Latest news with #Ganpatifestival
News18
10-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Maharashtra Declares ‘Ganeshotsav' As Official State Festival
Last Updated: The public celebration of welcoming Lord Ganesh traces back to 1893 when Bal Gangadhar Tilak popularised the festival as a symbol of unity and resistance during colonial rule. In a significant move seen as a cultural assertion, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government on Thursday officially declared over-a-century-old ' Sarvajanik Ganehotsav ' (Ganpati festival) as the 'State Festival of Maharashtra'. Making the announcement in the legislative assembly, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar emphasised the festival's deep-rooted connection with the state's social and national history. The public celebration of welcoming Lord Ganesh traces back to 1893 when freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak popularised the festival as a symbol of unity and resistance during colonial rule. 'Ganeshotsav is not just a celebration. It is a symbol of Maharashtra's cultural pride and identity," Shelar said adding that Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav the state was started by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893. 'The very essence of this festival is rooted in social unity, nationalism, the spirit of freedom, self-respect, and pride in our language," he said as quoted by news agency PTI. Shelar further said that the government remains firmly committed to preserving Ganeshotsav's cultural legacy despite previous hindrances such as court petitions aimed at obstructing the celebrations. 'The Maharashtra government is firmly committed to preserving, promoting and celebrating the cultural legacy of Ganeshotsav across the state and the nation. While some individuals attempted to hinder this age-old public tradition by raising various court petitions, trying to obstruct the celebrations, the Mahayuti government acted swiftly and decisively removed all such hurdles," he added. The previous government had imposed curbs on POP (Plaster of Paris) idols, citing guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) but without offering practical alternatives. Shelar said his department approached the issue with a more balanced view. 'We initiated a comprehensive study to explore eco-friendly alternatives and assess whether POP is truly harmful to the environment. We commissioned an in-depth study by the Kakodkar Committee through the Rajiv Gandhi Science Commission. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav approved the findings, and the earlier restrictions were lifted. As per the court's ruling, the making, displaying and selling of POP idols are now permitted," he said. The Maharashtra government has further committed to providing financial assistance, police protection, and necessary infrastructure for Ganeshotsav celebrations across the state, including major cities like Pune, Mumbai, and rural towns. 'Celebrating Ganeshotsav with full enthusiasm is not just a tradition but a core belief of the Mahayuti government. I appeal to all Ganpati Mandals to incorporate themes in their festivities that honour our armed forces, showcase social initiatives, 'Operation Sindoor', highlight the nation's developmental achievements and pay tributes to our great leaders in their decorative displays," Shelar said. Shelar stated that the government is willing to bear the costs required to ensure the festival is conducted with full energy and discipline. He encouraged Ganesh Mandals to create thematic displays that highlight the contributions of the Indian Army, social initiatives, Operation Sindoor, national icons, and internal development work, urging them to celebrate with both enthusiasm and social responsibility. This year, the 10-day Ganpati festival will begin on August 27. view comments First Published: July 10, 2025, 18:46 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC offers 15 per cent discount on advance bookings for Pune-Mumbai e-Shivneri buses
Beginning July 1, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will offer a 15% discount on ticket fares to passengers making advance bookings on long- and medium- distance routes beyond 150 kilometres. The scheme will be applicable to full-fare passengers only, and does not include those travelling under concessional categories. It will be implemented across all categories of MSRTC buses. The announcement was made by state transport minister and MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik who further informed that the scheme will be in effect throughout the year, excluding the busy Diwali and summer vacation periods. The announcement was made by state transport minister and MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik who further informed that the scheme will be in effect throughout the year, excluding the busy Diwali and summer vacation periods. (H) Notably, passengers travelling from Pune to Mumbai on e-Shivneri buses who book full tickets in advance will benefit significantly from this discount. Sarnaik said, 'Passengers commuting on premium routes like Pune to Mumbai by e-Shivneri buses will greatly benefit from this initiative. We want to encourage people to plan their travel in advance, which not only helps them save money but also allows the corporation to manage operations more efficiently. This 15% discount is our way of making public transport more attractive, especially for daily and frequent travellers who rely on MSRTC's dependable services.' Importantly, the discount will also apply to advance bookings for upcoming festivals such as Ashadhi Ekadashi and the Ganpati festival when a large numbers of devotees and holiday travellers undertake long-distance journeys. For instance, passengers booking tickets in advance for regular MSRTC buses headed to Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi will get a 15% fare reduction starting July 1. However, this discount will not be applicable to special or additional festival buses. Sarnaik said, 'Similarly, passengers travelling to Konkan during the Ganpati festival - a time when many working professionals return to their hometowns - can also avail this discount by reserving their tickets in advance. We urge passengers to take advantage of this scheme and save on travel costs, especially during non-peak travel periods.' Indra Kumar Shinde, a working professional who travels frequently between Pune and Mumbai, said, 'This is a much-needed relief for regular travellers like me. The e-Shivneri buses are reliable and comfortable, but the fares can add up quickly when you are commuting multiple times a week. A 15% discount on advance bookings will definitely help ease the financial burden. It also encourages more people to plan ahead, which can reduce last-minute rush and improve the overall travel experience. I have already started booking my trips in advance to take full advantage of the offer.' The said scheme was originally declared on June 1, during the 77th Foundation Day celebrations of MSRTC, when Sarnaik proposed fare concessions for passengers travelling long distances off season. Meanwhile, the discount can be availed through MSRTC's official website ( at ticket booking counters, or via the 'MSRTC Bus Reservation' mobile application.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Man arrested for defrauding Lalbaug resident of ₹2.4 cr
MUMBAI: The Kalachowki police have arrested a 41-year-old man, a purported chartered accountant (CA), for allegedly duping a Lalbaug resident of ₹ 2.4 crore by luring him to buy 11 cars on loan from various banks and taking possession of the vehicles claiming they would be rented out to luxury hotels. (Shutterstock) The fraud was carried out between August 2023 and February 2024 and police are on the lookout for two accomplices of the arrested accused who are on the run, officers aware of the matter told Hindustan Times. The accused, identified as Rahul Girish Shah alias Sachin alias Saurabh, was arrested and produced in court on Sunday and remanded to police custody till June 26. According to the police, Shah was a resident of Millat Nagar in Oshiwara while the person he defrauded, 40-year-old Suhas Mestri, lived in Lalbaug and worked with a charitable trust. In 2023, Mestri was looking for a stable investment opportunity when his friend, Harshal Gangurde, introduced him to Shah, who claimed to be a CA. In August 2023, Shah visited Lalbaug during the Ganpati festival and met Mestri. He advised the Lalbaug resident and his wife, who worked with a private firm, to invest in new cars, claiming they could reap huge profits by renting out the cars to hotels and companies. Shah claimed that he had good contacts with various hotels in the city where diplomats visiting from Delhi stayed and he could help Mestri strike rental deals with them. Subsequently, Mestri met Gangurde and Shah at a hotel in Bandra Kurla Complex. Shah praised Mestri's credit history and asked him to purchase 11 cars on loan. He also said that he would help Mestri rent the cars and earn good profits. 'Two accomplices of Shah – identified as Akash and Viraj – collected various documents from Mestri and his wife and applied for car loans from several banks on their behalf. They also took Mestri and his wife's signatures on multiple bank forms and documents,' a police officer faimilar with the case said. Shah further advised Mestri to take ₹ 5.10 lakh on loan from a private finance company towards down payment for purchasing the vehicles, the officer added. In January 2024, Mestri met with an accident and was homebound for several weeks. Eleven car loans that he had applied for via Shah's accomplices were approved during this time, and the loan amounts were transferred to respective car showrooms. In all, Shah purchased 11 cars and two laptops in Mestri's name. He took some cars to Mestri's house and took his photos with the vehicles. 'Since Mestri was unwell, Shah took possession of all the vehicles. He said he would rent them out on Mestri's behalf and hand over the money to Mestri. He also said he would repay the loans,' said the police officer. A few months later, Mestri noticed the EMIs were unpaid and he was not receiving any money for renting out the cars. As calls to Shah went unanswered, he contacted Gangurde, who claimed that Shah had been arrested by the Achole police in Mira-Bhayandar. Mestri realised then that he had been duped and approached the Kalachowki police station. Based on his complaint, the police registered a case against Shah and his three accomplices under sections 316 and 318 and 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, said police. 'We have launched a manhunt for the two absconding accused. We are also checking if Shah had been arrested by Achole police earlier,' said the officer.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
29 palm trees axed in New Panvel 5 months ago, but work yet to begin, says activist
Panvel civic body felled 29 mature palm trees five months ago for a road widening and drainage repair project, but the work is yet to commence NAVI MUMBAI: Five months ago, 29 mature palm trees, two decades old, were felled in New Panvel (E) by the Panvel civic body . The reason given was the necessity for a civic project involving road widening and drainage repair, as the trees were planted on the pavement covering the drainage channel. However, the civic body has not yet commenced the work. A local tree activist wrote to the civic chief on April 15, alleging that the project was merely an excuse to remove the palm trees to meet the demands of some societies in the area. These societies allegedly influenced the Tree Authority to grant the necessary permission with the support of an ex-corporator. When the trees were axed in December last year, the tree activist complained to the Panvel civic body's Tree Authority, claiming it was an unjust action that destroyed the area's greenery. The complainant, tree activist Parshuram Vogety, stated, "I submitted the written complaint to the Panvel civic chief on April 15 after I saw that the civic project of road widening and drainage repair, for which 29 palm trees were axed five months ago, had not started. But the concerned Tree Authority has not responded to the complaint even after a fortnight." He added, "The hacked Palm trees grew majestically to 14 metres in height over the last 25 years. There was not even a centimetre of space left for road widening. Also, when trees are planted on the footpath covering the drainage channel, there is always a possibility that when the trees grow, they will damage the drainage channel as the tree roots penetrate the ground. The Panvel civic body has planted trees on the pavements in Khanda Colony and New Panvel (E). What is the point in planting trees if they are not allowed to grow freely or are hacked for selfish reasons? Trees are hacked before and during the monsoon by societies and municipal corporation employees, by MSEDCL officials, during festive occasions such as the Ganpati festival by pandal owners, by shopkeepers who see them as a hindrance to their signboards, by builders, etc. The stretch of road on which the Palm trees exist is frequented by scooters and cars only, and has very little traffic. I have never seen flooding on this road during the monsoon. Instead of concentrating on cleanliness and other high-priority works, PMC is the first in hacking and trimming trees." Panvel civic body's assistant municipal commissioner (Tree Authority) Swarup Kharge said, "The road widening and drainage repairing work was proposed by Panvel civic body's engineering department. The proposal mentioned the necessity to cut down 29 Palm trees creating obstacles for the project. Hence, in May, a notice was published in local Marathi newspapers for objections or suggestions, if any, within one week. As there was no response, the trees were felled. However, the felled trees will be compensated by planting the same number of trees in the vicinity for which the engineering department has demarcated an area." An official from Panvel civic body's engineering department informed that, on March 26, the tender estimated at Rs 98.91 lakhs was invited for the drainage repairing (RCC slab) work in sector 4, New Panvel from Madhumati CHS till Krishna Arcade CHS. As the drainage RCC slab will occupy less area, the road will get widened. After the technical and financial bidding is finalised, the drainage RCC slab work order will be issued to the contractor who bags the tender.
