Maharashtra Government has acquired the famous 'Raghuji Sword' for Rs 47.15 lakh, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday. It is a historic sword belonging to Raje Raghuji Bhonsle, founder of the Bhonsle dynasty of Nagpur, who in 1745 led the battle against the Nawab of Bengal, Fadnavis said on X. नागपूरच्या भोसले घराण्याचे संस्थापक राजे रघुजी भोसले यांची लंडनमध्ये लिलावात निघालेली ऐतिहासिक तलवार ही राज्य सरकारने खरेदी केली आहे, हे सांगताना मला आनंद होतो. त्यामुळे आपल्या मराठा साम्राज्यातील एक मौलिक आणि ऐतिहासिक ठेव आता महाराष्ट्रात येणार आहे.रघुजी भोसले हे छत्रपती शाहू… pic.twitter.com/rQlt06cKme — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) April 29, 2025 The sword was acquired not directly but through an intermediary due to some technical problems, the CM informed. Sotheby's which conducted the auction on Tuesday, said on its portal that the basket-hilt sword (khanda) was sold for 38,100 pounds. The estimate before the auction was between 6,000 and 8,000 pounds, it added. "The slightly curved, European-style single-edged blade with two fullers and imitation maker's marks towards the forte, the spine gold inlaid with Devanagari script, set in a traditional 'basket'-style hilt fully overlaid with worked gold, the grip covered in green woven wool," is how the global auction house described the sword. "The inscription in Devanagari script on the spine suggests that it was made for the Maratha general Raghuji Bhonsle (1739-55), who established a large kingdom centred on the city of Nagpur in the north of the Deccan," it said. "The long straight blade has been marked to appear European in origin. Indian imitations of European blades are in the Wallace Collection (inv. Nos.OA 1452, OA 1455, OA 1811 and OA 1873). Swords mounted with European blades made in centres including Solingen in Germany and in Venice and Genoa were known as firanghi (Frankish) and were sought after in Indian courts. William Hawkins, travelling in India from 1608-13, reported that Jahangir had 2200 swords with German blades in his treasury (William Foster (ed.), Early Travels on India, 1583-1619, Oxford University Press, 1921, p.103)," it said. 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.
29 April,2025 09:14 PM IST | Mumbai | PTILok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from Kalyan, Shrikant Shinde, has criticised the Congress over its “hypocrisy and insensitivity” regarding the Pahalgam terror attack. The Shiv Sena leader said that instead of politicising the tragedy, the Congress must first clarify its internal stance on the controversial and divisive statements made by senior party members. "Before demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the party should first convene a meeting of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and take action against its own leaders who have insulted the victims," said Shinde, who is also the Shiv Sena's Parliamentary Party leader. He specifically named several Congress leaders, including Maharashtra legislator Vijay Wadettiwar, who questioned the credibility of the victims’ accounts. Shinde also slammed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister RB Timmapur, who cast doubt on the terrorist nature of the attack by injecting religious undertones. He also alleged that former minister Saifuddin Soz appeared to support Pakistan’s narrative and slammed Tariq Hameed Karra, who called for dialogue with Pakistan even in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. These, Dr Shinde argued, were not isolated personal opinions but reflected a dangerous, anti-national mindset within the Congress. He also condemned remarks by Robert Vadra, the husband of Wayanad Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, after he attributed the attack to the alleged injustices faced by Muslims in India. “Such statements are not only politically irresponsible but also deeply insulting to the widows, families, and children of the victims. They trivialise the pain of those who have suffered an irreparable loss,” Shinde said in Mumbai. He also questioned the moral standing of the Congress to demand a Parliamentary debate without first addressing these divisive voices within its own ranks. “Does the Congress stand with the innocent civilians killed in the attack, or with its leaders who seem to rationalise or defend the perpetrators?” he questioned. The MP, who is the son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, called for unity and national resolve in the face of terrorism and urged Congress to reject its politics of appeasement and misleading narratives.
