was an earthquake. Glass was scattered all over the lane. We heard screams from upstairs and ran to help,” a neighbour said. Before police and fire brigade teams could arrive, locals rushed the injured to nearby private hospitals, from where they were referred to Shatabdi Hospital, moved to Cooper Hospital, and finally admitted to KEM Hospital for advanced treatment. Aftab Alam’s relative Irshad Shaikh said that Julekha and her grandson were initially taken to Cooper Hospital, but are now being shifted to KEM Hospital for further treatment. Meanwhile, a relative of the Chaudhary family, Saqib Husain, who is associated with the music industry, told mid-day that his aunt Ruma and her cousin Alisha have been put on ventilator support at KEM Hospital, while the condition of the other injured persons is also serious. Local corporator Rafik Sheikh and his brother Siraj Sheikh, among those who rushed to help, arranged ambulances and closely coordinated medical assistance for the injured. The police and fire officials are investigating the cause of the gas leak and assessing structural damage to the building. 07No. of people injured
28 January,2026 08:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday paid homage to late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe on the occasion of his 75th birth anniversary, joining residents and party workers across Thane in commemorating the revered figure popularly called “Dharmaveer.” Shinde, who leads the Shiv Sena, travelled from his native village of Dare in Satara district to Thane—his long-time political base—to offer floral tributes to his mentor. Along with local functionaries, he visited Shaktisthal and Anand Ashram, two memorial sites closely linked with Dighe’s life and work, recalling the influence Dighe had on his own political journey. Parallel events were held by the Shiv Sena (UBT), with the party’s district unit hosting a large public programme at Tembhi Naka. Former MP Rajan Vichare and district chief Kedar Dighe led party workers in raising slogans celebrating Dighe’s legacy, underscoring their commitment to his principles of loyalty and grassroots service. To mark the milestone in a people-centric manner, 75 auto-rickshaws offered free rides across Thane between 10 am and 6 pm, symbolising each year of Dighe’s life and his enduring bond with ordinary citizens. More than two decades after his death in 2001, Anand Dighe continues to command deep respect in Thane, remaining a lasting presence in the city’s political and social consciousness. Shiv Sena MP asks BJP to restrain minister Naik, says his remarks damaging coalition unity Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske has appealed to the BJP leadership to rein in the party leader and minister Ganesh Naik, noting that his remarks targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde can potentially damage the coalition unity, reported news agency PTI. A day before, Shiv Sena ministers had warned of a befitting reply after Naik's "we can finish off their existence if BJP allows" remark, allegedly aimed at Shinde, sparked a sharp exchange between the ruling allies. Mhaske has written to Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan, asserting that the Shiv Sena was prepared to respond to every political challenge, reported PTI. He alleged Naik had been venting his frustration and appealed to the BJP leadership to review Naik's statements and actions before assigning him further responsibilities. The Thane MP stated that Naik had publicly declared his intention to "eliminate" the Shiv Sena from Navi Mumbai and had challenged Shinde on several occasions, reported PTI. Referring to Naik's latest remarks, Mhaske said such statements reflected distrust towards a key constituent of the ruling alliance. He pointed out that the BJP and the Shiv Sena jointly fought and won elections in several civic bodies, including Kalyan Dombivli, Thane, and Mumbai. "However, such comments are damaging the coalition unity", reported PTI. Mhaske recalled that both the BJP and the Shiv Sena had played a crucial role in toppling the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and forming the ruling Mahayuti alliance, reported PTI. He said, despite ideological differences, the alliance had provided a stable government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Shinde. Naik, a former guardian minister of the undivided Thane district, and Shinde are old rivals. (With inputs from PTI)
28 January,2026 08:23 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentColour me proud A spectator flaunts a tricolour face paint at the Republic Day parade on Veer Savarkar Road in Dadar. All booked for the night Readers at a previous event by the library. Pic Courtesy/Pundalik Pai Parents, you’d do well to extend your child’s night curfew this weekend. In an effort to draw in younger readers, Dombivli’s Pai’s Friends Library will keep its doors open past midnight on January 31. “Teenagers clearly have time after 12 am. You’ll see them in shopping malls, theatres, and pubs. The initiative might spark the love for reading in these impressionable kids,” said owner Pundalik Pai. To that end, an outdoor library near the KDMC Office in Dombivli East will stay open long after most clubs in the city shutter for the night — Saturday 11 pm to Sunday 7 am. We’re told the books on sale range from writings of PL Deshpande to illustrated bedtime stories, all at a 30 per cent discount for the night. Pundalik Pai President’s nod for Indian calligraphy Achyut Palav; (right) The calligraphy panels at the new Granth Kutir Hall. Pic Courtesy/Achyut Palav The newly inaugurated Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi has a Mumbai connect on its walls. Veteran calligrapher and Sir JJ Institute of Art alumnus Achyut Palav designed a red and gold calligraphy panel for the new hall inaugurated by President Draupadi Murmu last weekend. The panel features the words ‘We the people of India’ in 11 languages that have been granted classical language status in India — including Assamese, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. “The initiative of including Indian scripts in the hall equals a royal patronage given to the calligraphy art form. It will surely boost morale, and enthuse numerous artists working in the field,” Palav shared. While you’d have to make the trip to the national capital to catch a glimpse, the library’s collection of classic Indian manuscripts and books in Indian languages, can also be accessed online at rb.nic.in. Linked to her roots Akhila Banoth sports the saree featuring portraits of Linkin Park band members during Lollapalooza 2026 at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Pic Courtesy/Akhila Banoth We’d heard of Usha Uthup’s viral Skyfall in a saree, but nothing could have prepared us — or concert goers at Lollapalooza last weekend — for Linkin Park ‘on’ a saree. Navi Mumbai resident Akhila Banoth sported a drape featuring the band’s logo and stylised portraits of the original band members, including their late frontman Chester Bennington. “I was hoping to make it to the front of the crowd and get noticed by the band, but the enormous crowd made it next to impossible,” Banoth told us. Mumbaikars played good sport, though. “I never expected all the attention. I became the centre of attention even before entering Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Everyone wanted to pose for a selfie with the saree, and know where it was from,” she revealed to this diarist. We’ll put an end to the avid fans’ growing curiosity — the saree is from a studio called Oikkyo Calcutta, which also stocks designs featuring The Beatles and Bob Marley. “I have been desperately trying to reach them, and thank the designer for making me go viral. I wish there was some way to get through,” she said. We’re hoping for a mid-day miracle. Winging it in Marol The new flamingo mural at Marol Art Village. Pics Courtesy/Srushti Bansode Birders have a new location to sight flamingos this migration season. Graffiti artist Srushti Bansode has given a wall in Marol Art Village a colourful makeover to welcome the winged visitors. “If you look closely, I’ve reimagined the bird in multi-colour neon plumage for an urban, modern twist,” she told us. Considering the signature pink hue comes from a healthy diet of molluscs and algae, we hope the real visitors are nothing but pink this year. As for the colourful experiment, we’re all for it. Srushti Bansode Mavs won’t leave Bandra! Patrons at the new space in Bandra. Pic Courtesy/Cafe Mavs; (right) Mavourneen Peters Banderites were in for a gloomy January when Café Mavs announced it is closing doors. For 11 years, the venue has been home to little celebrations and friendly cuppas for Waroda Road regulars. Thankfully, the popular venue has now moved to a new space on the same street. “It was a hectic few months. After being on the lookout since November, we were delighted to find a spot right across the road,” shared Mavourneen Peters, owner and head chef. With a closely-knit community, and Christmas trees to light, Peters admitted leaving Pali Hill was out of question. With a larger space, she promised a larger menu in addition to the familiar seasonal fare. Fun times, foodies.
28 January,2026 08:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayFollowing the rise in cases of passenger misbehaviour and assault on ticket checking staff, the Western Railway (WR) is installing a complete CCTV network at nearly 200 locations across the suburban network. It will also help the vigilance department to monitor ticket checking operations. The Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway is rolling out CCTV coverage worth Rs 25.81 crore across ticketing offices, counters, and passenger interface areas, railway officials said. Official records show that CCTV cameras will be installed at 29 Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres at stations and 31 Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS)-cum-PRS stations at a cost of Rs 7.12 crore, strengthening security at some of the most crowded ticketing locations on the Mumbai suburban railway network. More CCTV cameras will be installed at 68 UTS stations at a cost of Rs 12.39 crore, a move officials say is crucial to deter ticketless passengers threatening staff, altercations, abuse and physical threats faced daily by booking clerks and staff handling cash and ticketing disputes. Additionally, CCTV cameras will be installed at 40 Head Ticket Collector (TC) offices and Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) lobbies across stations at a cost of Rs 6.30 crore, improving safety for staff working late hours and during peak rush when tensions often run high, while paying fines, etc. Railway officials say the combined Rs 25.81 crore investment is aimed at creating a safer working environment for ticketing and booking staff, who routinely deal with overcrowding, fare disputes and aggressive behaviour when fined on the Mumbai suburban network. Which areas does it cover? Locations where CCTV cameras will be installed (Mumbai Central division) include 29 PRS stations and booking offices handling long-distance and reserved ticketing, often crowded and cash-intensive; 31 UTS-cum-PRS stations, where both unreserved and reserved ticketing counters operate under one roof; 68 UTS located at high footfall suburban stations where booking clerks frequently face rush-hour stress, fare disputes, and crowd pressure; 40 Head TC offices where ticketing staff work extended hours and handle sensitive cases; TTE lobbies at stations, rest and reporting areas. 37Total no. of stations on WR’s suburban section 200Locations where CCTVs will be installed Voices Sandeep More, IT professional, Borivli‘You see arguments during ticket checks almost every day now. One small dispute can suddenly turn violent. CCTV is not about policing commuters; it’s about protecting people who are duped by fake TCs, etc.’ Meena Iyer, bank employee, Andheri‘Most commuters just want to get home peacefully. When there’s chaos during ticket checks, everyone suffers. Better security helps calm situations before they explode’ Shailesh Goyal, former member, National Railway Users Consultative Committee‘It is a nice move that will help catch offenders. It will help the staff identify miscreants and also help to monitor staff activities. They should also do it in RPF offices like this so that it is helpful’ A history of violence August 17-18, 2024AC local train (Churchgate-Virar)A passenger assaulted a TC after being asked to pay a fine for travelling without a valid ticket. August 15, 2024AC local train (between Borivli and Nalasopara)Passengers reportedly assaulted a TTE onboard an AC local. An FIR was filed. September 21, 2024 Nalasopara stationTicket inspector Vijay Kumar Pandit was attacked by a passenger wielding a hockey stick. August 2, 2025Borivli station A ticketless man assaulted railway staff and damaged equipment in the ticket checker’s office leading to police action. August 4, 2025Kurla and Dadar stationsA woman allegedly manhandled on-duty TC staff after being stopped for a ticket check; she later apologised and paid the penalty. June 28, 2025CSMT Three passengers, including a woman, were booked for assaulting and pushing a female TC. January 1, 2026Sewri stationTwo commuters assaulted a TC during a ticket check in a local; an FIR was filed.
28 January,2026 08:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA fire erupted at a textile processing facility in Bhiwandi, located in Maharashtra’s Thane district, late Tuesday night. Officials confirmed that the incident did not result in any injuries. The blaze was reported around 11 pm at a unit situated in the Karivali area of the powerloom hub on the outskirts of Mumbai. Emergency services were alerted immediately after the fire was spotted. According to Saquib Kharbe, head of the Disaster Management Cell at the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation, told PTI that two fire tenders were deployed to the site and successfully brought the flames under control. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown and is being investigated, officials said. Fire breaks out in garbage heap on Thane’s Pokharan Road, no injuries reported In another incident, a fire that erupted in a heap of garbage near the Voltas Company in Gandhi Nagar on Pokharan Road No. 2 in Thane (West) was successfully extinguished late Monday night, with no injuries reported, officials said. According to the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), information regarding the incident was received at around 10.20 pm on January 27 from the Balkum Fire Station. Following the alert, teams were promptly dispatched to the site. Personnel from the Disaster Management Cell arrived at the spot with a pickup vehicle, while the fire brigade deployed one fire engine and a water tanker to contain the blaze. Coordinated efforts by the fire brigade and disaster management staff ensured the fire was completely doused by around midnight. Officials confirmed that the situation is presently under control and no casualties were reported in the incident. Seven injured in gas cylinder blast in Mumbai; two critical Meanwhile, a toddler and six other persons were injured when a gas cylinder exploded in Mumbai's Malad area on Tuesday morning, officials said. Two of the injured women were in critical condition, they said. The incident occurred at 9.25 am after a gas leak from a cylinder triggered an explosion at a chawl (row tenement) near Bharat Mata School in Malvani area of Malad (West), they said. A fire broke out following the blast, damaging several household items and other materials in a room located on the first floor of the two-storey structure, a civic official said. Seven persons suffered burn injuries. Local residents rushed them to private hospitals from where some of them were later shifted to civic-run medical facilities, he said. Two of them -- Roma (35) and Alisha (18) -- suffered around 35 per cent burn injuries and their condition was stated to be critical, the official said. Julekhabano Aftaf Ansari (60) and 2-year-old Adil Shaikh were shifted to the civic-run Cooper Hospital. Three other persons -- Vijay Choudhary (54), Tuasib Khan (18) and Ali Kasam (17) -- were admitted to the civic-run BDBA Hospital and were later discharged against medical advice, the official added. (With inputs from PTI)
28 January,2026 08:10 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
