Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis extended good wishes to the people on the occasion of Republic Day 2025 on Sunday. Devendra Fadnavis in a post on X said, "Greetings to everyone on Republic Day! Let's celebrate the spirit of unity and democracy that makes our nation strong." Greetings to everyone on Republic Day! Let’s celebrate the spirit of unity and democracy that makes our nation strong.प्रजासत्ताक दिनाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा! जय हिंद!#HappyRepublicDay #RepublicDay #RepublicDayIndia #RepublicDay2025 #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/DhrNfKUTQe — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 26, 2025 The governor unfurled the national flag at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai and Fadnavis unfurled the tricolour at the CM's official residence 'Varsha' to mark the occasion. The Republic Day 2025 parade will be held at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on Republic Day 2025 on Sunday, wishing that the occasion would strengthen efforts towards preserving the ideals of the Constitution. "Happy Republic Day. Today, we celebrate 75 glorious years of being a Republic. We bow to all the great women and men who made our Constitution and ensured that our journey is rooted in democracy, dignity and unity," PM Modi said in a post on X. "May this occasion strengthen our efforts towards preserving the ideals of our Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India," the prime minister said. India celebrates Republic Day on January 26 as its Constitution came into effect on this day in 1950. India as a sovereign democratic republic completed 75 years of its eventful journey on Sunday, with the stage set at the Kartavya Path for the ceremonial parade during which the country will showcase its military prowess and rich cultural heritage. Besides VVIP dignitaries, members of the Paralympic contingent, sarpanches from top-performing villages, handloom artisans and forest and wildlife conservation workers are among the nearly 10,000 special guests who have been invited to witness the 76th Republic Day Parade. President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation in celebrating the momentous occasion and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest. A marching contingent and a band contingent from Indonesia will be participating in the parade. The arrival of the president and her Indonesian counterpart will be escorted by the President's Bodyguard, the seniormost regiment of the Indian Army. The two presidents will arrive in the 'traditional buggy', the practice which made a comeback in 2024 after a gap of 40 years, the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday. (With inputs from Agencies)
26 January,2025 10:13 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTrain services on the Central Railway's main and harbour lines were disrupted on Sunday morning due to an extended mega block for a bridge girder launch, causing inconvenience to local and long-distance travellers. As many as 11 long-distance trains that depart from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai have been rescheduled so far and nine trains that arrive at CSMT have been short-terminated due to the block burst, the Central Railway said in a post on X. There were also reports of a labourer getting injured during the girder launch, an official said. The six-hour-long mega block conducted for launching the girder of the under-construction Carnac Bridge was initially scheduled to end at 5.30 am, but it got delayed, railway officials told PTI. This caused inconvenience to passengers travelling by the local as well as long-distance trains. The Central Railway's local train operations were cancelled between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Byculla and between CSMT and Wadala stations on the main and harbour lines, respectively, due to the mega block which was scheduled from 11.30 pm on Saturday to 5.30 am on Sunday, an official said. "Working of Suburban and Mail Express trains is continuing from Byculla and Dadar on the main line and Wadala Road on the Harbour line till the completion of the block," he told PTI. Buses have been arranged at CSMT, Dadar, Byculla and Wadala Road for commuters, the official said. The Central Railway daily operates nearly 1,800 local services on its suburban network, in addition to long-distance trains, transporting about 37 lakh commuters. Western Railway imposes 3-day mega block for bridge reconstruction Western Railway has announced major blocks on the nights of 24th/25th January 2025 (Friday/Saturday) and 25th/26th January 2025 (Saturday/Sunday) for the rebuilding of the southern abutment of Bridge No. 20 located between Mahim and Bandra stations. The blocks will necessitate significant alterations to train schedules on these dates. According to a press release issued by Shri Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway, the execution of this critical work will impact suburban and long-distance services. (With inputs from PTI)
26 January,2025 10:02 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn Sunday, Mumbai experienced a warm morning, with the minimum temperature recorded at 20.2 degrees Celsius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience a clear sky on Sunday, January 26. Temperatures will range from a cool 20 degrees Celsius in the morning to a warm 35 degrees Celsius during the day. The relative humidity is 84 per cent. The sun rose at 07:14 AM and will set at 06:28 PM. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai's Santacruz observatory in suburban Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 34.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 20.2 degrees Celsius. The weather department's data showed that the city observatory in Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 32.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather update forecasts a "clear sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. On January 26, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality remained in the 'moderate' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 154 at 9:05 AM. As per the SAMEER app dashboard, many areas across Mumbai showed 'moderate' AQI. Borivali recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 168. Mazgaon, Kandivali and Malad recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 162, 135 and 172, respectively. Meanwhile, Colaba recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 91. Deonar recorded 'poor' air quality, with an AQI of 278. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 123, while Thane registered a 'moderate' AQI of 121. The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'. Meanwhile, as air pollution levels continue to rise in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revised guidelines issued last year for construction sites. The civic body will also form squads at the ward level to visit construction sites and act if guidelines are flouted. Sensor-based air pollution monitoring systems will be installed at all construction project work sites and immediate action to be taken if pollution levels are detected above the limit.