29 April,2025 08:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a bid to promote clean mobility, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced a toll waiver for all electric four-wheeler passenger vehicles and electric buses on some of the state's major expressways. The decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting held in Mumbai on Tuesday. It was decided that the electric vehicles will not have to pay tolls on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link), Samruddhi Mahamarg (Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Expressway), the officials said. They said that a 50 per cent toll discount will be offered to electric vehicles on other state and national highways under the Public Works Department (PWD) of Maharashtra. "The decision is aimed to encourage the use of electric vehicles and reducing pollution by promoting clean and sustainable transport in the state," an official said. The state cabinet also gave its approval to Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy, 2025. Under the policy, aimed to push for green mobility and encourage usage of electric vehicles, the state government besides announcing toll waiver-concession, has decided that all electric vehicles sold and registered in Maharashtra would be exempted from motor vehicle tax and registration certificate or renewal fees and discounts would also be given on purchase of vehicles till 2030. As per the statement issued by CM Devendra Fadnavis' office, "10 per cent discount will be given on the original price of electric two-wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers (non transport), buses of state transport undertaking and private, state/urban transport undertakings."
29 April,2025 08:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarVijay Singhal, the Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), on Tuesday reviewed the Kharghar-Turbhe Tunnel Link Road and CIDCO’s housing scheme at Kharghar. He was joined by CIDCO’s Joint Managing Directors Shantanu Goel and Dr Raja Dayanidhi, Chief Engineer (Navi Mumbai International Airport and Special Projects) Sheela Karunakaran, Additional Chief Engineer Prabhakar Phulari, and Superintending Engineer Santosh Ombhase, among other officers. The tunnel link road project will connect Turbhe in North Navi Mumbai and Kharghar in the southern end of the city. This four-lane tunnel route is proposed to be approximately 5.490 km long from the Sion-Panvel Highway, opposite Juinagar Railway Station, to Central Park in Kharghar. The connector will comprise a 1.763-km-long tunnel. Singhal also reviewed CIDCO’s transit-oriented housing project near Kharghar Railway Station. He directed the officials concerned to complete the work for the two projects at a faster pace and within the stipulated time.
29 April,2025 07:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarGhodbunder Road in Thane will be closed to heavy vehicles from 100 hours, from Saturday to Wednesday, as the public works department is undertaking repairs of the road at Gaimukh ghat. An exception has been made for emergency heavy vehicles. The mega block is likely to create hurdles for light vehicles as diversions will result in congestion not only on Ghodbunder Road but also on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad road and Thane city in general. According to a notice by the Thane Traffic Division, at Gaimukh Ghat, during roadwork on the Ghodbunder-Thane carriageway, light vehicles going towards Thane from the Kajupada side will be diverted. Motorists should take the cut near the Indian petrol pump, drive on the wrong side of the Thane-Varasave carriageway and proceed via the cut in front of Nirantar Centre towards Gaimukh and onwards towards their destination. Alternative route Vehicles coming from the Palghar-Virar direction have been restricted from entering Varasave via Shirsat Phata. They must, instead, take the Shirsat Phata-Parol-Akoli (Ganeshpuri)-Ambadi route to reach their destination. Vehicular traffic on the Gaimukh ghat stretch of Ghodbunder Road in Thane on April 25. Pics/Satej Shinde Vehicles coming