'Earlier, people used to hand money directly to priests after a ritual, and priests would keep it in their own pockets. We completely stopped that practice.'
Kerala's Ancy Sojan created history on Saturday by breaking the long-standing national record in women's long jump at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.
Arjun Singh and Aditya Singh emerged victorious in the pro men's doubles category at the Maharashtra Pickleball Open, while Mihika Yadav and Snehal Patil won the pro women's doubles. Arjun Singh also secured the pro mix doubles title with Naomi Amalsadiwala. Aahana Punjabi and Atharva Khisti won the singles titles.
NCP (SP) leader Eknath Khadse has firmly stated his disinterest in rejoining the BJP, despite being called by Amit Shah, and affirmed his commitment to Sharad Pawar, dismissing recent speculation about his political future.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the completion of "Operation Tiger" as six Lok Sabha members from the Shiv Sena (UBT) officially defected to the ruling Shiv Sena. This move further formalises a split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction, strengthening Shinde's party and marking a significant political development in Maharashtra.
The Khashaba teaser leaves behind the feeling that Marathi cinema is gearing up for something monumental, notes Mayur Sanap.
Post offices in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar were searched by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad after a bomb threat email was received by the administration.
A senior Maharashtra government official and a junior clerk were convicted by a special court in Latur for accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 for approving a business proposal in 2014.
The Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai was evacuated following a bomb threat received via email during the budget session, prompting security checks and a search operation.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Dina Patil allegedly abused and threatened journalists, prompting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to ask him to express regret. The incident occurred after journalists questioned Patil about a letter from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and his daughter's political stance, leading to a political controversy.
A man celebrating his fiance's birthday tragically fell 400 feet to his death from Maharashtra's historic Lohagad fort while attempting to take photographs amidst strong winds.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a 'red' alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, and warnings include potential flash floods, structural damage, and disruptions to essential services. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has also urged caution and deployed officials to monitor the situation.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall and gusty winds over the weekend. The city has already experienced over 100 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, leading to delays in local train services, though public transport remains operational.
Police in Kaij, Maharashtra, seized illegal liquor worth over 1.5 lakh from a vehicle transporting it without a valid permit.
A 15-year-old girl in Maharashtra, India, died by suicide after allegedly being stalked and harassed by a 27-year-old man. The family claims police inaction on a prior complaint contributed to the tragedy.
A 60-year-old farmer in Maharashtra's Beed district has been arrested for allegedly cultivating cannabis plants hidden within a jowar (sorghum) crop.
Maharashtra's Governor and Chief Minister, along with other state leaders, paid tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary, recognising his profound impact on social justice, equality, and the Indian Constitution.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde mocked the Shiv Sena (UBT) in the assembly following the defection of six of its Lok Sabha MPs to his faction. Shinde stated that the opposition had lost its mental balance and predicted more "shocks" for them. The jibe came after opposition MLAs, including Aaditya Thackeray, walked out over procedural objections during the monsoon session.
Police in Beed, Maharashtra, seized nearly 22 kilograms of ganja from a farm and arrested a woman, Ashabai Shingare, in connection with the illegal cultivation.
Mumbai and Pune are grappling with severe monsoon weather, triggering an 'orange' alert, widespread disruptions, school closures, and tragic fatalities from landslides and wall collapses.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has demanded the immediate disqualification of six party MPs who defected to the Eknath Shinde-led camp, alleging a larger political conspiracy. He accused the BJP of exploiting the Ram Mandir issue and systematically sidelining its own state leaders, while also questioning the rebel MPs' motives and wealth.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has claimed that some dissident MPs are in contact with the party due to fear of public anger in their constituencies, with talks ongoing with at least two. He also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan, who had made remarks about the Shiv Sena's legitimacy and the involvement of central investigative agencies. Raut asserted that there is only one Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray.
Many students who do well in the NEET exams miss out on a medical seat because they didn't get their documentation in order. You don't want to be that student, says Ashok Hegde.
Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi has strongly criticised the Election Commission's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stating it is 'focussed more on exclusion' and has 'played havoc with democracy' by disturbing free and fair elections.
From Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to Sourav Ganguly, these coming biopics are bringing some of India's most fascinating lives to the big screen.
Mumbai police are investigating the circulation of an AI-doctored video featuring Maharashtra Minister Narhari Zirwal, following a complaint by a transperson alleging blackmail.
Here are who's who attending the wedding.
Police in Chhattisgarh's Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district seized 800 boxes of illicit liquor worth Rs 50.28 lakh from a truck attempting to smuggle the consignment into Maharashtra. The driver was arrested, and an investigation is underway to uncover the full smuggling network.
Police in Thane, Maharashtra, have arrested a Nigerian national, Enugu, for possessing 261.5 grams of cocaine worth Rs 78.45 lakh. The arrest was made in Mira Road East, and investigations are ongoing to dismantle the supply network.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will inaugurate the underground tunnel-boring work from Vikhroli to the Bandra Kurla Complex station in Mumbai on Sunday, marking the maiden use of a tunnel boring machine for the country's first bullet train project, between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
BEST employees continued their strike in Mumbai for a second day, causing significant disruption to public transport despite appeals from the Maharashtra Transport Minister and the invocation of MESMA. Commuters were forced to rely on alternative, overcrowded transport options, while the striking unions maintained their demands for budget merger, improved pay, and absorption of contractual workers.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced medals for personnel in the C-60 anti-Naxal unit and outlined plans for police digitisation and technology adoption.
Former leader of opposition in Maharashtra legislative council, Ambdas Danve, has received multiple threat calls in the last four days, leading to a police investigation.
Despite BEST employees calling off their indefinite strike, Mumbai's bus services remained significantly below normal on Monday morning, with only 57% of the scheduled fleet operational. Commuters experienced long waits, leading many to seek alternative transport. The strike ended after an agreement with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, which included interim pay hikes and commitments for future improvements and clearing dues.
Two irrigation department officials in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district have been arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe to release pending payments for dam work.
With the southwest monsoon stalled over southern Maharashtra, India is facing a nationwide rainfall deficit of 41 percent between June 4 and June 18, according to the latest India meteorological department (IMD) data.
Madhya Pradesh's Nupur Kumrawat won the 50m rifle prone women's event at the 24th Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial Shooting Championship. Tamil Nadu's MA Akschadha Aiswarya secured the junior and youth women's titles.
Vijaya Mehta's eyes were always twinkling, her smile was always warm, her sari usually a collector's piece. She put on no elder statesman airs. But when she was in director mode, she allowed her actors and technicians no slack. Deepa Gahlot doffs her hat to the undisputed doyenne of Marathi theatre and one of India's most influential directors and actors, who shaped the landscape of Indian experimental theatre.
Mumbai's suburbs were hit by intense overnight rainfall, with some areas receiving over 100 mm in four hours, causing waterlogging and traffic disruptions. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported significant downpours in both eastern and western suburbs, while the island city experienced moderate showers.
After a subdued start, the southwest monsoon has gathered pace since the beginning of July, narrowing the cumulative rainfall deficit from nearly 30 per cent on June 30 to around 15 per cent as of July 8.