26 January,2025 09:50 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRishabh Rathaur, an IT engineer, commutes daily from Powai to the data science company he works at in JB Nagar, Andheri East. The nearly-30-minute motorcycle ride is marked by potholes, traffic, and dust. However, after a long day of troubleshooting IT issues at work, he looks forward to one thing on his way back home—as soon as he crosses the Seepz industrial area, and drives onto Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road during the nighttime, the temperature drops by at least two-three degrees Celsius. In a city where winters bring only a short respite from the year-round heat—temperatures have surpassed 35°C in mid-January itself—this pocket of cool air during his commute is something that Rathaur can look forward to every day. “During the winters, the motorcycle ride is actually cold enough to cause a little bit of a shiver,” he says. This, of course, only holds true when the road is traffic-free. The Powai resident, who stays near IIM Mumbai, says, “The temperature drops even more when I go towards Aarey Road through Filter Pada [because of the greenery].” Rajashree Kotharkar and Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy Many commuters across Mumbai shared similar experiences with this reporter. Those travelling from the greener, more openly spaced Navi Mumbai to the concrete pocket of BKC, and similarly from Mulund to Dadar, also notice temperature changes, usually finding it hotter as they approach a more crowded suburb. These anecdotes highlight the temperature differences across various suburbs, with dense concretisation and a lack of green, open spaces turning many suburbs into urban heat islands. The link between increased temperatures and dense development is apparent in the daily readings from the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) two stations in Colaba and the other in Santacruz, which record temperatures for the Mumbai City and the Mumbai Suburban districts, respectively. On average, there is a two-degree Celsius difference between these two locations, just 25 km apart. According to a 2015 study, titled Heat Islands over Mumbai as Revealed by Auto-Recorded Thermograph Data, the temperature differences between Colaba and Santacruz arise from both urbanisation and geography. Colaba, being densely developed with minimal open spaces, retains more heat. The temperature here is also moderated due its proximity to the coast, so there are fewer fluctuations from day to night. In simple terms, Colaba stays hot, day or night. In contrast, Santacruz—which developed much later—has more open spaces, greenery, as well as building height restrictions due to the airport being located there. This results in it getting hotter faster during the daytime due to increased absorption of solar radiation, but it also results in greater nighttime cooling. So, unlike the island city, the suburbs tend to cool down better at night. An aerial view of South Mumbai’s densely packed buildings forming “urban canyons”. These narrow spaces between high-rises restrict wind flow, creating pockets where pollutants like PM10 and PM2.5 accumulate, significantly contributing to poor air quality and health concerns for residents. This effect increases urban heat. Pic/File Photo But these aren’t new phenomena. Mumbai’s weather began changing back in the ’90s, coinciding with a construction boom across the city. Even as climate change makes the planet hotter, metro cities such as Mumbai are bearing the brunt of the impact due to the urban heat island effect (UHIE), where densely developed areas witness higher temperatures due to more buildings, infrastructure and human activities that absorb and retain more heat. With summer temperatures hitting new records every year, Mumbai is particularly vulnerable to extreme heat conditions in the coming future. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recently pointed out that Indian cities have become “heat traps” due to unbalanced development, often at the cost of shrinking green cover and water bodies. As more people move into the newly developed areas, it results in greater vehicular use, air conditioning, industrial processes, all of which result in greater emissions, fuelling further heat. A 2024 NDMA report pointed out that UHIE can make cities 2°C to 9°C hotter than surrounding peri-urban and rural areas because the densely concentrated buildings and roadways absorb and store solar radiation. City-based urban planner and architect, Lubaina Rangwala, who is also associate director at World Resources Institute (WRI), says, “The rapid urbanisation of Mumbai has turned it into a furnace.” She explains, “Everywhere you look, we’re pouring concrete—buildings, roads, and even public spaces. The problem with concrete is its inability to