Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Crime branch seeks custody of Rajan aide
Wary of the flip-flops made by Jigna Vora in her statements, cops wants to corroborate the details with another arrested accused, Paulson Joseph The Crime Branch is not taking any chances in the investigation of MiD DAY journalist J Dey's murder case. On Friday, the Crime Branch arrested Jigna Vora, a journalist, on charges of conspiracy in the case. And based on the information provided by Vora, the cops have moved an application in the MCOCA court seeking the police custody of Paulson Joseph, a Chhota Rajan aide. Fact check: According
State keen to regulate yoga, weight-loss clinics
State wants to move a resolution to adopt Centre's Clinical Establishment Act aimed at regulating and registering all types of clinics in state, but efforts on to stall it If the state government's efforts to adopt the Clinical Establishments Act are successful, even yoga centres and weight-loss clinics will be brought under the control of a local authority headed by the district collector and will need to register themselves with it. A resolution for the same is likely to be moved during
Pawar, Uddhav to share the stage on Joshi's birthday
After Supriya Sule's visit to Matoshree, NCP chief's presence at Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi's 75th birthday on Dec 2, right before civic polls, may get the rumour mills running Even as daughter Supriya Sule's visit to Matoshree hasn't yet ceased fuelling political gossip mills, NCP chief Sharad Pawar is set to share the dais with Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray and his party's Rajya Sabha member Manohar Joshi. Raising eyebrows? Supriya Sule last week paid a visit to MatoshreeJoshi's 75th birthday celebration to be held at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi provides the milieu for this gathering.While many have
4-day navy celebrations sink ferry owners' dreams
The Navy puts up a grand show annually to commemorate India's victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan on December 3-4. However this year the Navy wants to indulge in the celebrations for four days, instead of two (Dec 1-4).The Navy has already written to the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) asking to it keep the port around the Gateway of India shut for the commercial boats. However, the move has not gone down well with ferryboat owners, who have decided to protest against it.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Report animal-hits too: DGCA
Amendment to safety rules says that airport and airline operators need to report not just bird strikes, but also incidents of a plane hitting an animal while on runway Not just the avian, but creatures terrestrial have also been bound by air-safety regulations now. A new amendment in the air-safety procedure stipulates that a dog hit should also be reported to the authorities by the airport and the airline operators. The Directorate General of Civil
School buses stuck between rods and grills
School bus operators are irked with RTO officials after being fined for not having grills in bus windows; bus owners claim RTO guidelines specify rods In a knee-jerk reaction to the tragic incident, when a 9-year-old boy Viraj Parmar died in Sion after leaning outside a school bus, transport authorities in the city have woken up from their slumber. Initiating a concentrated effort to punish bus contractors, RTO officials, a few days back, started penalising school buses for not having grills on windows in checks conducted by them. Get your hand in! Kids
'I will show you our might'
On day 40 of MiD DAY's Meter Down campaign, errant driver threatens traffic cop and journalist covering the campaign; gangs up with other drivers who were penalised for refusing to ferry short distance faresPlace: Outside Borivli Station (East)Time: 9.30 am-11.30 amOffenders caught: 5Commuters speakSarvesh Parekh said, "The rickshaw drivers here, are totally disinterested in plying short distance fares. My mother was left stranded at the station for over 45 minutes. Fed up of listening to refusals, she finally called and requested me to come from office and drop her
Ram Pradhan's top-secret: 26/11 note that no one wants to see
After the 2008 terror strike, bureaucrats were cagey about a 'confidential note' authored by Ram Pradhan committee to then CM, whose content had to do with slips in intel and security While the Ram Pradhan Committee recommendations have dominated the security discourse in the city post-26/11 assault, it has emerged that a 'confidential note' penned by Ram Pradhan and addressed to then chief minister Ashok Chavan has managed to remain buried under piles of bureaucratic files two-and-a-half years after its submission. For the CM's eyes only? In
Monday, 28 November 2011
To the manner yawn
The markets behaved on expected lines and were weak. They gained and lost on alternate days with the losses coming on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The gains came in on Tuesday and expiration day, Thursday. The days the markets fell, the losses were far greater than the days of recovery and in the end the BSE SENSEX lost 676.08 points or 4.13 per cent to close at 15,695.43 points, while the NSE NIFTY lost 195.75 points or 3.99 per cent to close at 4,710.05 points. Tension over Iran contributes to uncertainty:
'Refusal to ply is not a crime'
On day 37 of MiD DAY's Meter Down campaign, auto drivers argued with traffic constables, justifying their refusals in plying short distance faresPlace: Sion JunctionTime: 10 am-11.30 amOffenders caught: 8Commuters speakReshmi Prabhudesai said, "Rickshaw drivers' refusals to ply short distance fares have become a daily affair. I want to go to Bandra Court, but not a single driver is ready to ferry me." Yogesh Wajge said, "I'm in a hurry to reach BKC, but no driver wants to ply me. Besides, these rogue drivers charge anywhere between Rs 30 to Rs 40, saying that it's cheap. Spending that much on a
College pockets Rs 45 lakh in refundable deposits: RTI
Former students claim that over a 10-year period, library, laboratory and caution money deposits were not refunded to them; file RTI query to procure details of the funds collected In the elation of securing admission to a college of their choice, students often forget to check that the miscellaneous fees and deposits paid to the institution are actually refundable.These deposits are taken by the institute as a cover in the event of any breakages or damage to the facility caused by the student. And
Owners try to pick up the pieces
