The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday launched a special two-day drive at the Banganga tank at Walkeshwar following Tripurari Purnima — a special aarti that mirrors the aarti along the Ganga ghats of Varanasi. Over 30 sanitation workers were deployed to clean out ‘nirmalya’ from the tank and its precincts. A little over a month ago, hundreds of dead fish were found floating on the surface of the water after the observation of Sarvapitri Amavasya. Banganga is a centuries-old heritage precinct and a favoured site for prayers during Hindu festivals and rituals, due to its ghats overlooking a tank that has a natural water source. The site was undergoing a heritage restoration project, which was halted during the past week. Over the two days (Wednesday and Thursday), BMC removed approximately 4 metric tonnes of waste from the Banganga precinct following prayers and rituals. Unlike September, there has been no damage to marine life in the pond this time. BMC sanitation workers cleaning the area. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Manish Valunju, additional municipal commissioner of D ward, which has jurisdiction over the area, said, “The last time, multiple items used during rituals, such as cooked food, oil, and nirmalya, were immersed in the Banganga tank’s water by devotees. This time, that has not been the case. Nirmalya was collected on Wednesday and Thursday as part of a two-day special cleanliness drive.” A total of 30 sanitation workers worked in two shifts to clear nirmalya from the area. Walunju added, “The ongoing work for restoration of the premises was stopped for 4 days, and will restart now.” In September, the BMC had removed seven truckloads of floral waste, religious offerings and dead fish from the Banganga tank. Due to the adverse effect on marine life, BMC had to replenish the oxygen levels in the tank and had set up dewatering pumps to clean out water from the tank, amid demands that separate artificial tanks be made available for ritual offerings so the water and nirmalya can be scientifically disposed of later.
07 November,2025 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSIn a bizarre twist, nearly 600 civic-school students in Govandi skipped classes on Wednesday — to protest for the very classrooms they were promised. Along with their parents, students from Nursery to Std VII staged a day-long demonstration outside the new Mumbai Public School (MPS) Natwar Parekh Compound CBSE building, which remains unopened more than a year after completion. As mid-day reported earlier, the gleaming new structure stands ready — but unused — because no access road has been built leading up to it. Meanwhile, the students are packed into the MPS Shivajinagar-1 building, where classrooms are so overcrowded that multiple grades share the same room and four children squeeze onto one bench. “We refuse to send our children back until they move us to the new building,” said Badshah Shaikh, head of the Parents Teachers’ Association. “We were promised Govandi’s first CBSE school with modern facilities. Two years later, our kids are still stuck in an old, congested building that houses six other schools.” Many parents who live in the adjoining buildings had chosen this school precisely because it was built close to their homes. “Now I have to cross a highway every morning just to get my daughter to the temporary campus,” said Ashiya, whose child is in nursery. Several parents live in the adjoining buildings. Seeing a school constructed so close to their homes, they eagerly applied through the BMC school lottery. Little did they know that, two years later, the brand-new classrooms would still be out of reach. “A school close to home was the reason I enrolled my daughter, who now studies in the nursery section,” said Ashiya. “But since there’s no access road to the new building, I have to cross the highway every day to take her to the temporary school. Soon, I’ll have to enrol my younger child too — and now I’m starting to doubt my decision.” The young students themselves have reported problems such as bullying and a lack of clean drinking water at the current premises. “It’s a pity our children got admission but still can’t use the facilities we were promised,” said Mudeena Ali Mohammed Chaudhary, whose daughter studies in Class 1. “We won’t send them back to school until they move us to the new building.” Parents say they still don’t know whether the delay lies with the BMC or the MMRDA. The group sent a written notice to the local ward office before staging their protest. Civic officials from the M East ward said, “Once the MMRDA completes the road work, the building will be handed over directly to the education department. Our ward officers are following up with the authorities to expedite the process.” Later, the same evening a few parents visited the MMRDA office to get clarity on the handover of the school building. “We have recieved positive response and hope that the school building will be given clearance soon. If the progress keeps up, our children will happily attend school,” said Shaikh. MMRDA officials were not available for comment by press time.