from the Palghar-Vasai direction on National Highway No. 48 have been restricted from entering Varasave via Chinchoti Naka. They must, instead, take the Chinchoti route via Kaman, Kharbao, Anjur Phata and Bhiwandi. Entry from Western Express Highway (from the Mumbai and Kashimira side) towards Ghodbunder Road has also been restricted, and motorists should continue straight via Versova bridge onto Gujarat National Highway and then proceed via either the Shirsat Phata-Parol-Akoli (Ganeshpuri)-Ambadi route or travel via Chinchoti, Kaman, Kharbao, Anjur Phata and Bhiwandi. Nashik Rd via Y junction According to the Thane Traffic Division notice, heavy vehicles from Mumbai and Thane heading towards Ghodbunder Road must proceed via Y Junction directly to Nashik Road, and then via the Kharegaon toll naka, Mankoli and Anjur Phata to their destination. “Heavy vehicles from Mumbai and Thane should take a right turn near Kapur Bawdi Junction and proceed via Kasheli-Anjur Phata to their destination. All heavy vehicles coming from Mumbra and Kalwa towards Ghodbunder Road are prohibited from entering at Kharegaon toll naka. They must, instead, travel under the Kharegaon Khadi bridge and then take the toll naka-Mankoli-Anjur Phata route to reach their destination,” the notice reads. Heavy vehicles coming from Nashik towards Ghodbunder Road are prohibited from entering at Mankoli Naka. They must proceed under Mankoli bridge, take a right turn, and travel via Anjur Phata. The notice states that heavy vehicles from Gujarat, Mumbai, Virar and Vasai heading towards Ghodbunder Road must proceed via Chinchoti Naka instead of venturing near the Fountain hotel.
29 April,2025 07:08 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe Central Railway on Tuesday said that it will operate special night traffic and power blocks on Kalyan-Karjat route between April 29 and May 5 during which several trains would be affected. In a statement, the Central Railway said that special blocks will be undertaken on the Up and Down South East (SE) lines between Bhivpuri Road and Karjat for high-voltage overhead work. It said that the blocks are scheduled to facilitate the removal and stringing of 3-phase double circuit phase and earth conductor for a 400 KV Nagothanae–Padhaga transmission line. The blocks are to be operated are under:- Date of Blocks: - 29/30.04.2025 (Tuesday – Wednesday Night), 30.04/01.05.2025 (Wednesday- Thrusday Night), 01/02.05.2025 (Thursday- Friday Night), 02/03.05.2025 (Friday –Saturday Night) 03/04.05.2025 (Saturday-Sunday Night), 04/05.2025 (Sunday- Monday Night). Duration of Blocks: 02:00 hrs to 03:30 hrs (01:30 hrs) Traffic Block Sections: UP and DN SE line Bhivpuri Road to Karjat Repercussions due to the Block: Diversion of Mail/Express trains: The following trains will divert via Karjat- Panvel-Diva and will arrive destination 20-30 minutes late. - 11020 (Bhubaneswar – CSMT Express) - 18519 (Visakhapatnam– LTT Express) - 12702 (Hyderabad – CSMT Express) - 11140 (Hosapete – CSMT Express) - 22718 (Secunderabad – Rajkot) - 16614 (Coimbatore – Rajkot) - 20967 (Secunderabad – Porbander) - 12755 (Kakinada Forts – Bhavnagar) The Central Railway said that the Kalyan halting trains will be given halt at Panvel/Thane for the benefit of Kalyan boarding and deboarding passengers. Apart from above, late running mail / express trains/ Holiday specials if any also be diverted as per operational requirement. The Central Railway, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, also shared details of the services that would be affected during the blocks. Working of Suburban train during the block period: - Suburban Mumbai local train leaving CSMT at 00.12 hrs for Karjat will be short terminated at Badlapur and this train will stand cancelled between Badlapur and Karjat. - Suburban train leaving Karjat at 2:30 hrs for CSMT will be short originated at Badlapur at 03:03 hrs and this train will stand cancelled between Karjat and Badlapur. "These blocks are necessary to ensure safe working conditions for the high-tension line crossing at KM 97/8-9, between Kalyan and Karjat," the Central Railway said.