A day after fire gutted Sara Sahara Mall and Manish Market, fire officials allow shop owners inside their shops to salvage their belongings A DAY after a major fire gutted Sara Sahara Mall and Manish Market, utter chaos surrounded the plazas, as shop owners tried to salvage their belongings. Shop owners with hopeful eyes frantically searched for goods that they could salvage from the debris. Things we lost in the fire: Shop owners rummage through the debris and the ashes to find
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Accident at Shirdi
A padyatra turned into a tragedy for a 25 year-old Jogeshwari resident, who was hit by a moving vehicle at Vavim near Shirdi, on Thursday. Geetesh Khandekar, who was accompanied by other Nityanand Sai followers was just a day away from Shirdi when he was hit by a Scorpio. Khandekar was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital at Sinnar and then shifted to Nashik hospital after which his family had him admitted to KEM Hospital where he is still
'Tired' boy scouts lost, then rescued at SGNP
A fun camping trip turned into a nightmare when five school children got lost in Sanjay Gandhi National Park. They were rescued an agonising four hours later A scouts camp of Bharat English Medium High School turned into a horror story for five boys, who got lost in the jungle. The school, located in Thane, had organised a Scouts camp at Yeoor hills in Sanjay Gandhi National Park for class 10 students on Friday. The group consisted of nearly 70 boys and five teachers. Two local adivasis escorted the group to the campsite and once they reached, the scouts were told to
WR doesn't like purple, will paint trains another colour. Again
Two years after spending lakhs on a report to understand among others, our preference for the colour violet for Mumbai's local trains, MUTP is at it again. This time it is commissioning another costly report to finalise the new look and colour for the 72 new trains that will be introduced in 2013 At a time when Mumbai's 70-lakh train commuters are struggling to bag a seat inside a local, the The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is getting a new report prepared
Excise Department demands guns
With an increase in the number of notorious bootleggers, the state department feels an increasing need for their staff to be arme The State Excise Department, which has been dealing with increasing cases of spurious liquor in the state, has demanded arms and ammunition for junior staff that conduct raids. Confirming the news, Sanjay Mukherjee, State Excise Commissioner said, "The risk factor involved in these raids is serious and squad needs to be well equipped. I have demanded for
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Missed ton notwithstanding, Sachin played a class innings
A look at the wagon wheel indicates Sachin was at his flamboyant best"I want to tell my grandchildren that I saw Sachin Tendulkar get his hundredth international hundred" was the sort of incentive that drove scores of people to the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. These were the same people who were least interested in the Test or its outcome, but couldn't resist a shot at being part of history -- watch their sporting hero's crowning achievement.Sachin Tendulkar reacts after his
Ashwin walks away with batting honour after Sachin dismissal
Ravichandran Ashwin takes batting honours after Sachin Tendulkar misses out on milestone century; partner Virat Kohli raises a toast to the offie's uncluttered mindRavichandran Ashwin's hundred gave ample reason for the capacity crowd to stay put at the Wankhede Stadium after enduring the heartbreak of Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal. Ashwin's maiden Test century, only the 13th by an India No 8 batsman, took India from 331-6 to 482, before Pragyan Ojha's twin blow left West Indies on 81-2 at stumps on Day Four of the third and final Test yesterday. West Indies led by 189 runs
Mumbai fire guts three shopping plazas, no casualties
A major fire gutted three popular shopping complexes in south Mumbai early Saturday, the fire brigade said. There were no casualties. According to a fire brigade official, the fire broke out around 3.30 a.m. in the Sara-Sahara Mall, barely a stone's throw away from Mumbai Police Commissionerate at Crawford Market. The blaze quickly spread from Sara-Sahara Mall to the adjoining Manish Market and Mohta Market, both reputed for their array of electronic and electrical consumer goods, and situated in a thickly congested area. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Mumbai fire guts three shopping plazas, no casualties
A major fire gutted three popular shopping complexes in south Mumbai early Saturday, the fire brigade said. There were no casualties According to a fire brigade official, the fire broke out around 3.30 a.m. in the Sara-Sahara Mall, barely a stone's throw away from Mumbai Police Commissionerate at Crawford Market. The blaze quickly spread from Sara-Sahara Mall to the adjoining Manish Market and Mohta Market, both reputed for their array of electronic and electrical consumer goods, and situated in a thickly congested area. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Friday, 25 November 2011
NGO offers Rs 20k for leads on cat killer
Stirred into action by MiD DAY's report on an unidentified feline killer who has been lurking in Kapaswadi, DN Nagar, the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations has announced reward A non-government organisation, which works for the welfare of animals, has announced a reward of Rs 20,000 for the individual who can provide valuable information that will help cops nab the cat killer who has been on the prowl in Andheri recently. According to workers of FIAPO, research has shown
'School bus had caught fire two months back'
A day after the death of nine-year-old Viraj Parmar, the family of the deceased Std III student has raised compelling questions to the school authorities. Parents of Viraj claimed that since bus fees are paid to the school, iauthorities at Shri Vallabh Ashram English school should be held responsible for the untimely death of their only son, who died after he banged his head against a roadside hoarding after leaning out of the school bus on Wednesday. Devendra Parmar, father
HIV+ detainee bites cops to avoid interrogation
The 33-year-old, who has been held on charges of robbery and cheating, allegedly sinks his teeth into policemen whenever they try to question him to recover stolen booty Since last night, cops at the Kurla GRP police station have been quaking with fear. The source of their great apprehension is a man being incarcerated in a cell at the station, on charges of robbery and cheating, who claims he is HIV positive, and pounces on cops to bite them, whenever they approach him for
'I could smell an attack'