07 November,2025 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi Alurkar | Ritika GondhalekarA week after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) allotted four spots across the city for controlled pigeon feeding, not a single petitioner or voluntary organisation has stepped forward to maintain them. Petitioners insist the civic body should instead allow feeding at the city’s 51 existing kabutarkhanas. Last Friday, the civic body permitted controlled feeding at Worli reservoir, Lokhandwala Back Road in Andheri, Old Airoli-Mulund Octroi Naka, and Gorai Maidan in Borivli West. Organisations were asked to apply for permission and take responsibility for maintaining the sites, but no applications have been received so far. Petitioners speak Sneha Visaria, one of the petitioners who approached the Bombay High Court against the ban, said, “We have maintained our stand that BMC should atleast allow controlled feeding of pigeons at kabutarkhanas. It is not feasible to travel five to eight kilometres every morning to feed pigeons. These new spots are at inaccessible locations.” Visaria added that petitioners are still waiting for BMC to submit its report after collecting public suggestions and objections. “The report was expected in September, but there has been a delay of two months. The next court hearing is on Dec 11,” she said. There are four petitions against the ban, including one by a Pune-based organisation and another by the Dadar Temple Trust. Reacting to the BMC’s move, petitioner Hardik Hundiya said, “Since the matter is in court, we won’t approach the BMC. Temporary arrangements won’t solve the issue.” BMC’s statement In a statement issued last Friday, BMC said that feeding at four designated sites was an interim decision until the expert committee appointed by the Bombay High Court submits its report. BMC officials were not available for comment on the update by the press time.
07 November,2025 07:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSThe demolition of Mumbai airport’s domestic Terminal 1-A, which was announced in January, seems to be close. On Wednesday, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) issued a public notice regarding the demolition of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport’s (CSMIA) Terminal 1-A building. The demolition work will not affect any operation at the CSMIA domestic terminal, as the building in question has not been in public use since around 2016. The T1-A building, which is also known as the old airport building, was previously divided into three parts — T1-A, T1-B, and T1-C. The T-1A was used only by Indian Airlines (Air India) till 2005, post which Kingfisher Airlines operated alongside. Once Kingfisher ceased operations, the terminal space was given to GoAir. After all operations of Air India and GoAir shifted to Terminal 2 and Terminal 1-B of CSMIA, T1-A was shut to the public. In 2017, to prevent confusion, MIAL named Terminal 1-B as Terminal 1. Terminal 1-A while it was still in use. FILE PIC The notice issued by MIAL, which was found on social media, says that the authorities have received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for the demolition to begin. Along with the demolition of the T1-A building, an elevated road, a defunct chiller, and a temporary shed near the structure will also be demolished. While MIAL authorities have not confirmed any start and end dates for the demolition work, when this reporter visited the old airport building, it was noticed that the work had already begun. Interestingly, mid-day also found out that the same company which was involved in the demolition work of the old Sahar airport, in place of which the new Terminal 2 stands, is working on the demolition of T1-A. People Speak To understand how the old airport used to be, before all the development and modernisation efforts, mid-day contacted KVJ Rao, a retired pilot who had seen and worked at the old airport. Rao said, “The old airport had its own charm. There were no beautifications or aesthetic work done at the airport, but it was cosy. Landing at the airport gave all the passengers, pilots, and crew a feeling of coming home.” Rao’s father, who was also a pilot, had flown in and out of the old airport numerous times. “I used to visit the airport with my father, and it was never as guarded as it is right now. We were easily able to walk to the airport without any issues. It is now more guarded for good reason, but it will never be the same as it was before.” He further added, “It is somewhat of a beauty of time that we don’t have many photos of the airport… phones didn’t have cameras, and not everyone could afford cameras. Taking pictures was a luxury as one would need to go to a photo studio to get them developed.” No set timeline Though it is not confirmed when the complete demolition work of T1 will happen, the current work in progress will not affect any flight operations or passengers, as the Terminal 1A building has already been closed for several years, and all precautions are being taken at the work site. MIAL had in January announced the refurbishment of the domestic Terminal 1 and a 42 per cent increase in capacity of the airport, from 15 million passengers per annum (MPPA) to 20 MPPA. But the complete shutdown of the T1 will not take place till the Navi Mumbai International Airport’s Terminal 2 is open for passengers, giving the domestic airport a few more years of operation. 2016Year building was closed to public
