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Thane civic body confirms landfilling near Rabodi helipad

Following a mid-day report on December 21, 2025 highlighting a complaint by the Wetland Grievance Redressal Committee over alleged mangrove destruction and land reclamation near the helipad at Rabodi in Thane West, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) conducted an inspection. Its report confirmed that landfilling was underway and attributed it to the Thane police department. TMC’s environment department, on January 9 wrote to the senior inspector of Rabodi police station regarding the felling of mangroves and other trees behind Akashganga Complex in Shivaji Nagar, Rabodi. In her letter, TMC Chief Environment Officer Manisha Pradhan stated that landfilling was being carried out by the police and appropriate action should be taken in this matter.

24 January,2026 08:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
(From left) Cousins Raj and Uddhav Thackeray share a light moment during the Balasaheb Thackeray birth centenary event in Mumbai. Pic/Ashish Raje

Balasaheb showed Hindutva its vote power, says Raj Thackeray at centenary event

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Friday said it was Balasaheb Thackeray who made people realise the political strength of Hindutva as a voting force in the country. Recalling a past interaction involving the late Shiv Sena founder, Raj said Balasaheb had once spoken to senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan about making Hindus aware of their electoral power. “Balasaheb told Pramod Mahajan that Hindus needed to understand the strength of their vote. Mahajan did not fully believe it at the time, but Balasaheb went on to prove his point,” Raj said. The remarks were made at a public event held at Shanmukhananda Auditorium in Mumbai to mark the birth centenary of Balasaheb Thackeray. In a rare political moment, cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray shared the same stage, marking their first public appearance together since the recent municipal election results. Balasaheb Thackeray was born on January 23, 1926, and passed away on November 17, 2012, at the age of 86. ‘Bazaar politics’ Criticising the present political climate, Raj said the nature of politics had changed drastically. “Politics today has become a bazaar. If Balasaheb were alive, he would have been deeply hurt by the way politics is practised now,” he said. Calling his uncle a towering figure in Indian politics, Raj added, “Balasaheb was a rare personality. There has never been a leader like him, and there never will be.” Expressing displeasure over current political developments in Maharashtra and across the country, Raj said it was perhaps good that Balasaheb was not alive to witness what was happening today. “Politics today looks like an auction, where power is openly negotiated. Balasaheb would never have tolerated such politics,” he said. Reflecting on his decision to quit the Shiv Sena in 2005, Raj said the move was emotionally painful. “It was not merely leaving a party. For me, it felt like leaving my own home,” he said, recalling his close bond with Balasaheb and the organisation he built. Uddhav targets BJP Addressing the same gathering, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a veiled attack on the BJP’s central leadership, alleging that two businessmen were using Maharashtra’s manpower against the state itself. He claimed that political rivals had attempted to erase the Thackeray name from Maharashtra’s political landscape. “But Shiv Sainiks fought hard and stopped those attempts. This can happen only in Maharashtra,” Uddhav said. Referring to Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav said the late leader had taught Marathi people to live with dignity and self-respect. He urged the audience to take a pledge that they would not work as “slaves” for the two businessmen. ‘Betrayal came from within’ Speaking emotionally, Uddhav said the pain was deeper because the betrayal had come from within, in an indirect reference to Eknath Shinde, whose rebellion split the undivided Shiv Sena and later led to the party’s name and symbol being awarded to his faction. Despite limited organisational resources, Uddhav said he would continue to fight. “I will not bow down to rivals. I appeal to everyone to greet each other with ‘Jai Maharashtra’,” he said, calling for unity and pride in the state. Commenting on the recent civic polls, Uddhav said his party had fought strongly but missed victory by a narrow margin. “Power comes and goes. We will fight again, make a strong comeback and regain power,” he added.