Sena leader Arvind Walekar who survived the firing in Ambernath, but lost his bodyguard to the assailant's bullets suspects his old rivals were behind the attack; police detain 25 suspects A day after the Ambernath shooting at the office of Shiv Sena (SS) shakha pramukh Arvind Walekar (51), chilling details have emerged about the motive for the attack. According to Walekar, his nemesis Gulabrao Karanjule also a Shiv Sena leader, two Republican Party of India (RPI) leaders and a retired assistant commissioner of police (ACP) could be behind
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Cabbies yet to flash photo IDs
Three years after the 26/11 attacks, the proposal of making all taxi drivers display a photo identity on their dashboards is just a piece of legislation that is yet to be enforced Two days from now the city will have commemorative functions and tributes for the several who died in the 26/11 attacks. But as the city mourns the losses, it appears that few preventive and security measures that were proposed
26/11-based film to release day prior to 3rd anniv of attack
Movie gets U/A tag after producer agrees to change terrorist Qasab's name to Aasab A film inspired by the book 'The Last Bullet' authored by Vinita Kamte, widow of 26/11 police hero Ashok Kamte, is set to release a day prior to the third anniversary of the terror attack on Mumbai.Called Hello Jai Hind, the film focuses on a question many Indians are asking: why the captured terrorist Ajmal Qasab has still not been hanged?For the martyrs: Nitin Desai plays the lead role of a police constable, Shivaji Pawar, in Hello Jai Hind, with
Living with the pain
35-year-old Santosh Vir still literally carries the horror of 26/11 with him every day, as a piece of metal from a grenade hurled at him from Nariman House remains lodged in his right leg It has been three years since the day terrorists changed this city forever. Reels of newsprint were dedicated to the tragedy but as time passed, the event was relegated to the back of people's minds. Still hurting: Santosh Vir says he feels betrayed as the government
'No bars please, we are a housing society'
In order to curtail the growing menace of mushrooming bars, restaurants and nursing homes in building societies, members of 85 societies have petitioned the CM to curb the nuisance You would think that the presence of a nursing home or a restaurant in your building may be considered a boon, but for some cooperative societies in the city, the presence of such establishments is a bane. Taking a collective stance, members of 85 cooperative societies from the city, including Thane and Navi Mumbai,
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Autos want to ply 4 at one go
On day 35 of MiD DAY's Meter Down campaign errant drivers kept snubbing short distance fares, ferrying four passengers per trip to make a fast buck Place: Sion JunctionTime: 9.30 am-11.30 amOffenders caught: 3Commuters Speak Amar Chaudhary said, "I wanted to go to Bandra Kurla Complex, but the auto driver refused. Refusals at this spot have become a routine." Mohammad Yasin said, "With no one to rein them, these rogue drivers are running amok, causing inconvenience to the travellers. I was in a hurry to reach Bharat Nagar in Kurla, but despite standing at an authorised rickshaw stand, the driver refused
Wife plots husband's murder with lover
Police arrested the wife of a 30-yr-old tailor and the caterer she was having an affair with for stabbing the tailor; the wife also lodged a missing person's complaint with the police to steer clear of blame A tailor's wife was arrested yesterday along with her lover for plotting the murder of her husband. Mariticide: The victim's wife, her lover, and their accomplice will be produced in court today. Pic/Milind KarekarThe Sahu Nagar police nabbed Ujma, wife of Usman Shahjada Kureshi (30) and
45 cats vs 850 weak TB patients
It is not just a stubborn, multi-drug resistant form of tuberculosis that patients admitted to the Sewri TB hospital have to battle against every day -- rather, it's full-fledged war between man and beast at the civic-run facility. Daily at the hospital, end-stage TB patients -- weakened by their prolonged battle with the disease -- have to wage a veritable struggle with the 45-strong cat army, for basic resources like food and bed space. While the stray cats expose the patients of end-stage TB, already low on
Cat killer on the prowl in DN Nagar
Locals have seen an unidentified feline killer capturing, torturing and butchering the animals for their meat or as sacrifice for occult rituals; accomplice has been let off to lead cops to the culprit A mysterious cat killer has been keeping officials at DN Nagar police station on their toes lately. A special squad of cops is now on the prowl, patrolling the streets to protect the local felines. The matter came to light after an animal rights activist filed a complaint against a
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Leprosy research resumed in 'leprosy-free' Maharashtra
With the silent killer having reared its ugly head again in the state, medical bodies are resuming their academic analysis of the disease, with a focus on early diagnosis, and rehabilitation of disabled patients Leprosy, which was reportedly eliminated from the state in 2005, has reappeared in Maharashtra, especially in districts like Thane and Nashik. Taking heed of the situation, authorities are now busy drawing up fresh plans -- not only to treat afflicted patients, but also to devise new ways
Navi Mumbai Mayor asks for re-audit of Palm Beach buildings
Asks Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner to re-audit 21 towers at Palm Beach Road earlier surveyed by the town planning dept for breach of construction norms; corporators against hiring private firm for inspection In the ongoing scrutiny of errant builders, Navi Mumbai Mayor Sagar Naik has instructed the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to carry out random audits of 21 towers at Palm Beach Road, as speculations are rife that the builders have brazenly flouted construction norms. The Mayor's decision comes after a number of complaints questioned the credibility and authenticity of
'Why are we being made scapegoats?'
On day 34 of MiD DAY's Meter Down campaign drivers cite 'nature's call' to 'scorching heat' to 'technical snags' in order to justify their refusal to ply short distancesPlace: Borivli Station (East and West)Time: 9.30 am-11.30 am and 6 pm-7.30 pm Offenders caught: 10Commuters SpeakPriyanka Mane said, "Rickshaws are supposed to be a public mode of transport. However, these errant drivers think that their vehicles are private and it's their birthright to refuse a fare." Janvi Sisodia said, "Since I stay nearby, it takes nearly 45 minutes to find a rickshaw that is ready
Can 4 new machines secure lakhs of commuters daily?