07 November,2025 07:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturSaddened by the deaths of a woman and an unidentified man at Sandhurst Road station due to a strike at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Thursday, passengers expressed anger at the unions responsible for the protest, blaming them for endangering lives. “Whenever action is taken against motormen or engineers, unions resort to protests and bring the system to a halt. Lakhs suffered today because trains were suddenly stopped,” a commuter said. According to police, the victims were walking on the tracks when the train approached from behind. Because of the darkness, other commuters initially couldn’t understand what had happened. Moments later, passengers realised people had been struck and RPF personnel, along with fellow commuters, rushed to help, carrying the injured off the tracks and shifting them to the hospital. The tragedy unfolded after railway employee unions launched an abrupt agitation at CSMT, paralysing train operations on the Central and Harbour lines. With no information from authorities, thousands of stranded commuters began walking along the tracks to find their way home. ‘Such strikes unacceptable’ Ashok Pandey, Diva resident‘I work in Kalbadevi and travel to CSMT daily from Diva. We have no alternative to the railways, so such sudden strikes by railway employees are unacceptable. They must think about the public before calling an agitation, which clearly did not happen this time. Passengers were left in a state of panic and confusion. I have been standing at CSMT for the past half an hour. This chaos directly caused the deaths of commuters. Strict action must be taken against those responsible’ Rajesh Thakkar, Kalyan resident‘The accident at Sandhurst Road is entirely the fault of the railway administration and its staff. It is their responsibility to safeguard the interests of commuters. Because of this sudden strike, thousands of people were forced to walk on the tracks, which led to the incident. Strict action should be taken against the guilty’ Laffani Lal Jethanand, Ulhasnagar resident‘Going on strike without informing the public is wrong, but commuters should have shown some patience as well. Walking on the railway tracks is always dangerous. The passengers concerned also bear responsibility for what happened’ Milan Mehta, Ghatkopar resident‘We had come to Fort for some work when we learnt that trains were running late. There should have been prior intimation about this strike. At the same time, people must take care of their own safety in such situations’ FiveNo of commuters who were run over amid strike
07 November,2025 07:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilTwo commuters died after a speeding train near Sandhurst Road station ran over five people following disruptions due to a flash strike organised by railway workers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) during the evening rush hours on Thursday. Those mowed down by the train were walking on the tracks, as trains had halted for a long time due to the stir. The agitation that brought Central Railway (CR) operations to a standstill was carried out in protest of the FIR filed against railway engineers in connection with the Mumbra tragedy, leading to the complete collapse of the timetable as no trains operated from CSMT between 5.50 pm and 6.45 pm, leading to chaos as all intermediate stations and leaving thousands of office-goers were stranded. Domino effect The 55-minute suspension led to complete chaos on all CR stations. The doors of AC locals in motion wouldn’t close, and the trains were operated with doors ajar. At junctions like Dadar, Kurla, Wadala, and Thane, the rush was unmanageable. A few local trains en route to CSMT were short-terminated at Thane and sent back, leading to localised protests by commuters. The protest The National Railway Mazdoor Union (NRMU) and Central Railway Mazdoor Union (CRMU) jointly launched Thursday’s protest, demanding that the FIR be withdrawn. The protest began around 5.50 pm when protesting engineers stopped motormen and train managers from operating services. The agitation at CSMT ended after senior CR officials met the protesting engineers and assured them that the matter would be taken up with state authorities. Services resumed gradually after this. A CR spokesperson said, “Train services were stopped at CSMT. Four persons walking on the