24 January,2026 08:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev Shivadekar
The BMC has begun repair and restoration work at the Mumbai mayor’s bungalow located on the premises of Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo. Anti-termite treatment, leak repairs, and refinishing work are underway. Pic/Ashish Raje

Mumbai mayor’s bungalow to be renovated after lying shut for four years

After remaining shut and unused for nearly four years, the Mumbai Mayor’s bungalow, located inside the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo at Byculla, is set to undergo renovation and restoration ahead of the appointment of the city’s next mayor. The bungalow has remained vacant since 2022. Civic officials said renovation work is now being taken up on priority to ensure the residence is ready for occupation. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was unable to float tenders earlier due to the model code of conduct, which came into force after the civic elections were announced on December 15, 2025. As a result, while the renovation work has now commenced, the final costing of the project will be done post facto. What will the renovation include?>> The restoration work is scheduled to be completed within 60 days and will include:>> General cleaning of the premises as well as the replacement and upgrading of upholstery>> Repair, polishing and restoration of heritage furniture>> Replacement of damaged seating>> Waterproofing, wherever required>> Painting of the bungalow When was bungalow last used?>> Former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar of the Shiv Sena (UBT) last used the Byculla bungalow as her official residence during her tenure until 2017.>> The property was vacated after the completion of the BMC general body’s term for 2017 to 2022, following the end of the mayoral tenure in March 2022.>> Prior to this, the Mumbai mayor’s official residence was located opposite Shivaji Park, overlooking the sea at Dadar beach. That bungalow was vacated in 2018 by Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, who served as mayor between March 2017 and November 2019.>> The memorial of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray now stands on the site of the former mayor’s bungalow at Shivaji Park. Work categories In the cursory tender issued for the project, the BMC has listed 13 categories of work, including:1 Repair of the wooden mayor’s chair, including replacement of fabric and restoration of the Maharaja-style office chair2 Repair of heritage wooden sofas, including replacement of fabric and foam and fixing damaged sections3 Repair or replacement of mattresses and quilts4 Installation of PVC flooring with a wooden finish5 Laying of Hitkari red carpeting6 Polishing and restoration of existing furniture

24 January,2026 08:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MS
Residents of Ruia Park Apartments pose in front of their building on Military Road in Juhu. File pic/Satej Shinde

