Maharashtra
Maharashtra: For 2nd year, austere Ganeshotsav, sans crowds amid Covid fears

For the second consecutive year, millions of people in Mumbai, the coastal Konkan region and other parts of the state on Friday cheerfully welcomed Lord Ganesha amid stringent restrictions to ward off the lurking threats of the Covid-19 ‘third wave’.
The state’s biggest public festival’s lowkey celebrations were further hit by an abrupt change in the rules — banning all physical ‘darshan’ at the 2,400-odd public associations which have erected marquees (pandals) for devotees — disappointing the organisers.
“We were all geared to conduct the festival with full Covid-19 protocols but at the last-minute, the new rule with Sec. 144 has been clamped. This has come as a shock to all, but we shall strictly adhere to the government norms for public safety,” the BrihanMumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Samanway Samiti (BSGSS) President Naresh Dahibhavkar told IANS.
The missing crowds could entail huge losses of over Rs
100-crore for the public associations which had hoped to collect devotees offerings in their coffers besides sponsors and advertisers, for carrying out various charitable services round-the-year, rued Dahibhavkar.
Undaunted, the ordinary folks lustily chanting ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’, started bringing the idols of their beloved lord since last night to their homes, housing societies, public or private complexes and associations, and virtually every household in villages, for the low-key but highly devotional celebrations over the next 10 days.
This morning, lakhs of families performed the ‘sthapna poojas’ followed by traditional ‘aartis’ to mark the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
On Saturday, a majority of the households would give the first send-off and perform the immersions of the Ganpati idols marking the one-and-half-day celebrations of the fest ending on September 19.
Considered the God of wisdom, the pot-bellied-elephant-headed Lord Ganesha brings in prosperity and good fortune and drives away obstacles (‘vigna’) and ill-luck.
This year also, the idol height is restricted to 4 feet for marquees and 2 feet for home worship — a significant drop from the pre-pandemic era when some of the majestic Lord Ganesha idols benignly stared down at devotees from 20-feet plus pinnacles.
Hoping to make the best of the austere celebrations, the BSGSS have decided to enhance their Covid-19 volunteer forces by at least 20 per cent to grapple the potential ‘third wave’, said Dahibhavkar.
“From tomorrow, we shall launch health campaigns, organise blood donations and other social activities in a planned manner to avoid crowds,” he added.
Celebrated across the country, the Mumbai-Pune-Nashik-Konkan quadrangle is the main epicentre of the festival with some of the biggest celebrations witnessed here annually.
Not willing to take any chances with the ‘third wave’ apparently round-the-corner, the government has permitted only ‘online’ darshans since even temples and other places of worship are shut as per the Centre’s directives.
“We have made all necessary arrangements for online darshans,” said actor Aadesh Bandekar, the Chairman of Shri SiddhiVinayak Mandir Trust, Mumbai, who is accorded the Minister of State (MoS) status.
The curbs notwithstanding, lakhs of idols of Lord Ganesha came to the homes of people, ranging from Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, ministers, Leaders of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and Pravin Darekar, NCP President Sharad Pawar, state Congress President Nana Patole, city unit chief Bhai Jagtap, leaders of various parties, lawmakers and activists.
Lord Ganesha is also visiting top industrialists, film stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Urmila Matondkar, Nana Patekar, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, the Kapoor clan, the Dutt family, and many more.
Crime
Mumbai Airport Customs Seize Drugs Worth ₹13.83 Crore, 2 Passengers Arrested

Mumbai: The Mumbai Airport Customs officers in two separate cases have seized over 13 kg of smuggled drugs having illicit market value of approx Rs 13.83 crores. Two passengers have been arrested by the Customs for smuggling contraband.
According to the agency sources, on the basis of profiling, the Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) Mumbai, intercepted one passenger who had arrived from Bangkok on Monday.
“During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 11.83 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana), with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 11.83 crores. The narcotic substance was cleverly concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passenger,” said a Customs officer. The said passenger was then arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
In another case, on the basis of specific intelligence, the Customs officers at CSMIA Mumbai intercepted and arrested one passenger who had arrived from Bangkok on Sunday. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 2 kg of suspected hydroponic weed with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 2 crores. The narcotic substance was cleverly concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passeng
Crime
Thane Crime: Senior Citizen’s Bag With Gold Worth ₹58,000 Stolen In Rickshaw By Woman With Child In Dombivli

Thane: A 76-year-old woman’s bag containing a gold chain, a gold ring, and cash worth Rs 58,000 was stolen in a rickshaw in Dombivli by a woman travelling with a small child. The incident took place last Friday, after the victim, Vijaya Bhosale, returned from Ganpati celebrations in Konkan and hired a direct rickshaw from Pandit Dindayal Chowk to her home in Thakurwadi, near Dombivli West railway station.
As the rickshaw began its journey, a 40-year-old woman with a child forcibly entered the vehicle, despite Bhosale stating she had hired it for a solo trip. During the ride, the woman attempted to touch the gold chain around Bhosale’s neck.
When questioned, the woman denied any wrongdoing. However, she had placed her bag close to the elderly woman and managed to steal the gold ornaments and Rs 4,500 in cash from Bhosale’s wallet without being noticed.
It was only after reaching home and attempting to use her phone that Bhosale discovered the valuables were missing. She then realised the theft likely occurred during the shared rickshaw ride. A complaint has been registered at Vishnunagar police station, and authorities suspect the woman who forced her way into the rickshaw is responsible, as reported.
Reports suggest that some women have been targeting passengers near Dombivli railway station, using similar tactics. Complicating the investigation, CCTV cameras in the area were not operational at the time of the incident, making it more difficult for police to track down the suspect, described as chubby and accompanied by a child.
Maharashtra
Historic Muhammadan procession recovered from Mumbai Khilafat House…Islam taught peace and the Prophet of Islam emphasized the importance of service to the people: Minister Chhagan Bhujbal

Mumbai: On the occasion of Eid Miladunnabi, a procession of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was taken out with great pomp from Khilafat House, and the streets of Mumbai echoed with the slogan of Takbir-Allahu Akbar. The procession was led by Tausif Raza, along with Food and Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Earlier, while addressing the Seerat-e-Pak gathering at Khilafat House, the Prophet (peace be upon him) preached brotherhood and Hindu-Muslim unity, saying that Muslims took out the procession of Eid Miladunnabi on September 8 instead of September 5 because Muslims are in minority and they are younger brothers.
Therefore, it is also the duty of the majority to take care of their brothers. Unless Hindus and Muslims unite, this country cannot progress and this is the beauty of this country that Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb is still prevalent here. Describing the teachings of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him), Maulana Tauseef Raza said that Islam is not just 450 years or 1500 years old, but is very ancient and the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not 1500 years old. However, it can be said that it has been 1500 years since the migration of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). He further said that His Holiness has a belief, that is why he says, “Do the work that pleases you. It is good. May the name of Reza please you. Millions of blessings be upon you.” Wise, intellectual and politically savvy people of the world say that Islam has been there for 1400 years. The celebration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cannot be 1400 years old. This migration of the Prophet (peace be upon him) may be 1500 years old this year. Muslims have not existed for 1500 years. The foundation of Islam was laid when Allah produced the light of Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) from His light. Allah Almighty kept the light of Muhammad with Himself. The birth of Eid Miladunnabi (peace be upon him) was not celebrated by His Holiness, but it is a divine Sunnah. The foundation of Miladunnabi (peace be upon him) is linked to Bareilly Sharif. When the rebellious sect was conspiring to erase Miladunnabi (PBUH), His Majesty presented arguments regarding Miladunnabi (PBUH). Today the 107th procession of Eid Miladunnabi has been taken out from Khilafat House. Muslims are a minority in this country and so the majority should take care of them and treat them with kindness, honesty and generosity. They should also treat Muslims and their festivals well. Only then will this country progress. This will establish brotherhood and communal harmony and love will flourish.
Addressing the gathering, Minister of State for Food and Supplies Chhagan Bhujbal said that Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) taught humanity, peace, security and love, unity and equality. In Islam, the Prophet of Islam gave importance to service to the people and also taught to take care of others. This is why peace is emphasized the most in Islam. After this, Chhagan Bhujbal mentioned the freedom struggle and Khilafat Movement of Maulana Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali and said that Maulana Ali brothers had blown the trumpet of independence from this Khilafat House and Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were also with them from here. In this gathering, Khilafat House Committee Chairman Sarfaraz Arzoo highlighted the purpose and goal of the Khilafat Committee and Eid Miladunnabi (peace be upon him) procession. Addressing the gathering, former minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik, while highlighting the life of Prophet Muhammad Saheb, said that Prophet Muhammad Saheb taught the world the lesson of peace and security by eliminating discrimination and inequality, hence Islam is a religion of peace and its followers are also peace loving. Political and social leaders and scholars including former MLA Waris Pathan, MLA Amin Patel participated in the gathering, while Maulana Mahmood Sir conducted it.
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