Mumbai: A meeting was organised today to familiarise the newly elected members of the Health Committee with the healthcare facilities provided by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Heads of various departments like major hospitals, public health department, suburban hospitals which are part of the health system of the Municipal Corporation made detailed presentations before the members of the Health Committee. On this occasion, Health Committee Chairman Harish Bhaginde directed the Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration to disseminate and expand the healthcare facilities provided by the Municipal Corporation more effectively at the local level.

The meeting was attended by all the members of the Health Committee, Deputy Commissioner (Public Health). Sharad Uday, Director (Major Hospitals and Medical Colleges) Dr. Shailesh Mohte, Deans of all major hospitals, concerned officers of various sub-departments of the Health Department were present. Information about the health sector services provided by major hospitals and medical colleges, Public Health Department, suburban hospitals under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation were presented in detail through a presentation. Information about the location of hospitals in the health system, number of beds, staff capacity, etc. was presented on this occasion. Along with this, information about the ongoing infrastructure development works to empower the health system, engineering works to increase the capacity of hospitals, increase in bed capacity, etc. was provided during the presentation. Information about the health facilities provided in slums through the Public Health Department system was also presented. Apart from this, information about various initiatives for blood pressure, diabetes, healthy diet, yoga was also provided to the members. Information about various medical facilities provided by the health system in health institutions should be disseminated to the general public. Accordingly, Health Committee Chairman Harish directed the Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration to further promote and expand health facilities at the local level. Creating more awareness about diseases like tuberculosis, the Health Committee members suggested that special efforts be made in some wards regarding the facilities available and treatment as well as diagnosis.

Mumbai: A controversy has started at St Teresa High School in Charni Road, Mumbai, with a few of the students allegedly being barred from writing their examinations for not following the school’s guidelines on haircuts. The controversy emerged during a scheduled exam.

It has been alleged that the students were checked at the gate before entering the school for the exam. The students who failed to meet the set standards for haircuts were allegedly not allowed to enter the school and were asked to wait outside the school gate, thus missing an important exam.

The issue gained widespread attention after a video recorded by a parent began circulating online. In the video, the parent can be heard questioning the school’s decision while pointing towards the students.

“Dekho ye mera bacha hai… aap batao kahan se iske baal badhe hue hain. Do-teen mahine mein humne baal chhote karwaye hain, phir bhi exam se utha diya… bol rahe hain baal katwa ke aao,” the parent says in the video.

He further adds that multiple students were affected, saying, “Yeh akela bacha nahi hai… yeh saare bachhon ko paper nahi dene de rahe… bol rahe hain baal kata ke aao.”

Expressing frustration, the parent claims he had already complained to the police and questioned the school’s priorities, “Education ke upar inka dhyan bilkul bhi nahi hai… sirf baal kata ke aao par dhyan de rahe hain.”

The parent also alleged that marks had been unfairly deducted in earlier exams and urged authorities to take action against the school.

The issue gained traction after a video from outside the school surfaced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showing students being stopped at the gate. The post questioned whether such strict enforcement was fair, especially during exams, and called for immediate action from authorities.

Social media users reacted strongly, with many criticising the school’s approach. One user wrote, “Wow. Haircut? Inko koi batayega, actually they need classes for this, that haircut is not that important, tumhare interview mein haircut ko nahi dekhenge, discipline baal se nahi aata.” Another commented, “Rules are fine, but stopping students from writing exams is too harsh.”

Another mentioned, “The problem is that not a lot of people realise that these days men don’t have hair after 25. Most of us will lose them due to N number of factors. So it is school then college, basically Men don’t get to enjoy their hair in most cases. Rules are important but also update them..”

At the same time, a few users noted that schools often have grooming policies, but agreed that barring students from exams may not be the right way to enforce them.

Until now, no official statement has been made by St. Teresa High School regarding the matter. This has only increased the concern among parents, who are asking the education department to look into the matter.

The case has once again posed a pertinent question to society: what limits do schools have to set in front of the right to education of their students?

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has made a serious allegation in the Assembly and demanded strict action against BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. He said that BJP leaders are targeting Muslim-majority areas due to their hateful agenda, due to which the certificates of 355 children in Malegaon have been cancelled. Malegaon Corporation has examined 3,411 certificates, in which the certificates of 355 children have been cancelled. These children are between the ages of 5 and 7. In such a situation, it is difficult for these children to get admission in school and their future is in danger of being bleak. He said that BJP leaders are creating an atmosphere of hatred in the name of Bangladeshi Rohingyas, while there is nothing like that. An SIT was formed in Malegaon on this issue and an investigation was started, but so far the SIT has not submitted a report. This report should be made public soon. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya is targeting Malegaon in his hateful politics. Just because it is a Muslim majority area, Malegaon is being called a hub for terrorists and Rohingya Bangladeshi infiltrators. How have the hate-based politicians forgotten that Malegaon is a historic city of martyrs? The issuance of birth certificates of children has been stopped, which deprives the child of admission in schools. Birth certificates issued earlier are also being cancelled. If an SIT has been conducted to investigate these allegations, the information should be made public and action should be taken against those found guilty. However, it is not right to withhold birth certificates from everyone and impose a ban on correction of names. Azmi has also demanded action against Kirit Somaiya on this issue. He also accused Kirit Somaiya of pressurizing government officials.