Mumbai: After polls, winning candidates promise action on local grievances

Residents of Devipada in Borivali East had resolved to vote only for a candidate who would address their long-pending water crisis. In contrast, residents of Ruia Park Apartments in Juhu had initially decided to boycott the polls after their entry and exit gate was blocked by people from neighbouring Mora Gaon. However, they later changed their stand after candidates reached out to them and mid-day highlighted their grievances, eventually exercising their franchise on polling day. mid-day spoke to the winning candidates from these areas, who outlined their plans of action and the commitments made during the campaign. 1. Ruia Park Apartments Around 100 residents of a society in Juhu West had initially decided to boycott the polls. However, all of them eventually voted after the candidate assured them that their grievances would be addressed. Rohan Rathod, BJP Residents alleged that their entry and exit gate was being blocked by people from neighbouring Mora Gaon, while illegal hawkers operated at the same spot and garbage was routinely dumped there. They further claimed that repeated complaints to the BMC, Juhu police, and traffic police had failed to yield any solution. The society is home to several celebrities. Residents’ demands Residents of Ariana Residency in Devipada, Borivali East, pose in front of one of the tankers they depend on daily due to a long-standing water pressure issue. File pic/Nimesh Dave >> The road should be widened to allow vehicles to move smoothly without traffic congestion.>> The BMC should place garbage bins so Mora Gaon residents do not dump waste on the road.>> Traffic police should take action against bikers who park in double and triple rows, blocking the road.>> The BMC should repair potholes and maintain hygiene on the road.>> The BMC should impose fines on those who litter on the road.>> Remove illegal hawkers who were blocking the road.  Winner: Rohan Rathod, BJP Speaking to mid-day, BJP candidate Rohan Rathod said, “I won the BMC election with 12,992 votes. The residents trusted me, and it is because of their support that I emerged victorious.” He added, “My priority will be to construct a new road for residents of Ruia Park and Mora Gaon. I will also ensure the availability of garbage bins in the area and coordinate with the traffic police to take strict action against vehicles parked in double and triple rows that block the road. Ruia Park residents will not face such problems in the future. We will also act against illegal hawkers who obstruct the roads.” 2. Ariana residency Around 1300 residents of Ariana Residency in Borivali have been facing a severe water shortage for the past three years and are forced to order four water tankers, spending nearly Rs 16,000 per day. Sarika Zore, Shiv Sena (UBT) Residents’ demands >> The water shortage issue should be resolved, and society should receive an adequate water supply.>> Roads in the area should be widened so that emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire engines, can enter without traffic congestion.>> Check the pipeline installed by the BMC that supplies water to residents.  Winner: Sarika Zore, Shiv Sena (UBT) Speaking to mid-day, Sarika Zore said, “I won this election with 11,332 votes, and I am extremely happy and grateful to all the residents who believed in me. It is now my responsibility to fulfil all the promises I made.” Housing societies in Juhu within a 500-metre radius of an Army wireless transmission station. PICS/NIMESH DAVE She added, “My priority will be to resolve the water shortage at Ariana Residency. I will also work on widening roads in the Devipada area so that emergency vehicles can access the locality easily. I aim to ensure overall development of the area.” Zore further said, “I will personally check with the engineers to see if there is any fault in the water pipeline. Residents must receive sufficient water. We will replace the pipeline if needed. 3. Various Juhu societies Around 200 societies, which come under a 500-metre radius of an Army wireless transmission station, decided to boycott the BMC election as their buildings couldn’t be redeveloped, but most residents cast their votes after the local candidates assured them that the station would be shifted. Sudha Singh, BJP In 1976, a notification, SRO-150, was issued in the gazette, which was passed by the government stating that construction is not allowed above 15.24 meters by the Ministry of Defence. However, now corporators from this area are giving assurance that the work will be done very soon, and this entire system will be shifted to somewhere else.  Residents’ demands >> Remove the restriction of redevelopment of societies at Juhu area, which comes under the 500 yards radius of the military defence land.>> Not to take any action against those who already redeveloped their residential societies before 2010.>> Till the decisions comes the government should allow them to add lifts in the societies, as many 3-4 floor societies do not have lifts in the society. Winner: Sudha Singh, BJP  Sudha Singh said, “I won this election with 10,492 votes. I promised residents that if elected, I would fight to have the military signalling system shifted from this area. Most residents are elderly, and their children live abroad. The society does not have a lift, and the overall condition of the building is poor.”  “We are continuing to meet with MLA Amit Satam, and they are helping us. The work is already in the pipeline. It will soon be completed, after which societies will be able to go in under redevelopment.” Rs 16,000Amount Ariana Residency in Borivali is forced to spend on water tankers per day

24 January,2026 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania
A child receiving treatment at the hospital’s burns  ward on Friday. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

