The blaze which broke out in Poonam Chambers opposite Atria Mall on Annie Besant Road, Worli, in Mumbai on Sunday morning was doused after four hours of firefighting. The incident was reported at 11:39 am, with fire and emergency services mobilised shortly thereafter. According to the latest information by the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), the blaze was doused at at 3.23 pm. The fire reportedly originated from the second floor of the basement-plus-ground plus-seven-storey commercial building and was confined to the area. MFB had declared the fire a Level-II blaze at 11:51 AM, indicating a more severe fire, requiring additional resources. Authorities responded swiftly, with multiple agencies, including MFB, local police, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), 108 Ambulance services, and the local ward staff being deployed to the scene. Eight fire engines and seven water tankers were used in the operation. The rescue teams worked together to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building, and by 2.04 pm, they were able to control the fire. Visuals from the site showed thick black smoke rising from the flames that were almost doused by the fire personnel. As per the latest updates, no injuries have been reported in the incident. The cause of the fire and the damage by it is yet to be determined. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and local legislator Aaditya Thackeray visited the spot.Speaking to ANI, Thackeray said, "Fire tenders are going inside and cooling operations will soon begin."(With ANI and PTI inputs)
15 December,2024 04:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will boycott the tea party hosted by the Maharashtra government on the eve of the state legislature's winter session, set to take place on Sunday, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Ambadas Danve said, according to news agency PTI. Addressing a press conference in Nagpur, Danve stated that despite the opposition's reduced strength in the assembly, it would, with full force, confront the government on various issues, including those related to farmers. He also criticised the short duration of the six-day winter session of the Maharashtra legislature and called for an extension of the proceedings, stated PTI. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar echoed this demand, urging for the session to be prolonged, PTI reported. Devendra Fadnavis had taken the oath as Maharashtra chief minister, with Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and NCP head Ajit Pawar sworn in as his deputies at a grand ceremony in Mumbai on December 5. In the November 20 assembly elections, the Mahayuti coalition registered a landslide victory, securing 230 out of 288 seats in the state. Fadnavis's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 132 seats, Shiv Sena 57 and NCP 41 seats. MVA, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), performed poorly, winning just 46 seats. The cabinet expansion of the BJP-led Maharashtra government is scheduled for Sunday. Ahead of the state cabinet expansion, Fadnavis paid floral tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar in Nagpur, news agency ANI reported. He also held a roadshow in the city, his first since the Mahayuti's resounding victory. Fadnavis was accompanied by his wife Amruta and Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule. During the roadshow, Amruta expressed her joy and said, "It feels extremely delightful to see the love of the people. The responsibility has increased and we have to shoulder it." Pawar also arrived in Nagpur ahead of the first cabinet meeting and expansion of the state government, reported ANI. Shiv Sena Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Bharatshet Gogawale announced that the oath-taking ceremony would take place at 4 pm. He confirmed that 12 MLAs from his party, including himself, would take the oath as ministers, with seven of them being new faces, ANI reported. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
15 December,2024 03:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the lead-up to the much-anticipated Cabinet expansion in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a grand roadshow in Nagpur on Sunday. Accompanied by his wife Amruta Fadnavis and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the Chief Minister greeted an enthusiastic crowd, underscoring his close connection to the city. "Nagpur city is my family, and my family is welcoming me," Fadnavis remarked during the roadshow, expressing his gratitude towards the people for their unwavering support. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar also arrived in Nagpur, ahead of the first Cabinet meeting of the BJP-led State government and the official expansion ceremony. Shiv Sena MLA Bharatshet Gogawale confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at 4 pm on Sunday. According to Gogawale, twelve MLAs from the Shiv Sena, including himself, will be sworn in as ministers. Of these, seven are new inductees, while five are being retained from the previous team. “Oath ceremony will take place at 4 pm today. Seven people are new faces, and five are being repeated,” Gogawale said, as per ANI. BJP MLA Girish Mahajan expressed his elation upon being selected as a minister. "State BJP Chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule called me and informed me about my selection. This will be my third time taking oath as a Maharashtra Minister. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the party," Mahajan stated, as per ANI reports. BJP national secretary Pankaja Munde also expressed her gratitude for being included in the new team. "I am delighted to be given this opportunity to work once again in the team of CM Devendra Fadnavis. I am thankful to PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda, and the party leadership," Munde said. However, not all leaders received a confirmation call. BJP MLA Shivendra Raje Bhosale revealed that he had not been contacted by the party leadership. "I have not received any phone call yet. Workers in the constituency have their expectations, but we will abide by the Chief Minister’s decision," Bhosale told ANI. Similarly, Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant said he was yet to receive a call. "All those chosen by Eknath Shinde will handle their responsibilities well. Those who are selected will take the oath," he added. The Cabinet expansion comes over two weeks after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his two deputies, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, were sworn in on December 5. The delay had drawn criticism from the opposition, despite the ruling alliance holding an overwhelming majority. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024, winning 235 out of 288 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena and NCP gained 57 and 41 seats, respectively. As per ANI reports, the expansion reflects the coalition’s efforts to balance responsibilities among its members, amidst high expectations from the alliance's decisive mandate. (With inputs from ANI)
15 December,2024 02:30 PM IST | NagpurA fire broke out at Poonam Chambers CHS, located opposite Atria Mall on Annie Besant Road, Worli, on the morning of 15th December 2024. The incident was reported at 11:39 AM, with fire and emergency services mobilised shortly after. According to the initial reports from the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), the fire is believed to have been confined to the second-floor office of the seven-storey commercial building. The fire was significant enough to prompt the MFB to declare it a Level II fire at 11:51 AM, which signifies a more severe fire requiring additional resources. Authorities responded swiftly, with multiple agencies including the MFB, local police, BEST, 108 Ambulance services, and ward staff being deployed to the scene. These teams worked together to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building. As per the latest updates, no injuries have been reported at this stage. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but emergency responders are working diligently to ensure that the situation is under control and that the building's occupants remain safe. At the time of the report, there were no further updates on the extent of the damage caused by the fire.
