Times Of India
Indian Express
India Today
Mid-Day
Rediff
IBNLive
DNA
ZeeNews
The Hindu
The Telegraph
Tribune
FrontLine
The Hoot
Eenadu
Career India
NDTV
FilmiBeat
Business Standard
PM Narendra Modi stresses on Fit India, Yoga Day in 'Mann Ki Baat'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during the inauguration of 135km long Eastern Peripheral Expressway (NH-II) connecting Kundli to Palwal, at Bagpat, in Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday. PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the country's response to his 'Fit India' initiative, saying that he did not anticipate the kind of response it garnered from the country.
Addressing the nation on the 44th edition of the monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', he said, "My dear countrymen, especially my young friends, just a couple of months ago, when I mentioned 'Fit India, I did not think it would draw such a good response; that a large number of people would come forward to support it. When I say 'Fit India', I believe that the more we play, the more we will inspire the country to come out and play."
"People are sharing videos of Fitness Challenge on social media; they are tagging each other to spread the challenge. Everybody is now getting connected with this Fit India Campa..
Mumbai: Massive fire engulfs Goregaon office building
Yavatmal embraces 'farm pool' scheme with enthusiasm
Representational Image
Maharashtra's drought-prone Yavatmal has set an example for other districts by constructing more than 6,000 'farm pools' by cultivators to meet the irrigation demand in the district. An official claimed that by digging these pools, around 6,000 hectares of land will get "protected irrigation", thus raising hopes for a better rabi crop.
A farm pool or pond is dug out to harvest rainwater and store it for future use. Since the inception of the state government's ambitious 'farm pool on demand' scheme two years back, the farmers in this district, located in the Vidarbha region, have constructed 6,200 farm pools, the official said.
Agriculture is the principal occupation in Yavatmal, which had earlier been in news over a spate of farmer suicides. The district is spread over an area of of13,51,966 hectares, of which 9,60,500 hectares is under crop production. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the rainfall in the state has decreased in..
Ruskin Bond says My grandmothers didn't tell me stories
Delhi Metro: South Campus, Moti Bagh among 10 stations renamed
Representational Image
Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus and Sir Vishweshwaraiah Moti Bagh stations on the Delhi Metro Pink Line did not carry the name of the two personalities in the original plan and they were rechristened on the recommendations of a panel, which had suggested the renaming of eight other names on the network, according to sources.
Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus station, named after the freedom fighter, social worker and educationist, is a part of the Pink Line corridor inaugurated in mid-March, and Sir Vishweshwaraiah Moti Bagh station, expected to open soon, intends to fortify the legacy of the legendary engineer-scholar.
Both places are among the 10 stations whose names were changed following recommendations of the committee set up for renaming metro stations, the sources said.
"The other stations include Tughlakabad (changed to Tughlakabad Station), Okhla (to Harkesh Nagar Okhla), Badarpur (to Badarpur Border) on Violet Line; Okhla-Phase III (to Okhla NSIC) on Ma..
138-year-old Pune school opens its doors to girls
Representational picture
Pune: Ending the decades long tradition, a 138-year-old school, started here by freedom fighters including Bal Gangadhar Tilak, is all set to open its doors for girls from the upcoming academic session.
The decision to this effect has been taken by the school management to break the "gender stereotypes", its principal said.The New English School was started by Tilak along with social reformers like Gopal Ganesh Agarkar and Vishnushastri Chiplunkar in 1880.
The institution, run by the Deccan Education Society, had the co-education system till 1936. However, the education society then started another institution - Ahilyadevi High School - exclusively for girls in the city. Gone are the days when boys and girls were taught in different schools, said Nagesh Mone, who recently took over as the school's principal.
"While growing up, the students should know that men and women are equal and in order to break the gender stereotypes, it is important to start co-educ..
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates first phase of Delhi-Meerut Expressway
This Pune doctor treats beggars for free
Woman fights off leopard to save daughter in Tamil Nadu
Representational Image
A woman bravely fought off a leopard to save her 11-year-old daughter at Valparai in the district, police said on Saturday. Thirty-year-old Muthulakshmi, along with her daughter Sathya, were picking firewood in the backyard of their house last night, when the feline pounced on the girl and began dragging it away by her neck, they said.
Immediately, Muthulakshmi hit the leopard so hard with the firewood that the animal let go of the girl and fled into the jungle, the police said. Sathya sustained injuries on the neck and was taken to the government hospital at Pollachi.
On hearing this, forest department personnel decided to trap the leopard, which reportedly has been on the prowl in the area for over the past 10 days or more. A fortnight ago, there were reports that a woman at Kanchamalai was a victim of a similar attack.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get la..
Stray dogs spotted inside Hardoi District Hospital wards
Representational picture
Hardoi: The apathy of the district hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur came to the public eye when a number of stray dogs were spotted inside the wards of the hospital, along with patients in Hardoi. People at the hospital said, "We are scared, but if we complain to the staff, they say just shoo the dogs away by yourself."
Speaking on the issue, the Chief Medical Officer said, "We've taken cognisance of it and have deployed staff to not let this happen."This comes a time when increasing incidents of dog attacks have rattled the Sitapur city of Uttar Pradesh.
Turning a deaf ear to the menace, State minister Suresh Kumar Khanna on Saturday said the government cannot be held responsible for the same.
The menace began on May 1, when stray dogs began attacking children in Sitapur and nearby areas. To tackle the issue, the administration had called a dog catcher team from Mathura, but it was later sent back.
Since November, 14 kids have reportedly been killed an..
Bodh Gaya blasts: Court convicts five IM militants
Representational picture
A special NIA court on Friday convicted five Indian Mujahideen militants in the 2013 Bodh Gaya serial blasts case in which several persons, including Buddhist monks were injured.
Special NIA judge Manoj Kumar Sinha held all the five accused - Imtiyaz Ansari, Haider Ali, Mujib Ullah, Omair Siddiqui and Azharuddin Qureishi - guilty in the case under various sections of the IPC, Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act and Explosives Act. The court fixed May 31 as the date for pronouncement of the quantum of sentence. The Buddhist pilgrim town was rocked by a series of explosions on the morning of July 7, 2013.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day manage..
Vedanta sticks with plan to expand Sterlite operations in Tamil Nadu
Lalita Salve sex change saga: Here's what his surgery entailed
Lalita Salve
After years of waiting, Lalit Kumar Salve (born as Lalita) finally feels like a man inside and out. Contrary to common perception, Lalit has biologically always been a man but was born with underdeveloped genitals that appeared more like a vagina, due to which he had been declared a woman on birth. Yesterday, doctors at St George Hospital excavated the penis buried under his skin and elongated it, so he can finally urinate like a man.
mid-day had first broken the story on November 17, 2017, about the Beed constable's struggle to make the transformation from Lalita to Lalit. After months of back and forth with the state police, the Chief Minister's Office and the high court, she finally got permission from the office of the Beed SP earlier this month to go ahead with the surgery. Yesterday's surgery was the first phase in a series of procedures that will go on for a year and half, said Dr Rajat Kapur, a renowned plastic surgeon who led the operating team.
Dr Kapur has so..
Major Leetul Gogoi will be punished if found guilty: Army chief
Lalita Salve sex change: Doctor's reveal secret test that sealed his fate
Pawan Kalyan begins fast to over 'Uddanam' kidney ailment
Floating restaurant capsizes off Mumbai, no casualties reported
Ark Deck and Bar/Instagram- @arkdeckbar
Popular floating restaurant 'Ark Deck Bar', off the coast near Bandra here, capsized and sank partially on Friday evening under the possible impact of huge tidal waves trigged by the Mekunu Cyclone, police said.
At least 15 people on board, mostly crew, were immediately rescued as the vessel tilted dangerously this evening and were taken ashore in small motorboats, according to an official of Bandra Police station.
The 'Ark Deck Bar' floatel, a luxurious offshore dining and party attraction, has a capacity of around 150 people and was anchored some distance off the Bandra Jetty, offering a magnificent view of the Mumbai skyline and the Rajiv Gandhi Bandra Worli Sea Link nearby.
Meanwhile, the owner of Mumbai's first floatel, 'AB Celestial', Aishwarya Bhende said her vessel was shifted to and anchored off the Ferry Wharf in south Mumbai a couple of days ago after the Mekuni Cycone warning was issued by the maritime authorities. "Our floatel is..
SSC paper leak: CBI questions India Head of private company
15 people injured as fire spreads after LPG leak
Representational Image
Fifteen persons suffered burn injuries in a fire that broke out following a leak from a cooking gas cylinder in east Delhi's Shahdara, police said on Friday.
Delhi Fire Service (DFS) control room received a call about the fire on the second floor of a house in Krishna Nagar around 11 p.m. on Thursday, following which five fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused it.
The fire broke out when one of the victims, Satto, aged 58, was cooking food on an LPG stove, Deputy Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said. Fire engulfed the room due to the gas leak, following which three neighbours tried to douse the flames but got burnt in the process.
Brijesh, 15, Naresh, 16, Shiv Pojan, 19, Dharmveer, 28, Niranjan, 30, Ranjeet, 30, Rajpal, 60, and seven unidentified area residents were injured in the blaze and admitted in different hospitals.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps..
Noshir Dadrawala won't step down as BPP trustee
Noshir Dadrawala
After walking out of a BPP board meeting in April and announcing that he was going to resign from his post, BPP trustee Noshir Dadrawala is now expected to continue his tenure.
The sudden change of events took place at Tuesday's BPP board meeting, during which Dadrawala apparently decided to retain his position. "He said that he will stay because he did not want to give the Trust another election to deal with," said Yezdi Desai, president, BPP.
"If he resigns now, we will have to hold another election for his post, and that is not possible as we already have an upcoming election for Munchi Cama's seat. We can't hold them simultaneously because the date for receiving nominations has gone by," he added.
In early April, Dadrawala walked out of a BPP meeting after an argument with Desai and trustee Kersi Randeria. Dadrawala later circulated a WhatsApp message announcing he's stepping down from the post.
Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affai..
Lalita Salve sex change saga: He is happy he will never have to hide again
Lalita Salve
Speaking to mid-day, a senior doctor from St George hospital recollected an anecdote that Lalit has shared the night before his first surgery. Lalit recalled his childhood, when his parents would make him wear girls' clothes and would always fight with him over it.
Extremely excited"Lalit was extremely excited and emotional about the first surgery. He told me about his childhood days, when he was forced to wear girls' clothes. He used to hate wearing those outfits, as he had always felt like a man from inside. But he kept brushing his discomfort under the carpet until he grew up and understood the truth," said the doctor.
By the age 12, Lalit had already realised that he was actually a man, but it would be much longer before he finally came out. He enjoyed wearing shirts and pants like a man, but made him the subject of much speculation and laughter.
"So, he was relieved that people will no longer question him for dressing like a man. In fact, he hated it when his pare..
Kerala procures 50 doses of monoclonal antibody to combat Nipah
Representational Image
With the help of Indian Council of Medical Research and World Health Organisation, the Kerala government has procured about 50 doses of a monoclonal antibody from Australia to combat Nipah virus, state Health minister K K Shylaja said today.
The antibody will be brought to the state soon, the minister told reporters here. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had written to the Queensland government in Australia asking it to provide the antibody developed there to test if it can "neutralise" the virus in humans.
Speaking to the media after an all-party meeting here, the minister said the situation, in the aftermath of the outbreak of the deadly virus, was under control.
It has not spread throughout the state, she said. Measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the caregivers in hospital, she said, adding, steps have been taken to ensure that the virus does not spread to other areas.
The steps taken by the government to combat the virus were re..
Mumbai to get UAV surveillance, panic buttons to ensure women's safety
Representational Image
To enhance women's safety in the megapolis, Mumbai police are planning to use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance and install 'panic buttons' across the city, a senior official said on Friday. The measures are part of an Rs 252-crore Safe City Project, which will be implemented fully in three years.
"Use of UAVs for this purpose will be the first in the country," said KM M Prasanna, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), who worked on the project. After the Nirbhaya gang-rape incident of 2012, the Union Home Ministry invited proposals from police departments of big cities to provide more security to women. It also allocated Central funds for such projects.
Mumbai Police came up with Safe City Project which contemplates the use of state-of-the-art technology, said Prasanna. Sixty percent of the cost is expected to be borne by the Centre, he said, adding that the Maharashtra government recently gave the in-principle nod for the project. The enti..
Mumbai: 5-year-old boy repeatedly abandoned by parents, now up for adoption
Shivam and his father, Kaushalendra Mishra, who abandoned him a fortnight ago
At the tender age of five, Shivam Mishra has already been abandoned by his parents thrice, and now his mother is putting him up for adoption. Perhaps this time, though, he has a shot at finding a permanent home and family, with the help of a local NGO.
His mother Nisha Pawar, 36, met his father Kaushalendra Mishra, 35, in 2011, while they were both working at an ice cream factory in Malwani, Malad. They fell in love and tied the knot in 2012, against the wishes of both their families. Shivam was born a year later, and the family was happy - for a while.
Shivam was reunited with his mother after three years, but she too wants to put him up for adoption now
Fickle parentsIn 2015, Nisha dumped her husband and son after she fell for another man. Three years later, it was Kaushalendra's turn to abandon the child. He approached the Janhit Vichar Foundation and told the social workers that he was financially una..
No summer break for city teachers, thanks to poll duty
Delhi High Court seeks AAP government's response on plea for lower drinking age
New series of books to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary
Mahatma Gandhi
A wide range of books and scholarly readings on Mahatma Gandhi will be published by the India office of Oxford University Press (OUP) to mark his 150th birth anniversary.
The publisher informed IANS that a series of new books will be commissioned, acclaimed old titles re-published, and online contests, as well as giveaways, will be used to promote these books, and create a deeper understanding about Gandhi. Some of them will also explore "newer angles" on the man, widely hailed as India's Father of the Nation.
"Gandhi is one figure who has his share of admirers and detractors. For all that he stood for, he is a political icon that cannot be ignored -- the icon who made the world sit up and notice. We are very excited about bringing new writings on the unexplored aspects of Gandhi. The fresh perspectives will help people across generations to see Gandhi in a new light," said Sugata Ghosh, Director, Academic India, OUP.
The initiative, the publisher said, will encourag..
Indian restaurant blast in Canada: Missions working full-time assures EAM Swaraj
Narendra Modi accepts Virat Kohli's fitness challenge, leaves Twitterati fuming
Yeddyurappa accuses H D Kumaraswamy of 'arrogant' behaviour
Nipah virus: Another person dies in Kerala; collector bans public meets
Doctors and patients wear safety masks as a precautionary measure after the Nipah virus outbreak, at a Kozhikode medical college. Pic/PTI
With the death of one more patient, who tested positive for Nipah virus (NiV) on Thursday morning, the disease has claimed 12 lives in Kerala, officials said.
The death of Moosa was confirmed at a private hospital where he was being treated. Early this month, two of his sons and a relative also passed away. They were the first cases of NiV that were reported last week.
Meanwhile, though the incidence of patients coming for treatment with symptoms of NiV is on the decline, Kozhikode Collector U V Jose has banned till May 31 all public meetings and even training courses, including tuitions to avoid assembly of people.
The health department said on Thursday that a total of 160 samples were sent for testing to Pune. Of the 22 results that had come, 14 had tested positive. Meanwhile, the authorities have come out with a protocol to be carried out when..
Panchgani deemed 'cleanest' in West Zone, here's how Mumbai can follow suit
Laxmi Karhadkar shows how households segregate the garbage
One of Mumbai's favourite weekend getaways - Panchgani - has just been declared the cleanest town (city) in the Western Zone. A delighted mayor, Laxmi Karhadkar, informed mid-day that it was the triple 'R' philosophy – reduce, reuse and recycle – that helped the town bag the honour.
Karhadkar, who is originally from Colaba, said while the Indian government's Swachh Survekshan 2018 award to Panchgani, has been announced, it has not formally given it as yet. "We, at Panchgani have achieved what we set out to: make our heritage town (it is a hill station founded by the British) the cleanest in India," she said.
Swachh Survekshan is a government of India ranking for rural and urban areas for cleanliness and active implementation of the Swachhata mission.
Laxmi Karhadkar (second from left) along with Mumbai tourists, Daisy Navdar, Phiroze Navdar and Sangeeta James, at the garbage dump-turned-garden
You're finedKarha..
BJP keeps its seats, Shiv Sena adds two more in self-govt elections
Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray addresses a campaign rally for Palghar Assembly by-poll, in Palghar, Maharashtra, on Thursday. Pic/PTI
While the BJP has retained two seats, its ruling partner Shiv Sena added two more members to the Upper House in the local self-government constituency elections; NCP bagged one seat. Of the six seats, the results of five were declared on Thursday, the sixth segment has been stayed by the high court over some problems during polling.
These elections do not really reflect the mood of the general public, but will help the BJP and Sena get the upper hand in the Legislative Council where the Congress and NCP have greater numbers. More numbers are expected to come in the BJP-Sena's favour when the teachers'/graduates' and Assembly members' constituencies go to the polls on June 25, and in July, respectively.
The biggest shock any party could receive in these elections was cross-voting in Amravati, in which a Congress candidate Anil Madhogariya got only 17..
Mumbai: Ola blacklists driver for molesting banker
Devendra Fadnavis: Many leaders in queue to join BJP
Maharashtra Prison Department: Study while serving time, get sentence reduced
In a bid to encourage jail inmates to study, the Maharashtra prison department has announced that it will lessen convicts' sentences if they clear exams while serving time. Additional Director General of Prisons B K Upadhyay issued a circular last week, a copy of which is with mid-day.
How it will workWhile there's no benefit for just becoming literate, for clearing SSC/HSC or any diploma exam, a reduction of five days in the sentence will be given, which will be increased to eight days if the inmate clears the exam with a score of 60 per cent or above. Graduating will result in a reduction of 15 days, which will be increased to 20 for those passing with First Class or above. Similarly, for getting a postgraduate degree, there will be a reduction of 20 days in the sentence, increased to 25 for First Class or above marks. Completing PhD, MPhil or any research will also ensure a reduction of 20 days.
Explaining how this circular was arrived at, jail officials said that while serving th..
Don't panic, Nipah virus has been contained, says Kerala health minister
Murder mystery: Man betrayed by friends and the very thing he built his life on
Priyam Srivastava
Three months after Priyam Bharti Srivastava, 28, died mysteriously during his birthday lunch in Belapur, the police have filed a murder case against his four flatmates. While talking to his father, the four had made up a story about Priyam suffering a heart attack.
But the forensic reports have now revealed that he died of petroleum hydrocarbon poisoning. The accused have since gone missing. Priyam Srivastava, 28, had built a life around petroleum, never suspecting that it would eventually be his death. He was a site engineer at the Essar Petroleum Company in Belapur, and since 2016, he had shared a flat in Ulwe with four of his colleagues — Abhishek Sharma, Badri Yadav, Bappan Mukherjee and Mayank Chaudhari.
Priyam Srivastava on Feb 13, his birthday
On his birthday on February 13, he cut a cake with his friends, and decided to extend the celebrations with a birthday lunch with his flatmates the next day. "He had called me in the morning, around 11.30 am. ..
Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier
An organic startActor-poet Arunoday Singh, who is currently busy shuttling between Rishikesh and Mumbai for the shoot of an upcoming web show, has something new to offer. The hunky actor and his Canadian vegan chef wife, Leeanna, are all set to open an organic café in Bandra in November.
The duo, who own Puttu Cafe in Goa's Vagator area, believe in eating right and healthy, something that reflects on their menu. Singh has also made a conscious decision to source locally produced food and organic harvest, and is reducing his daily intake of meat. The duo aim to recreate something similar to their Goan property. They might name it something else, though.
Happiness is in your handsDay in and day out, we go through our daily rigour to meet the demands of living in a mega metropolis. And while we try and help out others whenever we can, there is sometimes no one for us to go to with our problems. Everyone needs some cheer in their lives, though, and often all it takes for that is..
Mumbai: Ward officers to tour cities for waste handling lessons
Pic for representation
The chief of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Ajoy Mehta, is once again planning to start a trend, which earlier failed to yield the desired results. Just the way corporators used to go on study tours sponsored by the civic body, now ward officers will have to tour different cities to learn about their solid waste management techniques.Earlier this month, Mehta had instructed some of the officers to visit cities like Ahmedabad, Goa, Indore and Bangalore and find out how they managed their wastes. They have also been asked to prepare reports on the visits and present them by next month.
Swachh citiesAccording to civic sources, two ward officers have already visited a couple of cities and are in the process of preparing the reports. As Mumbai has failed to make it to the top of the list of 'swachh' cities, the municipal commissioner wants the ward officers to study the waste disposal models of those cities, which have been ranked higher. Sources said tha..
One killed in boiler blast at Nitin Gadkari's farm in Maharashtra
Representational picture
Nagpur: A 45-year-old worker died due to a fall while running away after a boiler blast at a farm owned by Union minister Nitin Gadkari's family near here, the police said on Wednesday.
The deceased, identified as Pradeep Shriram, and two other workers were processing turmeric in a water boiler at the farm located in Dhapewada village last evening, Kalmeshwar police station in-charge Chandrashekhar Bahadure said. There was a blast in the boiler following which the three workers ran from there, but Shriram fell to the ground and sustained injuries, he said.
The worker was rushed to a hospital in Kalmeshwar town where he succumbed to his injuries, he said. A case of accidental death was registered, Bahadure said. He confirmed that the farm was of Gadkari's family. When contacted, Nitin Kulkarni, the PRO of Manas Agro Industries, which is run by the minister's family, said a turmeric production process was underway at the farm yesterday.
Two to three people, i..
Mumbai: JJ doctors call off strike after written assurance
Resident doctors of state-run J J Hospital stage a protest during a strike, over the alleged assault of two of their colleagues following the death of a patient at the hospital, in Mumbai, on Monday. Pic/PTI
In a huge relief for the patients at state-run JJ Hospital, the resident doctors finally called off their strike on Tuesday evening after a successful meeting with Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan and the hospital authorities, in which they were promised that their demands would be met soon.
Meetings resolve issueLate on Monday night, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) first had a meeting with the hospital authorities, but that didn't help resolve the issue, as the doctors were not given a written assurance. Thereafter, the hospital management reviewed the security measures till Tuesday afternoon, and then in a subsequent meeting gave a written assurance to the doctors that their demands would be met. Following this, the strike was called off.
Apart ..
Mumbai Milkman adopts unique way to ferry his wares after petrol price hike
Pandurang Vishe now travels on horseback to deliver milk
It's time for the government to open its eyes and see what measures people are taking to deal with the exorbitant hike in petrol prices across the country. After the rate per litre increased to Rs 84.52 in Maharashtra, milkman Pandurang Vishe, 49, sold off his bike and bought a horse. Vishe, a resident of Dasai village in Murbad area, took the decision after he started facing losses in his business due to the price hike, as he had to daily travel six to seven kilometers on his bike to deliver milk.
Speaking to mid-day, Vishe said, "My family has been in this business for the past 40 years. But, for the past couple of months I'm not earning much due to various factors. The petrol price hike has simply added to my woes. I daily have to travel long distances to deliver milk to 10 to 15 residents. However, my other customers stay within a radius of three to four kilometers of my house."
He further said, "When my father was alive, ..
Rajnath Singh: Security forces have free hand to respond if Pakistan opens fire
Kashish film festival struggles for new sponsors
Keshav Suri of the Lalit Suri Hospitality Group
It is money that makes the world go round and part of that world is Kashish, Mumbai's queer film festival that kicks off in the city today. The festival, which is in its ninth year, has a slew of corporates as sponsors, the usual suspects, tried and trusted Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) allies, who have now come to be identified with the festival. The newbie on the roster, however, is Metro Inox Cinema, which has joined Liberty Carnival and will screen LGBT films on two days of the five-day festival.
DirectorspeakFestival director Sridhar Rangayan says, "We are grateful for the steadfast loyalty of our corporate line-up. Corporates tying up or supporting a queer cause is still a very nascent concept in our country. Several corporations have workshops, discussions and events which are aimed at anti-discriminatory atmosphere and sensitisation within their offices. However, these are still intra-affairs and not all of them are re..
Mumbai: Kalyan residents get TV- and cola-loving monkey off their back
The residents eventually trapped the animal in a tank and drove him to the forest
The residents of Gangagiri building in Kalyan have bid farewell to their most controversial guest yet - a monkey who entered all the houses and feasted on mangoes and cola while chilling in front of the TV and AC. Over the course of 17 days, while the residents waited for the forest officials to take him away, the monkey became a dear playmate for the children, who would feed him mangoes.
Eventually, the adults took matters into their own hands, and sent him to live in the forests of Haji Malang. The monkey business began 17 days ago, when the animal suddenly appeared in the home of the residents, Vasantrao Suryawanshi. "Due to the scorching heat and humidity, we used to keep our windows open through the day.
Suddenly, 17 days ago, this monkey entered my home and ate one of our mangoes. My mother saw him inside and started shouting. By the time I got to the scene, though, he had vanished. Because of ..
After travelling 500 km for treatment, man farmer turned away from JJ hospital
Bhaskar Ingade
After travelling 500 km all the way from Buldhana to get treatment for his injured leg, Bhaskar Ingade, 45, was turned away from JJ hospital and asked to come back after five days. The farmer will now make the long journey back home, since he has no place to stay in the city.
Over two months ago, Bhaskar was working on his field when a tractor fell on him and injured his leg. Treatment at a local hospital didn't improve his condition, and he was referred to JJ hospital.
Hobbling with his stick, the farmer finally arrived yesterday, but found no relief. "My leg has been swollen since incident. So, today I came to JJ hospital, but they asked me to return after five days," said Bhaskar, who is not sure when he can make the journey again.
Also Read: Mumbai: Another Doctor Threatened By Patient's Family Member At Sion Hospital
Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events..
Good news flyers! No cancellation fee if tickets cancelled within 24 hours
In what can come as a respite as for the flyers, Minister of State for Civil Aviation on Tuesday announced that no cancellation fee will be charged on flight tickets cancelled within 24 hours of booking.
"No cancellation charges will be levied if the tickets are cancelled within 24 hours of booking, provided the ticket is booked 96 hours before flight departure," said Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Aviation.
"If a flight is cancelled and it is the airlines' fault, then the passenger has to be compensated or ticket has to be refunded. If a flight is delayed, the passenger will be compensated in various ways," he added.
He further said that Aadhaar will be required for the enrollment to use 'Digi Yatra' for identification verification.
"To use Digi Yatra, Aadhaar will be needed only at the time of enrollment. So, that we can identify you. We are working on other digital ID's too," he added.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation in June last year added a digital experience for air trav..
Jawan who crossed LoC after surgical strikes seeks retirement
Pune: Soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan, who had "inadvertently" strayed across the Line of Control (LoC) in 2016 after the surgical strikes and spent nearly four months in captivity in Pakistan, has sought premature retirement.
Chavan, 24, who was admitted to the psychiatry ward in Military Hospital at Kirkee here, has written a letter to his seniors requesting them to relieve him from service, saying he is "disturbed".
The soldier, from 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had gone missing on September 29, 2016 after he "inadvertently" crossed the LoC, following which the Pakistan Army had taken him into custody. He was handed over to the Indian Army four months later.After returning, Chavan, who hails from Dhule district, faced a sentence for leaving his post without informing his seniors and was later transferred to the Armed Corps Centre at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.
Chavan, who was discharged from the hospital yesterday, said he was seeking retirement as he was "disturbed after whatever happened ..
Half of missing people in Mumbai in 16 to 25 years age group, say RTI
Representational picture
Nearly half of the people reported missing in Mumbai every year are in the age group of 16 to 25 years, the Mumbai Police has said in reply to an RTI query. Also, there has been a rise every year in the number of people going missing in the metropolis, Mumbai Crime Branch's Assistant Police Commissioner (Preventive) Bharat Gaikwad said in response to an application filed by city-based RTI activist Chetan Kothari.
A total of 32,598 people were reported missing from Mumbai in 2014, 2015 and 2016, while 27,565 of them were later found, the police said. The number of missing people also went up every year, with 10,916 reported missing in 2014, 10,313 in 2015 and 11,369 in 2016, the reply said.
A year-wise tabulation of the figures showed that about 50 per cent of the missing people (in these three years) were in the 16 to 25 years age group, followed by those in the 26 to 40 years age bracket. Vijay Vaidya, a former journalist and social activist, who helps in t..
PM Narendra Modi arrives in India after his Sochi visit
Mumbai cop hangs self at his Worli residence, no suicide note found
Representational Image
A 42-year-old police constable allegedly committed suicide at his residence in suburban Worli by hanging last Saturday, police said today. The constable, identified as Prasad Lad, was attached to police control room, a police official said.
Prima facie, Lad took the extreme step due to some family issues, he said. No suicide note has been found at the spot, the official said, adding a case of accidental death has been registered and further investigation is on.
Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or ..
Maharashtra contractors to meet on May 30 over lack of work, GST woes
Mehbooba Mufti: Unfortunate Pakistan violating ceasefire during Ramadan
Dharmendra Pradhan: Government looking at steps to control fuel prices
High-level doctors' team to probe Nipah virus deaths in Kerala
Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier
No ban on recorded music in Delhi restobars, say official
Fate of 709 tribal school kids of Panchgani in limbo as trustees bicker
Students of Nachiketas High School and Jr College in the computer lab
The fate of 900-odd students (709 tribal and the remaining, regular students) of Nachiketas High School and Junior College in Panchgani hangs in the balance over a dispute between the old trustees and new management. The contentious matter over supposed violations of the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is now with the district court, which has asked for an arbitrator to be appointed to settle the issue.
The founders of Nachiketas High School, brothers Laxman Pathre, 47, and Sudhir Pathre, 45, had decided to shift base to Pune last year. They had sought a new management to run the school and found Vidyamata Education Forum, Roseland International; they entered into an MOU with them last June. The state tribal department sanctions a sum of Rs 50,000 annually for each tribal child towards lodging, boarding and educational expenses, and M/s Nachiketas Education and Charitable Trust used to get around Rs 3...
Devendra Fadnavis directs MMRDA to complete projects within timelines
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik gives 3D mantra to ministers
Farooq Abdullah says Time for mainstream parties and separatist groups to merge
Palghar bypoll: Devendra Fadnavis accuses Shiv Sena of betrayal
Five feared drowned in two separate incidents in Thane
Representational picture
Thane: Five people were feared drowned in two separate incidents in the district, an official said on Monday. Two persons -- a seven-year-old boy and a 29-year-old man -- were feared to have been swept away in a creek located on the city's Ghodbunder Road yesterday, Thane civic body's regional disaster management cell chief Sanotsh Kadam said.
In another incident, three people, who had gone for a swim yesterday in the Bhatsa river at Ozarli village, werefeared drowned as they did not come out of the water, he said. The three people, all residents of the Wagle Estate area in the city, were in their early 30s, he said.
A search was underway for all the five people in the two water bodies, the official added.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsib..
PM Narendra Modi to visit Russia on May 21
Palghar bypoll: Deceased MP's wife accuses BJP of misusing his photos
BJP MP Chintaman Wanga passed away in January this year
Late Palghar BJP MP Chintaman Wanga's wife Jayshree yesterday filed a complaint of model code violation against the BJP, accusing the party of illegally using her husband's pictures on publicity material for the upcoming bypoll.
The alleged violationIn her complaint filed with the returning officer, Jayshree claimed that the BJP was using her husband's pictures in the publicity material, including hoardings and banners, for the May 28 bypoll without taking any permission.
This is a clear violation of the model code of conduct and immediate action [should] be taken against those who have "misused" the pictures, she stated.
Poll playThe bypoll to the tribal-dominated constituency, located 110 km away from Mumbai, was necessitated following the death of Wanga, the sitting MP, in January this year.In a jolt to the BJP, the Shiv Sena has fielded the late MP's son Sriniwas Wanga for the bypoll which has increased the tussle between ..
Sushil Modi says Railway Minster assures transfer of land to Bihar government
PM Modi: Talks with Putin will bolster India's strategic partnership with Russia
CBI to approach Interpol for red corner notice against Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi
Mumbai: Fitness guru inspires morning walkers at Marine Drive to train under him
Vasudev Hembron takes classes on Marine Drive
It's eight o'clock on a Wednesday morning, and a fleeting sense of calm, which threatens to give way to traffic snarls, envelopes Marine Drive. Flocks of seagulls lift into the sky, specks of yellow, blue and red bob in the sea into the distance, and regulars walk, jog and run on the promenade.
Just then, next to the BEST bus stop facing the C Road junction, a young, athletic man breaks into a warm-up session. Barefoot, he uses the low bench for brisk step-up and step-down movements, makes 20-odd push-ups appear effortless, and keeps at his aerobic exercises until his they soak his T-shirt in sweat.
"Sir!" a morning walker waves at him, as he parks his two-wheeler. Quick calls are made, messages sent out and within 10 minutes, the man is leading an impromptu exercise group, cutting them no slack as he urges them to stick to the right form or hold a posture.
Pics/Snigdha Hasan
The young taskmaster is Vasudev Hembron, who arrived in the ..
Sudhir Mungantiwar: No further talks with Shiv Sena for alliance
Census confirms tiger presence in Mhadei; nature lovers upbeat
Representational picture
Panaji: The ongoing census has indicated the presence of tigers in Goa's Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, thus giving a boost to the demand for declaring it as a dedicated reserve for the striped animal.
As per the All India Tiger Estimation, which began in Goa on May 1, "tiger pugmarks, scats and scratches" were found during the week-long (first phase) field survey in the sanctuary. The survey was still on. Some images of tigers were also captured in cameras installed in the sanctuary, located in the Sattari taluka of North Goa district, a senior forest official said.The surveys since 2002 have indicated the presence of tigers in the Mhadei region, consisting of forested border areas of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
But, the successive Goa governments have been a bit reluctant in declaring the area as a 'tiger reserve'. The recent survey and camera images again indicate that the region could be a favourable habitat for tigers, say officials. "During the field s..
Mumbai: Doctors at JJ Hospital go on strike over staff assault
Mumbai: Now, students can explore a career in culture at Godrej Culture Lab
During the internship, the participants will be interacting with collaborators and heads of cultural institutions across the city. Pics/Sneha Kharabe
It was sometime last year that Rohini Kottu, a student of Sion's SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, first heard of the Godrej India Culture Lab, an experimental ideas space in Vikhroli. At the time, the lab founder, Parmesh Shahani, and his team were at the college to talk about their new leadership programme, where students from various backgrounds would get a month-long internship at the centre. "When I found out about the contemporary issues and social causes that they were working on, I was hooked," says the 18-year-old, who plans to major in psychology.
Honing culture bugsToday, Kottu and six other students have been selected from a pool of 100 applicants for the lab's new initiative that aims to familiarise students with the cultural scene and enable them to explore a career as curators and producers of culture. "Each yea..
How a bunch of 10-to-15-year-olds from Mumbra turned into notorious bike thieves
Representational picture
For several months now, the Mumbra Police have been at their wits' end over bikes and scooters going missing from various parts of the suburban township. But it was not until last week, after the police had tracked the real culprits behind the crime, did they realise that they were actually being hoodwinked by a gang of 10 to 15 year olds.
On Thursday, a special squad of the Thane Police apprehended nine boys for allegedly stealing bikes and recovered 27 two-wheelers of various prominent brands from them.
Incidentally, out of the nine minors nabbed by the police, seven had never been to school, Dr DS Swami, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 1, told reporters.
What has, however, rattled the force is the reason behind these minors committing the crime. "The children, all of whom hail from poor families in Mumbra, are passionate about bikes, and just wanted to ride them for fun," said KC Pasalkar, senior police inspector, Mumbra Police.
The stolen bikes and..
Kumaraswamy's swearing-in postponed to May 23
H.D Kumaraswamy
H. D. Kumaraswamy will take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on May 23 instead of May 21, the Janata Dal (Secular) said on Saturday.
"The Governor has invited HD Kumaraswamy to form the government. He will take oath as the chief minister on Wednesday, May 23 at around 12:30 pm," JD(S) National Secretary General Danish Ali told ANI.
Earlier in the day, Kumaraswamy was invited by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala to form the government in the state, after Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) B.S. Yeddyurappa stepped down ahead of the floor test in the state assembly.
However, Yeddyurappa, in his address at the Vidhana Soudha said he will fight for the rights of the people of Karnataka till his last breath, even if he did not get the required mandate.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed..
Mumbai: Central Railways invites citizens to celebrate CSTMs' 130th birthday
The waiting hall, now popularly known as the Star Chamber, has barely aged since this rare illustration from October 23, 1886 (below), published in architecture journal, The Builder
Few can age as gracefully as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), which turns 130 years old on May 20. To mark the occasion, CR officials have planned a host of social media events.
Formerly known as Victoria Terminus or VT, the building's construction began in 1878 and was completed in 1888. At the time, the terminus served as the headquarters of India's first railway company, the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR), which is the predecessor to the modern-day Central Railway (CR).
Highlight railSunil Udasi, chief public relations officer for CR, said, "The crowning point of the whole building is the central dome, carrying the statue of a lady pointing a flaming torch upwards in her right hand and a spoked wheel low in her left hand, symbolising progress. This dome has been reported to be..
PM Modi: Every stone, weapon raised by misguided youths destabilises Kashmir
Subway outlet shut in Hyderabad after cockroaches found in soft drink
Mumbai: Advertising trainees bag top prize in tobacco and heart disease campaign
Imaan Surve and Sripriya Ganesh
City duo Sripriya Ganesh, 23, and Imaan Surve, 21, both creative trainees at an advertising agency, have won the top prize in the print ad competition section of the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) campaign, for their creative on 'Tobacco and Heart Disease.'
Ganesh and Surve's winningvisual underscores their belief that simplicity makes a powerful statement. It is of the heart muscle with cigarette butts sticking out of it, with accompanying copy that reads: 'Smoking chokes your heart. Every cigarette you smoke clogs your arteries, which reduces blood supply and the amount of oxygen available throughout your body, increasing the risk of heart disease'.
Ganesh said, "When you talk about the harm that cigarettes do to cardiovascular health, you are talking about something that is not apparent on the outside. We spent some time trying to get the right insight in order to translate it to the work. We have kept the copy simple and decided not to ove..
BJP baffled as it lacks numbers, says Congress
Sanitation strike: Haryana government orders officers not to leave headquarters
Compensation for 14 killed in Bengal Panchayat polls
ATS probes if Shakeel was trying to recruit for Pakistan terror groups
Help pours in to secure Wadia twins' future after crowd funding campaign
Five years after the twins were brought to Wadia hospital, it has now become their home and its staffers, their family
Wadia hospital's beloved twins Riddhi and Siddhi, 5, have now received overwhelming support from people outside of it, too. A crowd funding campaign set up three days ago to gather Rs 55 lakh for their spinal surgeries and education has already gathered Rs 4 lakh.
While they were separated in January 2014, the development of the twins has been slightly slow because of their birth complications. They now need corrective surgeries for their spine in order to walk properly because their legs might not be able to handle the body weight as they grow older.
"They were surgically separated a year after their birth. Now, they need at least two more spine correction surgeries to let them grow and walk properly," said Dr Minnie Aarasp Bodhanwala, CEO of the hospital. Keeping this in mind, the hospital started an online campaign on the crowd funding website - Milaap.
Riddhi a..
Sharad Yadav urges opposition parties to work together to defeat BJP
Supreme Court provides roadmap for floor test in Karnataka