Mumbai: KEM Hospital discharges first patient from newly opened burns ward

Mumbai’s civic-run King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital has begun treating patients at its newly inaugurated burns ward, marking a significant expansion of burn care services in the city. In the 15 days since operations commenced, the ward has admitted 10 patients, of which one minor female who had 15 per cent facial and upper body burns became the first one to be discharged on Friday after successful treatment.  Nine others continue to receive care at the facility. “This is an important step towards inclusive and comprehensive burn care,” said Dr Vinita Puri, head of the plastic surgery department under which the ward has been started. KEM Hospital’s burns ward that was started recently “The ward is equipped with specialised infrastructure, infection-control measures, and trained medical staff to handle complex burn injuries,” she added. A key highlight since the ward became operational has been the admission of its first adult male patient. “Before this dedicated burns ward was established, we were treating only children of both genders, and adult female patients. But now we are able to teat male adult patients as well. At present, three of our patients are from this category,” said Dr Puri. Crucial development In a situation where the public and trust hospitals such as Masina are already quite stretched and the city has been very much dependent on the National Burns Unit, establishing this ward at one of the biggest civic-run hospitals has given some relief.  Due to a lack of specialised care, it is usually observed that patients with over 30-40 per cent burns generally don’t survive at public hospitals. However, this ward at KEM has been successful in treating patients with even 80 per cent burns. “A man came in with around 80 per cent burns. He was said to be working with a gas cylinder when it exploded. He had severe burns, and had to be put on ventilator support. However, the advanced medical treatment in this ward helped us bring him out of danger. Now, he is off the ventilator support, although still in the ICU,” Dr Puri said, adding that if timely and necessary advanced treatment hadn’t been provided the patient would have lost his life. Additionally, the ward also has dialysis equipment available. “Often, in the cases where multiple organs of a patient are impacted, the organs begin failing instantly. Having dialysis equipment helps take care of various crucial organs such as kidneys,” Dr Puri asserted. Ward’s first male patient Professional photographer Pravin Haribhau Bhawari, 28, was admitted after a power bank he was carrying burst. Although he sustained burns on approximately 15 per cent of his body, doctors described the injuries as severe due to their depth and location. “The percentage of burns does not always reflect the severity of injury,” a doctor explained.  “In this case, the burns are concentrated on his hands, which are functionally critical. Recovery will be long and demanding,” explained the doctor. Doctors estimate that Bhawari will be unable to resume professional photography for at least four to five months. His treatment plan includes prolonged wound care, followed by rigorous physiotherapy even after discharge to regain mobility and strength in his hands. Explaining what happened, Bhawari told mid-day, “I felt something was too hot. I just looked down to check and at the same time suddenly my pants caught fire. In the heat of the moment, I put both my hands in the pocket and got burnt.”

24 January,2026 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar
The new skywalk has escalators at two points and staircases at three locations. Pic/Rajendra B Aklekar

Mid-Day Exclusive: Bandra East skywalk ready, launch awaited for commuter relief

With Western Railway opening access from the 12-metre-wide Churchgate-end foot overbridge (FOB) to the newly built Bandra East skywalk, commuters will soon get direct connectivity from the station to the east side. Unlike the Bellasis Road bridge connector, the WR link here is ready even before the skywalk is formally opened. The BMC-built skywalk crosses the entire station road, spans the highway, and lands at Kala Nagar junction. Awaits launch The WR officials confirmed that the access has been opened but is currently barricaded, pending the BMC’s formal commissioning of the skywalk. The deadline for completion was December 31, and while most of the work is complete, a few finishing touches are still pending. The earlier skywalk had access to the railway bridge too, but it was eventually taken over by hawkers. The BMC now faces the challenge of ensuring that the new skywalk remains free of hawkers once it opens. The new skywalk, with an average width of six metres, has escalators at two points and staircases at three locations to improve commuter access and ease congestion. Daily struggle The stretch from Bandra court to the railway station is heavily used, and commuters have long complained about poor road conditions and chaotic pedestrian movement, making daily travel difficult. Travel relief The new BMC skywalk at Bandra East traverses the entire station road, crosses the highway, and lands at Kala Nagar junction, allowing commuters to reach offices across the highway without stepping onto the traffic-clogged roads below. The older skywalk, built by the MMRDA in 2008 and a first of its kind in the city, was shut in 2019 and dismantled in 2021. As a replacement, the BMC had initially planned a 450-metre-long, four-metre-wide skywalk to Bandra court. Following demands from activists and residents, it was extended till MHADA, increasing the total length to 680 metres. People Speak Farzana Shaikh, college studentThe biggest relief once it opens is avoiding traffic at Kala Nagar. It is extremely chaotic with vehicles and pedestrians. We are waiting for the skywalk to open Suresh Iyer, bank employeeBandra station is always overcrowded. Direct access from the FOB to the skywalk will ease pressure, especially during peak hours. WR should also link other bridges to this skywalk for seamless movement Prakash More, delivery executiveThis was long overdue. For daily commuters, small infrastructure changes make a big difference. I walk this stretch twice a day. The skywalk means no waiting in traffic and no hassle December 31, 2025The original deadline set for the completion of project