track near Sandhurst Road have been injured by the moving local train. They have been taken to the hospital for treatment.” The Thane GRP had registered an FIR on Monday against two CR engineers — Vishal Dolas and Samar Yadav — in the accident case for core engineering and maintenance lapses under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125(a) (acts endangering human life and personal safety of others), 125(b) (rash and negligent acts that result in grievous hurt) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. According to the FIR, a copy of which is with mid-day, Mumbra and nearby localities had witnessed heavy rainfall in the last week of May and the first week of June this year, which led to waterlogging on the tracks. As a result, some parts had lost ground support. Subsequently, tracks were changed on June 5. However, the FIR states, the tracks were not levelled and were tilted towards each other when the incident took place. The Government Railway Police had consulted the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute for expert advice on the technical matter. ‘No announcement led to mishap’ Stranded with no information or announcement, commuters who got stuck in the train for nearly an hour at CSMT due to a sudden protest by Central Railway employees decided to alight and walk to the nearest station. That’s when the tragedy struck. “Why cannot there be announcements inside the trains to update passengers?” asked commuter association member Subhash Gupta. He added, “They [the commuters] would not have jumped from the train had there been announcements informing and updating them.” The body of Haily Mohamaya being brought to JJ Hospital; (right) Yafiza Chougale being shifted from JJ Hospital. PICS/MADHULIKA RAM KAVATTUR “There was not a single announcement at any of the stations either. This is sheer madness. How do they manage the railways like this? Commuters are left without a clue and had no idea that there was such a big disruption,” said Shekhar Siddhaye, a commuter. “The Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh strongly condemns the unlawful and insensitive behaviour of railway employees and administration, who have put the lives of passengers at risk — the very passengers whose fares keep the railways running,” added Desai. Five hit by train; two killed The victims were taken to JJ Hospital. The two dead include a 45-year-old unidentified male and Haily Mohamaya, 19. Of the three injured, Haily’s aunt, Khushbu Mohamaya, has a right shoulder dislocation and face abrasions, with the possibility of severe internal injuries. Kaif Chougale, 22, complained of abdominal pain when brought in, while his mother, Yafiza Chougale, suffered severe head injuries. Yafiza had to be given CPR for 15-17 minutes and was later intubated by doctors at JJ Hospital. However, the mother and son took a discharge against medical advice. - Ritika Gondhalekar
07 November,2025 07:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA fresh political and administrative push has revived plans to run six-coach trains on Mumbai Metro Blue Line 1 (Versova–Andheri–Ghatkopar), a long-discussed upgrade from the present four-coach configuration. The coming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election might act as a political trigger for the much-needed push. The move aims to ease rush-hour crowding and boost carrying capacity significantly, but sources and stakeholders acknowledge the proposal remains tangled in disputes, financing questions, and operational complexity. Why now? Crowding has persisted on the Blue Line, especially at interchange hubs. A six-coach configuration could provide a sizable capacity boost and shorter dwell pressures during peak hours. Commuters at Ghatkopar Metro station on July 9. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE Sources said the tendering process for additional coaches and associated works is proceeding, with documents expected to emphasise interoperability with existing rolling stock and staged delivery, and availability guarantees. There are no timelines yet, as it is an ongoing process. If tenders land smoothly, contracts are awarded, and funding closes on time, the first extended trains could debut in phases — initially during peak periods — before a broader fleet conversion. However, insiders caution that each of the following could affect schedules: contract negotiations, technical integration, regulatory approvals, and any legal or financial objections that may arise because of the involvement of the lender. Sources said lenders have been engaged on the debt linked to the project, a step stakeholders say is essential to clearing the balance sheet and future investments. While this doesn’t automatically green-light procurement, it is viewed as a necessary pathway for lenders and promoters to agree on funding the upgrade. mid-day has been consistently highlighting the issue, and with the number of passengers crushed