Maharashtra
Haj 2022 will be fully online, with a ‘swadeshi’ touch: Naqvi

After two years’ ban on Haj owing to the Covid-19 crisis, the Indian government has announced the 2022 schedules for the most important pilgrimage of Muslims, with a fully online process and a ‘swadeshi’ touch, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said here on Monday.
All Muslims who are fully vaccinated and desirous of proceeding for Haj next year, including women without male companions, can apply online or through the upgraded Haj Mobile App before the deadline of January 31, 2022, the minister said.
With an emphasis on ‘Vocal For Local’, Haj 2022 pilgrims will go with indigenous products, which will be bought in India.
“Earlier, Haj pilgrims used to buy bed sheets, pillows, towels, umbrellas and other items in Saudi Arabia in foreign currency. These will be available in India at about 50 per cent lower prices compared with Saudi Arabia,” said Naqvi.
All these items will be given to Haj pilgrims at their respective embarkation points in India, the minister told mediapersons with the Vice Consul-General of Saudi Arabia in Mumbai, Mohammed Abdul Karim Al-Enazi, Joint Secretary at the Centre Nigar Fatima and Haj Committee of India CEO Mohammed Yakoob Shekha, present.
For decades, Haj pilgrims used to buy all these items in Saudi Arabia in foreign currency, and though most products were Indian-made, they were available at twice or thrice the rates in Saudi Arabia, he pointed out.
According to some estimates, this will save crores of rupees for the Indian pilgrims, around 200,000 who go to perform the annual Haj pilgrimage, barring the 2020-2021 seasons.
The selection process will be as per the criterial and guidelines of both India and Saudi Arabia.
This time, the embarkation points for Haj 2022 have been slashed by half from 21 to just 10 in India, the minister said.
The embarkation points are: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Cochin, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Srinagar, with their respective states and other neighbouring regions in their jurisdiction.
A Digital Health Card, ‘E-Masiha’ and ‘E-Luggage Pre-tagging’ will provide all information pertaining to accommodation or transportation in Mecca-Medina to all the pilgrims, he said.
Naqvi said that over 3,000 women without male companion had applied for the last two years’ Haj seasons which were cancelled and their applications would be valid for Haj-2022.
Besides, other women can also apply fresh for Haj-2022 and all these applications under the without ‘Mehram’ category shall be exempt from the lottery system.
Crime
Burglary Cases Surge In Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, And Thane; Police’s Strategy Busts Chaddi-Baniyan Gang

Recently, there has been a rise in housebreaking cases in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane, which has resulted in a coordinated police initiative that led to the capture of the infamous Chaddi-Baniya gang. Significantly, law enforcement captured two siblings by employing an ingenious strategy that involved a water truck to ensnare them.
This group had created anxiety in the neighborhood, as their actions were frequently hard to track. Investigations showed that the gang leased a house and utilised a path through a different city during their heists, making detection more difficult.
A significant development occurred when authorities discovered that the gang leader’s brother was imprisoned at Yerwada jail, leading to additional investigations into the gang’s familial ties. This directed them to a chawl in Sabe village, where the gang was believed to live.
Law enforcement formulated a strategy to collect additional information by delivering water from a tanker, earning the confidence of the community. Ultimately, a group of 25-30 officers encircled the chawl and apprehended the suspects, recognized as Shahaji Pawar and Ankush Pawar, hailing from Kalamb in the Dharashiv district.
In the meantime, the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Crime Branch celebrated another major success by capturing members of a gang that had robbed an industrialist in the Nigdi Authority region, recovering valuables valued at Rs 6.15 lakh following a 11,200-kilometre pursuit in Rajasthan.
Similar Incident
A 37-year-old history-sheeter, Mohammad, was arrested for a shooting incident in Dharavi, Mumbai, where Sarvar Begum Shaikh, 32, was injured while shopping. The incident occurred on July 27 at 90 Feet Road. Sarvar was shot in the hand, and after surgery at Sion Hospital, her condition is stable.
Initially unaware of the injury, she realised something was wrong when blood started to flow. Police are investigating whether she was a random victim or caught in crossfire, reviewing CCTV footage, and examining Mohammad’s potential link to other crimes. A case was registered under relevant laws.
Maharashtra
MUMBAI’S CRICKET MUSEUM SET TO OPEN SOON

