A woman police constable attached to Goregaon police station traced the parents of a six-year-old boy who had been separated from his family late on Saturday night. Using CCTV footage, she launched a search operation and successfully reunited the child with his family by Sunday afternoon. According to police sources, the boy is a resident of Bhagat Singh Nagar No. 2. His family lives on the footpath and earns a livelihood through daily wage labour. “He overheard someone talking about a fair in Azad Maidan, about a kilometre away, and decided to visit it on his own without informing his family. Curious and unaware of the distance, the boy wandered off and eventually lost his way. In the early morning hours of Sunday, a police patrolling team found him crying and alone near Azad Maidan,” said a source from the Goregaon police station. The boy reunited with his parents at Goregaon police station The patrolling team found the child in a distressed state. When questioned, he could only recall his name and was unable to provide his address. He was comforted by the officers and brought to the police station, where he was handed over to PSI Suryabhan Gholap. The case was then transferred to Woman Constable Jyoti Pawar from the Missing Persons Department. “The boy had fallen asleep crying, so we waited for him to wake up. When asked, he could only tell us his name. He didn’t know where he lived,” Pawar said. Under the guidance of DCP Anand Kumar Bhoite and on the instructions of Senior Inspector Rishikesh Pawal, the investigation began. Pawar and her team reviewed footage from over 35 CCTV cameras as part of a reverse-tracking operation, tracing the boy’s movements back to Bhagat Singh Nagar. “Surprisingly, the family didn’t even realise the boy was missing. Before they could discover his absence, we had already located them and arrived with the child,” she added. The family was brought to the police station for verification, and in the presence of senior officers, the boy was reunited with them by noon. Constable Pawar has been posted at Goregaon police station for the past four-and-a-half years and has served in the Missing Persons Department for two-and-a-half years. She told mid-day that during this time, her team has successfully traced and reunited over 100 missing men, women, and children, not just from Maharashtra, but from other states as well. ACP Hemant Sawant confirmed to mid-day that the child had been safely reunited with his family and praised the dedication of the police team, especially Constable Jyoti Pawar.
05 May,2025 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanEven as Marathi was recently conferred the prestigious status of an Abhijaat Bhasha (classical language), the possible closure of Dadar’s Nabar Guruji Vidyalaya, one of Mumbai’s oldest Marathi-medium schools, has reignited concerns about the fading presence of institutions imparting education in the regional tongue in the city. Run by the Indian Education Society (IES), the Nabar Guruji Vidyalaya, an institution with a proud legacy dating back to the 1940s, is now staring at an uncertain future. News of its potential shutdown raises a difficult but urgent question: Is the decline of Marathi-medium schools in Maharashtra accelerating toward a point of no return? Girish Samant, trustee, AB Goregaonkar School Satish Rama Nayak, one of the trustees of the Nabar Guruji Vidyalaya, said, “We have not taken any decision to close the school. However, enrolment has dropped drastically. This year, 35 students appeared for the SSC exams, but in the current academic session, only 17 students remain in Std IX and X. This sharp decline is impacting the teacher-student ratio.” He explained that while the government’s stipulated pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) is 40:1, the threshold was brought down to 25:1 for Marathi-medium schools. “In our case, the PTR has now fallen well below the mandated level. Therefore, we wrote to the education department seeking their guidance—not to request the school’s closure,” he said. Pointing out a broader social shift, Nayak said, “Many parents who themselves studied in Marathi-medium schools and now hold respectable positions are beginning to question the quality of education in these very institutions. Even daily wage earners are willing to take loans to secure admission for their children in English-medium or CBSE-affiliated schools. At our school, we offer free education and teacher salaries are paid through government grants, so we are financially capable of running the institution. But what can we do if the students simply don’t come?” He added that they are still awaiting a response from the education department, and have tried to reassure anxious parents. Broader crisis Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) education department, submitted to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) for the year 2023-24, highlights a troubling trend—a steady decline in the number of Marathi-medium civic schools over the past decade. The Nabar Guruji Vidyalaya, which is run by the Indian Education Society, in Dadar. Pic/By Special Arrangement In 2010-11, Mumbai had 413 such schools. By 2014-15, this number had dropped to 368. The downward trend continued, with only 280 such schools remaining in the academic year 2021-2022. As of 2023-24, the figure dipped to just 262. This sharp decline has sparked serious concern among educators and activists. Falling student enrolment, lack of infrastructural support and shifting parental preferences toward English-medium education have put immense pressure on trusts and managements that run these schools. Harsh reality Sushil Shejule, a member of the Marathi Abhyas Kendra