into limited space per square metre during peak hours, transport experts have unanimously agreed that it is high time operators converted small four-car trains into six-coach ones. The hard facts It’s a real problem: Overcrowding is chronic; any relief is likely to be welcomed by daily riders. There is willingness: Both political and bureaucratic signals suggest intent to move ahead. It’s disputed and complicated: Line 1’s public-private structure has seen long-running disagreements over costs, fares, and responsibilities. Also, converting fleets mid-life involves multiple existing contracts, issues related to rolling stock supply, depot capacity, platform adjustments, and signalling revalidation. What’s being proposed? >> Convert Metro 1 services from four to six coaches to expand peak-hour capacity.>> Procure additional cars and carry out related platform, signalling, stabling, and power-supply works through a competitive tender>> Sequence the rollout to minimise service disruption, starting with a limited number of rakes and scaling up
07 November,2025 06:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA sealed two-storey building in Rafinagar, Govandi, which used to house a civic-run Hindi and Urdu-medium school, continues to stand adjacent to a row of classrooms that are fully functional. While some students who used to attend classes in the former structure have been shifted to a nearby Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation school at Shivaji Nagar, lessons are still taught in the rooms adjoining the sealed building, which comprises the MPS Rafinagar school. Additionally, a gate frequently accessed by parents and students stands close to the sealed structure. When mid-day visited the building declared dangerous, with cracks visible in the wall of the structure, while support pillars pointed to deterioration and water seepage. A container classroom set up on the premises of the civic-run Hindi and Urdu-medium school in Rafinagar, Govandi The dangerous structure shares walls with the boys’ washroom and a classroom attended by Std V and VII students in separate sessions. However, school officials told mid-day that the washroom and classroom, along with a few adjacent rooms, had undergone structural and leakage-related repairs since December, and the use of these rooms resumed only around September this year. “The repairs led to the school being forced to conduct shorter sessions. This meant that our classes were wrapped up sooner than usual so that we could accommodate two standards, one after the other, in the same classroom. We chose this instead of losing out on school time completely,” said a school official. Parents helpless Classroom that are adjacent to the unsafe school building in Govandi. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR Due to financial circumstances, parents stated that they had no option other than to send their children to this school. “The dangerous building was emptied, but they continue to hold classes in the adjoining structure. My daughter has already been shifted to the Shivaji Nagar school, as her classes were once held in the building that was shut down. It is a bit difficult to send our children far away when there is a school right in front of our home. We know that it may be risky to send our children, specifically my son, who still continues to study in the premises of Rafinagar School. But what choice do we have?” said Ayesha Shah, a parent. Authorities speak When questioned, higher officials of the School Infrastructure Cell (SIC) confirmed that the building had been declared dangerous, but refrained from sharing any further information regarding why the rooms that share walls with this dangerous structure were not emptied yet and also about the demolition of the said dangerous structure. “We are not authorised to give any information directly. However, the said building is not certified as a C1 structure,” said a senior SIC official. The boys’ washroom A higher official from M East ward told mid-day, “As per my information, the building has been given a C1 notice and the structure has been sealed completely. However, I will look into the matter and ask the officials concerned to recheck if the classes are still being conducted next to this dangerous structure.” Kids in containers Anticipating the demolition of the rest of the building, the school has set up three containers on the premises. With multiple fans and lights installed, the containers are set to become the new classrooms for the students of MPS Rafinagar once the demolition starts, said school officials. Meanwhile, the staff is already enthusiastic about moving the students to the new containers, given the space crunch in classrooms. “We have already shared a letter with the ward (school department), asking for permission to start classes in the containers. In the meantime, if need be, we will start moving benches there, too,” said an official from the civic school.
