Maharashtra
Maharashtra Esports Open Championship 2025 inaugurated in Pune
Pune, Feb 17: Maharashtra Esports Open Championship 2025 has been inugurated by Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse on Monday.
Raksha Khadse hailed the first-ever state-backed tournament and emphasised that esports not only requires exceptional technical skill but also immense mental fortitude, quick decision-making, and teamwork traits that mirror those required in traditional sports.
After being a demonstration sport at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, esports became a medal sport at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Organized by the Federation of Electronic Sports Associations India (FEAI) and the Maratha Esports Association (MEA), the event will witness 2100 participants from across the state, out of which 52 finalists have already made it to the Grand Finale.
“This event is especially significant as it comes at a time when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recognized the growing importance of esports, with the Olympic Esports Games set to debut in 2027. The IOC’s decision has spurred countries, including India, to take significant strides in supporting esports as a legitimate sport. Maharashtra’s active role in this process positions it as a key player in the digital sports revolution,” Raksha Khadse said during her address.
In a major boost for esports, the Government of India formally classified esports as a “multisport event” under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in December 2023, further cementing its status. Just last week, the government also announced that esports players would receive cash incentives for outstanding performances, similar to other traditional sports.
“The growth of esports continues to make waves globally, with events like the 2023 Asian Games and world championships offering rewards that rival traditional sports leagues like the IPL. Esports is also expected to be a prominent feature of the 2027 Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia, where players from around the world will compete for the first time in Olympic history,” the MoS added.
Maharashtra is now set to become the esports hub of the country, thanks to the state’s commitment to developing infrastructure, funding, and opportunities for esports athletes.
“With over 500 million gamers in India, the esports sector is poised for explosive growth. As Maharashtra leads the charge in supporting esports development, the state is confident that India’s players will soon bring home medals from prestigious events like the Olympic Esports Games, Asian Games, and World Championships,” the Minister elaborated.
As India continues to expand its esports footprint, it’s essential for parents to recognize these qualities and support their children in pursuing esports, much like other sports.
Jet Synthesis chairman Siddhant Joshi, Jet Synthesis MD Rajan Nawani, MIT World Peace University vice-chancellor RM Chitnis, FEAI president Vaibhav Dange were also in attendance during the inauguration event.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Cleanliness of Narelwadi graveyard since Shab-e-Barat, restoration of closed pillars in the graveyard, cleaning of the graveyard by Corporator Waqar Khan’s team

Mumbai: Ahead of Shab-e-Barat, the process of cleaning the graveyard is underway. South Mumbai Ward No. 211 Corporator Waqar Khan met the trustees of Narelwadi graveyard recently. During this meeting, it was revealed by the trustees that the six high-mast lights installed in the graveyard had been switched off for the last eight months, due to which severe difficulties were being faced at night.
Taking the issue seriously, Waqar Khan spoke to the concerned officers of the BMC and demanded an immediate solution to the problem. Initially, the officers told that a fund of about Rs 24 lakh was required for this work, which is not available at the moment and it has to be approved.
Later, Waqar Khan maintained constant contact with senior officers and ward officers, as a result of which all the high-mast lights were reactivated within just two days.
During the visit to the graveyard, it was also observed that there is a need for serious cleaning. So within two to three days, under the leadership of Waqar Khan, about 40 to 50 locals of Madanpur Hanagpada personally took up the task of cleaning the graveyard without any political motive. In two to three hours, the area around about 50 graves was cleaned.
Taking forward this spirit, it was decided that a major cleaning drive would be launched on Sunday, February 1, in which 100 to 150 local, non-political people would participate.
This cleaning drive would continue from 11 am to 3 pm, with the aim of making this final resting place of Muslims clean, tidy and dignified. This drive is being carried out purely as a public service and religious and social responsibility, which does not involve any political motive.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Court Bars Filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap & Others From Making Statements Against Salman Khan, Family

Mumbai: The city civil court on Friday barred filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap and others from making any comments against Salman Khan and his family on any platform, in any form, while granting interim relief to the actor in a defamation suit filed against the filmmaker and others.
Khan had filed a defamation suit against Kashyap, Komal Mehru, Khushnoo Hazare, Ashok Kumar / John Doe, and various social media platforms for allegedly making defamatory statements against him and his family. While issuing restraining orders, the court observed that freedom of speech does not mean one can use abusive or threatening language against any individual.
Khan had approached the court following allegedly “scandalous, false, and grossly defamatory” statements made by Kashyap against him and his family members in various video interviews aired on the “Bollywood Thikana” channel, owned by Hazare. In those interviews and videos, Kashyap is alleged to have used offensive language and accused the family of running a cartel to destroy careers.
There are allegedly 26 such video interviews and podcasts released between September and December 2025, which are at the centre of the controversy. In the suit filed through advocate Pradeep Gandhy, Khan sought a permanent injunction and Rs9 crore in damages for the comments made by Kashyap and others against him and his family.
Maharashtra
Crackdown on illegal street vendors in Andheri, Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘K-Waste’ department takes action, citizens are relieved

Mumbai: Around 200 unauthorised hawkers and additional structures on footpaths in Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg (Arla Marg) area of Andheri (West) in Mumbai were evicted by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘K-West’ department yesterday (January 29, 2026). The operation, as per the instructions of Municipal Corporation Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-4) Bhagya Shri Kapse, and Assistant Commissioner (K-West Division) Chakrapani Ale. Unauthorised additional structures were found on footpaths connecting Swami Vivekananda Marg and Gulmohar Marg in Andheri (West) and on Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg (Arla Marg) adjacent to the entrance of Dr. No. Cooper Hospital. It was also observed that unauthorised hawkers have set up shops in this area. It was creating obstacles for ambulances bringing patients to Cooper Hospital in case of emergency and for pedestrians to walk on the footpaths.
In this context, an eviction drive was launched by the ‘K-West’ administrative department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Under this, around 200 unauthorized hawkers and unauthorized additional structures established on the footpaths in this area were evicted.
The eviction was carried out with the help of 04 encroachment removal vehicles, 03 JCBs and other equipment. During this operation, an adequate police force including 100 officers and employees of the Municipal Corporation were deployed. Local representatives and citizens are expressing satisfaction over this action. The Municipal Corporation administration has made it clear that regular evictions against unauthorized structures will continue in the future.
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