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Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier
Here's looking at you Sangeet Natak Akademi award winner Shakuntalabai Nagarkar at a practice session for Love and Lavani at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu, as part of Lavani Week Bottle your recipes Cook like your mom? There’s an app for it How we wish we could all cook as well as our moms and grandmoms. But getting a recipe out of them is tough, especially when instructions include “thoda sa” and “andaaze se”. Nivaala, a platform that documents and preserves heirloom recipes, decided to become a solution to this problem. Founded by Shruti Taneja, the platform has always been one to collect and document recipes of families, cultures, and communities. Now, they have launched the Nivaala app, which allows you to hit record and have your mother or grandmother speak into your phone to document the recipe. The voice-to-text feature automatically transcribes the recording and creates a PDF of the recipe. One can also create a family group and share the culinary heritage, no matter what part of the world they are in. Nivaala has launched on the App Store gaining 80 organic users in two weeks, and is set to release on Play Store by next week. Loving India Rituparna Chatterjee In her latest work, How India Loves: Love Stories from the World’s Largest Democracy, journalist Rituparna Chatterjee writes, “We are who we love, what we love, how we love, and why we love…” Decoding these lines, Chatterjee explains, “My work in all realms of life has been based on the idea that feeling, receiving, or giving love is all about feeling safe. The entirety of How India Loes surrounds my belief that safety is a core human need.” How India Loves delves into aspects of modern relationships in India including trauma, intimacy, marriage, extra-marital affairs and societal norms. She continues, “Over the many years I spent curating the hundreds of voices captured in my columns and this book, I always seemed to attract people who wanted to share their stories with me. This is why How India Loves was born,” Chatterjee notes. Hang on, thank Pawar for IPL Sharad Pawar and (extreme right) Lalit Modi in the IPL’s infancy Sharad Pawar, the former Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president, has the cricket association’s Bandra Kurla Complex ground named in his honour. The yet-to-be-completed cricket museum will have his name to it. And the other day, the rulers of city cricket announced at the MCA Annual General Meeting that a stand at Wankhede Stadium will bear the veteran politician/cricket administrator’s name. The MCA’s post on X, announcing the Shri Sharad Pawar Stand, was met with negative comments (261 comments as of 8 pm on Saturday). “And make Ricky Ponting inaugurate it,” said one user. It can be recalled that Ponting’s Australian team were in great hurry to see Pawar off the Brabourne Stadium stage after he presented Ponting the 2006 Champions Trophy. Jokes aside, cricket fans must remember that if they feel the Indian Premier League is a boon to Indian cricket, Pawar, as president of the BCCI, gave Lalit Modi all the backing to kick off the glitzy league in 2008. We can tell you that the IPL wouldn’t have taken off had it not been for the Pawar factor. It’s time for the desi gurrl to slay Queen Priyanka started her debut tour in India with a performance in Mumbai at Kitty Su last week. Pic courtesy/Kitty Su What do you do when you’re a drag queen but your Indian-Guyanese family doesn’t know about it or the fact that you’re gay? You use your drag persona as a decoy girlfriend! That’s what Canadian drag star Queen Priyanka did until a few years ago. Then, of course, she went on to win the debut season of the reality TV show Canada’s Drag Race in 2020, and the whole world learnt who she was. “My dad just saw me do drag for the first time in December in Guyana, where being gay is super hard [Guyana is the only country in South America where same-sex intimacy is criminalised], and he understood how beautiful the art form is,” says Priyanka. From performing in her father’s country, the drag queen arrived in Mumbai last weekend to make her debut in her mother’s homeland. As the first desi queen to join the iconic Drag Race fame, bringing visibility to brown performers is an important mission for Priyanka, who named her stage persona after the first desi person she saw make it big internationally—Priyanka Chopra. “In Canada, and in the States, she was one of the first brown people I ever saw on television. I thought if I name myself Priyanka, people will know a brown person is coming on stage,” she tells us as we chat shortly before her show at Kitty Su. Being a desi Drag Race winner “is the thing I’m most proud of”, she says, “I think to be able to go head to head with the white queens, and to show that there is space for us has been so important to me. I’m very happy to show people that it’s worth the fight.” A hyperreal experience Artiste Kavya Artiste Kavya, known for her work as an actor, singer, composer, and producer, is bringing her highly immersive, theatrical audio-visual show to Mumbai on April 17 and 18 at antiSOCIAL, Lower Parel, in advance of her upcoming EP HYPERREAL, set to release in summer 2025. “This tour has challenged me to express my creative greed. Though these are baby steps, I’m picturing it as a musical theatrical production than just pub-gigging,” reveals Kavya. The show will feature Goya on Ableton live, Dhir Mody on drums, and visuals by Moebius (Nikunj Patel). The performance is set to blend released and unreleased tracks, diving into themes of future archaeological discoveries and offering an auditory journey into hyperreality.