As RPF opens tenders for 4 high-end doorframe detectors for CST, LTT as part of the integrated security plan, experts question if the machines can secure the premises used by millions daily, say we need enhanced intelligence Three years on, all the cries and clamour for taut security and enhanced vigilance at the susceptible CST station following the terror that besieged Mumbai on November 26, 2008 have culminated in this: four more metal detectors that officials hail as high-end and upgraded versions of their
Monday, 21 November 2011
Woman held for mugging man who was harassing her
Cops arrested 26-year-old woman and her brother-in-law for kidnapping, robbing 25-year-old man who had allegedly been calling her to solicit her for 'free sex' A 26-year-old woman was arrested on Saturday for kidnapping and robbing a man who she said had been harassing her with persistent obscene calls since July. I am the victim: Lakshmi alleged that the man had been harassing her for over two months. Fed up, she lured the man to a cremation ground, and
Even as pilots quit, KF pays junior level staff
Quelling fears of disgruntled employees, Kingfisher remunerates two months' salary of lower level employees; will pay the remaining staff next weekend With an aim to pacify workers from the lower rung of its workforce, cash-strapped Kingfisher airlines on Saturday paid pending salaries to its lower bracket employees that were pending for the last two months. The payment of salary to the ground handling staff and technicians comes against the backdrop of uncertainty that is looming around the financial health of the troubled airline among the
Death trap gets a quick repair job
MMRDA orders contractor to fix the dilapidated stretch leading to King's Circle flyover; shoddy repair work had made the road dangerous for bikers Waking up from its deep slumber, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has taken a serious note of the deteriorated condition of the small road leading to the King's Circle flyover and has initiated repair work on the stretch. ThenRoad to recovery: The haphazardly placed paver blocks (above) on the King's Circle flyover were removed and the upper layer of the road was dug up, so
NGO: Won't send back only Bangla PM's cook's daughter
Defying pressure from authorities, NGO refuses to send back 21-year-old flesh trade victim -- Shaikh Hasina's cook's daughter -- unless authorities agree to send home all 125 victims that the NGO is sheltering Send me home: Khushi wants to go back to her son and home in Bangladesh, but says she has no complaints when it comes to the stance of the NGO that rescued her A Mumbai-based NGO is squaring up to the authorities of two nations, resisting the repatriation of a Bangladeshi girl
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Malad hospital running without permits for 7 years
RTI application reveals Raksha Nursing Home has neither the NOC nor the necessary medical permit from BMC; activist alleges BMC hasn't acted on her complaints An RTI application has unearthed that a seven-year-old hospital in Malad (West) has been functioning without the requisite permissions from the BMC. Raksha Nursing Home, which runs out of the first floor of Asmita Jyot Housing Society in Malad has been in operation since the past seven years without the no-objection certificate (NOC) from the civic body or
No entry for teen boys in CR ladies compartments
Following complaints from women commuters about unruly boys in trains, CR may restrict entry of those above 12 years into ladies compartment Taking note of the escalating crimes against women in local trains, the Central Railway (CR) is considering disallowing boys above the age of 12 into the ladies compartments. "We are looking at restricting entry of boys above 12 years into the ladies compartment, unless they are accompanied by a female relative," said Subodh Jain, general manager, CR. Stop' em: Several instances of boys in school uniforms entering the ladies compartment and running riot
A grouse about the house?
Seminar on property and Co-operative Housing Society issues clears the air A Co-Operative Housing Society member was describing a recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) called by her mammoth housing society in the Western suburbs of the city. The meeting began on a Sunday morning, 10 a m to be precise and till 5 pm the members had not eaten lunch, they were so busy fighting and arguing, the air ringing out with shrill disagreements. If this sounds familiar, it is. Some of the lingo and confrontation in a Society AGM could
Don't download online UID forms
The UIDAI registration forms have been made available for download on the website even before the launch of the programme; applicants with printed forms turned away After doling out ID acknowledgement forms with wrong addresses, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) which is spearheading AADHAR, the ambitious unique identification project, has made a blunder again, this time making an online UIDAI registration form available for download on its website even before
Friday, 18 November 2011
Statewide farmer stir looms as Centre moves to arm sugar factories with harvesting machines
40 machines already purchased by mills; over 2 lakh farmers employed as sugarcane harvesters fear loss of livelihoodThe woes of farmers in the state, who are already debt-ridden, may increase in the coming months as most of the sugar factories that employ them for harvesting sugarcane from the fields are opting for sugar harvesting machines.Bitter development: Cane is transported to sugar factories after harvesting. Farmers working as harvesters say they are staring at joblessness as sugar units are going for
Bike rally to demand justice for 'mankind'
Men's Rights Association plans to submit memorandum to District Judge on Nov 19, wants setting up of men's welfare ministry and men's commission to address issues like misuse of domestic violence law.The Men's Rights Association (MRA) from the city has decided to celebrate International Men's Day on November 19 with a bike rally from Shaniwar Wada to Shivajinagar court. The association plans to submit a memorandum to the District Judge at the end of the rally.Band of brothers: Atit Rajpara (standing), president, Men's Rights Association, at a recent meeting with activists