07 November,2025 06:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar | Aditi AlurkarLord Krishna (Nitish Bharadwaj) and Chanakya (Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi) have entered the battlefield — not of Kurukshetra, but of Mumbai’s historic Town Hall. The 30 stone steps, Doric columns, and teakwood floors of the 220-year-old landmark are set to witness a real-life clash this weekend as the Asiatic Society of Bombay, one of India’s oldest and most prestigious cultural and academic institutions, becomes the centre of a fierce political duel between the Congress and the BJP. Seven independent candidates, describing themselves as non-aligned, objective, and reform-oriented, are also in the fray for key posts of vice-president and managing committee members. Founded in 1804, the society, housed in the grand Town Hall at Horniman Circle, has long been a beacon of scholarship, preserving rare manuscripts, maps, and artifacts that chronicle India’s colonial and cultural history. But now, it has turned into a political arena, with two heavyweight figures, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe (BJP) and Kumar Ketkar (Congress), vying for the top post of president. The elections The polls, scheduled for Saturday, November 8, between 1.30 pm and 6.30 pm, will elect office bearers for the 2025-2027 term. The posts include one president, four vice-presidents, one honorary secretary, and five managing committee members for three years (2025–2028). An additional post of managing committee member (2025–2027) and seven members of the scrutinising committee will also be elected. The polls are scheduled for Saturday, November 8. File pic While Ketkar and Sahasrabuddhe are contesting for president, there are 13 candidates for vice-president, two for honorary secretary, 16 for six managing committee seats, and 12 for seven scrutinising committee positions. The battle has intensified following a spike of nearly 1000 new members in the last few months, triggering legal disputes over the voting eligibility cut-off date. The Charity Commissioner had initially fixed October 15 as the cut-off, which was later revised to October 3, sparking counter petitions in court. The charity commissioner’s order has now been set aside by the court. Even amid the political drama, members stress that the real crisis lies in the deteriorating condition of the Town Hall building. The library’s basement, which stores priceless manuscripts including the Mahabharata in Persian and Dante’s Divine Comedy, requires urgent restoration. What main candidates say With battle lines drawn, both candidates have laid out their priorities. Kumar Ketkar has anchored his campaign on the Save Asiatic Library plank. “Our objective is clear — to uphold the glorious traditions of this great heritage institution while ushering in thoughtful modernisation that reflects the ideas and inspirations of the present century. The world today is marked by both turbulence and immense opportunity. Across the globe, scholars, intellectuals, creative artists, and visionary scientists are charting new paths for humanity. To ensure our institution remains at the forefront, it is essential that we connect with the future by opening our doors to world-class minds — philosophers, artists, adventurers, and thinkers from every walk of life. Our panel is committed to generating renewed socio-cultural energy, breaking free from stagnation, and creating avenues for meaningful progress. Achieving this vision will require both financial resources and the collective support of those who believe in the potential of this institution,” said journalist and writer Kumar Ketkar, who served as a Rajya Sabha MP between 2018 and 2024. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe’s pitch, on the other hand, focuses on revitalising the spirit, restoring the purpose, and reimagining the future of the iconic institution. “This is an institute of global repute, and our aim is to secure the much-needed funding it deserves. I have been associated with it for several years and served on its committee, so I understand its functioning well. Our vision is simple yet transformative — to energise the institution with purposeful activity, research, and engagement. We intend to globalise its presence through digitisation, international partnerships, and modern outreach,” Vinay Sahasrabuddhe told mid-day, adding, “This is not just about restoration — it’s about revival.” The supporting panels Both panels have fielded strong line-ups. For the post of vice-president, Ketkar’s panel includes academic and former Mumbai University Pro-Vice Chancellor (2004–09) Dr AD Sawant; renowned poet and Dalit Panther founder Arjun Dangle; University of Mumbai professor