and president of the organisation Aamhi Shikshak (We Teachers), said, “While Marathi has been granted classical language status, the closure of Marathi schools, which are the true lifeline of the language, is a serious warning bell. Someone must take responsibility for this situation. It would be unfair to place the entire blame on parents. The government must act with intent to save Marathi-medium schools. It should appoint a special committee of experts for Mumbai or even for the entire state to investigate the reasons behind the declining student enrolment in these schools and implement solutions on a war footing. The BMC’s decision to start English-medium schools affiliated with other boards, despite no real demand for them, was a self-destructive move. If this continues, a time will come when Marathi schools in Mumbai will completely disappear. This reality needs to be acknowledged with the seriousness it deserves.” Sushil Shejule, president, Aamhi Shikshak He added, “In Maharashtra, public funds should be directed towards strengthening Marathi schools rather than being spent on English-medium institutions. This leads us to a fundamental question: Do the government and the administration truly want Marathi schools to survive? If a school is offering quality and value-based education, student numbers do not decline.” Systemic neglect? Girish Samant, a trustee of the AB Goregaonkar School, run by the Goregaon-based Shikshan Mandal Trust, stated, “The education department has completely stopped granting approvals for new Marathi-medium schools. Non-salary grants, which are critical for school operations, were discontinued for a long time and only resumed after sustained pressure, yet they remain irregular and insufficient. There has been no sanction for non-teaching staff appointments either. Secondary sections don’t even have laboratory assistants, and the workload on teachers is overwhelming.” Samant added that several Marathi-medium schools have been waiting for official permissions and support since as far back as 2012-13, with no resolution in sight. “It appears that the authorities are indifferent to the shutdown of Marathi-medium schools. In fact, it feels like the government is deliberately creating a situation where aided Marathi schools become unsustainable. Over the past decade, policies have only made things harder for school managements and staff,” he said. Pointing out the contradiction between policy and practice in Maharashtra, Samant said, “Marathi schools are being ignored even as the NEP [National Education Policy] promotes mother-tongue learning. There’s no on-ground campaign by the government to promote Marathi. All signs point to an unwritten mandate to phase out aided Marathi-medium schools.” Matter of survival Slamming the authorities’ approach towards Marathi-medium education, Prasad Gokhale, a parent and convenor of the awareness group and social media community Marathi Shala Aapan Tikavlya Pahijet (We Must Save Marathi Schools), said, “If the government, and a section of Marathi society, believes that the Marathi language is not capable of being used as a medium to teach school subjects, then the recently conferred Abhijaat Darja (classical language status) should be immediately withdrawn and English be deemed a classical language instead. Before making grand declarations, government officials, politicians, ministers, teachers, and members of Marathi school committees must answer a basic question: Have they enrolled their own children in Marathi-medium schools, past or present? And if not, what are the reasons behind those decisions? If education in a child’s mother tongue continues to be sidelined, then what is the point of introducing a new NEP? It all seems like a well-orchestrated plan to promote the commercial interests of non-state and international boards and private English-medium schools. In the process, the middle and lower-middle-class families are being financially exploited. The real victims of this system are the children themselves. Forcing them to study complex subjects in English from a young age, when it is not their native language, puts an unnatural cognitive burden on them. What happened to protecting our children’s best interests?” Parents torn For many parents, the choice between Marathi and English is less about culture and more about social mobility. “I studied in a Marathi school, and so did my siblings and my wife, who is a doctor, and we all are doing fine in life, but today’s reality is different,” said Satish Patil, a parent of a Std III student. “We feel pressure from society, relatives and even schools that consider English the only way forward. But deep down, we know it’s not fair to the child to learn complex subjects in a non-native language,” explained Patil.
05 May,2025 07:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghWith Mumbai’s Metro network rapidly expanding, the daily commute has become faster and more efficient—for those on the train, at least. But for thousands stepping out of sleek new stations into traffic chaos, the final leg of the journey remains a huge hassle. Responding to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s directive to boost self-revenue, the BEST undertaking is now mulling “Metro Circuit” bus routes to link stations with key residential and commercial areas routes. Datta Samant Chowk bus stop near Sakinaka Metro station lacks proper last-mile planning. Pic/Dweep BaneBEST has initiated a study to finalise these last-mile routes, even as a shortage of buses hampers immediate rollout. Currently, 43 Metro stations across three lines are functional, but connectivity drops drastically once passengers disembark—forcing many to walk long