29 April,2025 07:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Thane traffic police on Tuesday announced major traffic diversions on Ghodbunder Road in the district due to repair works at Gaimukh Ghat. The traffic police said that repair works will begin from 11:55 pm on April 29, 2025 and will go on till 11:55 pm on May 1, 2025. The repair works will be carried out using Cement Grouted Penetration Macadam (CGPM) and Cement Base (CB) methods. To avoid traffic congestion and ensure smooth flow of vehicles, specific entry points for heavy vehicles will be temporarily closed, the police said. The fresh traffic notification was issued by the Thane traffic police days after it had announced that the movements on Ghodbunder Road in Thane district of Maharashtra would be affected due to planned road repair works which was scheduled on April 26. Thane: Traffic diversions on Ghodbunder Road from April 29 to May 1 due to Gaimukh Ghat repairs#Thane #traffic #Ghodbunder #news VC: Sources https://t.co/C4FuMvPC3l pic.twitter.com/UqqwaOk8u9 — Mid Day (@mid_day) April 29, 2025 The earlier traffic notification had said the road repair works at the Gaimukh Ghat section on the Thane-Ghodbunder Road (State Highway No. 84), was undertaken from April 26, 2025 to April 27, 2025. The traffic diversion notification issued on Tuesday said that following alternative routes have been made for motorists during the repair works- Traffic Changes – Thane to Ghodbunder direction - Heavy Vehicles from Mumbai/Thane towards Ghodbunder Road: Entry closed at Y Junction and Kapurbawdi Junction Alternative Route A: From Y Junction, take Nashik Road via Kharegaon Toll Naka – Mankoli – Anjur Phata to reach destination. Alternative Route B: From Kapurbawdi Junction, turn right towards Kasheli – Anjur Phata – destination. -Heavy Vehicles from Mumbra/Kalwa towards Ghodbunder Road: Entry closed at Kharegaon Toll Naka Alternative Route: Take Kharegaon Khadi Bridge underpass – Kharegaon Toll Naka – Mankoli – Anjur Phata – destination. - Heavy Vehicles from Nashik towards Ghodbunder Road: Entry closed at Mankoli Naka Alternative Route: Go under Mankoli Bridge – turn right – continue via Anjur Phata. From Ghodbunder to Thane direction - Heavy Vehicles from Gujarat towards Ghodbunder Road: Entry closed at Chinchoti Naka - Heavy Vehicles from Mumbai/Virar/Vasai towards Ghodbunder Road: Entry closed near Fountain Hotel Alternative Route: From Chinchoti Naka, take Kaman – Anjur Phata – Mankoli – Bhiwandi route to reach destination. The traffic notification will be in effect from the night of 29 April at until 1 May 2025 at 11:55 pm, the traffic police said.
29 April,2025 06:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA major fire broke out in a building housing an electronics goods showroom in the suburban Bandra area in the early hours of Tuesday, with the NDRF also being called in for firefighting operations, officials said. There were no immediate reports of any injuries in the blaze, they said. "Following a request from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was mobilised and reached the spot at 7.50 am," a civic spokesperson said. A major fire broke out early Tuesday morning at a building housing an electronics goods showroom in Bandra West, officials said. The fire erupted around 4:10 a.m. at the Croma showroom located in the basement of Link Square Mall, a three-storey commercial complex on Linking Road. The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) received the first report at 4:11 a.m. Officials said the incident was initially classified as a Level I fire at 4:17 a.m., escalated to Level II at 4:28 a.m., and was declared a Level III fire — the highest severity — by 4:49 a.m. The blaze was largely confined to the basement of the showroom, but thick smoke quickly spread throughout the entire building, which includes three basement levels, a ground floor, and three upper floors, severely hampering visibility. Twelve fire engines, supported by other firefighting vehicles, were dispatched to the scene to battle the flames. Several agencies, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, Adani Electricity, the Public Works Department (PWD), and local ward staff, responded to the emergency. Senior fire officials — including a Divisional Fire Officer (DFO), two Assistant Divisional Fire Officers (ADFOs), three Senior Station Officers (Sr. SOs), and three Station Officers (SOs) — led the operation. Resources deployed included 12 fire engines, nine jumbo water tankers, two breathing apparatus vans, a rescue van, and a water quick response vehicle. A 108 emergency ambulance was also stationed at the site as a precautionary measure. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. This incident marks the second major early-morning fire in Mumbai in just two days. On Sunday, a significant blaze broke out at a building housing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in the Ballard Estate area. The fire brigade received a call about the blaze at the multistorey Kaiser-I-Hind building, which houses the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office, near the Grand Hotel on Currimbhoy Road around 2:31 am on Sunday. Fire brigade teams rushed to the spot and began firefighting operations. Around 3:30 am, the fire was upgraded to Level-II, which is generally considered a major fire, the fire brigade control room confirmed. A civic official said the fire was confined to the fourth floor of the five-storey building. The official said eight fire engines, six jumbo tankers, one aerial water tower tender, one breathing apparatus van, one rescue van, one quick response vehicle, and an ambulance from the 108 service had been deployed to the spot.