Shake that biscuit, boyz
Munna badnaam hua � darrrrling tere liye. Move over item girls, the guys are storming the bastion with item numbers Move over, ladies. The item boys are here. Randeep Hooda who plays a dangerous sex machine in his latest release, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster (SBG) uses his sexuality with the power of a gun. After seeing his libidinous act, Shobhaa De wrote on a micro-blogging site, "Finally figured out what Sush(mita) saw in Randeep Hooda. He's hotter than all the Khans." Randeep's lust-quotient for the ladies will now be harnessed into an item song for a film
200-kg man flies 2 hrs to lose 10 kg
When doctors in Bhilai gave up on him, Satish Khichriya's family hired a private jet and had it turned into a makeshift ambulance to carry him to Mumbai This man's journey of liberation from the unbearable heaviness of being involved two journeys in ambulances, and a 2-hour long flight in a refashioned private jet for weight-loss surgery. But he didn't travel light. Even without any luggage, Satish Khichriya (50) a patient of obesity hypoventilation syndrome, weighed a whopping 200 kg. Weight and watch: After undergoing sleeve mastectomy, Khichriya is lighter by 10 kg, and on
Thursday, 17 November 2011
You pay Rs 30 tax on each litre of petrol
Should we be celebrating that after a Rs 2 price reduction, we get to pay Rs 71.47/l of petrol when we could actually be paying Rs 42.45, if Centre and state taxes were revoked? For the first time since the deregulation of petrol in June last year, consumers experienced the benefit of a slide in prices by Rs 2.34 since yesterday. Coming after several hikes, the revised price was received with cheers. However, the dampener
Commuters want tips to spot tampered meters
Tired of the constant guessing, if the meters in auto rickshaws are correct or are tampered with, commuter organisations in the city want the state transport officials to train people in understanding how auto drivers could tamper electronic meters. The need for such an innovative request comes from associations at a time when people are aware that most of the mechanical meters fitted in autos are tampered with. "We have asked RTOs to educate young members of our
'We are tired of their excuses'
On day 32 of MiD DAY's Meter Down campaign, it's the same old story and the vague excuses by auto drivers continue to mystify passengers and traffic constablesPlace: Nirmal Lifestyle, MulundTime: 9.30 am to 11.30 amOffenders caught 1Commuter speaks: Ankita Rahate said, "I wanted to go to Chandivali but the auto driver flatly refused. Thankfully I got another rickshaw."Why me? Auto driver can't believe his luck when he is penalised.Pic/Datta KumbharAuto Driver speak: Ram Kori said, "I never refuse passengers but my only problem was that I needed to pick up
City's waste may go underground
BMC mulls underground bins, so all refuse piling up in dumpsters falls below the ground through chutes, but is it viable for Mumbai, asks admin In a bid to clear the roads of the garbage that sits in heaps near bins, the civic body is mulling sweeping it all under the roads, literally. BMC's standing committee chairman and Shiv Sena corporator Rahul Shewale has mooted a plan to the BMC's solid waste management department for installing an underground waste collection system. It would be designed in such a way
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Brand new road leading to flyover in shambles
Months after the inauguration, the road leading into the King's Circle flyover is pockmarked and uneven, slowing commuters down; MMRDA blames contractor It was supposed to reduce your commute to South Mumbai by 20 minutes. But months after its inauguration, the stretch leading into the King's Circle flyover -- the south-bound carriageway connecting Maheshwari Udyan and Tulpule chowk -- is already in shambles. The uneven surface of the road has forced motorists to drive at extremely slow speeds of about 10 km per hour. Rough Ride: The dislodged reflectors
Seeing red over tomato prices
Shortage in supply at the APMC market and hike in fuel prices has led to soaring prices of some vegetables If you thought that the soaring vegetable prices would reduce post Diwali, then here is a reality check. The consecutive hikes in fuel prices and the unpredictable monsoon has caused a shortfall in the vegetable supply to the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) Market. Traders were expecting a decline in the vegetable prices post Diwali, but increase in freight charges and the unexpected showers have
Ice factory owner loses cool over Rahul's 'beggar' slur
While Gandhi's aggressive but sour remarks about the impoverished state of Uttar Pradesh has sparked public outrage across the nation, certain others have taken the slur personally, and are pulling out all the stops to bring him to book for his uncharitable remarks.Bandra-based businessman Farooq Ghosi has filed a defamation case against Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, for having passed offensive remarks against North Indians. His advocate Manoj Singh, who has agreed to fight the case on his behalf, has voluntarily agreed to fight the case pro bono. Who are you calling
'Bhai ka gaadi' lands driver behind bars
Driver of a Chhota Rajan aide Tambat 'Bhai' told a constable inspecting the vehicle that they had stolen from a builder that 'bhai' did not need any papers; while the aide fled the spot, cops nabbed the driver The driver of an alleged Chhota Rajan aide engaged the police in a hectic chase, involving slapstick sequences straight out of a Bollywood pot-boiler. On Monday, the Kasturba Marg police station received a call from a resident of Siddharth Nagar in Borivli (East) who reported a seemingly abandoned Land Cruiser parked in the
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
'How long will you beg in Maharashtra?'