distances, wait endlessly for overcrowded buses, or pay steep auto fares. To understand just how broken the last-mile connection is, mid-day visited five busy Metro stations—Santacruz, Aarey JVLR, Dahanukarwadi, Gundavli, and Sakinaka—to trace the commuter struggle and spotlight the urgent need for dedicated feeder services. A BEST official said that when deciding on a new route, the transport department conducts a survey. In cases where an existing route is changed, the decision is based on a ridership study. “This is a regular process, but now we are planning new bus routes keeping Metro stations in mind,” the official added. BEST currently operates a fleet of 2800 buses. About 400 buses will be retired by November. “We will receive a new fleet of 2100 buses in April 2026. Until then, routes with low ridership will be either cut or diverted,” officials said. Dahanukarwadi Metro station to Charkop Line: Yellow Line 2AEntry/Exit: New Link Road, Kandivli West Dahanukarwadi Metro Station exits (A1 and A2) on Yellow Line 2A show poor commuter connectivity. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE Why a bus is neededAlthough multiple buses pass through this station, none originate here and go directly to Charkop sectors. Commuters often face long waits for autos, and peak hour traffic inflates rickshaw fares. Commuters don’t find Metro a great alternative to regular suburban trains. Key distancesTo Charkop Gaon: 2 kmTo Sector 3: 3.5 kmTo Sector 6: 900 m Crowded BEST bus at Maharashtra Nagar stop, 100m from Dahanukarwadi Metro Station A1 (Yellow Line 2A). PIC/SATEJ SHINDE Nearest bus stop: Maharashtra Nagar (within 100 m) “I live in Charkop Sector 3 and work near Bisleri Junction in Andheri,” said Trupti Divecha. “I was happy when the Metro started—it’s a 10-minute walk from Gundavli station, and no one in Mumbai minds a 20-minute walk. But getting to and from Dahanukarwadi Metro is still a struggle. I prefer Kandivli station since buses and shared autos from there go via Charkop. The only reason I still take the Metro is the 45-minute peaceful AC ride. They should really start last-mile services from Metro stations into Charkop—it’s a proper middle-class area.” Santacruz Metro station to Kalina Line: Aqua Line 3Entry/Exit: Western Express Highway Why a bus is neededThe station serves daily commuters heading to BKC, Mumbai University, and nearby residential areas like Kalina. There is currently no bus that originates from the station. Instead, commuters must rely on packed buses from the distant Santacruz Depot or face long walks and scarce auto rickshaws. Santacruz Metro station (Aqua Line 3) entry on Western Express Highway has gaps in last mile connectivity. PIC/Satej Shinde Key distancesSantacruz Metro to Vakola: 2.2 kmSantacruz Metro to Kalina Village: 2.7 kmSantacruz Metro to Mumbai University: 3.6 km Residents ask authorities to identify peak Mumbai university timings in Santacruz. PIC/ASHISH RAJE Nearest bus stop: Vakola police station (567 m)“My office pays for my Metro pass, but reaching the Metro station is the real struggle,” said Jagruti Dabhade, a Kalina resident working in BKC. “There are no shared autos, and walking 2-3 km after a full day of work is exhausting.” Professor Vandana Desai from Mumbai University echoed the need for shuttles, suggesting timed services for university hours and regular routes to Kalina the rest of the day. “It would really help if BEST buses started shuttle services from the Metro station to inside the university as the campus is also very big. The authorities can identify peak university timings and start the shuttle services from the Metro station that go to various departments inside the university,” Desai said. 2800No of buses BEST currently operates Aarey JVLR Metro station to Central suburbs Line: Aqua Line 3Entry/Exit: Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) Aarey JVLR Metro station (Aqua Line 3) at Jogeshwari East shows gaps in access. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE Why a bus is neededThe station sees high footfall from frequent flyers and residents of Bhandup, Mulund, and Vikhroli. While buses to SEEPZ village are available, they are overcrowded and do not originate from the station, making boarding a challenge. At Aarey JVLR Metro station (Aqua Line 3), commuters walk 100–200m for BEST buses or rickshaws. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE Key distancesAarey JVLR Metro to SEEPZ Village: 3 kmTo Bhandup: 11 kmTo Vikhroli: 9 km Commuter Mahak Khushalani shares last-mile commute challenges. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE “The Metro from the airport to Aarey JVLR is peaceful, but the chaos starts once you exit,” said Mahak Khushalani, a marketing professional. “There are no taxi or auto stands, and buses are packed. A direct bus towards Bhandup would be a game changer.” Gundavli Metro station to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) Line: Red Line 7Entry/Exit: Western Express Highway; connected to Metro Line 1 Gundavli Metro station (Red Line 7) to BKC stretch lacks seamless connectivity. PIC/DWEEP BANE Why a bus is neededDespite being well-positioned, there is no direct BEST bus from Gundvli to BKC, a key office hub. Only Route 40 passes nearby via Kalanagar but doesn’t directly enter BKC. Auto services are inconsistent. Bus stop below Gundavli Metro station (Red Line 7) highlights last-mile gap. PIC/DWEEP BANE Key distancesGundavli to BKC: 15 kmNearest BEST depot: Agarkar Chowk, Andheri EastCurrent bus service: Six buses pass through the bus stop located under Gundavli station, known as the Darpan Cinema stop. Of these six routes, only one—bus number 40—passes via Bandra. Route 40 runs between