cool down effectively. It traps heat during the day and releases it at night, so there’s no real break from the rising temperatures.” The impact is quite obvious. In what should have been the peak of this winter season, the city experienced its hottest December day in the past 16 years, on December 4, with temperatures soaring over 37°C. Just days later, on December 9, it saw its coldest day since 2015 at 13.7°C. To put the weather anomaly into further perspective, 2024 was also reported as the hottest year since 1901. While UHIE is evident on a city-wide scale, it also presents in smaller pockets, often in densely packed slum habitations. In 2020, WRI came out with a report stating that slums in Mumbai are 5-6°C warmer than the neighbouring housing societies. “Many of these areas have tarpaulin or metal roofs and hardly any vegetation. These materials are highly conductive and trap heat, making these neighbourhoods unbearably hot. With no open spaces or greenery to provide shade or cooling, residents have no escape from the heat, even when the temperature is more pleasant otherwise,” says Rangwala. Despite urban heat traps posing a very real risk to the Mumbai population, there has not been much in-depth research on it so far. Urban climate researcher and academician Rajashree Kotharkar, professor at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, has been studying urban heat islands for decades and is currently researching how to build heat-resilient cities. She says, “Urban heat islands have long been understood to be a result of urbanisation, but the behaviour of these heat islands varies significantly depending on the time of day also.” Kotharkar, who is now studying the heat trap phenomenon in coastal cities, including Mumbai, explains: “In a city like Mumbai, closely packed urban areas—such as the central and southern parts of the city—tend to retain heat during the night due to limited exposure to the sky. These areas experience higher nocturnal heat stress, as they cannot cool down efficiently.” “In contrast, sparse areas, such as those on the outskirts or in city with more open spaces, have a greater potential for radiative cooling, allowing them to cool down faster after sunset,” she adds. However, the pattern shifts during the day. “Sparse areas, which receive more direct solar radiation, heat up more quickly compared to compact areas that might be shaded or obstructed by buildings. This dynamic leads to the formation of multiple microclimates within the city.” Kotharkar explains that in Mumbai, there are both hot and cool islands with varying intensities, especially when comparing different suburbs—such as the island city versus northern suburbs. “While much of the research on UHIE has relied on satellite data to analyse land surface temperatures, I believe that a more detailed ground-level study with on-site stations would reveal even more nuanced findings about these microclimates across urban spaces in Mumbai, as in, how specific areas within Mumbai experience varying levels of heat,” she says. Another factor that poses a major challenge in combating heat in Mumbai is vegetation. “The lack of green areas,” explains architect Shivani Singh, “is a critical factor exacerbating the heat island effect in Mumbai. In areas with trees or plants, the process of evapotranspiration can help reduce temperatures, but here, it’s virtually non-existent,” she says. The Ahmedabad-based architect has done extensive projects in South Mumbai over the years. The issue, according to Singh, isn’t just about the materials used. “It’s the way the city is designed—or rather, the way it’s expanding without much thought about its environmental impact,” she says. “We have covered every possible inch with high-conductivity materials. Even in areas where greenery could have been preserved, it has been replaced with construction. The city has very little room to breathe. During summers, we observed that many people were walking below metro bridges while the sidewalks were empty because there was no shade. Instead, there were trees below metro pillars for beautification. This shows the misplaced focus on using greenery effectively. Even the plants used for beautification could be chosen to produce more oxygen. Instead, they are merely ornamental, especially around Terminal 2 of Mumbai airport,” she says. Mumbai’s iconic skyline recently choked on smog, which was so dense it shrouded even megastructures like the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and towering skyscrapers. Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy, Program Director (Clean air action, sustainable cities and transport) at WRI India, explains, “There is an often-overlooked consequence of the UHIE in cities like Mumbai, where high temperatures exacerbate the formation of harmful pollutants. So, in a way, heat and AQI are somewhat related. As temperatures rise, the chemical reactions between volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere interact more vigorously, forming ozone. This creates more pollution, which leads to health problems, particularly for people with respiratory issues.” On top of that, there is an “urban canyon” effect, too. “In densely built areas like South Mumbai, buildings are often packed closely together with little space in between. This creates urban canyons where the flow of wind is restricted, trapping pollutants like particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) between buildings,” he says.Professor Kotharkar, too, agrees that urban heat and air pollution are closely linked. However, she also highlights that it has not been studied extensively. Building up heat 2°CAvg temperature difference recorded at IMD stations at the warmer Santacruz and the warmer Colaba 5°CRise in temperature in slums compared to other residential areas*Source: World Resources Institute 9°CTemperature rise in cities due to the urban heat island effect*Source: National Disaster Management Authority 17°C Rise in temperature at the surface of glass buildings*Source: NEERI
26 January,2025 09:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Anand SinghA nine-year-old boy’s left big toe was crushed after being hit by a motorcyclist who was using his mobile phone to navigate while riding his bike. The incident took place around 6.30 pm on Wednesday when the boy was standing on the side of a road in Powai. The accused, identified as Mohammad Parvez Sheikh, 25, was detained by members of the public. A police officer said, “Sheikh’s motorcycle hit the boy, causing him to fall and severely injure his toe.” He added that local residents, along with the boy’s mother, rushed him to hospital where doctors said that his toe had been crushed completely. Sheikh was also taken to the hospital, and was subsequently arrested by the Powai police. He is a resident of Bandra and was proceeding to Powai when the accident occurred. Authorities have charged him under Sections 125(B), 184, and 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act for dangerous driving and using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. The investigation is ongoing, and the accused remains in custody, the police said. The boy’s father, who is a daily wage labourer, told mid-day that the biker was engrossed in checking his mobile when he hit the child. “I rushed him to hospital but his toe could not be saved; it was damaged permanently,” he said.
26 January,2025 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaPaws on the way Out on a casual stroll with his friend at Andheri, this boy gets a cat on his back. 1971… a trophy story India skipper Ajit Wadekar (left) receives the 1970-71 series-winning trophy from Sir Errol Dos Santos, President of Queen’s Park Cricket Club at a cocktail party for members of the West Indian and Indian teams in Trinidad. WI captain Garry Sobers is in the centre. Pic/Courtesy Trinidad Cricket Council Yearbook 1971 Earlier this week, our in-house cricket nut was presented a rare publication, the Trinidad Cricket Council Yearbook 1971. The year resonates with most cricket fans as it was in 1971 when India beat the West Indies on their shores. The 1-0 series win included a maiden Test match victory (home or away) over the men from the Caribbean. The annual carried a picture of then India skipper Ajit Wadekar receiving a trophy; the caption referring to it as the Cricket Club of India Trophy. Curiosity took over and our man turned to X to check if anyone knew about this silverware. As it turned out, two hardcore cricket enthusiasts — Keshav Sunkara and Marcus60s70s80 — found it similar to the Anthony De Mello Trophy with the top portion missing. The De Mello Trophy was essentially for India v England Test series hosted on these shores, but it was given out to winning captains of other series hosted by India too. Bishan Singh Bedi received it for India’s series win over NZ in 1976-77 and Imran Khan accepted it after Pakistan beat India in 1986-87. Our in-house cricket nut has found his answer so won’t head to CCI at Churchgate to hunt for this trophy. But he wants to know how this trophy was taken to the West Indies. Giving seekhs and makhnis a break Loya at the Taj For the first time in 20 years, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, is launching a new restaurant (the last was the Japanese cult Wasabi by Morimoto in 2004). Loya, a name that means “gathering for a feast”, inspired by the tribal dialect of the Bakarwal shepherds is a restaurant that celebrates the expansive heritage of North Indian gastronomy, stepping beyond the familiar confines of Delhi, Punjab, and Kashmir. In April 2024, the iconic Masala Kraft—an institution in