20 April,2025 08:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Team SMD
Is someone really out there?
For as long as humans have gazed at the night sky, we've asked a question both simple and profound: Are we alone in the universe? Once the domain of philosophers and science fiction writers, that question has become the subject of serious scientific inquiry. And now, thanks to a faraway planet and the most powerful space telescope ever launched, we may be closer than ever to a real answer. The planet in question is K2-18 b, orbiting a red dwarf star roughly 120 light-years away in the constellation Leo. It was discovered in 2015 and, at first, was just one among thousands of exoplanets—worlds outside our solar system—discovered over the past three decades. But recent findings using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have thrust this planet into the spotlight. What makes K2-18 b so interesting isn’t just its size—about 2.6 times the diameter of Earth and almost nine times its mass—but the fact that it orbits in the so-called “habitable zone” of its star, where conditions might allow liquid water to exist. More compelling still are the atmospheric chemicals detected by JWST: methane, carbon dioxide, and—most intriguingly—dimethyl sulfide, or DMS. On Earth, DMS is a compound produced almost entirely by living organisms, particularly marine plankton. No known non-biological process creates DMS in notable amounts on our planet. If confirmed, the presence of DMS in K2-18 b’s atmosphere would represent the first possible biosignature—an actual clue to life—found beyond our solar system. While methane and carbon dioxide can be created through geological processes, DMS is different. It is not something that volcanoes or chemical reactions typically produce on their own. Its presence suggests, at the very least, that we may be looking at an environment that resembles Earth’s oceans in some fundamental way. To understand how scientists reached this conclusion, consider the technique used—transit spectroscopy. When K2-18 b passes in front of its star, a tiny fraction of starlight filters through the planet’s atmosphere. The molecules in that atmosphere absorb certain wavelengths of light, leaving behind a spectral fingerprint. By analysing this fingerprint, astronomers can determine which gases are present. It’s an unbelievable feat—analysing the atmosphere of a planet more than a hundred light-years away based solely on how it bends starlight. The team behind this work was led by Professor Nikku Madhusudhan of the University of Cambridge, an Indian-origin astrophysicist who has emerged as a leading voice in exoplanet science. While methane and carbon dioxide detections are robust, the signal for DMS is still tentative, though statistically meaningful. Currently, the DMS detection stands at a 3-sigma confidence level—meaning there’s about a 0.3% chance the signal is a statistical fluke. In scientific terms, this constitutes “evidence,” but not a discovery. The gold standard is 5-sigma (a 0.00006% chance of error), which is the threshold that decided the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN in 2012. This level of rigour isn’t bureaucratic—it’s foundational. Science works not just on excitement, but on evidence. A 3-sigma signal invites further scrutiny, while a 5-sigma signal demands acceptance. In acknowledging this limitation, the researchers embody an often-overlooked virtue in science—epistemic humility. Instead of making bold claims, they’ve opted for cautious optimism, refining their models, collecting more data, and inviting peer review. This is science at its best—self-correcting, careful, and grounded in evidence. The DMS signal could eventually reach 5-sigma, or it could fade with better data. Either way, it’s the process, not just the outcome, that pushes our understanding forward. Of course, in science, caution is essential. The excitement around DMS must be tempered with the understanding that this is not yet a confirmed discovery. The signal is intriguing, but not yet strong enough to rule out all other explanations. Another team, led by Dr Nicholas Wogan at NASA Ames Research Center, has proposed an alternative interpretation. According to their models, K2-18 b might not be an ocean-covered “Hycean” world, but rather a mini-Neptune with a deep, thick atmosphere and no solid surface. In such an environment, high temperatures and pressures deep inside the planet could drive complex chemical reactions, producing gases like methane and carbon dioxide without any biological input. These gases would then rise to the upper atmosphere, mimicking what we might expect from a life-bearing planet. Temperature adds another layer of complexity. If K2-18 b lacks a reflective cloud layer, it may absorb too much heat from its star, pushing the temperature of its lower atmosphere above 647 degrees Celsius—the so-called critical point of water. At that point, water no longer behaves like a liquid or a vapour but instead becomes a supercritical fluid, a state of matter that is not known to support life as we understand it. Whether K2-18 b has such clouds—or any