15 December,2024 01:05 PM IST | MumbaiShiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Raut on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, in his speech in the Lok Sabha, emphasised the importance of zero tolerance towards corruption. Raut questioned the sincerity of the Prime Minister's claims, pointing to the alleged corrupt leaders within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde. Raut criticised PM Modi's stance, alleging that the presence of such figures within the BJP undermines the credibility of the Prime Minister’s anti-corruption rhetoric. He particularly targeted PM Modi’s ties with business magnate Gautam Adani, suggesting that Modi's tolerance of Adani’s business practices contradicted his professed stance on corruption. "Ask your 56-inch chest how many corrupt people are around me? He should ask himself. You (PM Modi) are tolerating Adani and yet talk about zero tolerance towards corruption. PM Modi never does what he says," Raut told reporters. Raut further levelled accusations against Ajit Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, calling them corrupt. He called on PM Modi to expel Ajit Pawar from the party alliance, saying, "He (PM Modi) should remove Ajit Pawar from the party (alliance). He took an oath in your 'great' presence... Eknath Shinde is one of the most corrupt leaders, and the other 10-12 people who came with him have undergone raids by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED). Can you dare to sideline them?" The criticism from Raut comes in the wake of PM Modi's address to the Lok Sabha on Saturday, in which he presented eleven pledges for India's future, including a firm commitment to inclusive development and zero tolerance for corruption. In his speech, PM Modi urged that there should be no social acceptance of corruption and that the people should take pride in following the country's laws and traditions. Prime Minister Modi also directed his ire towards the Congress, accusing the party of consistently disrespecting the Constitution. He referred to the Nehru-Gandhi family, alleging that each generation had disrespected the Constitution. "Congress has continuously disrespected the Constitution. It has made attempts to reduce its importance. The history of Congress is full of such examples," said PM Modi. Taking a dig at the Congress, the Prime Minister labelled its historic slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’ (Remove Poverty) as a mere "jumla" (empty rhetoric), while highlighting that his government was committed to alleviating the suffering of the poor. The two-day debate on 75 years of the Indian Constitution in the Lok Sabha commenced on Friday, with PM Modi concluding the discussions on a note of reaffirming his government’s commitment to constitutional values and free politics, devoid of dynastic rule. As per ANI reports, the Cabinet expansion is also expected to coincide with these political developments in Maharashtra. (With inputs from ANI)
15 December,2024 12:49 PM IST | MumbaiTwelve Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Shiv Sena are poised to take the oath as ministers in the expanded Maharashtra Cabinet today. According to ANI, Shiv Sena MLA Bharatshet Gogawale confirmed that the ceremony will take place at 4 pm today. He shared that seven of the twelve MLAs taking the oath will be new faces, while five others will be returning to their ministerial roles. Gogawale, speaking to ANI, stated, "The oath-taking ceremony will take place at 4 pm today. All the selected individuals have come to Nagpur for this occasion. Seven are new to the ministerial role, while five are being reappointed." BJP MLA Girish Mahajan, who will also be part of the cabinet expansion, said he had received a call from the state BJP Chief, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, informing him of his selection as a minister. Mahajan, who will be taking the oath as a minister for the third time, expressed his gratitude to the party for the opportunity, stating, "I was called by State BJP Chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who informed me that I would be taking the oath at 4 pm today. I will be serving as a minister for the third time and I am deeply grateful to the party." In response to the cabinet expansion, Shiv Sena MLA Yogesh Ramdas Kadam expressed his hopes of being appointed as a minister. "If I am allowed to serve as a minister, I would be very grateful to Eknath Shinde. As the youngest MLA in Shiv Sena, I will be thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Maharashtra and the Konkan region," Kadam remarked. He also noted that he would carry out any responsibilities assigned to him to the best of his ability. "The official list will be presented to the Governor in the next hour or two," Kadam added. BJP MLA Shivendra Raje Bhosale, however, revealed that he had not yet received a call from party leadership, though he added that all party workers would comply with the decisions made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. "I have not received any phone call yet. Let's see what happens. Workers in the constituency have expectations, but we will all abide by the decision of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis," Bhosale said. Similarly, Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant also shared that he had not received any communication yet. However, he conveyed that those selected by Eknath Shinde for ministerial roles would take on their responsibilities with dedication. "Those who will be given the responsibility will shoulder it well. The official list will be made public shortly," Samant noted. The cabinet expansion comes after more than two weeks since the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his two deputies, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, on December 5. The delay in naming the cabinet had drawn criticism from opposition parties, as the Mahayuti alliance, despite securing an overwhelming majority, had refrained from finalising the appointments. The alliance's performance in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 was a historic one, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti securing a landslide victory of 235 seats. BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while Shiv Sena secured 57 seats and the Nationalist Congress Party garnered 41 seats, according to ANI.