Dindoshi and Sewri and goes through the Bandra Kalanagar junction. “I skip the train rush and take a bus to Kalanagar, then walk to BKC,” said Yash Khanvilkar, a regular commuter. “A direct shuttle from Gundavli to BKC would save time and energy.” “There’s clearly demand,” added Manoj Sharma, another commuter. “Many take cabs or autos because the public transport options aren’t seamless.” Sakinaka Metro station to Powai Line: Blue Line Metro 1Entry/Exit: Saki Vihar Road Commuters struggle with last-mile link from Sakinaka to BKC at Sakinaka Metro station (Metro 1). PIC/DWEEP BANE Key distancesSakinaka to Powai: Approximately 3–4 km depending on the location Why a bus is neededThe corridor between Sakinaka and Powai houses numerous residential and commercial hubs. With new housing coming up in Powai, the demand for a direct, high-frequency shuttle is likely to grow significantly. Last-mile issues persist at Sakinaka Metro station (Metro 1) despite high footfall. PIC/DWEEP BANE Current connectivitySeveral buses run from Datta Samant Chowk on Saki Vihar Road, about 100 metres from the Sakinaka Metro station, towards Powai. However, these are long-distance buses that only pass by Powai and IIT Bombay. Why bus is neededAlthough there are buses via Powai from Saki Vihar Road, they are long-route services—connecting areas like Andheri to Mulund, Vikhroli’s Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli Depot, and Sahar Cargo to Anushakti Nagar. These buses are often overcrowded and ply through high-traffic zones. “I’m not a regular traveller on this route, but when I do take it, BEST buses are always crowded,” said Priyanka Amar. “So I end up taking an auto from Sakinaka, which costs Rs 60–70 during peak hours. A direct BEST service between Sakinaka Metro station and Powai would help a lot.” Areas to connectA shuttle service could benefit areas such as Chandivli, Tunga Village, and the Powai MHADA Colony. Rohan Kadam, a Powai resident who works in Andheri, said, “I take a bus from Powai to Sakinaka and then a Metro to Andheri West. Buses are always crowded, but I have no choice. A shuttle service between Powai and Sakinaka would be a great help, especially since there are no shared autos available.” Pushpak T, a resident of Andheri East, added, “I travel to Powai using the Metro till Sakinaka and then take an auto to save time. But it’s expensive. A regular bus service between Sakinaka and Powai would save both time and money. The current buses are too slow due to traffic and long routes.”
05 May,2025 07:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer Surve | Ritika GondhalekarDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for May 5. Aries March 21 – April 20Spending time with friends keeps the mind occupied with the present, which is what’s needed. Don’t allow the past to intrude.Cosmic tip: Transform life by changing the way you view certain people or situations. Taurus April 21 – May 20Remaining quiet, listening to what’s said allows getting a proper perspective rather than making convenient choices. Some decide to take a staycation.Cosmic tip: Use this karmic cycle of opportunities to the maximum. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Attaining maturity involves coping with modifications to the best of your ability. Don’t have regrets. Cosmic tip: Concentrate on smaller angles first that automatically make it easier to focus on the larger picture later. Cancer June 22 – July 23A chance meeting with an ‘unfriended’ friend is slightly awkward for both, so just say a pleasant ‘hello’ and carry on. Cosmic tip: Practise present moment awareness to remain clear headed and practical. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Being aware that silence is good for the mind and soul is why you make it a point to spend quiet ‘me time’ regularly.Cosmic tip: Use different working methods to help bypass a plateau phase. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Use complete potential at work to achieve what you’ve set out to do. Make time to help out colleagues, especially someone junior. Cosmic tip: Keep in mind the universe is generous with genuine efforts. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22For some, a change of residence brings new energy that transforms life. Co-operation and compromise are two sides of the same coin. Cosmic tip: Work towards a balanced approach towards different areas of life. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22The journey for self-discovery begins with just one correct step. It’s time to rest or take a vacation with family, renewing bonds of love.Cosmic tip: Maintain a balance between income and expenditure. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22There’s recognition for high quality work completed, which feels good. Those in a new relationship may wonder where it’s headed since there’s a break in communication. Cosmic tip: Let go of no-win situations. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Focused mind control is extremely important when dealing with legalese (this is work related, not personal). A business meeting over lunch ends quite favourably. Cosmic tip: Lighten up, enjoying bonding time with family/ friends. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Being unwilling or unable to make a decision doesn’t make the issue settle down. Work towards diffusing underlying insecurity.Cosmic tip: Step back instead of being judgmental about some mind games being played. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Health is good. Having patch-up work done on vehicle body is revealed for some. Cosmic tip: Attract a positive karmic cycle by letting certain issues be for now since there’s no solution in sight.