Dr Deepak T Pawar, who heads Marathi Abhyas Kendra; and Sunil Kadam, a long-time managing committee member of the society. Retired RBI manager CM Paulsil, a member since 1986, is contesting for honorary secretary. Candidates for managing committee membership include historian Bharat Gothoskar, multilingual writer Ibrahim Afgan, researcher Dr Kunda PM, freelance writer Nandini Atmasiddha, poet Sunanda Bhosekar (member since 1982), and financial expert Swati Datye. For the scrutinising committee, Ketkar’s panel has nominated Anil Waman Sawant, a member since 2017 who has served two years on the committee. Sahasrabuddhe’s panel features Padma Shri awardees — writer Ramesh Patange, actor-director Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, and Nitish Bharadwaj, along with former Mumbai University VC Dr Sanjay Deshmukh — contesting for vice-president. Vivek Ganpule is the nominee for honorary secretary. His managing committee candidates include BJP leader Madhav Bhandari, historians Dr Prachi Moghe and Vaijayanthi Chakravarthi, poet Pramod Bapat, Sanskrit professor Dr Malhar Kulkarni, and advocate Ashok Behere. Independents stay objective In addition, seven independent candidates are contesting for posts of vice-president and managing committee members, pledging to remain non-aligned, objective, and reform-oriented. “We believe every committee member should bring his or her own individuality and not be pre-aligned or bound by the dictates of a group. Having worked for the Asiatic Society for over five years in various capacities, we now wish to take on a larger role. Our common ethos is independence and reform. We aim to represent every member’s voice, irrespective of ideology, language, or socio-economic background,” one independent candidate said. ‘No agenda’ “We are contesting this election for three main reasons — to bring the Asiatic Society back on track, to make research accessible to the public, and to involve the younger generation. Our purpose is purely academic; there is no political agenda,” said BJP leader Madhav Bhandari, who is contesting for the managing committee. “The British founded the Asiatic Society to document and promote knowledge. We are not reckless — we know the difference between King George and William Jones,” he added, dismissing fears that the party would impose its ideology on the institution. Election snapshot President: 2 candidatesVice-presidents: 13 candidatesHonorary Secretary: 2 candidatesManaging Committee (6 posts): 16 candidatesScrutinising Committee (7 posts): 12 candidates TwoPresident candidates 13Vice-president candidates TwoHonorary secretary candidates 13Vice-president candidates 16Managing Committee candidates for 6 posts 12Scrutinising Committee candidates for 7 posts
07 November,2025 06:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarWheelie good times A brightly lit ferris wheel at a fun fair lights up the night sky in Borivli West The Maximum City lives through its citizens (From left) BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, MLA Manoj Jamsutkar, Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar, Smiti Kanodia, and Tasneem Zakaria Mehta reveal the festival’s Devanagari logo. Pics/Kirti Surve Parade Zohran Mamdani’s call for a city of the people seemed to echo at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum on October 6. Cabinet Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar, and BMC Commissioner Dr Bhushan Gagrani joined Museum director Tasneem Zakaria Mehta on a buzzing opening day of the Art Deco Alive! Ocean Drive to Marine Drive: Mapping a Century of Deco, Miami Beach–Mumbai (1925–2025) festival. Atul Kumar (centre) guides Shelar and Gagrani on a walkthrough of the exhibits featuring Art Deco hotels and apartment complexes that changed Mumbai’s culture With the names on the dais, the conversation soon veered on the need to protect the city’s rare heritage. Noting that the work to ‘preserve the soul of the city is a participatory exercise for [all of us]’, Dr Gagrani said, “The government and corporations are facilitators — providing an ecosystem, logistics, infrastructure. But there needs to a catalyst on the ground, whether that is the museum, an initiative or people.” A miniature replica of Eros Cinema That seemed to resonate among the panelists, as both Shelar and Mehta highlighted how the current ecosystem needs to come up with new ideas that rethink our image as a modern city. Expanding on a similar theme, Art Deco Alive! founder Smiti Kanodia added, “We have lived, walked, and experienced these spaces. Sharing our stories will raise awareness about this rare history.” Perhaps Mumbai needs to step up. In the waters with a national champ Surfers at a previous session in Virar. PIC