Star footballer Lionel Messi on Saturday after arriving in India has virtually unveiled his 70-foot statue installed at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, Kolkata. The Argentine football legend is in the city as part of his GOAT Tour India 2025. The unveiling of a 70-foot statue drew a huge crowd of fans who gathered in Lake Town to witness the moment as football icon Messi unveiled it virtually. The Sree Bhumi Sporting Club completed the 70-foot iron statue in admiration for Lionel Messi at Lake Town in South Dum Dum, Kolkata. The massive statue depicts Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy. #WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Star footballer Lionel Messi virtually unveils his 70-foot statue installed at the Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town during the first leg of his G.O.A.T. Tour India 2025 pic.twitter.com/dYFPW7KsBg — ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025 Earlier, the West Bengal Minister and Sree Bhumi Sporting Club President Sujit Bose said on Saturday that Lionel Messi and his team are happy with the statue installed in Lake Town. Speaking to the media, Minister Sujit Bose also emphasises that Messi and his team had given their consent to the statue and were happy with it. He asserted, "We have talked to his manager, and today we will talk to Messi... He gave his consent for the statue, and they are also happy...," as cited by news agency ANI. Highlighting that the construction of the statue was completed in just 40 days. Bose further added that, "We built this statue in 40 days. This is a very big statue, 70 feet in height. There is no other statue of Messi this big in the world. Messi is coming to Kolkata, and there are a lot of fans of Messi," as per ANI. Global football icon Lionel Messi arrived in the City of Joy early on Saturday morning to an overwhelming reception from fans. The enthusiastic supporters gathered in large numbers across key locations in Kolkata, eager to catch a glimpse of the global football icon, reflecting the immense popularity Messi enjoys in the country, particularly in West Bengal. Notably, this marks Lionel Messi's first visit to India since 2011. During his previous visit, the legendary footballer played a friendly match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0. His return after 14 years has generated immense excitement among football fans, who have been preparing for a grand celebration to welcome the global icon. (With inputs from ANI)
13 December,2025 12:36 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh has moved into the final phase of its organisational election process, with nominations for the post of state president scheduled on Saturday and the announcement of the new chief expected a day later. Senior party leaders, including national and state functionaries, met in Lucknow on Friday to finalise preparations. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said the meeting, chaired by BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh, was crucial in steering the party's internal democratic procedure. "For the election of the State BJP president, the party's National General Secretary (Org) BL Santhosh chaired an important meeting. State BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, General Secretary (Organisation) BJP, Uttar Pradesh - Dharampal Singh, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and all office bearers were present in the meeting," he said. Maurya asserted that the BJP remains committed to a transparent electoral process within the organisation, contrasting it with the Samajwadi Party. "SP is a one-family party, they make decisions on office bearers while sitting in their dining room. BJP is a democratic party, the largest in the world and an election process is followed here," he said. He further claimed the Samajwadi Party "has no future left" and predicted a resounding BJP victory in the 2027 Assembly polls. "In 2027, we will achieve a bigger victory in Uttar Pradesh than in 2017... Akhilesh Yadav's PDA is fake," he added. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday confirmed that the electoral process is nearing its conclusion. "UP BJP is taking the election of the State party chief to its last stage. Nomination will be filed tomorrow," he stated. Outgoing state president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary said the nominations would be received by senior leaders. "Nominations will be filed on Saturday. Vinod Tawde and Piyush Goyal will receive the nominations tomorrow... The final list will be published later, and the name will be announced the day after," he announced. With the nomination phase formally beginning Saturday, the BJP is poised to unveil its new Uttar Pradesh chief on Sunday. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 December,2025 10:18 AM IST | Lucknow | ANIA Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing into the death of singer Zubeen Garg, on Friday charged four accused with murder in its chargesheet filed in a Guwahati court. The accused are Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddhartha Sharma, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, lawyers said. Shyamkanu Mahanta was the chief organiser of the North East India Festival, which was attended by Garg in Singapore, where he died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea on September 19. SIT officials carrying a trunk that contains statements from nearly 300 individuals related to the Zubeen Garg death case. Pic/PTI Garg's cousin and suspended Assam Police officer Sandipan Garg has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the over 3500-page chargsheet submitted at the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court earlier in the day, the lawyers said. The Assam government had constituted the SIT, led by Special DGP MP Gupta, to investigate into the singer's death. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had claimed in the recently concluded assembly session that Garg's death was 'plain and simple murder'. Zubeen Garg The Singapore Police Force (SPF), carrying out an independent investigation into Garg's death, had said in a statement that preliminary probe has not indicated any foul play, and that the investigations may take up to another three months. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 December,2025 09:50 AM IST | Guwahati | AgenciesRetail inflation inched up to 0.71 per cent in November on rising prices of vegetables, protein-rich items, and fuel, government data showed on Friday. The consumer price index (CPI)-based retail inflation had fallen to a record low of 0.25 per cent in October, mainly due to lower prices helped by GST rate cuts and a favourable base. According to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), deflation in food items was 3.91 per cent in November against 5.02 per cent in October. The rise in headline and food inflation during November 2025 is mainly attributed to an increase in inflation of vegetables, eggs, meat and fish, spices, fuel and light, the NSO said. Fuel and light inflation for November was 2.32 per cent against 1.98 per cent in October 2025. The Reserve Bank, earlier this month, significantly lowered the inflation projection for the current fiscal to 2 per cent from 2.6 per cent estimated earlier, as the economy continues to witness rapid disinflation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 December,2025 09:29 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesDanish pharma major Novo Nordisk on Friday launched its blockbuster type 2 diabetes treatment injection Ozempic, globally popular for its weight-loss benefits. Ozempic is now available in India as 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg in ‘FlexTouch Pen’ - an easy-to-use, once-weekly pen device, at a starting cost of Rs 2200 per week, the company announced here. Novo Nordisk India Managing Director, Vikrant Shrotriya, said through Ozempic, the company is looking to provide patients with an innovative and accessible therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes while also offering meaningful weight management and long-term heart and kidney protection. “We are very judicious in terms of pricing in India. It really remains very competitive, internally and externally as well, to offer at a price like this,” Shrotriya told PTI when asked how Ozempic pricing in India compares with other global markets. “I would say that it still comes under the affordability zone of the pricing, which is at a range for countries similar to India.” Novo Nordisk is marketing Ozempic purely as a treatment for type II diabetes in India, he added. “We applied for type 2 diabetes. We got (approval from the drug regulator in India) for it,” he noted. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 December,2025 09:25 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Maharashtra Legislature’s Privileges Committee on Friday recommended two days of “civil custody” for two supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) legislators, and barred them from entering the Vidhan Bhavan premises for their involvement in a scuffle during the monsoon session, news agency PTI reported. The committee proposed a complete ban on the entry of the two men — Nitin Deshmukh and Sarjerao Takale — into the Vidhan Bhavan complexes in both Mumbai and Nagpur for the remainder of the current assembly’s tenure, which runs until 2029. Committee chairperson and Shiv Sena legislator Narendra Bhondekar informed the assembly that the decision was made after reviewing video footage of the altercation that took place inside the Mumbai Vidhan Bhavan complex during the July monsoon session. “The committee verified the facts and the sequence of events before finalising the action,” he said. The report tabled in the House noted that Deshmukh, a supporter of NCP(SP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jitendra Awhad, and Takale, a supporter of BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar, had engaged in a physical confrontation in the assembly lobby, PTI reported. The nature and execution of the “civil custody” recommended for them is yet to be determined. The committee also proposed creating a dynamic database system to screen individuals seeking entry into the legislature complex and deny access to anyone facing serious criminal charges. The winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature is currently underway in Nagpur, the state’s second capital. Efforts underway to govern Maharashtra from PMO: Nana Patole on new Lokayukta Act Congress leader Nana Patole on Friday criticised the Maharashtra Government as it prepares to implement the amended Lokayukta Act, following the state legislature’s approval of changes recommended by the Centre. He alleged that efforts are being made to run the state from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Speaking to ANI, Patole said, “The Chief Minister of Maharashtra is trying to run the state as Gujarat was run at a certain point in time. Efforts are being made to introduce one-sided laws to govern from the PMO.” The move follows long-standing demands from social activist Anna Hazare, who had announced an indefinite fast starting January 31, 2026, if the Act was not implemented. The Lokayukta Bill was originally passed in the assembly on December 28, 2022, and in the legislative council on December 15, 2023, before being sent for Presidential assent. President Droupadi Murmu approved the bill while recommending three key amendments, which were formally conveyed to Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis. The CM clarified in the legislature that bodies established solely under Central laws will not automatically fall under the jurisdiction of the state Lokayukta, ANI reported. However, officers appointed by the state to such bodies will come within its purview. Likewise, officers appointed by the Maharashtra Government to institutions created by the Centre will also fall under the Lokayukta Act. The amendments additionally replace references to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Evidence Act with updated citations from the Centre’s new criminal codes — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. With both the Houses now approving the amendments and Presidential assent already granted, the state government is set to bring the revamped Lokayukta Act into force soon, marking a significant step in strengthening Maharashtra’s transparency and anti-corruption framework, ANI reported. (With PTI and ANI inputs)
12 December,2025 11:14 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentThe Union Cabinet on Friday approved the proposal to conduct the Census of India 2027, the world’s largest administrative and statistical exercise, at a cost of Rs 11,718.24 crore, news agency ANI reported. Briefing the media on the Cabinet decisions, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Census 2027 will be the 16th census overall and the eighth since Independence. “Census 2027 will be the first-ever digital census. The digital design of the census has been made keeping in mind data protection,” he said. The Census will be carried out in two phases: Houselisting and Housing Census — April to September 2026 Population Enumeration (PE) — February 2027 For the Union Territory of Ladakh, snowbound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, PE will be conducted in September 2026. Nearly 30 lakh field functionaries will be deployed for the massive national exercise, ANI reported. First digital Census with mobile app, monitoring portal An official release said data collection will be done using a mobile application, while a central portal will be used for real-time monitoring, ensuring higher data quality. “Data dissemination will be much better and in a user-friendly way… Census-as-a-Service (CaaS) will deliver data to ministries in a clean, machine-readable and actionable format,” the release stated. Census 2027 will cover every household in the country, with enumerators — mostly government school teachers — canvassing separate questionnaires for both phases. Additional Census officials will be appointed at sub-district, district and state levels. New digital initiatives for 2027 First fully digital Census using mobile apps on both Android and iOS Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS) portal for real-time supervision HLB Creator web map application for Houselisting Block creation Self-enumeration option for the public Enhanced security features for the digital process The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Caste enumeration to be included The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, at its April 30 meeting, decided to include caste enumeration in Census 2027. “With the huge social and demographic diversity in our country and related challenges, Census 2027 will also capture caste data electronically in the Population Enumeration phase,” the release said. Massive workforce, skill development, faster data release Around 30 lakh Census functionaries, including supervisors, master trainers, charge officers and district census officers, will be deployed. All of them will receive an honorarium for working on the Census alongside their regular duties. The government expects to release Census data in the shortest possible time, with improved visualisation tools and data availability down to the village and ward level. To deliver the digital Census, about 18,600 technical personnel will be hired for 550 days, generating 1.02 crore man-days of employment, ANI reported. This is expected to build capacity in digital data handling, monitoring and coordination, improving future employment opportunities for those engaged. Census data forms the backbone of policymaking, providing micro-level insights on housing, amenities, demography, religion, Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST) population, language, literacy, economic activity, migration and fertility. The exercise is conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990. (With ANI inputs)
12 December,2025 08:11 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn a major crackdown, police officers in Nashik have seized liquor worth Rs 28.55 lakh that was not meant to be sold in Maharashtra, news agency PTI reported. According to an officer, “One person has been detained in connection with the seizure made near Peth town on Thursday." “Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted a truck near the beginning of the Kotambi Ghat. While the driver claimed that there was nothing in the vehicle, police discovered a compartment containing bottles of India-made foreign liquor worth Rs 28.55 lakh,” the officer added. The alcohol which has been seized by the police authorities was manufactured in Diu-Daman and banned for sale in Maharashtra, PTI reported. Police officers have further emphasised that “the illegal liquor was confiscated and the driver has also been taken into custody”. Pune AIU seizes hydroponic marijuana worth Rs 2.29 crore The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Pune Commissionerate on Monday seized over 2.29 kg of hydroponic marijuana valued at approximately Rs. 2.29 crore at Pune International Airport, news agency ANI reported. The officials, while briefing about the incident, further highlighted that “A passenger from Bangkok has been arrested in connection with the case.” According to officers, AIU personnel intercepted the passenger who had arrived on IndiGo flight 6E-1096 from Bangkok based on profiling and specific intelligence inputs. Following this, a detailed examination of his checked-in baggage led to the recovery of 2,299.44 grams of hydroponic weed concealed in two airtight sealed packets, reported ANI. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a clandestine mephedrone manufacturing facility in Wardha, Maharashtra, during a targeted operation. The operations conducted on December 7 and 8 resulted in the seizure of 128 kg of mephedrone, valued at approximately Rs. 192 crore, along with 245 kilograms of precursor chemicals, raw materials, and a complete processing setup. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers conducted discreet surveillance, followed by a search operation in a remote, shrub-covered area of Karanja (Ghadge), nearly 60 km from Wardha. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Mumbai earlier in October also seized 4.7 kg of cocaine worth approximately Rs 47 crore from a passenger arriving from Colombo at the Mumbai airport. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
12 December,2025 06:31 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentIndiGo’s board on Friday announced the appointment of an external aviation expert to conduct a root-cause analysis of the airline’s recent operational disruptions, news agency PTI reported. The independent review will begin at the earliest and a comprehensive report will be submitted to the board upon completion, the airline said. Aviation Advisors LLC, led by veteran pilot Captain John Illson, has been tasked with carrying out the assessment, PTI reported. The decision comes as IndiGo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pieter Elbers and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Isidre Porqueras face questioning by a four-member panel set up by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to investigate the widespread flight disruptions. The panel, comprising Joint Director General Sanjay Brahamane, Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, senior Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) Kapil Manglik and Lokesh Rampal is examining manpower planning, fluctuating rosters, and the airline’s readiness to implement new duty period and rest regulations for pilots, effective November 1. In a related development, the DGCA on Friday dismissed four FOIs over operational lapses at the Gurugram-based airline. “The four FOIs, under various categories, on a contract basis, are hereby relieved from the DGCA with immediate effect to join their respective parent organisations,” the order stated. Indigo flight cancellations: DGCA intensifies oversight as airline launches independent review FOIs are senior officials deputed from air operators to ensure aviation safety, monitor airline operations, inspect and certify personnel, and verify regulatory compliance. IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta had earlier said in a video message that the board had decided to involve external technical experts to work with management to identify the causes behind the disruptions. A crisis management group set up by InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo’s parent company, recommended commissioning the independent review. The airline experienced thousands of cancellations between December 1 and 9 due to crew shortages and challenges in implementing the new pilot duty and rest regulations. DGCA officials have begun monitoring IndiGo’s operations, refunds, and crew deployment from the airline’s headquarters, submitting daily reports. Additionally, two members of the DGCA’s eight-member oversight panel are stationed at Gurugram to monitor cancellations, staff shortages, unplanned leave, and affected routes. IndiGo stated, “The objective is to conduct an independent root cause analysis of the recent operational disruption, besides identifying opportunities for improvement.” (With PTI inputs)
12 December,2025 06:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian Navy will commission DSC A20, the first vessel in its new series of indigenously designed Diving Support Craft, on December 16, 2025 at Kochi, an official statement said on Friday. The commissioning will take place under the Southern Naval Command in the presence of Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief. The induction of DSC A20 marks a major boost to the Navy’s ability to conduct diving and underwater operations in coastal waters. First of five purpose-built diving support vessels According to the statement, DSC A20 is the lead ship in a fleet of five Diving Support Craft being built by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) in Kolkata. The vessel is specially designed for a wide range of underwater tasks, including diving operations, inspections, rescue support, and salvage activities. It is fitted with advanced and modern diving systems, meeting the highest safety and operational standards required for such missions. Catamaran design for better performance The vessel features a catamaran hull design, which provides better stability, more deck space, and improved handling at sea. With a displacement of around 390 tonnes, DSC A20 has been designed and constructed as per the Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Before final approval, it underwent detailed hydrodynamic studies and model testing at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam to ensure strong performance and reliability in all conditions. Step forward in defence The statement said that the commissioning of DSC A20 is seen as another milestone in India’s drive towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing. The project highlights effective collaboration between the Indian Navy, Indian shipbuilders, and national research institutions. Once commissioned, DSC A20 will be based in Kochi and operate under the Southern Naval Command, significantly enhancing the Navy’s underwater support capability. "The commissioning of DSC A20 marks a milestone in India’s pursuit of Aatmanirbharta and exemplifies success of ‘Make in India ’ initiative in the maritime domain. The platform represents seamless collaboration between the Indian Navy, the indigenous shipbuilding industry, and national research organisations in delivering specialised, technologically advanced vessels," the official statement said.
12 December,2025 06:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led–Mahayuti Government of showing “complete disregard” for the winter session in Nagpur by limiting it to just one week and violating the long-standing Vidarbha Agreement. He alleged that despite serious issues concerning farmers, workers, unemployment, law and order, corruption and women’s safety, the government had avoided meaningful discussion. Speaking to the media at the Nagpur Assembly complex, Sapkal said the ruling alliance displayed “no seriousness” towards the functioning of the legislature. “Instead of addressing crucial public concerns, the House is busy discussing catching dogs and releasing leopards. This shows the government’s priorities,” he said. Sapkal further alleged that corruption had surged under the BJP–Mahayuti regime. “Every day, new cases of corruption are coming to light. Money is flowing unchecked. Corruption has become the government’s motto. The journey from ‘na khaunga, na khane dunga’ has now reached ‘mil baat ke khayenge’,” he said, demanding a white paper on corruption in Maharashtra and a full debate in the legislature. He criticised the ruling party for allegedly disrupting proceedings whenever serious topics were raised. “Even during important discussions, members of the government are seen cracking jokes. Democracy is being strangled. Some of their own members are raising corruption allegations. The government must open its eyes,” Sapkal said. On the issue of recognising the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Sapkal accused the government of selectively applying rules. “They cite the 10% rule for the LoP in the Assembly. If that is the case, in the Upper House we do have the required 10% strength and have submitted a proposal. Why is the LoP not being appointed there?” he asked. CM Fadnavis must respect democratic norms: Maharashtra Congress chief “Democracy functions on traditions, conventions and established practices. Proposals have been submitted in both Houses, yet the government refuses to act constitutionally. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is running the legislature in a ‘hum kare so kayda’ manner. He must respect democratic norms,” Sapkal added. He said granting the Opposition Leader post was “a matter of constitutional duty and political ethics”, but alleged that Fadnavis was evading this responsibility.
12 December,2025 05:55 PM IST | NagpurADVERTISEMENT