05 May,2025 05:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseEven as Marathi was recently conferred the prestigious status of an Abhijaat Bhasha (classical language), the possible closure of Dadar’s Nabar Guruji Vidyalaya, one of Mumbai’s oldest Marathi-medium schools, has reignited concerns about the fading presence of institutions imparting education in the regional tongue in the city. Run by the Indian Education Society (IES), the Nabar Guruji Vidyalaya, an institution with a proud legacy dating back to the 1940s, is now staring at an uncertain future. News of its potential shutdown raises a difficult but urgent question: Is the decline of Marathi-medium schools in Maharashtra accelerating towards a point of no return? After 35 Class 10 students from Nabar Guruji Vidyalaya’s graduated this year, only 17 students remain enrolled in the school across Class 9 and Class 10 for the upcoming academic year, a stark reflection of the enrolment crisis. Though the trustees have clarified that no official decision has been taken on closure, they opened up about the mounting difficulties in sustaining operations, citing dwindling numbers and insufficient support. Satish Rama Nayak, one of the trustees of the Nabar Guruji Vidyalaya, said, “We have not taken any decision to close the school. However, enrolment has dropped drastically. This year, 35 students appeared for the SSC exams, but in the current academic session, only 17 students remain in Class 9 and Class 10. This sharp decline is impacting the teacher-student ratio.” He explained that while the government’s stipulated pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) is 40:1, the threshold was brought down to 25:1 for Marathi-medium schools. “In our case, the PTR has now fallen well below the mandated level. Therefore, we wrote to the education department seeking their guidance—not to request the school’s closure,” he said. Pointing out a broader social shift, Nayak said, “Many parents who themselves studied in Marathi-medium schools and now hold respectable positions are beginning to question the quality of education in these very institutions. Even daily wage earners are willing to take loans to secure admission for their children in English-medium or CBSE-affiliated schools. At our school, we offer free education and teacher salaries are paid through government grants, so we are financially capable of running the institution. But what can we do if the students simply don’t come?” He added that they are still awaiting a response from the education department, and have tried to reassure anxious parents. “We’ve assured parents that, should any changes be required, we will transfer their children to another of our well-established schools, Raja Shivaji Vidyalaya, located within the same complex, all they have to do is fill up a form. Despite this, at least 10 of the 17 remaining students have already applied for leaving certificates. The IES operates 60 schools across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, each offering both Marathi and English-medium sections. It’s not just Nabar Guruji Vidyalaya that is struggling, dwindling enrolments and operational challenges are faced by majority of aided Marathi-medium schools. Aided schools like ours are also now facing stiff competition from BMC-run Mumbai public schools, which are expanding rapidly, offering English-medium instruction and even ICSE, CBSE and IB curricula.” Broader crisis Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) education department, submitted to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) for the year 2023-24, highlights a troubling trend—a steady decline in the number of Marathi-medium civic schools over the past decade. In 2010-11, Mumbai had 413 such schools. By 2014-15, this number had dropped to 368. The downward trend continued, with only 280 such schools remaining in the academic year 2021-2022. As of 2023-24, the figure dipped to just 262. This sharp decline has sparked serious concern among educators and activists. Falling student enrolment, lack of infrastructural support and shifting parental preferences towards English-medium education have put immense pressure on trusts and managements that run these schools. Harsh reality Sushil Shejule, a member of the Marathi Abhyas Kendra and president of the organisation Aamhi Shikshak (We Teachers), said, “While Marathi has been granted classical language status, the closure of Marathi schools, which are the true lifeline of the language, is a serious warning bell. Someone must take responsibility for this situation. It would be unfair to place the entire blame on parents. The government must act with intent to save Marathi-medium schools. It should appoint a special committee of experts for Mumbai or even for the entire state to investigate the reasons behind the declining student enrolment in these schools and implement solutions on a war footing. The BMC’s decision to start English-medium schools affiliated with other boards, despite no real demand for them, was a self-destructive move. If this continues, a time will come when Marathi schools in Mumbai will completely disappear. This reality needs to be acknowledged with the seriousness it deserves.” He added, “In Maharashtra, public funds should be directed towards strengthening Marathi schools rather than being spent on English-medium institutions. This leads us to a fundamental question: Do the government and the administration truly want Marathi schools to survive? If a school is offering quality and value-based education, student numbers do not decline.” Systemic neglect? Girish Samant, a trustee of the AB Goregaonkar School, run by the Goregaon-based Shikshan Mandal Trust, stated, “The education department has completely stopped granting approvals for new Marathi-medium schools. Non-salary grants, which are critical for school operations, were discontinued for a long time and only resumed after sustained pressure, yet they remain irregular and insufficient. There has been no sanction for non-teaching staff appointments either. Secondary sections don’t even have laboratory assistants, and the workload on teachers is overwhelming.” Samant added that several Marathi-medium schools have been waiting for official permissions and support since as far back as 2012-13, with no resolution in sight. “It appears that the authorities are indifferent to the shutdown of Marathi-medium schools. In fact, it feels like the government is deliberately creating a situation where aided Marathi schools become unsustainable. Over the past decade, policies have only made things harder for school managements