15 December,2024 12:43 PM IST | MumbaiA 27-year-old man has been arrested by the Gamdevi police from Agra for allegedly flashing at a woman in a public place. The incident came to light after the victim’s friend posted a video of the act on social media. Acting on the video, the police traced the victim, registered a case, and tracked down the accused in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, where he had fled following the incident. According to the police, on November 30, a 20-year-old woman was traveling in a shared taxi from Kambala Hill to Grant Road Railway Station when an unidentified man, aged between 20 and 25, followed her and committed an obscene act by touching his private parts and shaking them inappropriately while staring at her. The incident caused significant distress and embarrassment to the woman, prompting her to file a police complaint. The investigating officer, Police Sub-Inspector Ankush Chougule, stated that the complaint was registered after the video surfaced online on December 11, 2024. Upon instructions from senior officers, an immediate investigation was launched by the Gamdevi Police Station team. Investigation and arrest “Using technical analysis of the video uploaded on social media, the police traced and recorded the statement of the complainant. Following her statement, an FIR was promptly registered, and multiple teams were formed to identify and apprehend the accused,” said Mohit Garg, DCP, Zone 02. “The investigation involved scanning extensive CCTV footage from the area, which helped track the accused’s movements. The accused, identified as Dindayal Motiram Singh (27), had fled to his native village in Bamnaitala, Agra district, Uttar Pradesh,” Garg added. A team from Gamdevi Police Station was dispatched to Agra, where Singh was located and apprehended. He was subsequently brought to Mumbai and will be produced in court. Accused background Preliminary inquiries revealed that Singh had been residing in Sion Koliwada for the past 10 years. He worked as a farsan (snack) vendor, operating in areas such as Colaba, Grant Road, and Breach Candy.
15 December,2024 12:29 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanDr Shailesh Vinayak Shrikhande, a renowned gastrointestinal cancer surgeon from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, was awarded The Honorary Fellowship by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) during its Clinical Congress 2024 in San Francisco, recently. This prestigious recognition is the highest, and a rare honour conferred by the ACS, highlighting his significant contributions to cancer surgery. He is the fourth Indian to get this honour from ACS and only second Indian to get honorary fellowship from American Surgical Association (ASA) in 2021. Serving as the Deputy Director of Tata Memorial Hospital, Dr Shrikhande also leads the division of cancer surgery and the gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreato-biliary service. He is recognised worldwide for his surgical expertise exemplified by performing over 1,200 Whipple procedures for pancreatic tumours. This surgery is universally regarded as the most challenging of surgeries. Dr Shrikhande has repeatedly been listed in Stanford University’s list of the world’s highest contributing researchers and is a visiting professor at 8 prestigious universities across Europe and USA. The honour highlights “Dr Shrikhande has been a leader in ensuring access to care for patients, accomplishing this goal in part by teaching surgeons through India and ensuring the creation of housing for impoverished patients at his institution in Mumbai”. Speaking to mid-day, Dr Shrikande said, “I am delighted to be receiving the Honorary fellowship. Having said that, these honours would not be worth it, if I was working in some other part of the world after getting my education. I am delighted that I have been able to put this to use, in a country like India. Moreover, I am thankful to Tata Memorial Hospital and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), known for its selfless work culture, for giving me the opportunity to use my education and skills for cancer patient care and for treatment. I think that’s what makes our life enriching. If I am able to inspire the next generation of surgeons, all these awards and recognition would be truly worth the effort.”