24 January,2026 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Jayabala Ashar, railway accident survivor. Pic/Rajendra B Aklekar

How one woman’s courage made Mumbai local trains safer

I have one message for everyone who goes through such trauma. Never lose hope. Keep fighting, keep moving, and one day you will stand on your feet again,” says Jayabala Ashar, whose courage became a turning point in the history of Mumbai’s suburban railway safety. Ashar  made headlines in the late 1990s after bravely confronting a drug addict inside a local train, an incident that eventually led to major reforms in railway policing. On October 26, 1998, Ashar was pushed off a moving local train between Charni Road and Grant Road stations after resisting the accused. The shocking incident jolted the city and prompted the government to establish Mumbai’s first Railway Police Commissionerate. Since then, the presence of armed police personnel in ladies compartments during night hours has become standard practice, significantly improving safety for women commuters, a change widely credited to Ashar’s case. The incident was first reported in the second edition of mid-day on October 26, 1998, by journalist Sachin Kalbag. mid-day’s Oct 27, 1998 report “I remember it clearly. It was morning time, and the incident happened between Charni Road and Grant Road. It was an extremely difficult phase, but the support I received from society made me mentally strong.” Ashar recalled. She also acknowledged the role played by the government at the time. “Ram Naik was the railway minister then, and the government supported me throughout my recovery,” she said. With support from across society, she rebuilt her life and was later appointed as a clerk with Western Railway. “What happened could have broken me completely and pushed me into depression,” she said. “But the overwhelming support I received gave me the strength to fight back and emerge stronger.” Today, Ashar actively supports others facing similar trauma. “I try to help people who go through such situations, motivate them, and even provide financial assistance whenever possible,” she said. Her message remains simple but powerful. “We must not lose heart. Mental strength is everything. Instead of thinking about what has happened, we should focus on what lies ahead and how we can rebuild our lives,” she added.

24 January,2026 07:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Yohan Poonawalla with the 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I (17EX), an iconic automobile that’s a magnet for vintage car fans. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Mumbai vintage car club’s long-pending museum dream remains unfulfilled

The Vintage and Classic Car Club of India’s (VCCCI) and Western Indian Automobile Association’s (WIAA) annual vintage car fiesta to be held on January 24, 25, and 26 will highlight a centenary tribute to 100 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, as was informed at a curtain raiser press meet at the World Trade Center (WTC), Cuffe Parade in SoBo on Thursday afternoon. The cars will be on display at the WTC. Phantom of fiesta Pune-based industrialist and automobile collector, Yohan Poonawalla, will be in Mumbai starting today, presenting a lineup of seven Rolls-Royce Phantom models at the fiesta. Prime amongst the seven will be the 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I (17EX), formerly owned by the ex-maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir. The Rolls-Royce Phantom is poetry in motion. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Nitin Dossa, WIAA executive chairman, said at the press meet, “There will be a historic homecoming of the legendary 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I (17EX). Once owned by Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu & Kashmir — and subsequently by numerous owners — this vehicle seems almost sacrilegious to call ‘a car’; it is an institution, but for convenience, I will say car, has been bought by Yohan Z Poonawalla. Every classic car aficionado will understand the importance of this vehicle and the weight of history behind it. It is with delight and pride to see it come home after 95 years.” Yohan Z Poonawalla said over the phone from Pune, “This car is a collector’s dream. It is one of the most famous and iconic of all Rolls-Royce cars.” Hot on the circuit, the car is an eye-catcher. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Vijay Kalantri, chairman of WTC Mumbai, reminded that there was a reason the WTC has been hosting this event, with this being the sixth edition. He said, “There is a synergy between corporates and cars. Last year, we had more than 100,000 visitors. We were astonished as we expected around 25,000. Numbers point to the popularity.” Tourist magnet The WIAA, supported by the WTC, used the announcement as a springboard to appeal to the state government to earmark a museum for vintage cars. Dossa said, “We have been requesting the state government to provide space for a vintage car museum. Mumbai has some of the best vintage cars. The museum, I am certain, will be a significant tourist magnet. We have collectors in the city who have cars once owned by royalty. Imagine the excitement at being able to see them.” Dr Vijay Kalantri, chairman, WTC Mumbai (left), with Nitin Dossa, executive chairman, Western India Automobile Association. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi Kalantri added, “One understands there is a space crunch in Mumbai, but some solution can be found.” Meanwhile, Poonawalla said, “Vintage cars are owned by different individuals, kept at scattered places by the owners, and the public does not have an opportunity to see these. With a museum, they will have a chance to see them at one location. The cars in the museum can be changed on a rotational basis. I understand that land is pricey and scarce in Mumbai, yet a museum even slightly away from the city will work, as the government has done a great job with road connectivity. There have been several discussions about the museum, but that is where it stands. We are looking forward to this happening.” Three-day fiesta Jan 24: Entry by invitation onlyJan 25: Exhibition opens to public (9.00 am to 6.00 pm); free entry for children below 15 years (school/college ID required)*Tickets available on www.district.inJan 26: Republic Day road safety drive (starts at 11 am from WTC)

24 January,2026 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal Ashar
Pic/Nimesh Dave

Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

High stakes, higher signs As gold prices soar, workers put up a ‘We Buy Gold’ sign outside a jewellery showroom in Borivali West Melbourne in Mumbai The interiors of the restaurant. Pic courtesy/Lygon ST Taking right from Juhu Versova Link Road will now lead you straight to Melbourne’s Lygon Street. Inspired by the Italian café hotspot in Australia, restaurateur (below) Sneha Upadhya’s Lygon St. opened doors on Wednesday. “I lived around the street, and kept returning to the cafés. What stayed with me was not just the food, but the ease of those neighbourhood wine bars, where you could sit, eat, talk, and feel at home without pretence. Bringing that feeling to Mumbai, in our own way, was the starting point,” Upadhya told us. Retain our roots Children performing Mallakhamb at the fest. Pic courtesy/Tender Roots  The fourth edition of Root Folkways, a children-focused festival of performing arts hosted by Tender Roots, was held at the Children’s Museum at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) on January 20 and 21. Dedicated solely to young audiences, the festival brought together a wide range of folk artistes and traditions from across India, with a strong emphasis on regional diversity. This year’s edition saw participation from six schools, including two affiliated to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Maharashtra featured prominently through performances of Mallakhamb, Karan Dhol, Shabda Bhedi, and Tarpa, showcasing the state’s rich physical and musical heritage. Gujarat was represented through the energetic Siddi Goma, while Rajasthan brought the evocative Manganiyar folk singers, among other traditions. Building on previous editions, it showcased artistes and folk forms from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal among others. The founder and managing director of Tender Roots, Mahesh Babu (above) said, “This year children not only watched but also participated. The main goal was to provide adequate exposure and educate children and young adults through India’s performing arts.” AI of the storm Krupa Nishar addresses the audience at St Xavier’s College at Dhobi Talao. Pic courtesy/Krupa Nishar A session on crimes against women was held on January 20 at St Xavier’s College, Fort, where forensic psychologist Krupa Nishar, shared crucial perspectives with 150 attendees. Particularly interesting was how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in such crimes. “AI-enabled abuse, like image manipulation, is dangerous and hard to detect. AI enables exploitation without any physical contact, as images can be created, altered, or misused using readily available digital material, affecting women across the board,” Nishar explained. The women who mattered A performing arts session held by Haanh Hum group at the space. Pic courtesy/The Public Place  The Public Place, a safe space for collective learning and action in Kurla, is transforming into a feminist reading club for a day. Led by author and artist Indu Harikumar, the initiative is a personal exploration of women from Maharashtra, with an emphasis on introducing lesser-known reformers and writers. The upcoming session, on today (January 24), will focus on the autobiography of the woman who unfurled what is considered India’s first flag in Stuttgart, Germany. The club will read Madame Bhikaiji Rustom Cama by Khorshed Adi Sethna. Harikumar concluded by saying, “We have always known history through the lens of men; this is an attempt to understand it through the lives of the women who came before us.” Please close your eyes to feel art A blindfolded attendee at the gallery. Pic courtesy/Vipul Sangoi  How would you respond if art could only be felt and not seen? The solo exhibition What Do Birds Dream at Dusk by Mithu Sen (right) frames blindness not as a medical condition, but as a political one shaped by power, denial, and selective seeing. Drawing from Pieter Bruegel and Jacques Derrida, Sen questions who controls visibility and whose suffering is erased by design. By blindfolding participants and encouraging them to experience the work through touch, the exhibition, which will be held at Chemould Prescott Road on January 31, will introduce vulnerability and uncertainty, opening up the possibility of seeing differently. Speaking to this diarist, Sen said, “This is an invitation to unlearn the visible. One can call it a call to recognise the violence of what has been erased by design, and to confront the unseen worlds we continue to shadow.”