COURTESY/Keval Patel; Mumbai surf club It’s not every day that we ask you to bring your surf boards out. Siddhi Vanmali (right), National Champion in Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP), will conduct a workshop at Mumbai Surf Club in Virar, on November 9. This diarist was filled in on the details by Preeti Rawat, co-founder of the club. “The lesson is open to beginners of all ages, and those who’ve tried SUP before. The focus is on the technical aspects, to correct participants’ stances on the board to prepare them for national-level competitions,” Rawat shared. Those keen to hit the waves can log on to @mumbaisurfclub. Meet the maestro Tyeb Mehta, Untitled, 1973, Oil on canvas, 68.50 x 58.50 inch, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art collection. PIC COURTESY/Tyeb Mehta Foundation In a delightful bit of news for art collectors and connoisseurs, this diarist has learnt that celebrated artist Tyeb Mehta’s (below) iconic paintings will have an extended stay in the city this month. Initially planned to be exhibited at the Art Mumbai art fair from November 13 to 16, Mehta’s signature works will now be on display at Saffronart Gallery in Prabhadevi from November 18 to 30, before heading to Delhi. Presented by Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) with Tyeb Mehta Foundation and Saffronart Foundation, the exhibition titled Tyeb Mehta - Bearing Weight (with the lightness of being) will also commemorate the artist’s birth centenary. “This exhibition is an attempt to reimagine the trajectories of Mehta’s practice and his legacy,” said Roobina Karode, director and chief curator, KNMA.
07 November,2025 06:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayDo 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 November 7. Aries March 21 – April 20Consider what you can do to guide profession onto a quicker moving karmic cycle. Follow the doctor’s advice about health and nutrition. Cosmic tip: Be prepared to deal with last-minute changes in plan. TaurusApril 21 – May 20A colleague seeks advice about a new form of an assignment. A reunion with school or college friends is enjoyable. Cosmic tip: Complete pending matters before switching off the laptop. GeminiMay 21 – June 21A relationship passing through choppy waters can be saved if both of you make an effort to do so. Cosmic tip: Don’t rehash old topics of arguments/ misunderstandings since they are defunct today. Cancer June 22 – July 23Having an attitude of gratitude is so important to keep life happy and thriving. Targets have been met much quicker than anticipated. Cosmic tip: Do be aware of a gradual balancing of life. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Making time for that special person keeps you in sync with each other’s energy.Cosmic tip: Be aware of the larger picture to keep perspective sharp about smaller issues that get resolved one by one. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23A one-day trip to a nearby city is something that has to be endured. Make time to meet friends.Cosmic tip: Don’t get side-tracked by other people’s opinions. Have clarity about what’s right. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Stating your understanding of the incident clearly makes it easier for the other person to get the gist immediately. Cosmic tip: Believe the cosmic powers will manifest your wish. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Maintaining a positive attitude makes life easier to live through. Profits from business increase.Cosmic tip: Don’t live in the past with your mind going round in endless circles that are of no value today. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22It takes all your willpower to refuse an appealing offer. Spending time with the person you love is calming since it is filled with immense respect and nurturing. Cosmic tip: Take care of general health. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Work keeps you busy the entire day even though today you are working from home. Cosmic tip: Forgive the person who brought you a certain amount of unhappiness at one point in life. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Wishing business travel becomes less remains an unfulfilled wish. Earning goodwill at work is something you continue to do. Get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Make sure not to dig up inactive issues once again. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20A relative needs to share some excellent news. Spending quality time with family is time well spent. Maintain a healthy diet.Cosmic tip: Speak less. Listen more to completely be in the present moment.
07 November,2025 01:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseADVERTISEMENT
