Eminent environmental scientist and Padma awardee Dr Madhav Gadgil passed away late on Wednesday night following a brief illness in Pune. He was 83. His mortal remains will be kept at his residence in Pashan, Pune, throughout Thursday, after which the last rites will be performed at Vaikunth Crematorium at 4 pm, sources told mid-day.com. Dr Gadgil is survived by his son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. His wife passed away last year. Dr Madhav Gadgil was instrumental in formulation of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 Widely regarded as one of India’s foremost ecologists, Dr Gadgil played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s environmental policies. He was instrumental in the formulation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel in 2009, which emphasised sustainable development with community participation. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, paying tribute to Dr Gadgil in Pimpri-Chinchwad, said, “India has lost a dedicated environmentalist who successfully combined science with people’s participation to protect nature.”
08 January,2026 01:01 PM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalDelhi’s air quality showed a marginal improvement on Thursday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 279 at 7.05 am, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app. Despite the slight relief in pollution levels, Delhi-NCR continued to reel under severe cold wave conditions for the second consecutive day, as dense fog and chilly winds led to a sharp drop in temperatures across the region. Air quality better than Wednesday but still a concern This marked a slight improvement from Wednesday, when the national capital recorded an AQI of 302 at the same time, categorising the air quality as ‘very poor’. Several hotspots remain in ‘very poor’ category However, air quality remained very poor in several parts of the city. Nehru Nagar recorded the worst air quality in Delhi with an AQI of 344, followed by Anand Vihar at 337 and Jahangirpuri at 332. R.K. Puram also remained in the very poor category with an AQI of 326. Central and residential areas log high pollution levels Vivek Vihar and Chandni Chowk each reported an AQI of 322, while the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range recorded 320. Sirifort stood at 319 and Okhla Phase-2 recorded an AQI of 313. Dwarka Sector 8 and Wazirpur reported similar levels, both logging an AQI of 311. Multiple locations continue to struggle with very poor air Patparganj registered an AQI of 307, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium recorded 306, Pusa stood at 305 and Rohini at 301, with all these areas falling under the ‘very poor’ category. Some relief as several areas move into ‘poor’ range Several other locations recorded air quality in the ‘poor’ range. Sonia Vihar and IHBAS Dilshad Garden both logged an AQI of 298, followed by Mundka at 297. Ashok Vihar and Punjabi Bagh stood at 296 each. AQI improves further in select pockets of the city Narela and Sri Aurobindo Marg recorded an AQI of 281, while the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium stood at 276. ITO recorded an AQI of 271, DTU 269 and Alipur 268. Lowest AQI readings seen in southern and airport areas Shadipur reported an AQI of 266, Najafgarh 255 and North Campus, Delhi University, 247. The AQI at Aya Nagar stood at 244, CRRI Mathura Road at 238 and IIT Delhi at 237. Bawana only area with ‘moderate’ air quality Burari Crossing recorded an AQI of 234, Lodhi Road 226 and Mandir Marg 208, the same as IGI Airport Terminal 3. NSIT Dwarka recorded an AQI of 207. Bawana was the only area in the city to record ‘moderate’ air quality, with an AQI of 174. CPCB explains AQI categories As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’. Cold wave, dense fog continue to grip Delhi-NCR Meanwhile, Delhi-NCR continued to experience intense cold wave conditions for the second straight day. Dense fog and cold northwesterly winds contributed to the prevailing chill and reduced visibility in many areas. The maximum temperature on Wednesday (January 7) was recorded at 16.7 degrees Celsius, marginally higher than the 15.7 degrees Celsius recorded on Tuesday. IMD issues yellow alert, fog to persist The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a steep rise in the maximum temperature on Thursday, with no significant change expected in the coming days across the national capital region. The Meteorological Department has also forecast moderate to dense fog in Delhi and upper-level fog across the Indo-Gangetic Plain on Thursday (January 8). Cold conditions likely till mid-January Cold conditions are expected to intensify over northern India until January 15. A yellow alert has been issued, predicting moderate fog at many places and dense fog at isolated locations during the morning hours. Thereafter, a partly cloudy sky with shallow to moderate fog has been forecast until January 13. (With inputs from Agencies)
08 January,2026 10:00 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe food and beverage giant Nestle confirmed that it does not import or sell any of their recently globally recalled products in India, as they manufacture everything locally. The Switzerland-headquartered company had said on Tuesday that it has recalled certain batches of their products after testing of arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and corresponding oil mixes detected a "quality issue with an ingredient provided by a leading supplier." Speaking with ANI on the issue, Nestle India stated, "Nestle India does not import or sell any of the affected products or batches that have been withdrawn or recalled. All infant formula brands sold in India are manufactured locally. We have conducted thorough testing on these products and can confirm that they meet all FSSAI and applicable rules and regulations." Nestle India has further stated that recalls have been initiated as a precautionary measure, but no illnesses have been reported so far. "At Nestle India, the safety and well-being of our consumers is our top priority. All our products are in full compliance with FSSAI and applicable rules and regulations. Following the detection of a quality issue with an ingredient provided by a leading supplier, Nestle has initiated a precautionary recall/withdrawal in some countries for certain infant formula product batches produced in Europe. No illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the products involved to date.", they clarified. Nestle has issued a voluntary recall of certain infant formula products, including SMA, BEBA, and NAN, due to potential contamination with cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus bacteria. Multiple countries, including the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, and Switzerland, Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, New Zealand and more have issued a public recall of the product. In an official statement by Nestle, symptoms due to Cereulide, "a substance of bacterial origin that causes foodborne illness," could include severe or persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual lethargy. These symptoms would typically appear between 30 minutes to 6 hours after any exposure. However, no reported cases of such illness has been confirmed in any of the countries. Nestle said in the statement, "If no symptoms are displayed, there is no cause for concern of any health impact. If you have any concerns about your child's health or nutrition, we advise you to talk to your pediatrician or healthcare provider. Regardless of whether symptoms are present, parents and caregivers are instructed to discontinue use of the product in accordance with the recall notice (if applicable in their market)." 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
08 January,2026 08:50 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIFour people, three of them from Rajasthan, were killed and six others injured in a head-on collision between two cars in Nashik district of Maharashtra on Wednesday afternoon, police said, reported news agency PTI. The accident occurred on a national highway in Dindori taluka of the district, they said. According to police, at around 3 pm, an Ertiga car going towards Peth from Nashik collided head-on with a Scorpio SUV coming from the opposite direction near Chachadgaon toll plaza, leaving four people dead, reported PTI. The deceased were identified as Chogalal Hiralal Gurjar (75), Kishanlal Hiralal Gurjar (45) and Poonam Gurjar (40), all residents of Devgarh in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. They were travelling in the SUV. Ertiga car driver, Shahrukh Khan Farakat Khan (28), a resident of Silvassa in Dadara & Nagar Haveli, also died in the crash, police said, reported PTI. As many as six people received injuries in the accident, and they were admitted to Nashik District Hospital and a private hospital, according to police. Both vehicles were badly damaged in the accident. Three dead as two-wheeler hits MSRTC bus in Buldhana In another incident, three persons died on Monday afternoon after their two-wheeler collided with a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus in Buldhana, a police official said, reported PTI. The incident took place on Dhad-Sambhajinagar road and the deceased are residents of Dhalsawangi, he added. "The MSRTC bus from Malkapur depot was approaching a bridge at Kardi when the motorcycle, with three persons on it, collided head on. The three died on the spot. Such was the impact that the two-wheeler was completely mangled and got stuck underneath the bus," he said, reported PTI. The bus driver has been arrested and further probe into the accident is underway, the Dhad police station official said. Motorcyclist killed in road accident in Beed district Meanwhile, a 45-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a road accident in Beed district of Maharashtra on Monday, police said, reported PTI. The accident took place on the Kada-Limbodi road in Ashti tehsil and the deceased was identified as Anil Mohan Khilare, a resident of Sangvi Patan village who was the sole breadwinner of his family, they said, reported PTI. According to police, Khilare was riding his motorcycle from Kada town towards his village in the afternoon when he met with an accident. It was not yet clear whether the accident occurred due to a collision with an unidentified vehicle or because the motorcyclist lost control of his two-wheeler. However, the impact of the accident was fatal, and the rider died on the spot, they added. (With inputs from PTI)
08 January,2026 08:24 AM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday announced that the National Highways Authority of India has set two Guinness World Records during the construction of Bengaluru-Kadapa-Vijayawada Economic Corridor (NH-544G) in Andhra Pradesh “by laying 28.95 lane-kilometres and 10,675 MT of Bituminous Concrete continuously within 24 hours.” The milestone was reached by the private firm Rajpath Infracon Private Ltd. 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
08 January,2026 07:12 AM IST | Amaravati | AgenciesAs many as 26 Maoists, 13 of them carrying a collective bounty of Rs 65 lakh, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Wednesday, a senior police official said. The cadres, including seven women, turned themselves in before senior police and CRPF officials here under the “Poona Margem” (from rehabilitation to social reintegration) rehabilitation initiative, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan said. Of them, Lali alias Muchaki Aayte Lakhmu, 35, a company party committee member, carried a reward of '10 lakh on her head. She was involved in several major incidents of violence, including triggering an IED blast targeting a vehicle on the Koraput road (Odisha) in 2017 in which 14 security personnel were killed, the official said. The cadres said they were also impressed by the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy of the state government, he added. All the surrendered Maoists were provided an assistance of Rs 50,000 each and will be further rehabilitated as per the government’s policy, he added. 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
08 January,2026 07:08 AM IST | Sukma | AgenciesThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties valued at approximately Rs 91.82 crore in the ongoing money laundering probe into the illegal operations of Mahadev Online Book (MOB) and other betting platforms. As reported by news agency IANS, investigation agency ED's Raipur Zonal Office froze bank balances worth Rs 74.29 crore held in the names of Dubai-based entities M/s Perfect Plan Investment LLC and M/s Exim General Trading FZCO. The Enforcement Directorate, while investigating the matter further, asserted that these firms are allegedly controlled by key accused Sourabh Chandrakar, Anil Kumar Agarwal, and Vikas Chhaparia, who used them to disguise proceeds of crime as legitimate investments, as per IANS. The statement from the Enforcement Directorate also highlighted, “Additionally, properties worth Rs 17.5 crore belonging to Gagan Gupta—a close associate of Hari Shankar Tibrewal, the owner of Skyexchange.com—were attached. These include high-value real estate and assets in the names of Gupta’s family members, acquired using cash generated from illicit betting.” The ED investigation revealed that platforms like Mahadev Online Book and Skyexchange.com rigged games to ensure users lost money, generating massive illegal proceeds. The app served as an umbrella network facilitating user enrolment, financial routing, and laundering through benami accounts, fake KYC documents, and unaccounted transactions, the statement said. Money syphoned abroad via ‘Hawala’ While highlighting the proceeds of crime, the Enforcement Directorate said that the proceeds were syphoned abroad via hawala, trade-based laundering, and cryptocurrencies, then reinvested in Indian stocks through foreign portfolio investors (FPIs). The agency also said that a "cashback" scheme was uncovered, where FPIs invested in listed companies like Salasar Techno Engineering Ltd and Tiger Logistics Ltd, with promoters returning 30-40 per cent in cash. ED also added that, “Gupta allegedly benefited Rs 98 crore from such deals,” as per IANS. The agency has conducted searches at over 175 premises, attaching assets worth around Rs 2,600 crore in the alleged Mahadev betting scam. As of now, around thirteen arrests have been made, with 74 entities named in five prosecution complaints. The probe against the accused highlights sophisticated laundering tactics evading taxes and regulations, as the ED continues to dismantle the syndicate's financial web. (With inputs from IANS)
07 January,2026 09:50 PM IST | Raipur | mid-day online correspondentThe Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) on Wednesday proposed that the Union Budget for 2026-27 be presented on February 1, even though the date falls on a Sunday, according to reports. If approved, this would be a rare occasion in recent years when the Union Budget is tabled on a weekend. The government is keen to maintain the February 1 schedule to ensure that budget proposals are implemented from the start of the new financial year in April, reported the IANS. The Budget Session of Parliament is expected to begin on January 28 with the President’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses. The Economic Survey, which outlines the current state of the Indian economy, will be presented in Parliament on January 29, as per reports. Sitharaman to present ninth consecutive budget Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget, making it the 88th Budget since Independence. Since 2017, Union Budgets have been presented at 11 am on February 1, after the date was advanced from February 28, according to the IANS. The change was introduced by former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to allow faster execution of budget measures from the beginning of the financial year. Weekend budgets not unprecedented Presenting the Union Budget on a weekend is not entirely new. Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier presented the Union Budget 2025 on a Saturday. Earlier, Arun Jaitley also presented the Budgets of 2015 and 2016 on February 28, both of which fell on Saturdays. Historic milestone for Sitharaman With this year's Union Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman will become the first finance minister to present nine consecutive Union Budgets during her tenure as a finance minister. She is now close to the record held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who presented 10 Union Budgets across two terms. Among other former finance ministers of the UPA government, P Chidambaram had presented nine Union Budgets, while Pranab Mukherjee presented eight. Sitharaman was appointed India’s first full-time woman finance minister in 2019 and has continued in the role after the Modi-led government returned to power for a third term in 2024. (with IANS inputs)
07 January,2026 09:31 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), whose poll symbol is a clock, on Wednesday launched a new campaign titled “Alarm” ahead of the January 15 Maharashtra local body elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic bodies. Through the campaign, the party targeted the local leadership of its ally, the BJP, accusing it of failing to provide basic civic services in both cities. Announcing the initiative, NCP president and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said worsening civic issues, including water shortages, garbage accumulation, traffic congestion, and rising pollution levels, were “alarm bells” pointing to administrative failure at the municipal level, news agency PTI reported. According to PTI, the NCP maintained that the two key civic bodies required the “Ajit Pawar model” of discipline and delivery. At the outset, Pawar clarified that the campaign was limited to the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations and was not linked to the functioning of the central or state governments. The NCP is in an alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra and at the Centre; however, both parties are contesting Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body polls separately. "I would like to clarify at the beginning that the 'Alarm' campaign only concerns the failures of municipal bodies in Pune and PCMC (where the BJP was in power from 2017 to 2022)," he said, reported PTI. Pawar claimed the campaign was based on ground surveys conducted over the last six months and complaints received directly through "Jansamvad" (interactions with citizens). "Dry taps, tanker queues, pothole-ridden roads, garbage mounds, and worsening air quality show an execution crisis in the civic bodies. The alarm is ringing, and the cities need to wake up," asserted the NCP leader, whose home turf is Pune district. Without naming the BJP, Pawar blamed the ruling party’s local leadership for the deterioration of civic infrastructure in PMC and PCMC, despite governing them for several years. He alleged that development had stalled in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad due to poor planning and lack of accountability. The 'Alarm' campaign will be a digital-first and ground-based initiative, featuring short videos of NCP candidates highlighting civic problems at actual locations such as potholes, garbage dumps, and traffic bottlenecks. The campaign revolves around the theme 'One Alarm, Five Works', focusing on 24x7 clean water supply, pothole-free roads, smoother traffic, timely garbage collection and sanitation, creation of public spaces with pollution control, and accessible healthcare facilities in every ward. Pawar said the NCP's governance model, rooted in the Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar ideology, prioritises execution over rhetoric. "When the undivided NCP helmed the two civic bodies, development was planned and delivered. Efficient governance is the highest form of public service," noted the Deputy Chief Minister, who holds finance and planning portfolios in the BJP-led Mahayuti government in the state, reported PTI. The NCP sought to draw a distinction between its role in the state government and the functioning of the two key civic bodies, asserting that PMC and PCMC required what it described as the "Ajit Pawar model" of discipline and delivery. Pawar, while addressing a press conference in Pimpri-Chinchwad last week, alleged corruption in PCMC and targeted the local BJP leadership for graft, claiming the once-rich civic body has been pushed into debt over the last nine years. Later, speaking in Pune, Pawar accused the BJP’s local leadership of derailing the city’s development. Despite receiving substantial funds from the Centre and the state government, he claimed the local BJP leadership could not carry out meaningful development in Pune city while ruling its civic body. (With PTI inputs)
07 January,2026 09:04 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentFor Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the simple joys of life often come wrapped in golden, crispy batter – the humble: A Batata Vada, an iconic Maharashtrian snack that is not just a favourite treat; it’s a taste of home, childhood memories, and the comfort of simpler days amid a busy political life. More than just a food item, this iconic Maharashtrian delicacy holds deep personal and cultural significance for Gadkari, connecting him to his roots, childhood memories, and a simpler lifestyle amidst the whirlwind of public life. Batata vada, a spiced mashed potato filling dipped in chickpea batter and deep-fried, is a street food staple in Maharashtra. Gadkari grew up enjoying this snack, and over the years, it has remained a symbol of home, nostalgia, and regional pride. In his own words, he gravitates toward simple, traditional vegetarian food, and the batata vada perfectly embodies the flavours and comfort of his upbringing in Nagpur. Recently, Gadkari’s love for the snack took centre stage in a YouTube video when Bollywood filmmaker and dance choreographer Farah Khan, along with her personal chef Dilip, visited the minister’s Delhi residence. There, they were served Gadkari’s favourite home-cooked batata vada. The recipe, shared during the video, combines boiled mashed potatoes with green chillies, chilli powder, salt, sugar, and onions, all coated in a crisp besan (chickpea) batter and deep-fried to golden perfection. Farah Khan’s video quickly went viral, bringing nationwide attention to the simple yet flavorful recipe. Gadkari has also expressed his fondness for a specific spot in Pune, Prabha Vishranti Gruha, known for its batata vadas. This personal connection highlights not just his taste but also his appreciation for the authentic flavours of his home state. By embracing a street food favourite like batata vada, Gadkari presents a relatable, grounded image, connecting with millions of people who enjoy this snack daily. Batata vada, a flavourful snack made with spiced potatoes coated in chickpea flour, served hot. Representational pic. In a life dominated by politics, meetings, and public scrutiny, batata vada serves as Gadkari’s anchor, a reminder of home, culture, and simpler pleasures. Whether at a street-side stall or his own kitchen, the golden fritter is more than food; it’s comfort, nostalgia, and identity fried into a crispy, savoury bite. For Nitin Gadkari, the humble batata vada isn’t just a snack, it’s the ultimate comfort food.
07 January,2026 08:40 PM IST | MumbaiThe Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a response from the Maharashtra government on pleas filed by two accused seeking bail in the Pune Porsche car accident case that claimed two lives earlier in May 2024. The PTI reported, Aditya Avinash Sood (52) and Ashish Satish Mittal (37) were arrested on August 19 last year, as their blood samples were used for tests in connection with two minors who were in the car along with the 17-year-old main accused at the time of the accident. On May 19, 2024, a Porsche car, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy under the influence of alcohol, fatally knocked down two IT professionals in Pune's Kalyani Nagar area. Following the crash, a bench of Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan issued notice to the state government on their pleas against the Bombay High Court order rejecting bail. Later on December 16, the High Court rejected the bail pleas of eight accused, including Sood and Mittal, in the case. The juvenile justice board (JJB) had granted bail to the accused minor on lenient terms, sparking nationwide outrage. The bail conditions included writing a 300-word essay on road safety. Bail by Juvenile justice board triggered outrage As bail for the accused juvenile triggered outrage, the Pune police approached the JJB to review its decision. Moreover, the board then modified the order and sent the juvenile to an observation home. In June, the high court ordered the release of the juvenile. While the juvenile involved in the case was released from an observation home, a total of 10 accused – his parents, Vishal Agarwal and Shivani Agarwal; two doctors, Ajay Tawre and Shreehari Halnor; Sassoon Hospital's staffer, Atul Ghatkamble; two middlemen; and three others, Aditya Avinash Sood, Ashish Mittal and Arun Kumar Singh -- were sent to jail in the blood sample swapping case. In view of the discrepancies around the Pune Porsche car crash, two Pune Police officials were dismissed from service over lapses in the investigation. News agency PTI reported that an internal inquiry found lapses in case registration and delays in collecting blood samples. Police said that the teenager’s blood samples were taken only at 11 am, several hours after the accident, and were allegedly replaced with those of his mother. (With inputs from PTI)
07 January,2026 08:05 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