water at all—is still unknown. Still, whether or not life exists on K2-18 b, these findings represent a turning point in the way we search for life beyond Earth. For the first time, we are not just cataloguing distant planets; we are analysing their atmospheres, searching for the kinds of chemical fingerprints that might indicate biology. And we are doing so with a level of detail and sophistication that was unimaginable just a decade ago. It’s also a moment of quiet pride for Indian science and for scientists of Indian origin working at the frontiers of discovery. Professor Madhusudhan’s work is a reminder that the exploration of the universe is a global endeavour, one that draws on the talents and insights of researchers from every part of the world. In a recent interview, he remarked, “We are now in an era where we can not only find potentially habitable planets, but also explore their atmospheres. It is a truly transformative moment for science.” That transformation is still unfolding. More observations of K2-18 b are planned using JWST, and other telescopes are on the horizon. NASA’s upcoming Roman Space Telescope and the European Space Agency’s ARIEL mission will add new tools to the astronomer’s kit, allowing even more detailed studies of exoplanet atmospheres. Meanwhile, scientists here on Earth are working in laboratories to recreate the conditions found on distant planets, testing whether molecules like DMS can be formed in lifeless settings. If future data confirms the presence of DMS and rules out non-biological sources, K2-18 b could become the first serious candidate for a life-bearing planet beyond Earth. But even if that confirmation never comes, this moment matters. It marks the beginning of a new era—one where our search for life is guided not by speculation, but by data, precision, and evidence. Maybe the universe is finally whispering back. Nishant Sahdev is a theoretical physicist at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, United States. He can be contacted at nishantsahdev.onco@gmail.com
20 April,2025 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Nishant Sahdev
Mumbaikars swap morning walks for evening strolls as air quality dips
The poor air quality of the city is affecting residents’ lives in more ways than one—even down to their exercise routines. Morning walks are falling out of favour, and people are choosing to walk in the evening. The Maharashtra health department had issued a health advisory in November 2023 asking morning and late-evening walkers and joggers to avoid outdoor physical activity during hours when the Air Quality Index (AQI) typically deteriorates, which is early morning and late during the night (after dinner). While the advisory made a brief ripple back then, its effects are now becoming more evident, with a growing number of fitness enthusiasts rethinking their routines. “I have seen a noticeable shift,” says Dr Lancelot Pinto, consultant pulmonologist and epidemiologist at PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, who has seen a clear shift in behaviour among his patients. “More patients, especially senior citizens, those with existing respiratory issues, and even younger runners are asking about the safest time to walk or jog,” he said. Jiya Shah at Priyadarshini Park “Early evening is now being recommended more frequently, as AQI levels tend to stabilise by then. But the broader issue is the state of the environment in the city. Everything in the city currently is dug up, from Metro construction to road repairs, and when you add vehicular emissions into the mix, it naturally results in poor air quality,” he added. Dr Pinto points out that while early morning may seem ideal due to lighter traffic, many of his patients are actively avoiding those hours due to bad AQI levels. “Most of the people I see in the clinic aren’t healthy individuals, they come with underlying lung and respiratory issues or comorbidities, and for them, the risk is very real. They are concerned, and rightly so. In a city like Mumbai, under current environmental conditions, encouraging outdoor physical activity without considering air quality becomes problematic.” According to AQI data from Mumbai’s SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), pollution levels spike during the early morning hours, peaking around 6.30-8 am, a time generally preferred by morning walkers. Emissions from vehicles, industrial activity, and overnight atmospheric conditions cause a buildup of pollutants that don’t disperse until later in the day. Health experts weigh in Pulmonologists warn that prolonged exposure to poor air quality, especially during vigorous activity when the breathing rate increases, can aggravate respiratory issues. Dr Pinto further added: “Runners and walkers are increasingly reporting discomfort or feeling unsafe during early mornings or late evenings. Interestingly, the air tends to be relatively better during midday or early afternoon. For those who have access to green spaces or gardens near their homes or within or around office complexes, that may be a better time to step out for some movement.” Sunil Dahiya, Dr