15 December,2024 11:05 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentMumbai is set to experience partly cloudy skies on Sunday, December 15, with a pleasant temperature range throughout the day. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted the minimum temperature to be around 21°C, while the maximum is expected to reach 32°C. This means a relatively mild and comfortable day for the city's residents. Humidity levels are predicted to hover around 33%, which is on the lower side, making for a refreshing atmosphere, especially when compared to the typical high humidity Mumbai often experiences. With the wind blowing gently from the north at 11 km/h, the weather will be conducive for outdoor activities, with no rainfall expected today. The skies are likely to remain mostly sunny with intermittent clouds, making for a pleasant day to enjoy the outdoors. However, it’s advisable to carry sunglasses and sunscreen for protection against the moderate UV rays, as the UV index is expected to remain in the moderate range throughout the day. Right now: Smoke, Temperature: 21.99C, Humidity: 43, Wind: From E at 1.54KPH, Updated: 7:18AM #Mumbai #Weather — WeatherMumbai (@WeatherMumbai) December 15, 2024 The city saw the sunrise at 07:04 am and will witness a sunset at 6:03 pm, offering just over 11 hours of daylight. As Mumbai continues to experience clear skies with no rain, residents can look forward to a dry and sunny Sunday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is predicted to fall within the moderate category, ranging between 125 and 158 at various locations around the city. This level of air quality is considered acceptable but could pose a moderate health concern for those with respiratory conditions. Areas like Chembur, Borivali, and Kandivali are expected to see moderate AQI levels, while regions like Sion are forecasted to experience better air quality, with an AQI reading of around 91, which falls under the "good" category. Overall, Mumbai's weather today promises to be comfortable with mild temperatures, partly cloudy skies, and a gentle breeze, making it a perfect day to go out and about, as long as precautions are taken against the sun.
15 December,2024 10:47 AM IST | MumbaiA tragic incident occurred late on the night of December 14, 2024, when a 25-year-old man, Dikshit Vinod Rajput, lost his life after his two-wheeler collided with a BEST bus in Shivaji Nagar, Mumbai. The accident took place around 11:30 p.m. near the Shivaji Nagar Junction Highway bus stop. According to officials from the Zone 6 Police, the bus, which was heading towards the Kurla Bus Station East from Shivaji Nagar, was in motion when a two-wheeler rider, identified as Rajput, came in contact with the right rear tyre of the bus. The impact caused Rajput to sustain a serious head injury. In response to the incident, local police quickly rushed Rajput to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, where he was declared dead by the attending doctor at 12:16 a.m. The police van transported him to the hospital, but despite all efforts, he succumbed to his injuries before treatment could begin. The bus involved in the accident was registered under the BVG Group, operating on the Shivaji Nagar Wet Lease route. The bus was identified as vehicle number 6777, and was being driven by Vinod Aabaji Rankhambe, aged 39. The conductor on duty was Avinash Vikramrao Gite, also aged 39. Following the accident, the police promptly arrested the bus driver, Vinod Rankhambe, and seized the bus. Zone 6 Deputy Commissioner of Police, Navnath Dhavle, confirmed the arrest and stated that a preliminary investigation had revealed that Rajput's death occurred due to the collision with the bus, he told Mid-day. Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the area and interrogating the driver to determine the exact cause of the accident. DCP Dhavle assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway, and appropriate legal action will be taken once the facts are established.
15 December,2024 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheA tragic incident occurred on the night of 14th December 2024, when a fatal accident involving a BEST bus resulted in the death of a 25-year-old man. The accident took place around 23:30 hours near the Shivaji Nagar Junction Highway Bus Stop on Route 375 Sr. 33, with the bus proceeding towards Kurla Bus Station (East) from Shivaji Nagar. The vehicle, a BVG Group Wet Lease bus, was operated by Bus Driver Shri Vinod Aabaji Rankhambe, aged 39, and Bus Conductor Shri Avinash Vikramrao Gite, also 39 years old. As the bus neared the intersection, a two-wheeler rider, identified as Shri Dikshit Vinod Rajput, aged 25, collided with the right-side rear tyre of the bus. The impact caused severe head injuries to the rider, who was immediately rushed to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar by a police van. Despite receiving urgent medical attention, the rider was declared dead by Dr. Ramesh at 24:16 hours before any treatment could be administered. The fatality was confirmed within a short time of arrival at the hospital. The two-wheeler involved in the incident was registered under the number MH-01-DD-6798. Authorities involved in the case included BVG Group officials Shri Sidharth (MO-9004885559) and Night Incharge Shri Nasim (MO-7506020937), along with BEST Act officials, including B/I 092341 and 092883, who are handling the case investigation. The bus, identified by number 6777, was operating from the Shivaji Nagar Wet Lease depot. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, though it is clear that the collision occurred while the bus was proceeding down the road. This tragic incident has left the family and friends of the deceased in mourning, while the authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the fatal collision. Further updates will follow as more details emerge from the ongoing inquiry.
15 December,2024 09:54 AM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
