Mumbai : The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis has congratulated the Former spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party, Shehzad Poonawalla on his victory in the 2nd season of the reality show ‘Rise and Fall’. On Sunday, the CM took to his X, formerly Twitter, and penned a long note for Shehzad on his victory, and lauded him for his decision to donate his prize money to the CM Relief Fund for Maharashtra’s drought-hit farmers. He wrote, “Your gesture of donating the prize money to the CM Relief Fund for Maharashtra’s drought-hit farmers is truly appreciated. Thank you for standing with our Baliraja”.

Shehzad Poonawalla’s contribution to the CM Relief Fund comes amid the state facing one of its most widespread drought crises in recent years. The state government has declared 305 of its 358 talukas drought-affected, covering more than 85% of the state’s geographical area. The declaration follows a deficient 2026 southwest monsoon, with Maharashtra receiving 804.4 mm of rainfall against the normal 994.5 mm, a shortfall of approximately 19%.

Marathwada is the worst-hit region, as it recorded a 38% rainfall deficit, Vidarbha follows with a 27% deficit. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has the highest number of drought-affected talukas, at 76, followed by Amravati (56), Nashik (52), Nagpur (52) and Pune (51). More than eight lakh farmers have been affected, with soybean and cotton crops suffering. Meanwhile, Shehzad Poonawalla was officially declared the winner of the 2nd season of ‘Rise and Fall’. The show, backed by a powerhouse creative team led by Banijay India, MX Original was hosted by Virender Sehwag. The show is available to stream on MX Player by Prime Video.

MUMBAI — In a decisive move to curb air pollution and prevent fire hazards, civic authorities and district administrations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and neighboring cities have rolled out strict restrictions on the use of firecrackers. Taking serious note of a recent surge in fire emergencies, the Thane district administration has imposed a blanket ban on sky rockets and similar aerial firecrackers. The prohibitory order comes into immediate effect and will remain in force for an extended period. This emergency measure was prompted by a series of fire incidents reported across the district during recent celebrations, where burning residues from aerial fireworks fell onto residential buildings and flammable materials, damaging property and endangering lives.
In tandem with the district’s orders, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has issued its own stringent guidelines. Authorities have mandated that only environmentally friendly “green crackers” are permitted. The bursting of any fireworks is now strictly prohibited in public spaces, including main roads, alleys, footpaths, and public grounds, as well as in designated “silence zones” such as hospitals, courts, and educational institutions.

Furthermore, a strict nighttime curfew has been implemented; bursting crackers is completely banned between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. The new regulations also prohibit the use of laser lights and mandate strict authorization and safety protocols for all firecracker vendors. Similar preventive measures are being echoed by surrounding civic bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). These authorities have restricted the bursting of firecrackers in public spaces and set up dedicated helplines to report noise and air pollution violations.
This sweeping crackdown comes amid escalating health concerns. Officials highlighted that high noise levels and toxic smoke pose severe health risks to young children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
Authorities have appealed to all citizens to cooperate with the regulations and prioritize public safety. Residents wishing to report any violations, illegal vendor stalls, or excessive noise can log complaints directly via the pollution control board helplines or through the respective municipal grievance portals and toll-free numbers.

New Delhi : Reacting to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s statement about breaking down to tears during the Babri Masjid demolition, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday accused her of selective concern, alleging that the Congress party has consistently pursued the politics of Muslim appeasement. Speaking to Media, Giriraj Singh said, “She rightly said that she shed tears when the Babri Masjid was demolished and when the Batla House encounter took place. But when there was violence during the Ram temple movement and kar sevaks were killed, she did not shed tears for them. Perhaps that is because the issue concerns Hindus. How committed has Sonia Gandhi ever been to India?” He further questioned Sonia Gandhi’s citizenship and alleged that she had stayed in India illegally for more than 12 years before acquiring citizenship.

“She was married and came to India; she was not minor. She was living in the country illegally for more than 12 years. What affection would she have for the country? I want to ask Sonia ji, you talk about vote theft. You were staying here by committing vote theft without taking citizenship, and you also cast votes,” he told Media. The remarks come as Sonia Gandhi has revisited the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 and the Emergency imposed by her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 in her forthcoming memoir, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, scheduled for publication on November 10. In an interview, Sonia Gandhi recalled breaking down in tears while watching the Babri Masjid being demolished in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. Giriraj Singh also criticised Samajwadi Party leader Sanatan Pandey over his remarks defending the firing on kar sevaks during the Ram temple movement under the then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

“This is the same politics of Muslim appeasement that the Congress pursued through its vote-bank politics. Mulayam Singh Yadav played the same game, as did Lalu Yadav in Bihar. Akhilesh Yadav is playing the same game today,” he said. Separately, commenting on the controversy surrounding Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s Diwali greetings, Giriraj Singh accused him of echoing the views of Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family. “Kharge is merely a mouthpiece of Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family. He only says what is on Rahul Gandhi’s mind. Even on Diwali, Kharge did not extend greetings to Hindus and followers of Sanatan Dharma. Instead, he remembered Eid and its delicacies. When the Congress was in power, it had said that Muslims had the first right to the country’s resources. His remarks have exposed the Congress’s politics of appeasement, particularly Muslim appeasement,” he said.