Gufran Beig, Dr Lancelot Pinto and Renuka Pinto Infectious diseases specialist Dr Vasant Nagwekar says,“A significant level of pollutants are released in the air due to vehicular emissions, especially in the urban areas, due to heavy traffic during the morning hours. But as the day goes by, atmospheric mixing of various gases, sunlight and wind flow push these pollutants at higher levels than the breathing levels. On the other hand, at night pollutants settle at surface levels as a result of reduced wind speeds. This leads to saturation of dust particles on the ground level till the sun rises and burns them. Thus, nowadays we advise people to go on walks only after complete sunrise or in the evening, but not during early morning or late-night hours.” Walkers speak out Runners too are adapting. “Earlier, the Marine Drive promenade would be buzzing by 5.30-6 am,” says Naitik Sharma, a member of a South Mumbai running group. “Now, the group meets around 5 pm. The energy is different, but it’s better than breathing in toxic air,” Sharma says. Renuka Pinto, 47, says, “I was an avid morning walker but I had to stop as I developed a severe bronchitis issue because of the increasing dust and air pollution in our area [Shivaji Park]. My doctor’s first advice was to stop morning walks. He suggested walking either after 10 am or in the evening, instead. As I am a working woman, I prefer going in the evening.” Another Shivaji Park walker, Hriday Jadhav, 52, says, “I have observed that the dust levels in our area are comparatively less during late evening when offices shut. During the day there is heavy vehicular movement, too. Even if we come at 7 am, the roads are packed as there are many offices in the Lower Parel area and people pass through Prabhadevi to reach their workplaces. However, when we come around 7:30-8 pm, the traffic reduces and thus smoke levels go down which makes it easier to breathe when we walk.” “For many years morning walk was something that encouraged me to wake up early,” says Dynaneshwar Shelke, 40. “But today’s increased pollution levels have made that impossible. There is thick haze and acrid smell from the dumping yard, even though it is not near my home. There are many civic construction works along with private constructions going on in our area. Most of the civic works are carried out at night which leads to heavy pollution during the night till early morning. I realised this only when morning walks led to respiratory problems.” Speaking to Sunday mid-day, Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at EnviroCatalysts, says, “It is true that morning walks are gradually falling out of favour with many people. Particularly during the winter months, early mornings are actually the worst time to go for a walk not just because of poor AQI but due to higher toxicity levels in the air. While mornings during summer are relatively better, they’re still not ideal. In fact, summer mornings can have air quality that is only slightly better or sometimes similar to the evenings. Based on current data and trends, the cleanest time of the day, in terms of air quality, is usually between 2 pm and 4 pm. Unfortunately, that’s also the time when most people are at work or indoors.” Dahiya says this necessitates a change in work culture perception. “It’s high time employers and organisations start thinking about integrating walking spaces, especially green corridors, within and around office complexes. A work culture that promotes short walks, especially post-lunch, could be extremely beneficial for employees’ health and well-being,” he says. Dahiya adds, “Unfortunately, people often don’t realise the impact of poor air quality until it begins to affect their health. And there’s a misconception that air quality is only bad only during winters and automatically improves in summer. That’s not necessarily true. What people need to start doing, as is already common practice in many countries abroad is to check the real-time AQI before stepping out for walks, runs, or any outdoor physical activity.” Holistic approach is needed However, it’s not just an individual’s responsibility, says Dahiya. “City administrations and pollution control boards must take a more proactive role in issuing advisories and health alerts, not just in winter, but year-round. Communication with the public has to improve. Real-time updates should be accessible through mobile apps, websites, and even physical displays like the pollution control board’s digital boards across the city,” he says. “India is a diverse country, and we simply cannot apply a one-size-fits-all model—what applies to Delhi may not apply to Mumbai, and vice versa. But what’s universal is the need for timely, reliable AQI information so people can make informed decisions about their daily routines,” Dahiya emphasises. “Yes, this is a major concern. Early morning walks, which were traditionally considered healthy, are no longer advisable in a city like Mumbai. The air toxicity levels during the early hours have increased significantly. Even if the AQI appears to be slightly better on some days, the chemical composition of pollutants especially PM 2.5 and PM10 is far more toxic in Mumbai compared to many other cities. Based on air quality patterns over the years now, the best time for outdoor activities and walks, in my view, now is between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Unfortunately, these are typical working hours, and for most of the year, the heat and humidity during this period make it uncomfortable for outdoor physical activity. Dr Gufran Beig, Chair-Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) and former project director of SAFAR, says that the city needs more green spaces. “Most of the gardens in the city are shut during the afternoon. Urban planners and the city administration must ensure that parks, gardens, and green patches are accessible to the public round the clock. This would give residents more flexibility to find healthier windows for outdoor activity without compromising on air quality or comfort,” he says. Meanwhile, Dr Sanjeev Mehta, pulmonologist at Lilavati Hospital in Bandra says, “If a person is constantly exposed to heavy pollution, he/she starts suffering from minor respiratory issues at the beginning which culminates into bigger problems such as bronchitis and asthma because the lungs become weak by pumping heavily to breathe in such pollution. However, if there is heavy traffic in some areas, mornings might actually be better. So, one should consult a doctor from their area and take a call accordingly.” Jiya Shah, 31, a regular at Priyadarshini Park, Napean Sea Road, says, “After delivering my baby, my doctors suggested that I go for evening walks instead of morning walks, as pollution levels are less.” Another Priyadarshini Park walker, Nidhi Parate, 18, says, “As a child I have always been going for morning walks with my dad. But, for the last few years, mornings have started feeling quite stuffy. There is smog every day. So, I tried switching to evening hours. And it’s been better than what I have observed.”
20 April,2025 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti Singh | Ritika Gondhalekar
Mumbai: 2 runaway minors raped near Mahim dargah
The Mahim police have arrested two city-based youths for allegedly raping two girls behind Mahim Dargah in two separate incidents. According to the police, the assaults took place at different times but at the same location. The first incident occurred on March 23, while the second took place on April 4. Both cases were reported to the police on April 10. “The police noticed two minors headed towards the station without any accompanying adult, prompting the officers to take them to the One Stop Centre, which provides integrated support services for women ,” a senior police official said. The victims, aged 15 and 17, had left their homes following minor disputes with their families. On arriving at Bandra station, they took refuge at Mahim Dargah for several weeks. “The girls revealed that the accused, on the pretext of helping them, would take them out for walks. On one such occasion, they allegedly raped them,” said a cop, adding that the minors have since been reunited with their families. The accused— Rehan Anwar Ali Khan, 19, and Ganesh alias Magdum Bhima, 19,—were employed as labourers within the Dargah premises. Upon apprehension, the accused claimed their interactions with the girls were “consensual”.
20 April,2025 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
Mumbai: Jain community protests demolition of 35-year-old temple in Vile Parle
The Jain community held a protest march on Saturday against the BMC’s action of demolishing one of their temples at Vile Parle. The protest started from the temple site and moved to the K East ward in Andheri East. On April 16, BMC demolished the 1008 Parshvanath Digambar Jain Temple, claiming the land it stood on was reserved as a recreation ground. This led to a public outcry and, on Saturday, thousands of members of the Jain community gathered to march from the temple to Andheri East in protest. Hetal Gala, former corporator and a member of the Jain community said, “The temple was founded 35 years ago inside the bungalow, which in itself was 90 years old. As per BMC’s own law, structures built prior to 1962 should be treated as legal structures. Still, the BMC took action on the morning of April 16, while the case was being heard later in the afternoon.” “Also the temple does not infringe on any road alignment,” added Gala. After the members of the Jain community demanded strict action on the BMC officials, assistant municipal commissioner of K East ward Navnath Ghadge was transferred from his post. Civic chief Bhushan Gagrani confirmed the transfer of Ghadge. Swapnaja Kshirsagar, who is serving as the assistant municipal commissioner in the H East Ward, has been given additional charge of the K East Ward until further notice. The community has, in its protest, also demanded that the temple be rebuilt. Anil Shah, trustee of the Jain temple, said, “BMC officers did this work wrongfully. The structure was 90 years old, which is tolerable as per the BMC guideline, there was no need to demolish it.” Meanwhile sources claim that BMC has agreed to repair the temple.