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launches scathing attack on UP Chief Minister Mayawati; presses youth to 'wake up'Kickstarting the Congress campaign for the 2012 election from the constituency of his great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tried to invoke some passion into the youth and asked them to oust the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh. In a passionate speech, Gandhi bellowed, "When will you wake up? I want an answer!" and the fervor did not ebb there as he cried out louder, "How long
'We'll protest against media'
On day 30 of MiD DAY's Meter Down campaign, an ill-tempered driver threatened journalists, while others kept snubbing short distance faresPlace: Kalanagar, Bandra (East)Time: 9.45am-11.45am and 5.15pm-6.45pmOffenders caught: 4Commuters Speak Dhara D'souza, who was asked to step down from the auto by its driver, lamented, "This is highly frustrating. I walked all the way from my office till here and was refused by every passing auto. I just don't know what to do." Sunita Mehta said, "I usually do not travel by autos, but I
Patients, doctors rush to get a glimpse of Salman
Visitors, nurses, students, doctors and patients at the KEM hospital flocked to the CVTC building to enjoy the celebrations attended by the superstar Ostensibly, it was an event put together for the children with hearing impairment, on the occasion of Children's Day. But with Salman Khan is in the house, sorry hospital, it would be asking too much of the hundreds of visitors, MBBS students, nurses, doctors and patients to stay out of the celebrations. No kidding:
Doctors needn't go abroad to study subspecialities
Maharashtra University of Health Sciences will be partnering with private hospitals to offer fellowships to medical students in subjects that were earlier not offered in India Noting that most medical students in the state prefer to abandon India for foreign shores to pursue subspecialty courses in medicine and surgery, the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) has decided to partner with the state's private hospitals to start fellowship programmes. Private-public venture: The MUHS has already identified around 25
Monday, 14 November 2011
Collect trash at SGNP to get Rs 10 off on rented bike
According to a new initiative to keep the park free of pollution and litter, visitors who hire bicycles will get a discountOfficials at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) are pulling out all stops in an effort to make the park spanning 104 sq km free of dirt and pollution. After initiating 'rent a cycle' scheme to keep the park pollution free, they will now give those who rent the cycles environment-friendly bags to collect garbage. Depending on the volume of garbage collected, the cyclist
Ganpati willing, smoother train rides on WR line soon
Even as a mega block on the Andheri-Borivli line left commuters reeling yesterday, Western Railway officials offered their prayers for a smooth completion of the ambitious DC-AC power conversion project Western Railway (WR) commuters were left reeling when a mega-block in the Borivli-Andheri stretch disrupted train services yesterday. With God willing, however, their commutes will soon be smoother, faster, punctual and more frequent in number. God bless us: General Manager of Western Railway Mahesh Kumar offers his prayers on Day 1 of the project, at the electric substation in Jogeshwari.
Unlucky 11/11 snatches baby from burnt mother's womb
She suffered 90 per cent burns when her husband set her ablaze on Tuesday; stillborn infant delivered on Friday after being exposed to unbearably high temperatures As astrologers and soothsayers deliberated upon the possible numerological significance of the rare date 11/11/11, and believers waited with bated breath for that promised stroke of luck, a 26-year-old woman -- who had been set on fire by her own husband -- lost the baby she had carried almost to full term in her belly ('Call centre
Bikers snatch 12 chains in 12 hours
Unidentified miscreants on bikes wreaked havoc in different parts of the city, collectively making away with booty worth Rs 7 lakh Chain snatchers are back with a vengeance. Even though the police have made repeated attempts to curb the menace of chain snatching, their efforts failed as on Saturday at least 10 cases of chain snatching were reported across the city. The areas targeted by the chain snatchers were mostly the suburban area of Kasturba Marg, MIDC, Jogeshwari, Wadala, Bhandup, Govandi, Dahisar
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Real life Bunty-Babli arrested
A special team of Mumbai Police tracks down and arrests a con couple in Anand, Gujarat The Vanrai Police arrested a Gujarat-based couple on charges of robbing a 40 year-old resident of Bimbisar Nagar, Goregaon (E) after befriending her. The self-employed victim Bina Parekh went to Viramgam in Gujarat on October 18 along with a friend for medical treatment. After the treatment, the victim and her friend visited Ambaji temple near Abu. While waiting in the serpentine darshan queue, Parekh met the accused -- 30 year-old Amit Patel and 22 year-old Jinal Patel -- and had
Lazy BMC hasn't spent allocated repair money
The municipal corporation hasn't begun repairing decrepit buildings despite having time and funds The repair and redevelopment work of 52 dilapidated civic-owned buildings in the city that was supposed to begin in October and for which the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has allocated Rs 25 crore has not yet begun. The BMC notice issued to Hemdil Apartment in Santacruz (West), certifying it as a dilapidated building. pic/ file photoIn fact, the BMC has not even managed to demolish the buildings and has used only three per cent
How many people does a woman sleep with?