29 April,2025 05:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Commerce and Industry Ministry on Tuesday stated that Croatia has expressed its interest in investment in the Indian defence sector, solar cells production, food processing technology, automobiles and knowledge sharing amongst other sectors. Croatia extended the offer during the bilateral discussions held between Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal and his Croatian counterparts Zdenko Lucic, State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Development, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and Ivo Milatic, State Secretary, Ministry of Economy. Ministry of Commerce and Industry further added that the meetings focused on advancing India-Croatia trade and investment relations, promoting sectoral collaboration, and reinforcing India's engagement with the Central European region, as per news agency ANI. During the meeting with Zdenko Lucic, State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Development, discussions were centred around taking forward the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and enhancing bilateral trade cooperation, the Ministry added in the statement. The Commerce Secretary referred to the visit of the EU President and 27 Commissioners to India as the first visit of the College of Commissioners outside the European continent since the start of their new mandate and also the first such visit in the history of India-EU bilateral ties, reported ANI. Commerce Secretary mentioned the areas of collaboration between the two countries, such as Railways, Global Capability Centres, Electric Vehicles, IT, etc. In the meeting of Commerce Secretary with Ivo Milatic, State Secretary, Ministry of Economy, discussion was centred on promoting investment flows, and enhancing cooperation across key sectors including Healthcare, Education, Tourism, Entertainment (mentioned about WAVES summit), Supply-Chain integration, Logistics, Transports, Pharmaceuticals, Digital Technology, Renewable Energy and Manufacturing, reported news agency ANI. According to ANI, for the third Session of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation, which is due, both sides exchanged their views on improving the work of the commission with more frequent meetings and directly connecting the entrepreneurs of both countries for a stronger and faster progress, the Ministry added in the statement. The Commerce Secretary also participated in a business interaction event "Exploring Economic Cooperation Opportunities between India and Croatia," organised by the Croatian Chamber of Economy (CCE), where he met with the heads of various industry associations and leading Croatian business representatives. A presentation on the Croatian Economy, the trade and investment relations between India and Croatia and Industries potential on key sectors of mutual interest was shown. (With ANI inputs)
29 April,2025 02:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai’s Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Vanaspati Udyan and Zoo recently celebrated the birth of three Humboldt penguin chicks—Noddy, Tom, and Pingu—bringing the zoo’s penguin population to 21. This marks the first successful hatching at the zoo in over a year. Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo has welcomed three new Humboldt penguin chicks named Noddy, Tom, and Pingu, born in March to two penguin pairs.This is the first penguin birth at the zoo in over a year, bringing the total count to 21.While they are now open for public viewing, the chicks… pic.twitter.com/P9BTGejuqJ — Mid Day (@mid_day) April 29, 2025 The chicks were born to three different pairs of penguin parents. Popeye and Olive welcomed Noddy on March 4, while Daisy and Donald saw the arrival of Tom and Pingu on March 7 and March 11, respectively. Their birth was officially announced on April 25, coinciding with World Penguin Day. २५ एप्रिल - जागतिक पेंग्विन दिवस.25 April - World Penguin Day.Watch VIRTUALLY WILD | EPISODE 02 | HUMBOLDT PENGUIN: A SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY > on THE MUMBAI ZOO YouTube Channel.#themumbaizoo #wildlife #birds #penguinday #25april #bycullazoo #ranibagh pic.twitter.com/UMeyFXRQCA — The Mumbai Zoo (@TheMumbaiZoo) April 25, 2025 Though the chicks—affectionately called the zoo’s “tiniest waddlers”—are thriving, they remain mostly within their nests and are not yet fully visible to the public. Zoo officials report that the parents are feeding the chicks by chewing food and passing it on directly. The penguins, whose average age is between 6–7 years, are part of a successful breeding program that has garnered praise from zoos across India. To support future expansion, the zoo has proposed an additional 400-square-foot enclosure capable of housing up to 40 penguins. In 2023, the Byculla Zoo celebrated the birth of three Humboldt penguins — Coco and Stella (females), and Jerry (male) — born to three different pairs. With the recent arrival of more chicks, the zoo’s penguin population has now risen to 21. However, the growing numbers have sparked logistical concerns. In response, the zoo has initiated animal exchange proposals, offering some of its penguins in hopes of acquiring other species. Yet, the initiative has seen no success so far, largely due to the high maintenance costs associated with penguin care. This has raised alarms over the potential space crunch at the zoo’s current penguin enclosure. “In 2016, we brought eight penguins into the zoo. Over the years, we have made sure that their habitat is taken care of so that they can live properly and breed as well. We also created rocky crevices in their habitat where the penguins could build their nest and lay eggs. Though we did not have any new hatchlings last year, three chicks joined the family in March. All of them are healthy and will start swimming as well in about three months,” Dr Abhishek Satam, zoo biologist, stated.
29 April,2025 02:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe police on Tuesday said that an 18-year-old girl riding pillion on a scooter died after a speeding truck ran over her in south Mumbai, reported news agency PTI. Police have apprehended the truck driver, who fled from the spot after the accident, an official said. He said the accident occurred on VP Road on Monday afternoon when the scooter attempted to overtake the heavy vehicle, reported PTI. Siya Uttam Mehta, who was riding a pillion, fell off the two-wheeler and was crushed under the rear wheels of the truck, the official said, reported PTI. He said the victim's friend riding the scooter didn't possess a driving licence. The official said she applied brakes, causing the two-wheeler to skid, and both girls fell, reported PTI. The victim was declared dead by doctors at the state-run J J Hospital, he said, adding that a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Motor Vehicles Act has been registered against the truck driver. Four killed as SUV collides with container truck in Maharashtra's Bhandara district In another incident, four persons were killed after an SUV collided with a container truck in Maharashtra's Bhandara district, police said, reported PTI. The accident occurred around 9.45 pm on Sunday when the SUV with five occupants, including the driver, was heading towards Nagpur from Balaghat, a senior official told PTI. He said the SUV was trying to overtake a vehicle when it collided head-on with a container truck. Four occupants of the vehicle died, while the driver sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital, the official said, reported PTI. The police have registered a first information report (FIR), and further investigations are underway, he said. Two dead, one injured as truck hits scooter in Nagpur Two persons were killed and one injured after their scooter was hit by a speeding truck in Nagpur, a police official said on Saturday, reported PTI. The incident took place on Friday morning on Jalbalpur road, the Old Kamptee police station official said. "Saurav Wase (26), Shahrukh Khan Kadir Khan (30) and Praveen Pochpongale (24) were returning after lunch when the incident took place. Wase and Khan died, while Pochpongale is injured," he said, reported PTI. People chased down truck driver Bhimkumar Jharia (35) and thrashed him before handing him over to police, the official said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
29 April,2025 01:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