20 April,2025 07:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer Surve
Baba Siddique murder case: Court allows wife to intervene in trial
In an important development in the murder case of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, the Special MCOCA Court on Friday allowed an intervention application filed by Shezeen Siddique, the wife of the late leader. With this ruling, Shezeen Siddique has officially been made a party to the case and will now assist the prosecution. The intervention application was argued by Advocate Pradip Gharat, assisted by Trivankumar Karnani and Hritika Jannawar, who represented the intervener. Shezeen Siddique was also present during the court proceedings. In her plea, Shezeen Siddique described the brutal killing of her husband on October 12, 2024, as a devastating and audacious act which left a trail of grief and outrage for the family as well as the wider public, and due to which she had endured significant emotional, physical, and mental trauma. “It is of utmost importance for the Intervenor to put on record the true and correct facts to assist this Hon’ble Court in arriving at a free and fair conclusion in the matter,” the plea read.
20 April,2025 07:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan
Mumbai: Rs 77-lakh agro-trading scam busted, one held, kingpin still on the run
The Matunga police have arrested a man for his involvement in a racket that duped multiple individuals into investing a collective Rs 77 lakh in bogus agro-trading firms, promising high returns through fruit and vegetable supply deals. The accused and two accomplices allegedly floated five fictitious companies—including Agro Link Trading Corporation and its affiliates—projecting them as legitimate agricultural businesses. Investors were allegedly promised returns of up to 19 per cent monthly. To date, 11 victims have come forward, alleging a loss of Rs 48 lakh, while the main accused remains at large. While the matter took place last year between January and June, a formal complaint was registered at the Matunga police station on March 31 this year. The complainant, a Thane-based man, alleged that he, along with his family, invested over Rs 2.22 lakh in Agro Link Trading Corporation LLP, whose Mumbai branch operated from Dadar East. The three accused —Yunus Maniar, Swapnil Dewan, and Amar Tukaram Waghmare — assured the victims returns as high as 19.06 per cent, comprising both principal and profit, promising a payout of R2.28 lakh on an investment of R1 lakh annually. In the beginning, the complainant, like other victims of this scheme, received returns, but the payments soon stopped. Victims started to question the “directors “ of these companies—who are the accused—after which they issued three cheques totalling R66,506 in February. The cheques bounced upon deposit Victims then approached the police, who began investigating the case and discovered that the arrested accused — Yunus — was a history-sheeter. “He was booked by the Goregaon police in 2015 in a Rs 20-crore fraud case which involved thousands of victims,” said a police official privy to the investigation. On Thursday, police arrested Yunus, who was hiding in Haryana. “Yunus, the accused, has five to seven cases in Punjab and Delhi. In Maharashtra, he has over 10 cases,” the official said. Dewan has been issued a notice by the police for his cooperation, while the main accused, Waghmare, is still at large.
20 April,2025 07:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
Mumbai: MNS-Sena (UBT) talks hit a bump on Uddhav’s ‘all or nothing’ rider
The much speculated reconciliation talks between the two estranged Thackeray cousins—Uddhav and Raj—have hit a roadblock before they could even pick up speed. The reason? A single condition put forward by Uddhav. For the last two days, the BJP-led Maharashtra government has been getting flak for its decision to make Hindi a mandatory third language for students in Class 1 to 5 under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. MNS chief Raj and Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav both gave an indication that they’d be willing to bury the hatchet to fight together for the Marathi cause. Raj, in a recent interview, said he was willing to put aside all differences to safeguard the interests of Marathi and Maharashtra. Uddhav, too, addressed a party event in the city yesterday, stating there were no differences between him and Raj and that he was willing to reunite for the betterment of the state. However, he put forward a single condition: “I am willing to come together provided Raj Thackeray stops meeting those who are working against the interest of the Maharashtra state and its people [read BJP-led Mahayuti, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-headed NCP].” However, MNS spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande made it amply clear that dialogue cannot happen with conditions. “UBT leaders will keep meeting [whichever] leaders they want, then how can Uddhav Thackeray decide whom the MNS chief should meet? How will we progress if conditions are put forward even before communication channels are opened?” Desphande questioned. Won’t allow Hindi imposition: Uddhav Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday asserted that his party will not allow Hindi to be made compulsory in Maharashtra. Addressing an event of the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, the workers’ wing of the party, Thackeray said his party has no aversion to the Hindi language but asked why it is being forced.