and staff,” he said. Pointing out the contradiction between policy and practice in Maharashtra, Samant said, “Marathi schools are being ignored even as the NEP [National Education Policy] promotes mother-tongue learning. There’s no on-ground campaign by the government to promote Marathi. All signs point to an unwritten mandate to phase out aided Marathi-medium schools.” Matter of survival Slamming the authorities’ approach towards Marathi-medium education, Prasad Gokhale, a parent and convenor of the awareness group and social media community Marathi Shala Aapan Tikavlya Pahijet (We Must Save Marathi Schools), said, “If the government, and a section of Marathi society, believes that the Marathi language is not capable of being used as a medium to teach school subjects, then the recently conferred Abhijaat Darja (classical language status) should be immediately withdrawn and English be deemed a classical language instead. Before making grand declarations, government officials, politicians, ministers, teachers, and members of Marathi school committees must answer a basic question: Have they enrolled their own children in Marathi-medium schools, past or present? And if not, what are the reasons behind those decisions? If education in a child’s mother tongue continues to be sidelined, then what is the point of introducing a new NEP? It all seems like a well-orchestrated plan to promote the commercial interests of non-state and international boards and private English-medium schools. In the process, the middle and lower-middle-class families are being financially exploited. The real victims of this system are the children themselves. Forcing them to study complex subjects in English from a young age, when it is not their native language, puts an unnatural cognitive burden on them. What happened to protecting our children’s best interests?" Gokhale added, “The importance of school education in one’s mother tongue is a universally accepted principle. While we keep talking about it in various forums, why are we ignoring it when it comes to implementation? The government must take responsibility to promote and protect Marathi and other regional-language schools proactively and without excuses. This is not just about language; it’s about preserving cultural identity and ensuring meaningful learning for our children. Marathi schools shutting down due to low enrolment in Maharashtra is a sorry state of affairs.” Parents torn For many parents, the choice between Marathi and English is less about culture and more about social mobility. “I studied in a Marathi school, and so did my siblings and my wife, who is a doctor, and we all are doing fine in life, but today’s reality is different,” said Satish Patil, a parent of a Std III student. “We feel pressure from society, relatives and even schools that consider English the only way forward. But deep down, we know it’s not fair to the child to learn complex subjects in a non-native language,” explained Patil.
04 May,2025 11:36 PM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghThe Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) will declare the results of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC/Class 12) examinations on Monday, May 5, at 1 pm, Devadas Kulal, the secretary of the board, informed on Saturday. The Maharashtra HSC 2025 exam was conducted across nine divisional offices of the board—Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Amravati, Nashik, Latur, and Konkan—between February and March. Students will be able to access their results online through the following official websites: results.digilocker.gov.in mahahsscboard.in hscresult.mkcl.org Subject-wise marks will be available on these websites, and students will be able to download or print copies of their results. Digital mark sheets will also be accessible via the DigiLocker app for the convenience of students. Junior colleges will be able to view the consolidated Maharashtra HSC 2025 exam results using their respective college logins at mahahsscboard.in, the board said. NEET-UG 2025: Over 20.8 lakh candidates take exam More than 20.8 lakh candidates appeared for the National Eligibility Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2025 examination conducted on Sunday across 548 cities in India and 14 international centres, sources in the Ministry of Education said. They also stated that the exam was conducted smoothly nationwide, with no major disruptions or reports of malpractice, reported ANI. “Some minor issues such as late arrivals and confusion over dress codes were reported, but there were no violations or use of unfair means,” a senior official said, adding, “There is no doubt — it happened smoothly.” The National Testing Agency (NTA), which organises the undergraduate medical entrance exam, implemented a comprehensive "whole-of-government" approach to ensure the test was conducted securely and fairly, ANI reported. A centralised control room was set up under the Ministry of Education, bringing together representatives from the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Home Affairs, Defence, and Electronics & IT (MeitY). The control room coordinated with district administrations and law enforcement agencies to monitor real-time developments throughout the day. Additionally, nodal Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) were deployed to oversee ground-level arrangements in collaboration with local authorities, reported ANI. To ensure preparedness, mock drills were conducted on Saturday at all 5,453 centres, testing systems such as biometric verification, mobile signal jammers, and the readiness of frisking personnel. (With ANI inputs)