An ambitious new project is encouraging women from Mumbai's disadvantaged communities to talk about their concerns -- from naughty kids to an early morning wake up call for the loo in the chawl -- all through photography, ceramics and textiles, mentored by experts How many people does a woman sleep with in a lifetime? The answer, which ranges from 'her mother' to 'her husband' and 'even grandchildren', will be dramatised with a little help from hand-stitched dolls lying
Immortalised in bricks 'n' mortar
On Frederick William Stevens' birth anniversary yesterday, a tribute to the architect for his contribution to the Mumbai skyline A portrait of Frederick William Stevens, the chief architect of CST, previously known as the Victoria Terminus, in a museum located on the ground floor of the CST building. The museum showcases his portrait and blueprints of his architectural drawings A model of CST being displayed in the museum located on the ground floor of the building Stevens was commissioned to build the terminus in 1877. It took him 10 years
Saturday, 12 November 2011
The baby girl born at 11:11:11 on 11.11.11
A complication and an insistent priest led the Savanis to schedule a C-section delivered dot on the much-hyped auspicious second; doctors thrilled with clinical precision of deliveryLike all new parents, Nayan and Urvee Savani can't stop gazing at their baby girl in adoration. She was born at the 11th second after 11.11 am on November 11, 2011. The date and time that has been touted as auspicious was all the more so for the Savanis because they
Catch me if you can
Thief gives cops the slip thrice before his cockiness leads to his downfall; 22-yr-old stole laptops, documents from his roommates and blackmailed themIntegrity and honesty are two qualities that the men in uniform swear by. And they would vouch for the fact that it passes on to their children as well. However, 22-yr-old Sukhbir Singh (see pic), son of an ex-serviceman, turned out to be an exception. Not only did Sukhbir steal his roommates laptops and marksheets, but also tried to blackmail them
Foreigner robs jewellers, uses dollars to distract
Jewellers said he offered to pay in dollars and when they refused he said he would come back; however, he had already pocketed the diamond rings and never returned A foreign national is taking unsuspecting jewellers in the city for a ride by swindling them of rings and other expensive jewellery by posing as a high-net worth individual. With two cases reported in Vashi and in CBD Belapur, the cops are on the lookout for the conman who was caught on CCTV cameras duping
Top cop presses for checks on fake scribes
To curb the menace of impostors procuring press cards and extorting the public, Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik has asked police stations to list all local publications and journalists to ensure authenticity Taking a serious view of the increasing number of cases of fake reporters who threaten and extort the public in the name of the press, the Mumbai police has decided to keep a check on all local publications. Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik has recently issued a circular to all police stations to list
Friday, 11 November 2011
'Angel' models Rs 12.75-crore bra
Supermodel Miranda Kerr headlined the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York last night clad in a bra worth a whopping �1.6 million (Rs 12.75 crore).The gorgeous model sashayed down the runaway in the extravagant pearled number. The Fantasy Treasure creation features nearly 3,400 precious gems, including 142-carats of white and yellow diamonds, pearls, faceted citrines and aquamarines, all set in 18-carat white and yellow gold. Va Va voom: Miranda Kerr shimmied like an ice peacock as she modelled the diamond-studded bra as she took to the runway. pic/afpShe said, "It's
Chased down, auto driver punches cop
Auto driver caught for refusing to ply, assaults traffic cop during MiD DAY's Meter Down campaign; booked for intentionally hurting a public servantThe aam aadmi has been bearing the brunt of errant auto drivers for ages. There have been several cases of drivers refusing to ply and even assaulting commuters in the bargain. However, the drivers have seldom tried such stunts when traffic constables have caught them.Served him right: Auto driver Shabbir Ali was booked for assaulting constable Gite. PIC/Mahesh ChafeBut yesterday, traffic constable Sandeep Gite joined the list
'Autos must have the right to refuse'
Place: Malad Station (W) and opposite D-MartTime: 10 am-12 pm and 5.30 pm-7.15 pm Offenders caught: 9Commuter Speaks Lisa Gomes said, "Nowadays, the rickshaw drivers keep their meters half-down. When commuters come out of the station, they ask them where they want to go. And if the distances are short, they flatly refuse."Auto Driver SpeaksSuresh Kharwal: "I have to meet a person and borrow money from him. That's why I refused to ply the passenger."Spot of BotherDeepak Raval, claiming to be a part of an auto union, threatened
A yen for 11
The unique once in a century date 11/11/11 is finally here. We speak to Mumbaikars about their fascination with this perfectly palindromic dateAuspicious 11For Dheeraj Bhatia, a share market investor, getting married to the love of his life has been his dream and what better way to do it than having that perfect wedding today. "Three years ago I had decided to get married to my fianc �e on this day itself. It was on November 11, 2008 that I met Ritu
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Restaurants gear up to prevent another tragedy
Members of restaurant associations like AHAR have met, and resolved to upgrade security equipment, sensitise their staff members, and inform the police when criminal activities occur outside their premises In the aftermath of the shocking Amboli murders, restaurant owners across the city are brainstorming over ways to tackle similar incidents, if and when they take place in the future. The hotel industry has received flak since the incident, after victims complained that staff
Heartless autos refuse to ply senior citizens
On day 26 of MiD DAY's Meter Down campaign, errant autorickshaw drivers were penalised for refusing to ply senior citizens as well as physically challenged passengers; others simply refused to ferry short distance faresPlace: Malad Station (W)Time: 10 am-12 pmOffenders caught: 10Commuters Speak Sharad Purohit, who commutes to office near Malad Post Office daily, said, "Despite noticing that I'm a handicap and have difficulty in walking, these errant rickshaw drivers lack courtesy. These drivers are now exploiting the 'half-metre down' rule to refuse short distance fares. The RTO must do something about this."Mathew
Fewer dates next year leads to wedding rush
With Feb-March blacklisted as exam season, and unfavourable planetary positions in April-June, only a handful auspicious mahurats are available in 2012, forcing couples to tie the knot between November 7 and December 24 Keep your best outfits and jewellery ready, as there is every possibility that you would be attending a slew of weddings this marriage season. Soon-to-be married couples and their families have decided to make the most
Did malnourishment kill infant or negligence?