20 April,2025 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev Shivadekar
Mumbai: Ulhasnagar priest attacked by friends over alleged affair allegations
In a bizarre case of vengeance, a 34-year-old priest from Ulhasnagar was brutally thrashed by two men after he told one of them that his wife was having an affair with the other guy. The victim’s motive behind making the allegation—and whether there was any truth to it—remains unclear as of now. The police said the two main accused had been friends for a long time and, so, neither appreciated the meddling priest’s actions. The victim, Dheeraj Suraj Bholakani, resides in Ulhasnagar-3 with his parents and earned his livelihood by performing religious rituals. According to the police, the trouble began when he became acquainted with one of the accused, Jetho Chandwani, and his wife Deepika, who runs a tuition class in the area and organises a summer camp for local children. The second accused, Ayyappan Naidu, is Chandwani’s friend and also teaches children at Deepika’s summer camp. The accused, Jetho Chandwani (left) and Ayyappan Naidu The two friends allegedly plotted the attack after Bholakani told Chandwani about the alleged growing closeness between Deepika and Naidu. Naidu grew irate, suspecting that Bholakani was trying to drive a wedge between in his friendship with Chandwani. On the other hand, Chandwani began to suspect that the priest, Bholakani, was the one actually having an affair with his wife. Together, the two buddies allegedly began defaming Bholakani across the city and plotted their revenge. On April 14, Naidu lured the priest to the Ambernath Ordnance Factory’s gate under false pretenses. Upon arrival, Bholakani was ambushed by Naidu and several unidentified youths, who attacked him with an iron rod, hitting his head, back, legs, and thighs. As a crowd began to gather, the assailants pretended to take Bholakani to a police station, but instead took him to a deserted area. There, the attack continued. Bholakani told the police that Naidu then contacted Chandwani, urging him to bring Deepika to the scene to verify the priest’s claims. Deepika did not arrive on the scene, but Chandwani, on getting there, allegedly instructed the attackers to kill the priest and delete any evidence on his mobile phone. The attackers allegedly took both of Bholakani’s phones, poured alcohol on his face and clothes, and then fled. Bholakani is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital, where he provided a detailed statement to the police. The Ambernath Police have registered a case against the six accused, including Chandwani, Naidu and four unidentified accomplices, for attempt to murder, robbery and kidnapping. All accused are currently on the run, said police.