the city’s culinary scene—bid farewell, paving the way for fresh gastronomic adventures. Sunday midday got an exclusive first look at Loya, which is set to open in two weeks. The interiors echo the grandeur of the northern subcontinent, with sweeping arches, intricate stone jalis, and earthy textures. Inspired by Himalayan springs, the bar courtyard features natural rocks, a waterfall, and logwood furniture accented with copper—an ode to the region’s rugged beauty. Chef Rajesh Wadhwa At the helm is Chef Rajesh Wadhwa, a stalwart of Indian cuisine with nearly four decades of experience at the Taj Hotels. Speaking about Loya’s ethos, he shares, “The idea was to spotlight hidden—not lost—treasures of Indian cuisine. When we launched the first Loya in Delhi three years ago, kebabs and makhnis were intentionally off the table. For Mumbai, we spent seven to eight months refining the philosophy further. We even sent our chef on an eight-day backpacking journey to the hills to uncover dishes from dhabas, homes, and restaurants. This exploration brought us recipes like Kangra khodiya gosht and Timbri jheenga, and unique ingredients such as hemp seeds, jhakhia, tingri, and the technique of roasting walnuts with kernels for mutton curry amongst others. Even after 40 years in the industry, I feel we’ve only scratched the surface with this menu.” The serveware and table settings showcased India’s artisan heritage where every piece tells a story—from Muradabad’s handcrafted metal cutlery to Khurja’s ceramics and Amritsar’s intricately carved petal glasses. The show plates—designed as chaandi paraat—symbolise the full life cycle of food. With Loya, fine dining takes on a new dimension, taking us on an unforgettable journey across the Himalayas, Punjab, and Kashmir culinary landscapes. Will this then redefine Mumbai’s culinary scene? We think, yes! ‘Big shoes to fill’ for new Archbishop Archbishop John Rodrigues His Holiness Pope Francis has officially accepted the resignation of His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, 80, the Archbishop of Bombay. Originally submitted five years ago, Cardinal Gracias’ resignation was recently reaffirmed and received final approval on Saturday evening in Rome. Following this, Bishop John Rodrigues, who was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay on November 30 last year, now formally assumes office as the Archbishop of Bombay. Cardinal Gracias expressed heartfelt gratitude to all his collaborators in the Archdiocese. Archbishop John Rodrigues said, “Cardinal Oswald Gracias is a giant of a man, and now as his successor, I have mighty big shoes to fill.” Quite a ‘trip’ for Mr Fadnavis Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in Davos. Pic/Twitter Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis posted a few images of himself strolling down a spick-and-span sidewalk while at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland), on X. Mumbaikars had streetwise reactions, literally. One social media commentator said, “Encroachments, broken patches, uneven surfaces, dog poop; if Fadnavis walks here, it will be Davos-stating!” Yet others quipped that on Mumbai’s pavements the CM would be Devendra “Fall-navis” and “Thud-navis”. We’re simply tripping (pun intended) over the wisecracks.
26 January,2025 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayMajor railway stations on Western Railway witnessed crowding on Saturday morning due to delays and cancellations of local train services owing to the ongoing work on the Carnac Bunder road over bridge (ROB) above railway lines and the reconstruction of the Bandra-Mahim railway bridge over Mithi river. As many as 270 WR trains were cancelled and another 150 were partially cancelled. A few Central Railways services had been cancelled on Friday night. Work started on both bridges on Friday midnight and are set to continue on Saturday night as well on both lines at Bandra and Masjid Bunder. By the end of the weekend, the first phase is expected to be completed in both projects. On Saturday morning, Western Railway trains were running 15-20 minutes late due to a major block undertaken during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday for the reconstruction of the south abutment of Bridge No. 20 between Mahim and Bandra stations. Up and Down slow line trains had been temporarily diverted to the fast lines until the completion of the block. The rail bridge at Bandra was Indian Railways’ last remaining bridge on screw pile foundation and its work has now entered the next phase. It will continue through the months of April and will be completed before the monsoon sets in this year. As for the Carnac bridge at Masjid Bunder on the Central Railway route, work will be completed in five phased blocks that will go on till February 3 to launch the open web girders.