24 January,2026 06:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Representation Pic/Istock

Horoscope today, January 24: 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 today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for January 24. Aries   March 21 – April 20Concentrate on driving and not on a conversation. Make time for a friend.Cosmic tip: Be aware people say many things, give advice that could be potentially harmful to you if followed. TaurusApril 21 – May 20A boring workday plods on. Enjoy dining out with friends; but food choice should be compatible with what agrees with the digestive system.Cosmic tip: Enjoy this payback time due to past positive karmas. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Aim to understand the root of the matter before seeking a solution as this eventually changes life for the better.Cosmic tip: Aim to invite as many distant relatives to a celebration coming up. Cancer June 22 – July 23Life evolves in ever changing karmic patterns according to decisions taken, so make wise choices.Cosmic tip: Better yourself instead of comparing yourself to others. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Routine work might be dull, but try to complete it quickly and efficiently. Clinging to familiar thoughts gives comfort but hinders progress.Cosmic tip: Do what you need to do without getting distracted. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Getting the boss’ approval before making changes to an assignment is advisable.Cosmic tip: Step back for a moment to think before deciding on the next course of action. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22This karmic cycle favours making property decisions. Keeping communication with your spouse/ partner clear helps maintain a strong bond.Cosmic tip: Be peaceful. Scorpio  Oct 23 – Nov 22Domestic travel with a friend is a channel to be introduced to someone who helps professionally.Cosmic tip: Be aware of this unbreakable karmic bond with your spouse/partner. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Enjoy being with that special person, but keep a judgmental attitude far away. Aim to have a simple diet.Cosmic tip: Think about advice being given as a true friend who cares for your well-being. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Singles, please don’t waste your time with someone who obviously isn’t interested in a long-term commitment.Cosmic tip: Complete pending work quickly. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Not hesitating, going with gut feelings helps make a correct and quick decision. Give yourself time to understand a new friend as they seem rather whimsical.Cosmic tip: Have wiring checked at home. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Speaking less and listening more (really understanding the point being made) keeps interactions honest.Cosmic tip: Enjoy this relationship with a normal amount of inter-dependency that seems so right.

24 January,2026 03:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley Bose
An event was organised at the KDMC headquarters on Friday. Pic/Special Arrangement

KDMC pays tribute to Subhas Chandra Bose, Bal Thackeray on birth anniversaries

The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) paid tribute to freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on their birth anniversaries on Sunday, an official statement said on Friday. It said that the civic body organised a programme at the municipal headquarters where Municipal Commissioner Abhinav Goyal offered floral wreaths to the portraits of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Balasaheb Thackeray. Tributes to the leaders KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal paid homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose by offering a floral wreath at his statue at Subhash Chowk in Kalyan (West). He also paid tribute to Bal Thackeray by offering flowers at his statue located at Prabodhankar Thackeray Lake in Kalyan (West). Several senior officials were present on the occasion. 

23 January,2026 11:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
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