04 May,2025 08:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a bid to enhance last-mile connectivity, complementing the upcoming launch of the second phase of the Mumbai Metro Line-3, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has proposed rationalising 32 bus routes this year, news agency PTI reported. According to official documents accessed by PTI, the plan includes the augmentation of 13 routes (464 trips), the diversion of six routes (264 trips), the extension of three routes (78 trips), and the curtailment of 10 routes (435 trips), totalling 1,241 trips. This initiative is expected to reduce the average passenger wait times by up to 15 minutes. Last month, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had reviewed BEST’s financial status. The undertaking operates a fleet of around 2,800 buses, down from 4,500 a decade ago, and serves over 30 lakh passengers daily in Mumbai and its surrounding areas. During the review meeting with the CM, the transport body presented its route rationalisation strategy in anticipation of the full rollout of Mumbai Metro Line-3 (Colaba-BKC-Aarey), also known as the Aqua Line. The second phase of the underground corridor, between Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Worli Naka, is expected to launch soon, with the final phase to Cuffe Parade anticipated in the coming months. The first phase (Aarey Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road to BKC) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year in October. In addition to route rationalisation, BEST plans to deploy 29 additional buses on 17 routes for Phase-II and 50 buses on 30 routes for Phase-III. Currently, the transport body operates 45 and 84 buses, respectively, on these routes. According to BEST officials, the rationalisation is intended to integrate the bus network with operational metro corridors, provide feeder services, and bridge gaps in connectivity, PTI reported. "The new operations will follow a ring-route pattern, linking metro stations with suburban rail hubs and commercial centres," an official said. BEST, Mumbai's second-largest public transport provider after the suburban railway network – which serves over 75 lakh million commuters daily – has been grappling with its worst financial crisis in years. Passenger service revenue has fallen below Rs 700 crore in the past two fiscals. The transport body has also proposed a fare revision, which has been approved by the Mumbai civic body and the Regional Transport Authority. Once the minutes of the authority’s meeting are signed, the implementation of the revised fares will be decided, officials confirmed. The proposed fare changes include doubling the minimum fare for the first 5 km and removing the fare cap of Rs 20 (non-AC) and Rs 25 (air-conditioned buses) for journeys beyond 20 km. Officials said the revised fare is expected to generate an additional Rs 590 crore in annual ticketing revenue. (With PTI inputs)
04 May,2025 07:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Milind Deora has launched a scathing attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his family, accusing them of holidaying in Europe during the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, news agency ANI reported. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has not yet responded to Deora's remarks. The Rajya Sabha lawmaker said the Thackerays had gone from being “sons of the soil to tourists of India” and questioned their silence during a critical moment for the country and Maharashtra, as several victims of the Pahalgam terror attack were from the state. “From sons of the soil to tourists of India — how far the Thackerays have fallen. While bullets flew in Pahalgam, they were vacationing in Europe. On Maharashtra Day, they vanished without a word. No statement. No solidarity. No shame,” Deora wrote in a post on X. From sons of the soil to tourists of India—how far the Thackerays have fallen.While bullets flew in #Pahalgam, they were vacationing in Europe. On #Maharashtra Day, they vanished without a word.No statement. No solidarity. No shame.This isn’t leadership—it’s luxury politics.… — Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) May 4, 2025 Deora accused the Thackeray family of practising “luxury politics” instead of real leadership. While highlighting their absence from the country, the lawmaker also pointed out how his party chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the victims of the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. “This isn’t leadership — it’s luxury politics. In contrast, DCM Eknath Shinde led from the front, stood with victims and honoured our heroes. Maharashtra needs warriors on duty, not part-time Netas on holiday,” he added. Deora’s remarks come amid mounting political tension following the deadly attack in Pahalgam and the Opposition’s criticism of the Centre’s response to it. The Congress had earlier launched a 'Gayab (missing)’ barb at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his visibility during the crisis. Responding to it, Deora accused Opposition leaders of hypocrisy, pointing out that many had supported the Centre’s stance at an all-party meeting before issuing contradictory statements. “After the Pahalgam attack, the Centre called an all-party meeting in which almost all parties said that they are with the government in the action it wants to take against Pakistan and terrorists. Soon after, some of these parties changed their stance. Some are now saying there should be no war, others are practically giving Pakistan a clean chit,” Deora told ANI. He also slammed the comments made by senior Vijay Wadettiwar and said that the Maharashtra Congress leader’s remarks questioned the credibility of the attack’s survivors. “He is saying that what the victims are saying is wrong,” Deora alleged. (With ANI inputs)
04 May,2025 05:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 52-year-old man was brutally murdered in broad daylight at a village in Maharashtra’s Thane district following a long-standing local dispute, police said on Sunday. According to PTI, the gruesome incident took place on Saturday morning in the village of Jambrude, located in Murbad taluka. The victim, identified as Barchandra Birhade, was attacked in the village square by a group of five individuals who assaulted him with an axe, killing him on the spot. Locals who witnessed the violent act promptly informed the authorities, after which police arrived at the scene and sent the body for post-mortem to a nearby government hospital. Initial investigations have pointed to a prolonged feud between two factions within the village. The victim’s son serves as the deputy sarpanch, while the accused group is allegedly aligned with the current sarpanch of the village, who is a woman and has now also been named as an accused in the case. Tensions between the two sides had been simmering for months, primarily due to disagreements over the implementation of development projects in the village and a series of Right to Information (RTI) applications filed by the victim’s camp. These RTI queries were reportedly perceived as attempts to expose irregularities, leading to mounting hostility. Police have so far arrested one individual in connection with the fatal assault. A manhunt is currently underway to apprehend the remaining suspects who fled the scene following the attack. Based on a formal complaint lodged by the deceased's family, a case has been registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to murder. Authorities have also named the