26 January,2025 07:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe US Supreme Court has cleared Mumbai 26/11 attacks convict Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India, dismissing his review petition against the move. Rana, 64, is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles. India sought the extradition of the Canadian national of Pakistani origin, who was convicted in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks case. This was Rana’s last chance to resist extradition to India. Earlier, he lost a legal battle in several federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the North Circuit in San Francisco. Rana, on November 13, had filed a petition for a writ of certiorari (asking a higher court to review a lower court’s decision) before the US Supreme Court. The US government had argued that this petition should be denied. The apex court rejected his plea on January 21, a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the President of the US. Rana is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks. A total of 166 people, including six US nationals, were killed in the attacks in which 10 Pakistani terrorists laid a 60-hour siege, attacking and killing people at iconic and vital locations of the city. 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
26 January,2025 07:09 AM IST | Washington | PTIDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign. AriesMarch 21 – April 19Maintain a cordial equation with colleagues, even the troublesome ones! Listen to your gut if you feel you need to make a lifestyle change.Relationship tip: Those in a long distance marriage or relationship may make an important decision. Make well thought out choices, balancing your head and your heart. TaurusApril 20 – May 20Speak your mind, but only when you’re sure about what needs to be said. Those in a traditional work environment must stick to company protocol.Relationship tip: Choose your words carefully if you need to have an important discussion with a loved one. Stay out of family gossip. GeminiMay 21 – June 20Being prepared for meetings, interviews or negotiations would be essential, even if you feel you have options to choose from. Avoid complicating your investment portfolio.Relationship tip: You may need to choose sides if you’re in the middle of an argument. This is a positive time for singles who are looking for a match online. CancerJune 21 – July 22Be ready to change your approach if you’re in a competitive situation. Implement any lifestyle changes you need to make.Relationship tip: Make time for friends you know you can trust no matter how busy you are. Avoid getting entangled with people you know you can’t depend on. LeoJuly 23 – Aug 22 Handle any situation out of your control in the best possible manner. This is a good time to work on letting go of negative habits that hold you back.Relationship tip: Handle any challenging relationships as best possible, being undermined. Make decisions that you know are the best in the circumstances. VirgoAug 23 – Sept 22This is a good time to work on both personal and professional changes you need to make. Self employed businesspersons could sign on a new, lucrative contract.Relationship tip: Focus on your home, and honest communication between family members. This is a positive time for singles looking to get married. LibraSept 23 – Oct 22If you’re in a slow phase, you need to pull yourself up through feelings of apathy and boredom. Avoid buying things you do not need.Relationship tip: Don’t get caught up in ego issues. It is not worth the stress. Your equation with an elder in the family may need a little attention. ScorpioOct 23 – Nov 21Those wanting to take their career to the next level need to know they want. Be careful while driving as you could be accident prone.Relationship tip: Situations at home require your attention—don’t ignore it in the hopes that it will go away. Knowing whom you can trust is very crucial. SagittariusNov 22 – Dec 21Make sure you get the best possible deal if you are in the middle of any kind of negotiations. Focus on stability while making investments.Relationship tip: Those going through a break up should make a clean end to it. Make time for those who really matter, and do not take them for granted. CapricornDec 22 – Jan 19Let go of the past. Don’t let it affect the decisions you make now. This is a positive time for those in a creative profession.Relationship tip: Someone may not be trustworthy, and you need to be careful to give people any information only on a need to know basis. AquariusJan 20 – Feb 18Impulsive decisions won’t work out like you expected. You need to make thought out choices. Take extra care of your health.Relationship tip: Those in a relationship they have kept hidden, need to reconsider if it’s worth it. Singles need to widen their social circles. PiscesFeb 19 – March 21Time management is very important if you have too much to do and not enough time. Focus on steady and secure investments in a long term perspective. Relationship tip: Don’t be influenced by other people during difficult times of a relationship. Choose peace and joy over conflict.
26 January,2025 12:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Aparna BoseChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday congratulated the Padma awardees. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi and singer Pankaj Udhas have been awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously. Chief Minister Fadnavis expressed happiness over the announcement of Padma awards to calligrapher Achyut Palav, former State Bank of India (SBI) chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya, veteran actor and Maharashtra Bhushan Ashok Saraf, veteran singer Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Baripada Forest Guard Chaitram Pawar, veteran singer Jaspinder Narula, Forest Ranger Maruti Chitampalli, senior flautists Ronu and Ranendra Bhanu Majumdar, agriculturalist Subhash Sharma, painter Vasudev Kamat, and senior homeopathic specialist Dr Vilas Dangre. "All of them have made the region proud with their achievements. They have worked tirelessly in their areas of expertise. I convey my best wishes for their future endeavours," he said. In his address on the eve of Republic Day 2025, Chief Minister Fadnavis extended his best wishes to the people of the state and emphasisied Maharashtra's pivotal role in shaping India's future and its remarkable achievements across various sectors. In his message, Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted the state’s unwavering commitment to becoming a driving force for the country's progress. "Maharashtra is India's powerhouse. In the near future, the 'data centre' will become the 'capital'. Our MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) will be a global growth centre. Maharashtra is a magnet for global investors and industry. With all the powerhouses, Maharashtra will have a unique contribution in strengthening the Indian economy," he said. Fadnavis also outlined the state's exceptional strides in multiple fields, from agriculture and irrigation to education, health, industry, energy, and infrastructure. "Maharashtra has done remarkably well in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, education, health, industry, energy and infrastructure. The state has topped the list in social justice, too. There is a balance between environment and climate change," he said. The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of unity and collective progress. "We want to increase the popularity of Maharashtra. We have to unite for that. We have to make our Indian Republic even stronger. Let's put aside all differences and develop mutual love and harmony. Let us resolve to build the best, the most beautiful and the best India," he stated in his address. Fadnavis concluded his Republic Day 2025 message with a call to preserve the values of unity and patriotism for future generations.
25 January,2025 11:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis extended his best wishes to the people of the state on the eve of Republic Day 2025. He emphasisied Maharashtra's pivotal role in shaping India's future and its remarkable achievements across various sectors. In his message, Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted the state’s unwavering commitment to becoming a driving force for the country's progress. "Maharashtra is India's powerhouse. In the near future, the 'data centre' will become the 'capital'. Our MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) will be a global growth centre. Maharashtra is a magnet for global investors and industry. With all the powerhouses, Maharashtra will have a unique contribution in strengthening the Indian economy," he said. Fadnavis also outlined the state's exceptional strides in multiple fields, from agriculture and irrigation to education, health, industry, energy, and infrastructure. "Maharashtra has done remarkably well in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, education, health, industry, energy and infrastructure. The state has topped the list in social justice, too. There is a balance between environment and climate change," he said. The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of unity and collective progress. "We want to increase the popularity of Maharashtra. We have to unite for that. We have to make our Indian Republic even stronger. Let's put aside all differences and develop mutual love and harmony. Let us resolve to build the best, the most beautiful and the best India," he stated in his address. Fadnavis concluded his Republic Day 2025 message with a call to preserve the values of unity and patriotism for future generations. CM Devendra Fadnavis defends MoUs with Indian firms amid criticism Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has countered Opposition criticism regarding the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with Indian companies during his visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Fadnavis highlighted the presence of top CEOs at the event, emphasising it as an ideal platform for fostering business relationships and securing investments. He dismissed the Opposition’s mockery, describing the MoUs as strategic steps to drive investment and economic growth in Maharashtra. He said, “It [Davos] is where international CEOs (Chief Executive Officers) network and multinational partners want their investors to meet heads of state where they plan to invest. The allegations are nothing but jealousy after we signed MoUs worth Rs 1,60,000 crore. The MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) also went to Davos but returned with MoUs worth only Rs 50,000 crore.”
25 January,2025 11:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
