Mumbai
- Diwali fervor across the state due to Balipratipada and Padwa Pahat (morning) programs.
- Mandatory registration of stock with the Central Government for edible oil producers and related entities.
- Mumbai High Court establishes a high-level committee for the protection and conservation of Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai.
- Demise of senior space scientist, Padma Bhushan Dr. Eknath Chitnis.
Diwali Celebrations and New Year
The festival of Balipratipada, part of the Diwali festival of lights, is being celebrated everywhere today. On this festival, considered one of the three and a half auspicious moments (muhurtas), new purchases or the commencement of new ventures is undertaken. The start of the Vikram Samvat 2082, named Pingalnam Samvatsar, also took place today. On the occasion of Padwa, considered a festival celebrating the husband-wife relationship, there is a bustle of decorations, snacks (faral), and shopping in homes.
Many people enthusiastically participated in the ‘Padwa Pahat’ (morning) programs organized at various places. Markets were also crowded for the purchase of new vehicles, clothes, gifts, and sweets. The business community started the New Year today and performed the puja (worship) of new account books. In some parts, Bali Pujan, and in the North, the ceremony of Govardhan Puja and the Annakut tradition, is being celebrated with great devotion.
Edible Oil Stock Registration Mandatory
The Central Government has made it mandatory for all edible oil producers, processors, blenders, re-packers, and every stakeholder involved in this entire supply chain to register. Additionally, it has been made mandatory for all these stakeholders to provide information on their production and stock on the portal provided every month. The department stated that this will help in collecting accurate statistics related to the edible oil sector, monitoring stock, and formulating policies based on this data.
Dr. Eknath Chitnis Passes Away
Senior space scientist, Padma Bhushan Dr. Eknath Chitnis, passed away this morning in Pune at the age of 100. He had made a valuable contribution to the formation of ISRO and is counted among the scientists who laid the foundation of the Indian space program, alongside Dr. Homi Bhabha. He played a vital role in creating India’s first telecommunication satellite, INSAT, and took the initiative in selecting the sites for the launch centers at Sriharikota and Thumba. His efforts from the 1970s led to television reaching villages across the country by the 1990s. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, and many other dignitaries paid tribute to him.
High-Level Committee for SGNP Conservation
The Mumbai High Court has established a high-level committee for the protection and conservation of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivali, Mumbai. The committee’s responsibilities include defining the park’s boundary, preventing encroachment, taking measures to remove previous encroachments and resettle those affected, and submitting a report on pending applications. Former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Dilip Bhosale, is the chairman, and members include former Chief Secretary Nitin Kareer, former DGP Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, and the SGNP Director, Anita Patil.
Maharashtra Political and Development News
- Beed Housing Scheme: 50,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Gharkul Awas Yojana were completed in Beed district in a record time during Diwali. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar congratulated the beneficiaries and officials.
- Tribal Diwali: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress President Harshvardhan Sakpal celebrated Diwali with the tribal communities in remote areas of Buldhana district for the 26th consecutive year, distributing clothes and sweets.
- Cotton Farmers’ Plight: Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar alleged that cotton farmers are not getting a fair price due to Central Government criteria and questioned the government for diverting funds meant for tribal and backward classes.
- Differently-abled Entrepreneur: Ravindra Ingle, a 90% disabled resident of Chikhli, Buldhana, is receiving a good response for the diyas and lamps he makes and sells for Diwali, highlighting his social awareness.
National & International Updates
- Mehul Choksi Extradition: The Appeal Court in Antwerp rejected fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi’s plea against his extradition to India in the ₹13,000 crore PNB scam case. He now has the option to appeal to the Supreme Court of Belgium.
- Mumbai Airport Drug Seizure: The Customs Department seized narcotics worth ₹20 crore at CSM International Airport, Mumbai, in two days of operations. Three passengers who arrived from Hong Kong and Bangkok have been arrested.
- IIMC Amravati: I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju reviewed the work of media offices in Nagpur and instructed that the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) building in Badnera, Amravati, be completed within two years, with the 2027 academic session starting there.
Sports and Weather
- Women’s Cricket World Cup: A crucial league match between India and New Zealand will take place tomorrow at 3 PM in Navi Mumbai. The match is key for semi-final qualification as both teams have 4 points from 5 matches.
- Weather Alert: A yellow alert for light to moderate rain, thunder, and strong winds has been issued by the Meteorological Department for most parts of the state for today and tomorrow, excluding Marathwada and some parts of Vidarbha.
Source : Akashvani Mumbai