The Maharashtra government has approved the deployment of sovereign artificial intelligence solutions from Sarvam AI for its departments, with a two-year outlay of Rs 11.26 crore. This initiative includes the Indus AI workspace for 2,500 users, ensuring government data remains within India, along with citizen outreach agents and speech models for the MahaAI platform.
Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has advocated for a bamboo-based economy to drive sustainable development, create rural livelihoods, and offer green alternatives to plastic. Speaking at a summit, he highlighted bamboo's crucial role in climate change mitigation, its potential to empower local communities, and its benefits for farmers.
Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha has called for a stronger, athlete-centric sporting ecosystem, emphasising the need for robust federations, committed coaches, quality infrastructure, and effective sports science support. She highlighted that sporting excellence requires institutions that prioritise athletes and provide fair opportunities, while also congratulating recent Asian Games gold medallists.
The Maharashtra ATS has filed a chargesheet against Zaib Ansari, a US returnee, for allegedly stabbing two security guards in Thane. The chargesheet states Ansari self-radicalised by watching extremist videos and was battling personal issues. He faces charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
A 70-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death by his 32-year-old son in Dombivli, Thane district, following a domestic dispute. The incident occurred on Friday morning, and the son has been apprehended by police. A murder case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing.
Bollywood actor Imran Khan, an American national, has been issued a notice by Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration laws by participating in a political protest.
'Questions give you courage, and they also give you answers. Sometimes those answers are uncomfortable, and sometimes they are comfortable.' 'You must be able to accept both in the same stride.'
Ankur Bhattacharjee and Diya Chitale have won the men's and women's singles titles, respectively, at the second National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in Panchkula. Bhattacharjee defeated Raegan Albuquerque in a hard-fought final, while Chitale overcame Syndrela Das. Priyanuj Bhattacharyya and Divyanshi Bhowmick also secured U-19 titles.
Police in Latur, Maharashtra, have appealed to minor girl students who may have been sexually harassed by the founder of Adarsh International School, Bashir Usman Shaikh, to come forward. Shaikh was arrested on Wednesday under the POCSO Act, and authorities assure protection and confidentiality for victims.
Amid sweltering October heat in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray turns up the heat against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, hinting obliquely about Nuremberg-like trials once the wheels of electoral fortune change.
Eight students from a Pune-based coaching class drowned in the Arabian Sea off Diveagar beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district during a picnic. The incident, which saw all bodies recovered, has led to criticism from a local MLA regarding inadequate safety measures and the need for better guidance for young visitors at popular tourist spots.
A 40-year-old woman in Thane, Maharashtra, was allegedly defrauded of Rs 5.6 lakh by four individuals who convinced her there was hidden treasure beneath her house. The accused performed black magic rituals and extracted cash and gold under false pretences, later fleeing with the valuables. Police have registered a case under relevant laws.
A man's suicide attempt in Beed, Maharashtra, was thwarted when his wife alerted emergency helpline 112. Police swiftly responded, broke into the room, and rescued the man, who was then counselled.
The Supreme Court is examining the Election Commission's decision to allot the Shiv Sena's bow-and-arrow symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction. The court questioned the validity of relying primarily on legislative strength, particularly when MLAs face disqualification. Arguments from the Shinde faction defended the EC's test, while the court raised concerns about the "sentiment of the symbol" for defectors and the practicalities of assessing grassroots support. The hearing remains inconclusive.
A special MPID court in Mumbai has framed charges against developer Vijay Machhindar, his wife, and their company Ornate Spaces Pvt Ltd for allegedly cheating homebuyers and investors of Rs 28 crore. The charges relate to failing to deliver flats in an Oshiwara residential project and not returning the invested money, leading to a trial under IPC, MPID, and MOFA provisions.
Aerospace major Embraer and the Mahindra Group have identified Nagpur as a potential manufacturing hub for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, should their bid for India's multi-billion-dollar Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) deal be successful. This strategic partnership aims to establish a localised production and support ecosystem in India, aligning with the 'Make in India' initiative and strengthening the country's indigenous aerospace capabilities.
Bengal secured a dominant nine-wicket victory over Delhi in their Ranji Trophy Group C opener after bowling out the visitors for 277 in their second innings. Delhi captain Ayush Badoni top-scored with 85, but Bengal chased down the target of 89 comfortably. In another Group C match, Gujarat defeated Odisha by 10 wickets, powered by Siddharth Desai's five-wicket haul, while Jharkhand and Kerala played out a draw.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has accused Maharashtra FDA officials of extorting money from hotels and quick-commerce businesses by threatening licence suspensions. He has demanded an independent inquiry into these allegations, claiming that FDA offices have become "extortion hubs" and that officials are bypassing legal procedures.
Tata Power has partnered with Norway's Ocean Sun to introduce innovative membrane-based floating solar technology to India. A 300 kWp pilot project will be undertaken at Tata Power's Mulshi reservoir in Maharashtra to evaluate the technology's performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness under Indian conditions. This collaboration aims to leverage India's significant floating solar potential and contribute to its renewable energy goals.
The protest site at Antarwali Sarati village in Maharashtra's Jalna district, which served as the epicentre for the Maratha reservation agitation led by Manoj Jarange, has been dismantled after 1,123 days. Local residents and the sarpanch decided to remove the tent and stage to facilitate daily activities and traffic movement, marking the end of a significant chapter in the three-year-long demand for OBC quota for the Maratha community.
The Maharashtra government has abolished the mandatory one-year service bond for MBBS students, citing an "inverse ratio" of available positions to graduating candidates. This decision benefits graduates from various medical colleges, exempting most from the bond, though those who have already joined their postings must complete it. The move aims to ease postgraduate admission difficulties and address issues of competency and motivation in bond service, a decision welcomed by the Maharashtra Association for Resident Doctors (MARD).
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde highlighted ethanol's potential to protect India from volatile petroleum markets and geopolitical risks, advocating for its widespread production and use. He, along with other officials, emphasised ethanol's role in strengthening the rural economy, ensuring timely cane payments, and combating carbon emissions, while also discussing its historical context and current government support.
Veteran actor Nana Patekar was laid to rest at his farmhouse in Donje village, Pune, late on Thursday night. Thousands, including prominent personalities and state officials, attended the funeral, which was performed with full state honours. Patekar, 75, passed away in Goa earlier on Thursday due to a suspected heart attack.
When it pretends to be deaf, a situation can snowball into something it cannot contain. The government cannot dismiss public anger merely because protests are inconvenient or politically embarrassing, asserts Ramesh Menon.
Maharashtra Cyber Police have identified over 500 social media profiles involved in a coordinated cross-border disinformation campaign during a recent nationwide protest. The campaign used AI-generated and deepfake content to manipulate public perception and provoke unrest, with technical analysis pointing to elements operating from Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries. Legal action has been initiated, and the public is urged to verify information from credible sources.
The 16th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship is set to commence in Jhansi from Saturday, featuring 29 teams across three divisions. The tournament will run until October 21, with Punjab as the defending champions. The article details the pool compositions for Division 'A', 'B', and 'C', along with the knockout stage schedule.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has arrested eight individuals and taken action against three minors in connection with nine FIRs related to online harassment, fake social media profiles, objectionable content circulation, and blackmail. The arrests were made under "Mission Cyber Rakshika," an initiative focused on protecting women from cyber-stalking and abuse.
Police have arrested the alleged mastermind, Vijayendrakumar alias Bijendra Kumar Gupta, and an associate in the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 paper leak case, bringing the total number of arrests to 14. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) tracked Gupta, identified as the chief coordinator of an inter-state network, to Samastipur, Bihar. The arrests are expected to help uncover the financial aspects of the racket, which involved an organised criminal syndicate within a printing press.
A special court in Jalna, Maharashtra, has sentenced Faizan Ahmed Abbas Husain to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The court also ordered the Maharashtra government to provide Rs 50,000 compensation to the victim.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke called for a 'Lehra do Tiranga' march in Central Park, Connaught Place, on Friday, despite the NDMC announcing the park's closure and Delhi Police citing prohibitory orders against mass gatherings. The march is part of an ongoing protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Police have urged people to stay away, while Dipke questioned the authorities' stance on waving the national flag and alleged surveillance. The agitation follows the arrest of CJP leaders and the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site.
Nila Vikhe Patil, recently elected to Sweden's Parliament, has expressed surprise and disapproval over her estranged uncle, Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, and cousin, Sujay Vikhe Patil, attempting to associate themselves with her political achievement. She stated that she has had no contact with them for over a decade and views their actions as an attempt to "piggyback" on her success.
Bhopal police have announced a Rs 30,000 reward for Varun Kumar, the caretaker suspected of murdering retired IAS officer Rakesh Agarwal. Kumar allegedly slit Agarwal's throat and attempted to set the house on fire before fleeing. A four-state manhunt is underway to apprehend the suspect.
Indian sport shooter Rudrankksh Patil, a multiple medallist at the ongoing Asian Games, was given a grand civic reception in his hometown of Thane. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised his achievements, which include bronze and silver medals at the recent games, and highlighted his inspiring journey for young athletes. The article also notes his past and future successes, including a silver at the 2026 Asian Games.
Despite the looming threat of El Nio and drought conditions in several states, the Indian government has set an ambitious foodgrain production target of 373.93 million tonnes (mt) for the 2026-27 crop year, slightly lower than the previous year's actual output but higher than its target.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, are organising a mass protest march in Mumbai on October 4 against the Election Commission. They accuse the EC of acting as a "branch of the ruling party" and allege "gross deception" of voters, calling for broader political and public participation.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led a large protest in Mumbai, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke announced a further protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar does not step down, citing alleged voter deletions and irregularities in recent elections. The protest, which saw participation from various activists and public figures, also called for freezing voter lists and abolishing the 2023 law on Election Commissioner appointments.
The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) is set to kick off its sixth season from January 9 to 26 next year in New Delhi, featuring 86 grapplers, including 34 international medallists. Six franchises will compete across Olympic weight categories, with Indian Asian Games medallists and Japanese Olympic champion Yui Susaki among the participants.
Nana Patekar has passed away in Goa after suffering a heart attack on Thursday morning.
A train attendant was arrested at Thane railway station for allegedly possessing 61 bottles of Goa-manufactured Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs 71,560. The seizure was made by the state excise department based on a tip-off, and the attendant has been charged under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
India's Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra has warned that the upcoming rabi (winter) crop season is likely to be challenging for rainfed areas due to the strengthening El Nio weather pattern, potentially affecting foodgrain production. This comes as Maharashtra declares drought in nearly 74 per cent of its talukas, highlighting the immediate impact of climate change.