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is pleased to announce the upcoming inauguration of the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum in the second half of August 2025. Located at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, the museum is a tribute to Mumbai’s rich cricketing heritage and the legendary figures who have shaped its success.
At the museum’s entrance, visitors will be welcomed by life-size statues of Shri Sharad Pawar and cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar who remains one of Mumbai’s and India’s most iconic sporting figures. Gavaskar’s statue, in particular, stands as a symbol of excellence and dedication that will inspire aspiring young cricketers for generations to come.
The highlight of the museum is a priceless collection of rare and iconic memorabilia donated by Mumbai’s legendary cricketers. These historic items reflect the deep-rooted legacy of Mumbai cricket and its contribution to Indian and world cricket.
The museum also features a cutting-edge audio-visual experience centre, bringing to life the stories, milestones, and memorable moments of Mumbai’s cricketing journey.
“The MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum is our heartfelt tribute to the stalwarts of Mumbai cricket and a testament to the visionary leadership of Shri Sharad Pawar. This museum stands as a living chronicle of Mumbai cricket’s unparalleled legacy, dedicated to preserving its rich history and inspiring future generations.
The statue of Shri Sunil Gavaskar, one of India’s greatest cricketing legends, will serve as a powerful symbol of excellence and determination. His monumental contributions to Indian and Mumbai cricket will continue to motivate young cricketers to dream big and aim high,” said MCA President Shri Ajinkya Naik.
“The MCA invites all cricket lovers and the public to visit and experience this one-of-a-kind tribute to Mumbai cricket” said Shri Abhay Hadap, Secretary MCA.
Maharashtra
Mumbai News: BMC Appeals SC, Says Restoring Kanjur Mangroves Not Feasible Due To Lack Of Alternative Dump Site

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court, challenging the Bombay High Court’s directive to restore a 142-hectare landfill in Kanjurmarg to its original mangrove forest status.
No Viable Alternative For Waste Disposal
The civic body, in its plea filed on July 26, claimed it has no viable alternative land for the disposal of 90 per cent of Mumbai’s solid waste, currently being dumped at the Kanjur site.
The High Court had issued the restoration order in May, citing violations of the Forest Conservation Act. The land, originally classified as a protected forest, was permitted for use as a dumping ground in 2006 under the condition that mangroves would remain untouched. However, a 2009 notification by the Maharashtra government de-notified the entire stretch, triggering legal action by environmental NGO Vanashakti.
BMC Claims Parts Of Dumping Site Mistakenly Notified As Protected Forest Land
In March this year, the High Court ordered BMC to restore 119.91 hectares of the site back to its forest condition. The BMC’s Supreme Court plea contends that a July 2008 notification mistakenly included parts of the waste disposal site as protected forest land. The state, upon realising the error, attempted to correct it and filed an application in the High Court to that effect.
The BMC has argued that the Maharashtra government later issued a 2012 notification clarifying that only 118.41 hectares of land were to be used for dumping, explicitly excluding 23.26 hectares covered by mangroves. The civic body stated that the High Court’s ruling failed to consider this clarification and wrongly concluded that the state lacked the authority to make such a correction without the Centre’s approval.
Vanashakti Organisation Chief Slams Timing Of Plea
Calling the High Court’s order ‘erroneous,’ the BMC urged the Supreme Court to quash the decision. Reacting strongly to the appeal, Vanashakti director and petitioner Stalin D criticised the timing. “The HC gave BMC three months to act. But we were served notice of the SLP only on Thursday, a day before Friday’s hearing. This was clearly strategised and unethical. We’ll attend the hearing virtually and challenge it head-on, The case now moves to the apex court, where a final decision on the fate of the Kanjurmarg mangroves awaits.
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