Despite crores funnelled through schemes on rural health care, Nashik hospital reports 2-month-old's death due to malnourishment; locals claim it was because he did not receive proper treatment owing to a shortage of specialists Despite its efforts to combat malnourishment in the state by making available sundry resources and facilities that make for a humongous bill, a two-month-old died in Nashik due to severe pneumonia and malnourishment. While the zilla parishad claims the child died due to negligence, and not malnourishment,
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Workers at Airoli octroi centre can't dust this off
Bad roads, dusty surroundings and mosquitoes have deteriorated working conditions with around 50 workers complaining of respiratory disorders The Airoli octroi collection centre, which collects about Rs 20 to Rs 25 lakh a day as revenue, is in shambles. The decrepit and ill-maintained building has been taking a toll on the health of its workers. About 50 octroi personnel, who work in three different shifts at the centre, have complained of respiratory problems stemming from the clouds of dust perennially hanging
How laundry bill led cops to burglar
Accused dropped his wallet outside the building from which he had stolen; cops found a laundry receipt in it and laid a trap to arrest him A laundry bill in a tattered wallet lying abandoned on the road led the Shivaji Park police to a 19-year-old suspected burglar involved in a series of chain snatchings, thefts and house break-ins. The wallet had slipped out of the pocket of the accused, Sudhakar Kamble, as he was running away after cleaning out a flat in Dadar recently. On October 14, an unknown person made
36-yr-old man burns for 20 mins as locals watch
Cops have booked three local goons for setting afire a Bollywood light technician outside his house in Versova over a property dispute; one of the accused is the victim's brother-in-law For 20 minutes, the residents of Sundar Wadi in Versova looked on mutely as their 36-year-old neighbour smouldered outside his home around 10.30 pm on Monday night. It wasn't until his seven-year-old son came out and saw him wrapped in flames that the police was called. Ashes to ashes: Rehmat Shah. The deceased identified as Rehmat Shah, a Bollywood light man, was allegedly
'3 terms in power is not a mean feat'
In a chat with MiD DAY, AICC spokesman Abhishek Singhvi quelled rumours that DF is in trouble, and hailed Chavan as an honest man with great vision Since he donned the mantle of chief minister on November 11 last year, Prithviraj Chavan has received bouquets from certain quarters for his bold decisions, and brickbats from others for his non-performance and laxity in decision-making. Amidst all this talk, the minister, dubbed Mr Clean by his admirers, recently received an award instituted by a leading national periodical as leader of the 'State of
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Poll pacifiers: calm words for NCP, 22 seats for RPI
As Sharad Pawar placates agitated party members after Congress workers attacked the office of NCP MoS in Chiplun, Sena-BJP seal the deal with RPI Monday saw hectic activity in state politics three months ahead of the impending polls to civic and local bodies. While one of the developments has sealed an alliance, the other found it difficult to keep a long-standing coalition from rupturing. In need of the ally: Despite the recent attack on the office of Minister of State for Urban Development Bhaskar Jadhav at Chiplun
Rain tree to be felled as it's a 'safety hazard'
BMC says the tree in front of a building complex in Parel may obstruct fire brigades during emergencies; a resident kicks off poster campaign to save it They paved paradise to put up a parking lot.. Thus crooned Canadian folk-rocker Joni Mitchell in her 1970 hit Big Yellow Taxi that struck a chord with environmentalists. Today, Joni's sentiments find resonance with a Mumbaikar as he tries to save a 25-year-old rain tree from the BMC's axe. Tree hugger: Mangesh Vengulkar (right) has started a poster campaign to save the 40-ft rain tree in Parel. Standing tall in the fast-developing neighbourhood of Parel,
'Rethink electing Ackruti head as MCHI president'
After MiD DAY's expose on irregularities in MIDC land redevelopment and slum rehab by Ackruti City owner Vimal Shah, who is the president-elect of realty body MCHI, experts ask for reconsidering the decision The MIDC-Ackruti slum rehabilitation scam, exposed and reported extensively by MiD DAY, has now caught up with the owner of construction firm Ackruti City. A rising chorus of voices within and from outside the real estate industry seem to be shying away from supporting him as the next president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI), the premium body
Excise squad to conduct random tests at bars
In an attempt to crack down on bootleggers, excise officials to collect samples of liquor served at bars, restaurants and test them Worried with the inflow of spurious liquor in the state and the fear that permit rooms in the city will make use of the same, the officials from the Maharashtra State Excise Department has decided to randomly start picking up samples of liquor from bars to test if it is the real deal. Confirming the same, a senior
Monday, 7 November 2011
Groundsman collapses at Kotla
In an incident not seen often on a cricket field, a groundsman today collapsed at the ground midway into the second day of the first Test between India and the West Indies at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium here. The groundsman, who came in with drinks for the players when the umpires called drinks break in the post-lunch session, suddenly fell down and remained lying there for a while with the players and his companions taking
ICC considering several measures to combat match-fixing
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly recommend its anti-corruption and security unit to give priority to detection of match-fixing by employing more cricket-savvy officers. Several other measures to combat the menace also includes asking cricketers with unexplained wealth to disclose how they acquired it or risk not being selected. According to the Telegraph, the ICC, under pressure from stakeholders such as sponsors and broadcasters, ordered the review of the unit before the criminal trial of Pakistan players Salman
Keep mouth shut and focus on cricket: Waqar to Afridi
Former Pakistan Test coach Waqar Younis has advised flamboyant allrounder Shahid Afridi to keep his mouth shut and focus on performing well as a cricketer. In an unusually hard-hitting interview to Geo News in Dubai, Waqar said Afridi needs to rethink his priorities as a senior player. "All the time he is criticizing somebody and using distasteful language. It is time he just kept his mouth shut and focused on his cricket," Waqar said. "To me it seems as if he always on the lookout for cheap publicity by making unwarranted and unhealthy comments
Dhoni becomes India's most successful wicketkeeper
Mahendra Singh Dhoni Sunday surpassed Syed Kirmani to become India's most successful wicketkeeper in Tests. Dhoni went past Kirmani when he stumped Kraigg Brathwaite off Pragyan Ojha for his 199th victim in 62 Tests. Kirmani had played 88 Tests. Dhoni did not have to wait much for his 200th victim and reached the milestone when he caught Marlon Samuels off Ravichandran Ashwin. Dhoni is 13th in the overall list of wicketkeepers with most dismissals. South Africa's Mark Boucher heads the chart with 521 dismissals in 139 Tests, followed
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)