woman sarpanch as a co-accused, further intensifying the political undertones of the incident. Punjab: 20-year-old man kills girlfriend, dies by suicide in Bathinda In a case of suspected murder-suicide, a 20-year-old man allegedly shot and killed a 17-year-old girl in Punjab's Bathinda and before taking his own life, police said, as per ANI. According to Bathinda Superintendent of Police Narinder Singh, the accused, identified as Hitesh, a resident of Ganganagar, first shot the girl on May 3 in the Parasram Nagar area. She was admitted to a hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. When police reached the spot, they found that Hitesh had died by suicide. "Both Hitesh and the girl knew each other and studied in Ganganagar. The girl was a resident of Bathinda," Bathinda Superintendent of Police Narinder Singh told ANI. An FIR for murder has been registered against Hitesh at the Canal Colony police station. "We have registered a case and are investigating the matter as per the law," the SP said. Police were further looking into the case. (With inputs from Agencies)
04 May,2025 02:08 PM IST | MumbaiA 32-year-old man allegedly took his own life in Maharashtra’s Palghar district following a financial dispute, prompting authorities to register a case of abetment to suicide against another individual, according to PTI. The deceased, identified as Salman Mansuri, was discovered dead in a room at a local lodge in the Dahanu area on Saturday evening. The incident occurred around 8 pm, with police officials later confirming the tragic development. According to a senior police official cited by PTI, preliminary enquiries suggest that Mansuri had checked into the lodge earlier in the day. His body was later found hanging from the ceiling fan in the room, leading authorities to suspect suicide. Following the initial investigation, the Dahanu police registered a case under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, which pertains to abetment to suicide. A man named Bharat Zhavre has been named as the accused in the matter. He is reportedly absconding, and efforts are currently underway to trace his whereabouts. Police suspect that Mansuri may have been mentally harassed in connection with a financial disagreement involving the accused. As per PTI reports, the ongoing probe suggests that the victim might have been under significant stress due to the alleged financial dispute, which may have contributed to his decision to take such a drastic step. Investigators are now gathering statements from family members, acquaintances, and the lodge staff to piece together a clearer picture of the events leading up to the incident. CCTV footage from the premises is also being reviewed to ascertain the timeline of Mansuri’s movements on the day of his death. NEET aspirant dies by suicide in Kota a day before exam A NEET aspirant allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from an iron grille of her room in Parshavnath area ahead of the national medical entrance exam scheduled on Sunday, police said. While refusing to disclose the name of the student, circle inspector at Kunhadi police station Arvind Bhardwaj told PTI that the girl was under 18 years of age and hailed from Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh. She had been living with her parents in Kota for the past several years and preparing for NEET-UG at a coaching institute. The student was scheduled to take the NEET-UG exam that will be held at various centres across the country on Sunday. The girl used her scarf to hang herself from an iron grille in her room on Saturday evening The family members were reportedly at home at the time of the incident and found her dead around 9 pm. No suicide note was recovered from her room, he said, adding the body has been sent for postmortem. Notably, this is the 14th case of suicide by a coaching student in Kota this year since January this year. A total of 17 cases of suicide by coaching students were reported in Kota last year. (With inputs from PTI)
04 May,2025 01:49 PM IST | MumbaiTwo young labourers tragically lost their lives after falling into a deep pit and suffocating at a ready-mix concrete (RMC) facility situated along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, police said on Sunday. The incident occurred on Friday evening at a concrete plant located in the Sasupada area, as per PTI. According to police officials, the deceased have been identified as Vishwajeet Harishchandra Rajbhar (20) and Rajan Surendra Rajbhar (24). A third worker, Salman Khan, who attempted to rescue them, was also injured and is currently undergoing treatment for respiratory complications. Vishwajeet and Rajan accidentally slipped into a pit approximately 30 feet deep, which contained residual chemical or concrete substances. Once inside, the two reportedly began gasping for air and shouting for help, prompting Khan to descend into the pit in an effort to save them. However, he too began to suffocate shortly after exposure to the pit’s hazardous contents. Emergency efforts to rescue all three workers were undertaken using a Hydra crane, police said. All three men were pulled out of the pit and rushed to a nearby hospital. Vishwajeet and Rajan were found unconscious and were later declared dead on arrival by attending doctors, while Khan remains hospitalised on Mira Road, suffering from severe respiratory distress. According to PTI, a preliminary investigation has been launched to assess potential negligence on the part of the plant’s management. Authorities are currently reviewing whether standard safety protocols were followed and whether the pit was properly ventilated or secured. “We are verifying whether the concrete facility adhered to prescribed safety guidelines. If any lapses are found, appropriate action will be taken against those responsible,” a police official told PTI. Palghar man beaten up by locals, arrested for making objectionable remarks about Shivaji Maharaj A man was beaten up by locals and arrested in Maharashtra's Palghar district after he allegedly made objectionable remarks against Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on a WhatsApp group, police said on Sunday. The accused, Akshaydeep Bharatkumar Visawadiya, was beaten up at a housing society in the Vijay Nagar area of Nalasopara East on April 28, an official said.According to the police, there was a heated discussion on a WhatsApp group about Gujarati and Marathi identities, during which the accused allegedly made derogatory statements about Shivaji Maharaj. (With inputs from PTI)
04 May,2025 12:34 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
