News for 'Maharashtra Times'

2025: Readers Pick Their Favourite Films

2025: Readers Pick Their Favourite Films

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

We asked readers to list their favourite films from 2025, and we got an interesting range of movies that included blockbusters, well-reviewed films and a couple of surprises.

Suresh Kalmadi: From IAF Pilot To Powerbroker Of Indian Sport

Suresh Kalmadi: From IAF Pilot To Powerbroker Of Indian Sport

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Suresh Kalmadi brought several top-class events to India including the 2003 Afro Asian Games, the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

'Don't rob Gen Z of votes': Uddhav seeks to scrap 'unopposed' civic poll wins

'Don't rob Gen Z of votes': Uddhav seeks to scrap 'unopposed' civic poll wins

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demands cancellation of civic elections where candidates won unopposed, alleging corruption and manipulation by ruling parties. He also criticizes the Maharashtra legislative assembly speaker and the misuse of BMC funds.

Ranji Trophy: Shami's fiery spell drives Bengal toward innings win

Ranji Trophy: Shami's fiery spell drives Bengal toward innings win

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

India pacer Mohammed Shami's five-wicket burst put Bengal on the verge of an outright victory with bonus point against Services on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match in Kalyani, West Bengal on Saturday.

'Maoists Will Be Extinct In 2 Months'

'Maoists Will Be Extinct In 2 Months'

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

'From every point of view, they have faced an extremely difficult couple of years, and the setback they have suffered is irreversible.' 'This reality has begun to set in even amongst the top-level cadres. That is why, in recent times, we have witnessed a huge number of senior-level cadres emerging from the jungle and deciding to renounce violence and join the mainstream.'

From Selling Guavas To Council Hall

From Selling Guavas To Council Hall

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

'A poor candidate was given a chance so that the concerns of ordinary, needy citizens could be represented.'

Why RSS Must Choose Bharatiyata Over Hindutva

Why RSS Must Choose Bharatiyata Over Hindutva

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

The future of India will be shaped and decided by the choices the RSS makes now, argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Uddhav Sena, MNS to announce tie-up for BMC polls on Wednesday

Uddhav Sena, MNS to announce tie-up for BMC polls on Wednesday

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are expected to announce an alliance for the upcoming Mumbai civic elections. The announcement is expected to be made at a press conference on Wednesday.

Shivraj Patil cremated with state honours

Shivraj Patil cremated with state honours

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The last rites of veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Shivraj Patil were performed with full state honours in his home district, Latur, in Maharashtra on Saturday, with many top leaders in attendance.

Attacks may soon target prayers inside, warns Kerala church head

Attacks may soon target prayers inside, warns Kerala church head

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, condemns attacks against Christians in India and urges government authorities to control religious fanatics. He highlights the constitutional right to religious freedom and criticizes the silence of governing bodies in the face of increasing attacks.

RSS@100: The Challenges Ahead

RSS@100: The Challenges Ahead

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

'The RSS, that advocated military strength, remained in the ideological doghouse for over half a century. Many of the RSS' responses even today carry the burden of this past,' points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Aramco, OIL likely to pick up stake in BPCL's Andhra refinery

Aramco, OIL likely to pick up stake in BPCL's Andhra refinery

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

State-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) is willing to dilute a 30-40 per cent stake in its upcoming greenfield refinery in Andhra Pradesh, with Gulf energy major Saudi Aramco and upstream player Oil India Ltd (OIL) likely to join as partners, a senior BPCL executive said.

Mamata hits streets, ups ante against Centre as ED row escalates

Mamata hits streets, ups ante against Centre as ED row escalates

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march in Kolkata against Enforcement Directorate searches linked to I-PAC, signaling a show of strength ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. The march featured cultural elements and participation from party members and celebrities.

157 off 75! Sarfaraz Khan lights up Vijay Hazare Trophy

157 off 75! Sarfaraz Khan lights up Vijay Hazare Trophy

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

Sarfaraz Khan delivered a thunderous reminder of his white-ball credentials ahead of India's upcoming ODI series against New Zealand

Shinde invokes 'Dhurandhar' to attack Uddhav ahead of Mumbai civic polls

Shinde invokes 'Dhurandhar' to attack Uddhav ahead of Mumbai civic polls

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde launched a veiled attack on Uddhav Thackeray, invoking characters from a film to criticize Thackeray's leadership and policies ahead of upcoming municipal elections. Shinde highlighted government initiatives and defended his position, while also criticizing the opposition's performance.

VHT: Shardul wrecks Chhattisgarh in one-sided Mumbai win

VHT: Shardul wrecks Chhattisgarh in one-sided Mumbai win

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

At the Jaipuria Vidyalaya ground, Shardul won the toss and used the early morning nip to good effect to reduce Chattisgarh to 10 for 4 inside first five overs.

Rediff's Top 10 Recipes For 2025

Rediff's Top 10 Recipes For 2025

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

We looked back at the 10 Recipes Rediff Readers Loved Most.

Denied tickets, Nagpur BJP leaders rebel against party

Denied tickets, Nagpur BJP leaders rebel against party

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

Upset over being denied tickets by the Bharatiya Janata Party despite being its 'loyal workers for years', several aspirants have rebelled against the party and are now contesting the upcoming elections to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) as independent candidates.

Shinde will be Maha CM again: Sena minister amid rift

Shinde will be Maha CM again: Sena minister amid rift

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Shiv Sena minister Dada Bhuse claims that despite being Deputy CM, Eknath Shinde is still considered the Chief Minister in the hearts of the people and predicts he will lead the state again.

Next Sachin? Tharoor Wants Suryavanshi In Indian Team

Next Sachin? Tharoor Wants Suryavanshi In Indian Team

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has dropped the ultimate cricket compliment, comparing 14-year-old Bihar batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Former Home Minister Shivraj Patil passes away

Former Home Minister Shivraj Patil passes away

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

The Congress leader was Union Home Minister from 2004 to 2008 and the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996. He was the Governor of Punjab and also served as Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015.

States Have Thrown A Spanner In RBI's Easy-Money Machine

States Have Thrown A Spanner In RBI's Easy-Money Machine

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

State debt is rising because revenues are disappointingly weak. Ten states have debt ratios exceeding 30 per cent. In 2023-2024, states were borrowing simply to meet day-to-day expenses, points out Debashis Basu.

'Villains Are The Most Interesting To Design For'

'Villains Are The Most Interesting To Design For'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'Every film had its challenges, but Mr India, Sadak and Gandhi were the toughest.' 'Mr India needed imagination, Sadak needed sensitivity and Gandhi demanded historical authenticity.'

Uddhav, Raj meet for 2nd time in 2 weeks amid alliance buzz

Uddhav, Raj meet for 2nd time in 2 weeks amid alliance buzz

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

The Congress party extends best wishes to the newly-elected Vice President of India, C P Radhakrishnan, while recalling the words of the first Vice President, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, on the importance of free criticism in a democracy.

Uddhav Sena-MNS manifesto promises free power, allowance for domestic helps

Uddhav Sena-MNS manifesto promises free power, allowance for domestic helps

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS release a joint manifesto for Mumbai civic polls, promising free power, allowances for domestic helps, and property tax waivers.

PIX: A Dream Night at Wankhede as Messi Comes Calling

PIX: A Dream Night at Wankhede as Messi Comes Calling

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

For long stretches, the atmosphere felt less Mumbai and more Camp Nou. Chants of 'Barca... Barca' and 'Suarez... Suarez' echoed through the stands as Messi interacted with youngsters, celebrities and former India football captain Sunil Chhetri.

'A dream and...': Chhetri's fan moment with Messi

'A dream and...': Chhetri's fan moment with Messi

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Sunil Chhetri penned an emotional tribute after meeting his childhood idol Lionel Messi during the Argentine legend's GOAT India Tour event at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium.

Ajit Pawar blames officials over land deal linked to son

Ajit Pawar blames officials over land deal linked to son

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said officials responsible for registering documents should have refused to process agreements that were not permissible under the law and clearly informed the parties concerned about such limitations.

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

In terms of MLA salaries, Odisha is followed by Telangana (about Rs 2.7 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 2.6 lakh), Manipur (Rs 2.5 lakh), and Uttar Pradesh (Rs 2.4 lakh).

Amazon to invest $35 billion in India by 2030 across businesses

Amazon to invest $35 billion in India by 2030 across businesses

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

E-commerce giant Amazon plans to make a mega-investment of $35 billion, over Rs 3.14 lakh crore, in India by 2030 across its businesses with a focus on AI-driven digitization, export growth and job creation, a senior company official said on Wednesday.

'Salman Is Superhuman'

'Salman Is Superhuman'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

'The stamina and junoon you see in him, for acting, singing, dancing, working out, just about everything, makes age just a number as far as Salman Khan is concerned.'

No Congress-Samajwadi alliance in 2027 UP polls?

No Congress-Samajwadi alliance in 2027 UP polls?

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

The Congress party is intensifying its efforts to strengthen its organizational base in Uttar Pradesh, with plans to contest all 403 seats in the 2027 Assembly elections. Senior leaders emphasize grassroots preparations, voter outreach, and public meetings to regain political ground in the state.

Assam to host Santosh Trophy final round

Assam to host Santosh Trophy final round

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

The winners of each group will join hosts Assam, last season's champions West Bengal and runners-up Kerala in the 12-team Final Round that will be hosted in Dhakuakhana and Dhemaji.

MNS, NCP leader oppose Tapovan tree-felling for Nashik Kumbh Mela

MNS, NCP leader oppose Tapovan tree-felling for Nashik Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

MNS chief Raj Thackeray has voiced strong opposition to the cutting of trees for the construction of a 'Sadhu Gram' in Nashik ahead of the Kumbh Mela, urging the government to reconsider the decision. Actor Sayaji Shinde has also joined the protest, threatening opposition if the government proceeds with the tree removal.

Volume, margin concerns likely to weigh on beer maker United Breweries

Volume, margin concerns likely to weigh on beer maker United Breweries

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

The stock of the country's largest beer maker, United Breweries (UBBL), is trading at 25-month lows given multiple headwinds related to volumes, regulatory issues, and margin trajectory. After a muted second quarter (July-September) of 2025-26 (Q2FY26), brokerages also expect the company's Q3FY26 performance to be underwhelming.

19 concrete plants in Mumbai shut down over pollution violations

19 concrete plants in Mumbai shut down over pollution violations

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has ordered the shutdown of 19 ready mix concrete plants in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for violating environmental guidelines and contributing to deteriorating air quality levels.

Why 767 Maharashtra Farmers Died By Suicide

Why 767 Maharashtra Farmers Died By Suicide

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

'You've got to understand it is not easy to die by suicide.' 'People commit suicide only when they lose everything and find no other way to live.'

Shinde Sena workers behaving like goons: BJP minister

Shinde Sena workers behaving like goons: BJP minister

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Union minister Raksha Khadse of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday alleged that Shiv Sena workers were intimidating people in the Muktainagar assembly segment in her home district of Jalgaon in north Maharashtra, a claim exposing strains between the two Mahayuti allies.

From fear to footfalls: Kashmir tourism's slow return after Pahalgam

From fear to footfalls: Kashmir tourism's slow return after Pahalgam

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

The Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir impacted tourism, but recovery efforts are underway with government initiatives and events to promote the region and boost MICE tourism.

11 Unique Stays For 2026

11 Unique Stays For 2026

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

Stay somewhere that's as memorable as your destination, and India's got plenty of surprises!