A 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 | MumbaiA couple was successfully rescued after their vehicle became stuck in a car lift at a highrise in Thane city on Saturday night, an official confirmed on Sunday. The incident occurred at around 10.48 pm in the Shastri Nagar locality when the couple’s car got trapped in the three-tier mechanical car lift of a 20-storey building. The lift malfunctioned while the couple was attempting to park their car, leaving them trapped inside the vehicle. Upon receiving the emergency call, local firefighters along with personnel from the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) rushed to the scene and managed to free the couple in under 30 minutes. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, and the couple was safely escorted out of the lift. Yasin Tadvi, the Chief of the Civic Disaster Management Cell, noted that the exact cause of the malfunction is yet to be determined. "The situation was resolved swiftly with the help of the local firefighters and RDMC personnel, and the couple was safely rescued," Tadvi said. He also confirmed that the building’s residents were unaffected by the situation, as no injuries were reported. The building in question is a 20-storey structure located in Shastri Nagar, which features a stilt, three floors dedicated to a mechanical car park, and 13 residential floors above. The lift involved is one of several designed to facilitate parking in the building’s mechanical car park area. Local authorities are investigating the cause of the malfunction to prevent any future incidents involving the mechanical lifts, which are used to park vehicles in high-rise buildings to optimise space. According to PTI, the incident has raised concerns about the safety of car lifts, particularly in multi-storey buildings, with calls for more rigorous checks and safety measures in place to ensure that such incidents do not recur. As per PTI, no further details about the couple’s identities or the condition of the lift were provided at the time of reporting. (With inputs from PTI)
15 December,2024 09:38 AM IST | MumbaiThe NH7 Weekender music festival, that was to be held in Pune this weekend, was abruptly cancelled after the organisers were denied permission from the Pimpri-Chinchwad police. The much-anticipated gig was scheduled to take place on December 14-15 at Teerth Fields, Pune, with the organisers announcing that the gates would open for music enthusiasts at 2 pm. However, the sudden cancellation left thousands of visitors disappointed. A senior IPS officer in Pimpri-Chinchwad police commissionerate told mid-day that the organisers of the festival were denied permission around two months ago when they had approached the police. “In the past, there were no residential colonies nearby, so the permission for such events was not an issue. But since a lot of development has taken place in the recent years, residents face a lot of difficulties, including noise pollution and traffic snarls. That was the reason we had been denying them the permission,” the officer added. “We have not been granting permission for any such event at the Teerth Fields for the last one year. After we orally denied them permission for the event multiple times, they approached us with a written request application which was also rejected. Above all, the traffic department had given them a refusal letter on December 2 for this event,” said the senior police officer requesting anonymity. The 15th edition of NH7 Weekender was all set to feature over 30 artists, including international acts like Jorja Smith and Indian favourites like Amit Trivedi, Usha Uthup, King and Kayan. But the statement released on their social media reads, “We are extremely disheartened to inform you that NH7 Weekender 2024 will no longer take place on 14th-15th December due to law and order restrictions in Pune. We are deeply saddened by this turn of events. Despite our best efforts to resolve the situation and having everything ready for the gates to open, it ultimately remained beyond our control. We assure all ticket holders that they will receive a refund via our ticketing partner, insider/district within 7-10 days. Detailed instructions for the refund process will be communicated in the coming days. We apologise for the inconvenience and deeply. Appreciate your unwavering support. As we enter the 15th year of the festival, the weekender family means more to us than ever. Thank you for standing by us.” Ankur Tewari and the Ghalat Family who were scheduled to perform on Saturday, shared that the official confirmation of the cancellation only came on Saturday afternoon. “We were supposed to have the sound check earlier today (Saturday), but it kept getting pushed further. Around 3 pm, we were informed about the cancellation. We were told that the event has been cancelled owing to unforeseen circumstances.” As for the next step, Tewari said that some of the musicians are heading back, while others are looking to stay back for a few gigs in Pune. “I might just drop in to catch Peter Cat Recording Co., who are in town,” he said. At the time of going to print, the organisers of NH7 refused to come on record for a comment. (With inputs from Shriram Iyengar)
15 December,2024 09:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched a scathing attack on the Opposition, accusing them of initiating impeachment motions against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav for merely speaking the truth. Speaking at the World Hindu Economic Forum 2024 on Saturday, Adityanath alleged that anyone who voiced their opinions honestly was threatened with impeachment by the Opposition. As per PTI, Adityanath particularly targeted the Congress, accusing the party of double standards. "Anyone who speaks the truth is pressurised with impeachment motions, yet they claim to uphold the Constitution. Look at their double standards," he said. The UP CM also referenced remarks made by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court, who had called for a Uniform Civil Code, arguing that the majority community’s sentiments should be respected globally. Adityanath questioned the justification behind pressuring individuals who simply expressed their views on important national issues. "What crime did the judge commit by voicing these opinions? Shouldn’t there be a Uniform Civil Code in the country? Everywhere else in the world, the majority community’s system is respected. India should work towards ending the discrimination between majority and minority communities," he said. The BJP leader also addressed the impeachment notice filed against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar over accusations of alleged bias in his role as Rajya Sabha Chairman. Adityanath defended Dhankhar, asserting that the Vice President was merely fulfilling his duties as the presiding officer of the Upper House. He remarked that the Opposition’s discomfort stemmed from the rise of a "farmer’s son" to such a position of power. The opposition, according to Adityanath, has long had a history of "strangulating the Constitution" and undermining the country's system for political gain. He condemned these actions and stressed the importance of exposing those who suppress the truth. He also criticised those who dismiss India's cultural heritage, accusing the Opposition of even denying the existence of Lord Ram. Furthermore, Adityanath defended the Sanatan religion, emphasising that it has never claimed superiority or sought to impose itself on others. "The Sanatan religion has never claimed to be great, nor does it seek supremacy. It has never sought to control others by force or lay claim to anyone's land," he said. On the subject of India’s progress, Adityanath highlighted the economic achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He pointed out that after decades of stagnation, India’s economy is now the fifth largest globally, and by 2027, it is set to become the third largest. He also praised Uttar Pradesh for emerging as the second-largest economy in the country, with aspirations to reach a USD 1 trillion economy. (With inputs from PTI)
15 December,2024 09:16 AM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