20 April,2025 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
Weekly horoscope: Check astrological predictions for all zodiac signs
Do 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 19Make decisions after deliberating about the consequences of your choices. Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Don’t scroll on devices before bedtime.Career tip: Maintain cordial equations with colleagues, but remember they may have their own agenda. This is a good time for home-based businesses. TaurusApril 20 – May 20Be mindful with expenses if you are on a budget, and remember that small amounts add up. Maintain a disciplined schedule as much as possible.Career tip: Stick to budgets at work, and make the most of the resources you have. A situation may not be exactly as it seems. GeminiMay 21 – June 20Handle challenges as promptly as possible—ignoring them will not make them go away. This is a good time for family finances and inheritance matters..Career tip: Pay close attention to details, and double check work even if you feel you don’t need to. Maintain a cordial equation with colleagues, keeping your interactions professional. CancerJune 21 – July 22Pay attention if you find situations from the past repeating slightly different. Let go of wanting to control situations and outcomes..Career tip: A small issue can get much larger if it is not handled promptly. Those working in a large organisation should avoid getting into any office politics. LeoJuly 23 – Aug 22 Speak your mind, but do not be too aggressive especially while dealing with people in authority. This is a positive time for property matters..Career tip: Prompt—responses may be needed for a project that moves forward very quickly. Take help when you need it—remember that you can’t do everything yourself. VirgoAug 23 – Sept 22Knowing the outcome you want will help if you have multiple options. Think before speaking and try to avoid unnecessary arguments..Career tip: Those who work from home would need to be extra disciplined to avoid distractions. Understand any new clients’ requirements thoroughly before starting the project. LibraSept 23 – Oct 22Be mindful while spending any large amounts of money, especially if you are on a budget. Listen to your intuition if you have to deal with relationship challenges.Career tip: Relying on office gossip may not give you all the details—do your own fact checking if possible. Pay attention to small details. ScorpioOct 23 – Nov 21Be clear in your communication, especially about expectations you have from others. Try to be as structured as possible in your daily routine.Career tip: Those whose boss is based in another country need to keep cultural norms in mind during their interactions. Self-employed businessmen are in a good phase. SagittariusNov 22 – Dec 21Look at the past from the perspective of lessons learnt and be mindful of not repeating them. Those with a busy schedule will need to be extremely focused..Career tip: Deal with any challenges as best possible but know when to cut your losses. Focus on strengthening your fundamentals and work on your strengths. CapricornDec 22 – Jan 19Take help when you need it, but walk away from situations that no longer serve any purpose. Make time for siblings and childhood friends.. Career tip: It is important to manage your time. Make sure you stick to timelines. This is a good time for international clients. AquariusJan 20 – Feb 18Use tried and tested methods if you are unsure about how to handle a situation. Think before you speak, and remember that everybody has an opinion.Career tip: Pay attention to advice from a senior, but make your own decisions once you have the relevant information. Work on projects according to their priority. PiscesFeb 19 – March 21Look at what you have, rather than the past or what you have lost. This is a good time to take a hobby or skill to the next level..Career tip: Focus on building a strong foundation if you have recently started a new job. This is a positive time for self employed businessmen who have a home based business.
20 April,2025 04:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Aparna Bose
Will not allow compulsion of Hindi in Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday asserted that his party will not allow making Hindi compulsory in Maharashtra after the state government decided to make Hindi mandatory in schools, reported the PTI. The state government approved the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introducing Hindi as a mandatory third language for students from Class 1 to Class 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools. Addressing an event of the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, the workers' wing of the Shiv Sena (UBT), Uddhav Thackeray said his party has no aversion to the Hindi language but asked why it is being forced. Uddhav Thackeray claimed it is the ruling BJP's mission not to let people unite and to keep them under constant pressure so that they are occupied with their worries. "We will not allow making Hindi compulsory in Maharashtra," he said, according to the PTI. His remarks come amid the opposition's outcry over the Maharashtra government's decision on Hindi in schools. The former Maharashtra CM said, "We will do everything if you ask (us) with affection, but if you impose anything, we will oppose it. Why this force for (learning) Hindi?", as per the PTI. He pointed out that it was his government that decided to make learning Marathi in the state compulsory. "You have to say Jai Maharashtra if you want to live in the state," Uddhav Thackeray added, the news agency reported. Targeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti, he asked if the state government was working for those who want to finish off Maharashtra and Marathi. He further slammed Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, saying how his party can be subservient to those doing injustice to Marathi and then claim to be the inheritors of Bal Thackeray's legacy. Referring to senior RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi's remarks earlier that any individual coming to Mumbai may not necessarily learn Marathi, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said that Marathi should be made compulsory in Ghatkopar, a predominantly Gujarati-speaking suburb of the city, reported the PTI. On the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, he said his party opposed the legislation because non-Muslims are appointed on the Waqf Board. "Then my basic question is, what is the guarantee that you (the government) will not appoint non-Hindus to Hindu religious organisations? This is the same question the Supreme Court has asked the government on the Waqf Act," Uddhav Thackeray remarked, the PTI reported. He further claimed that his government was toppled because, as a chief minister, he had stalled the implementation of labour codes in the state. Thackeray said that in workplaces where the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena union has a presence, party men should be hired to fill vacancies. (with PTI inputs)
19 April,2025 11:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent