Creating a spin-off of the reality show Shark Tank, underprivileged school students from Mumbai teamed up with business school pupils to pitch their own ideas for seed fund. From mobile repairs and beauty services to arts and crafts, students as young as 16 years old, who work to support their families, showed up on Thursday to showcase their talents at the ‘Dolphin Tanki’ — a seed-funding platform organised by the Salaam Bombay Foundation. For three weeks, these teenagers were paired with MBA students from NMIMS who helped them create a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, threats) analysis for their business ideas while helping them with the 101s of entrepreneurship the students learnt through their course. As many as 36 students presented their ideas to a panel of industry experts brought together by Salaam Bombay, who offered a total sum of '11 lakh in grants to the students, while pitches were judged on practicality, local demand, and community needs for micro-businesses like theirs. Sectors pitched by students >> Beauty and wellness>> Mobile repair>> Home appliance repair>> Photography>> Video editing>> Creative arts>> Fashion design>> Bakery>> Choreography Salaam Bombay Foundation Founded in 2002, Salaam Bombay Foundation is a Mumbai-based non-profit that focuses on keeping children from low-income communities in school. It provides underprivileged kids education, preventive healthcare, vocational training, and extracurricular programmes in arts and sports. Students Speak Mohammed Nasir, 15, Std XI student of Arts from GhatkoparI started repairing phones at first because I liked solving problems, now it helps my family and neighbours too. Eventually I took up the course via Salaam Bombay, and I want to start an affordable phone repair shop with no duplicate spare parts, no hidden charges, and no compromise on people’s data security. Right now, I make around '20,000 a month, servicing 25-30 customers, and hope to get new tools with my fund Shagun Gupta, 16, Std XI student from KurlaAfter my father passed away, I had to step up to help my mother and siblings, so I started my own home-based beauty service business in Kurla West. I can do basic haircuts, makeup, facials, and threading, and am now up-skilling in bridal makeup and nail art. I asked the judges for basic tools like a vanity box and hair straightener. I help my younger siblings buy stationery and other needs for their school with this service. Rukmini Poojari, 19, Third-Year BMM StudentPhotography, for me, is about finding the story behind every frame. My father works as an auto-rickshaw driver, and my mother is a cook. For now, I work on basic photo projects. I have asked for an investment of around '50,000 for equipment like reflectors and renting cameras. I enjoy travelling, so I hope to become a destination wedding photographer.
24 March,2026 09:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarA restaurant and bar in Borivali East is facing serious questions after documents obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) query revealed a major issue with its licence. The establishment has official permission to operate only on its first floor. However, it is allegedly operating full service on the ground floor without any approval for that space. The bar, ‘Charwak Restaurant & Bar’, has been granted a health licence by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) specifically for its first-floor premises. According to the complaint, this licence does not cover any other part of the building. Despite this, the bar is allegedly said to be using the same licence to operate on the ground floor too. The issue raises concerns not only about the bar’s conduct, but also about possible gaps in enforcement by civic authorities. Licence only 1st floor As per records, the BMC has issued a health licence to Charwak Restaurant & Bar only for the first floor of the Ghanshyam Dubey Tower in Borivali East. This licence is valid until December 31, 2026. The RTI reply from the Public Health Department clearly states that no separate permission has been granted to operate on the ground floor. Allegations of civic inaction The complainant has claimed that the issue has been raised multiple times with civic authorities, but no action has been taken so far. According to the complainant, this lack of response has allowed the alleged illegal operations to continue unchecked. Complaint escalated The matter has now been escalated to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior officials of the BMC. The complainant has demanded strict action not only against the restaurant and bar, but also against any civic officials and police personnel who may have failed to act. BMC response The R Central ward (Borivali) office of the BMC has confirmed receipt of the complaint. Assistant Municipal Commissioner Praful Tambe said an inspection has already been carried out. “The official inspection report will be prepared, and further action will be taken in accordance with the legal process,” Tambe said. Flouting norms a routine The problem of hotels and bars breaking rules without fear of action was also raised last week in the state Legislative Assembly. Responding to the issue, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government plans to tighten the rules. He explained that the goal is to ensure that hotels and bars that repeatedly violate norms face strong action, including permanent cancellation of their licences.
24 March,2026 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarA dramatic rescue unfolded in Ratnagiri after a black panther fell into a 50-foot-deep well in Kolambe village, likely while chasing prey. The incident came to light around 7 am on Saturday, March 21, when people from Kolambe village heard loud growls and discovered the animal trapped at the bottom. Chasing prey, a rare melanistic black panther slipped and fell into a 50-foot-deep well, leaving it stranded and visibly distressed Locals immediately alerted the forest department, prompting a team led by officials, including Round Officer Lahanu Gavde, to rush to the site. The well had around five feet of water and a rocky ledge where the panther had settled, making the rescue more challenging as the animal remained calm and unwilling to move. Startled by loud growls, villagers gathered around the well and were shocked to find the trapped big cat pacing inside Rescue plan Round Officer Lahanu Gavde said, “Our priority was to rescue the animal safely, but it wasn’t moving as it had found the spot comfortable to rest, which made the operation challenging. We then devised a strategy and called in two water tankers. From a distance of nearly 400 metres, water was pumped into the well through pipes to gradually raise the water level and prompt the animal to move." The forest department rushed in and, after assessing the situation, began a careful rescue by raising the water level and lowering a metal cage into the well As the water level increased, the animal was forced to shift and eventually entered the water. That’s when the forest department lowered a metal trap cage into the well using ropes. After some time, the animal stepped into the cage, allowing the forest department to safely pull it out. After hours of waiting, the panther finally entered the cage. Following a 36-hour-long operation, it was safely pulled out under close supervision. Illustrations/Uday Mohite The operation, involving 20 forest staff and over 20 villagers, lasted 36 hours. The approximately five-year-old animal was later examined, found fit, and released back into its natural habitat. The black panther that fell into the well Did you know? Rescue team with the black panther after a 36-hour operation in Ratnagiri. Pics/By Special Arrangement Melanistic leopards are commonly called black panthers or black leopards. They are found in the forests of the Western Ghats and north-east India and are black due to the presence of excess melanin in their bodies. The colour of their fur is a mixture of blue, black, grey, and purple. 5Approximate age of the animal
24 March,2026 09:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavIn a rare show of unity, India’s top telecom operators — Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea — have written to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), raising objections to its fresh tender for in-building solutions (IBS) on Metro Line 3 and warning of delays in restoring mobile connectivity. The move comes after MMRCL terminated its earlier IBS contract with Saudi-based ACES and floated a new tender on March 20. In their letter, accessed by mid-day, the telcos flagged commuter inconvenience and said Reliance Jio has already applied for right-of-way (ROW) permissions to deploy infrastructure across stations and tunnels, with all operators backing a single-network approach. They have refused to issue “comfort letters” to vendors, alleging the tender imposes “exorbitant” charges — citing a reserve price of around '1000 per sq ft, far higher than Mumbai’s prime commercial rates of '250-300. Calling the pricing unjust, the telcos have urged MMRCL to scrap the tender and instead allow direct deployment or use of existing infrastructure to restore services quickly. MMRCL did not respond at the time of going to press.
24 March,2026 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe arrest of ‘self-proclaimed godman’ from Nashik Ashok Kharat was a proactive move by the police, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. The CM stated that authorities used a complaint from another district to issue a Look-Out Circular (LOC), ensuring that Kharat could not flee. Fadnavis stated that will make a “detailed statement” in this case today. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. FILE PIC The CM further noted that misleading women by claiming supernatural powers and subjecting them to psychological manipulation are extremely serious aspects of the case. Last week, following a complaint of sexual exploitation by a woman, Kharat was arrested by the Nashik police. The state government has since constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by IPS officer Tejaswini Satpute, to probe the case. The case Ashok Kharat, a self-proclaimed godman from Nashik, has been booked in multiple cases of sexual exploitation registered in the Nashik district. He was arrested on March 18 following a case registered based on a complaint filed by a woman who accused him of repeated rape over a period of three years. Investigators also found multiple videos featuring women on a pendrive in his possession. He is currently in police custody. Political links Followers of the self-proclaimed godman reportedly include politicians cutting across party lines, with pictures of leaders from various parties visiting Ashok Kharat surfacing and circulating widely on social media.
24 March,2026 09:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarTo improve patient care, the public health department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a series of upgrades to be implemented across all civic-run hospitals in Mumbai by the end of this year. The initiative includes the construction of dedicated toilet facilities for relatives of admitted patients to ensure better hygiene and dignity for caregivers who spend long hours attending to patients, the introduction of a centralised digital dashboard displaying real-time bed availability across all civic hospitals to streamline patient admissions and reduce the time spent by families searching for vacant beds, particularly during emergencies or peak seasons, and the expansion of pipeline gas systems to all peripheral hospitals. Toilets for kin As per the new plan, all 16 peripheral and four major hospitals will have dedicated toilets for those accompanying OPD patients and inpatients. “While we are trying to get CSR funds for the construction of all toilets, in case some are left, we will build them from our funds. Sharing toilets with patients puts the family members at high risk of infection and also endangers those undergoing treatment,” said Ughade. The first such set of toilets is under construction at Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali. “Piping work for the same will soon begin,” said the supervisor on site. These toilets, along with a bathing facility, have been constructed in the basement. Dashboard for bed availability Inspired by the COVID-19 period, the public health department has engaged experts to develop a dashboard that will either be hosted as a standalone website or integrated into the existing BMC website to provide information on the status of each bed at maternity homes, peripheral, and major hospitals. “At present, patients and hospital administration have to call each hospital and ask if a bed is available, especially in cases of ICU and NICU. With this dashboard, anyone will be able to check bed availability and can move the patients immediately without wasting time. As all the peripheral hospitals are now being converted in multi-speciality hospitals, having this dashboard will help people to know if a bed is available in the nearest hospital from their location, especially in the case of emergencies,” said Ughade. Pipeline gas Learning from the ongoing war and its impact on the entire world, officials have planned to propose a gas pipeline facility at the peripheral hospitals. “While all four major hospitals already run on pipeline gas, the peripheral hospitals are under construction. We are planning a pipeline gas facility at each of them so that during the construction process, only the lines can be put in the connection can be made,” said Ughade.
24 March,2026 08:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarThe Dindoshi Police have booked a 35-year-old man for allegedly circulating objectionable photos of his wife on social media and threatening to kill her after she filed for divorce because of his “extramarital affair”. An FIR was registered based on the complaint filed by the accused person’s wife, said police. The accused is a senior section engineer with the Indian Railways. The couple got married on November 25, 2020, and were living together in Goregaon. Police said that the incident follows a dispute between the couple a few months later over the husband’s affair. Victim threatened, family abused A police officer said that on August 23, 2024, after the victim returned to her parental home [in Rajasthan], the accused allegedly visited her residence, abused her family, and threatened suicide while also warning them of implicating them in false cases. The woman then started living separately. A case has been filed with the Dindoshi Police. Divorce filed The victim filed for divorce in the Bandra Family Court in June 2025. Following this, the accused became more aggressive. He gained access to his wife’s Instagram account, changed its name, and impersonated her to communicate with her friends and allegedly threatened to defame her. ‘If you are not mine’ The accused allegedly posted objectionable photos and content of his wife and also issued threats over the phone, saying, “If you are not mine, I won’t let you belong to anyone.” He also threatened to kill her, said police. Police Speak A police officer said, “On March 18, 2026, the accused allegedly sent private and explicit photos and videos via WhatsApp to his wife and her friends using the ‘one-time view’ feature and later deleted them. However, the complainant managed to record the content using another mobile phone.” The accused is further alleged to have made the photos viral on Instagram, thereby defaming the woman. He also reportedly sent abusive voice messages to the woman’s friend and her, questioning her character, said police. Case filed Based on the complaint, the Dindoshi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the husband on March 21 under sections 351(2), 352, and 356 of the BNS, along with Sections 66C, 66E, and 67A of the Information Technology Act. Timeline November 25, 2020 Couple got marriedAugust 23, 2024 Woman visits her parental homeJune 2025 Woman files for divorce [in Bandra court]January 15, 2026 Victim’s Instagram account hackedMarch 18, 2026 Accused sends objectionable photos on WhatsApp to friends
24 March,2026 08:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Ananya TomcyA controversy has surfaced over Mumbai’s CCTV surveillance network, with state-run telecom operator MTNL alleging that Larsen & Toubro (L&T) connected thousands of cameras to its network without authorisation. In a complaint to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, MTNL has sought the registration of an FIR against the company, citing unauthorised use of government telecom infrastructure and potential misuse of public funds under the Mumbai City Surveillance (MCS) Project. mid-day has accessed a copy of the letter. MTNL flags ‘unauthorised use’ >> In its February 9, 2026 letter, MTNL has raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the execution of the project. >> The complaint claims that L&T connected nearly 5000 Phase II CCTV cameras to MTNL’s network without formal approval. It further alleges that this led to revenue losses for the state and possible misappropriation of funds allocated by the Maharashtra government. >> MTNL has termed the move a breach of contractual obligations. >> It also alleged that since 2021, L&T has continued to use and expand connectivity on its network without the required authorisation or payments, taking advantage of MTNL’s mandate to ensure uninterrupted surveillance connectivity. What the MCS project? >> The Mumbai City Surveillance Project is a key public safety initiative aimed at strengthening law enforcement capabilities.>> The CCTV network is used to monitor sensitive locations, manage large gatherings and religious events, regulate traffic, and assist in crime prevention and investigation. Key points from MTNL’s complaint >> Phase I (around 2015) had defined approvals and payment structures>> No formal extension agreement was executed for Phase II>> From 2021 onwards, connectivity was allegedly used without a valid contract>> MTNL has sought an audit of this period, recovery of dues, and accountability L&T responds >> Responding to the allegations, an L&T spokesperson said the issue is limited to account reconciliation between consortium partners and not any wrongdoing. >> MTNL, CMS Computers Ltd., and L&T are part of a consortium formed for the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of the CCTV surveillance system for Mumbai, with L&T as the lead partner under an agreement with the Government of Maharashtra. >> The current matter relates to reconciliation of accounts between MTNL and L&T with respect to certain pending invoices under Phase I. L&T has submitted all documents, supporting records in line with the contractual framework, including expense adjustments towards maintenance of services. >> Discussions between the two parties are ongoing and are limited to the reconciliation of accounts. >> With respect to Phase II, payments are to be received from state govt upon achievement of the ‘go live’ milestone, towards which MTNL and L&T are working together. Any assertion regarding Phase II payments is premature. >> “This is a matter of account reconciliation and is being addressed through discussions. Any claim that L&T has defrauded the exchequer or failed in its contractual obligations is entirely false and malicious,” the spokesperson said. No response from MTNL Repeated attempts by mid-day to seek a response from MTNL did not elicit a reply till press time
24 March,2026 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarIran’s Consul General in Mumbai, Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh, said the international community should engage in talks with the parties that initiated the war and urge them to cease such actions. Speaking to ANI, Motlagh called on all countries to ensure that the aggressor acts in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. “They should play an active role by engaging in dialogue with the party that initiated the war and compelling it to cease such actions worldwide. This issue is not limited to Iran. Throughout history, it has been witnessed repeatedly. In the past, they have destroyed whichever country they chose using harsh measures. Today, however, they are confronted with a nation that stands resolutely in opposition. We therefore call on all countries, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, to hold them accountable, compel them to respond, and ensure that they do not carry out such unilateral actions against any country again,” he said. When asked about Iran’s role in the current global economic crisis due to the West Asia conflict, Motlagh said, “Those who attacked us are responsible, and we have acted solely in self-defence. Despite our warnings and full awareness of the wartime conditions, they still chose to attack us. They should have considered the consequences of war.” He added, “Iran is one of the world’s oil-producing countries, and sanctioning it has an impact on the global market. These sanctions reflect a long-standing pattern of hostility toward Iran that dates back many years. Today, this hostility has intensified to the point of armed confrontation and direct attacks on Iran. Naturally, these underlying factors have had a substantial influence on the outbreak of the current conflict and the challenges the world is facing today.” When asked about Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, Motlagh said the move would be limited to hostile countries. “The war imposed on us has affected our very existence. It is an existential war, requiring us to mobilise all our capabilities in response. However, out of consideration for people around the world, for example, the people of India, we have not closed the Strait. Restrictions apply only to hostile countries and their interests, including associated companies. Due to the wartime situation, it is a highly dangerous passage,” he said. On the global surge in oil prices amid the conflict, he said, “We are ready for negotiations, but the necessary conditions must be fulfilled. Otherwise, in a few months, they will attack us again and subject us to the same challenges.” Motlagh added that Iran seeks dialogue-based solutions and diplomacy. “Our country has shown from the outset that it seeks dialogue-based solutions and diplomacy. However, our adversaries have demonstrated that they are not committed to dialogue. Having attacked us without any legitimate legal justification or valid objective, they have subjected us to a broad crisis and significant pressure, and they must be held accountable. The conditions set forth by our national authorities must be fulfilled.” Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Monday said Iran has agreed not to possess a nuclear weapon. “Now, Iran has one more opportunity to end its threats to America and our allies, and we hope they take it. Either way, America and the entire world will soon be much safer,” he said. He also claimed that the US has “annihilated Iran’s defence industrial base and its navy.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 March,2026 08:26 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIAt Mumbai’s bus depots, the people who keep the city moving work under ceilings that could come down at any moment. During inspections across 27 BEST depots on Sunday, committee member Nitin Nadgaonkar found the Mulund West depot in a condition that raised serious concerns — cracked walls, a weakening roof slab, overgrown surroundings, and even reports of snakes nearby. But what stood out wasn’t just the decay. It was how normal it has become. “How can drivers and conductors rest in such conditions?” Nadgaonkar asked. “Every employee here is working while putting their life at risk.” BEST committee member Nitin Nadgaonkar (in brown shirt) during his inspection with the depot manager What the inspection found >> Roof slabs on the verge of collapse>> Cracked walls and weakening structure>> Overgrown vegetation around staff areas>> Unhygienic, poorly maintained rest spaces Weakening roof structure at the depot, with parts at risk of collapse Questions raised Nadgaonkar has demanded answers:“Why has a structural audit not been conducted? If it has, where are the details?”“Are they waiting for an accident to happen?”“Is the administration asleep?” Overgrown vegetation around the Mulund depot, reflecting poor upkeep of the premises Voices from inside For staff, this is not an isolated issue. It is an everyday reality. “We come to work knowing the building itself isn’t safe. The ceiling looks like it could fall anytime,” said a ticket inspector. “We are responsible for passengers’ lives, but who is responsible for ours?” asked a 50-year-old driver. “After long hours, this is where we’re supposed to rest. It feels like our safety doesn’t matter,” a conductor said. “In the monsoon, it gets worse. Water seeps in, and we worry about electrical hazards too.” A cracked roof slab inside the Mulund bus depot that raises concerns about safety of staff Political pushback BEST committee member Faisal Khan said: “Do the lives of BEST employees have no value? This is absolutely unacceptable.” Official line BEST officials say there are plans to redevelop ageing depots and improve staff amenities The bigger picture 27 depots inspectedRs 1000 crore allocated by BMC this year >> BEST is increasingly dependent on civic funding>> pressure to generate its own revenue>> Even as finances tighten, infrastructure appears to be deteriorating
24 March,2026 08:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Federation of Indian Pilots has criticised the timing of the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s (MoCA) decision to lift the domestic airfare cap from March 23, saying it will hurt passengers. The cap, introduced on December 6 after the IndiGo fiasco, had kept fares in check during high demand and rising fuel costs amid the West Asia conflict, when carriers such as Air India announced that a surcharge would be applied on all flights booked from March 12. With its removal, airlines can now price tickets freely based on demand. Price concerns While fliers have not complained about an increase in airfare yet, the next few days will be critical as prices could increase in proportion with demand. When mid-day examined airfare prices for the coming weeks, no heavy hikes were observed on most routes. Flights from Mumbai to Pune, however, were priced between Rs 7000 and Rs 11,000 for one-stop trips, as direct flights are not available on the route. Captain’s warning ‘This move [removal of cap] has been made at a very wrong time and will be detrimental for those looking to fly in the coming weeks. Just as airfare had skyrocketed in December last year after the IndiGo chaos, in a few days it might happen again, especially for flights in and out of Delhi and Mumbai’Captain Charanvir Singh Randhawa, president, Federation of Indian Pilots ‘Motto falls flat’ Captain Randhawa said the government could have chosen to decrease the tax on the fuel that airlines pay, but instead they have chosen to remove the cap on fares that has been keeping tickets reasonably priced so far. “The motto put out by our government ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’ falls flat on its face when the passengers have to pay high prices in a state of urgency” Rs 7000 and Rs 11,000Price range of Mumbai-Pune air tickets
24 March,2026 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturADVERTISEMENT
