Mumbai, Sep 13: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the inaugural session of Hindi Diwas 2026 and the sixth All India Official Language Conference in Mumbai on Monday, an official said.

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the event will highlight the vibrant relationship of Hindi with Maharashtra’s rich linguistic, cultural, and literary traditions, the official said in a statement.

On this occasion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, several Members of Parliament, distinguished guests from various fields, scholars, litterateurs, educationists, and senior officials from various departments and Ministries of the Central government will also be present.

The Department of Official Language of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been organising All India Official Language Conferences every year since 2021.

This journey, which began from Varanasi, has reached Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra this year, passing through Surat, Pune, New Delhi and Gandhinagar.

During the inaugural session of the two-day programme, the ‘Rajbhasha Gaurav’ and ‘Rajbhasha Kirti’ Awards for the year 2025–26 will be presented by the Union Home Minister, the statement said.

The institutions and individuals who have undertaken outstanding work and made noteworthy contributions in the field of Official Language will be honoured with these awards, it added.

Several important books and publications will also be launched during the inaugural session and other sessions. These include a special commemorative issue of the Department of Official Language’s journal ‘Rajbhasha Bharati’, centred on the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’; ‘Bharatiya Gyan Tantra: Srot aur Swaroop’; ‘Shiv Anadi Hain, Anant Hain’; and ‘Andheron Se Ujalon Tak’, a compilation of writings by prison inmates.

A special attraction of this year’s conference will be a special discussion session centred on the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’.

Joydeep Chattopadhyay will also have a special presence at the programme. He is a fifth-generation descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the author of ‘Vande Mataram’.

A special session will also be organised at the Conference on the role of Town Official Language Implementation Committees (TOLICs/NARAKAS).

NARAKAS is a strong and empowered unit that takes forward the implementation of Official Language Hindi at the grassroots level.

A special exhibition is also being organised at the conference venue, in which stalls will be put up by various institutions, organisations, banks and ministries, the statement said.

During the Ganesh Utsav in Mumbai, a vast number of devotees flock to the city, and citizens participate in the festivities in large numbers. It is essential that citizens stepping out to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesh can move about easily on foot. Therefore, advertisements should not be placed on roads or footpaths in a manner that obstructs pedestrian movement. The Municipal Corporation administration is implementing various measures under the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, which is being executed effectively on a large scale across Mumbai. This campaign is garnering enthusiastic public participation and widespread acclaim. Citizens and all other stakeholders are urged to cooperate with this initiative during the festive season. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has appealed to everyone to refrain from placing unauthorized advertisements on roads and footpaths and to strictly adhere to the regulations.
Under the directives of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, various measures are being taken to ensure the provision of excellent services and facilities across Mumbai during the Shri Ganesh Utsav. Against this backdrop, specific regulations have been formulated regarding the display of commercial advertisements during the Ganesh Utsav and Navratri festivals. Municipal Commissioner Bhide has instructed the Municipal Corporation administration and the Licensing Department to ensure compliance with these regulations and to take immediate action to remove any advertising hoardings that cause obstructions. Key Guidelines Regarding Advertisements

Ganesh Utsav and Navratri Utsav Mandals (organizing committees) must strictly refrain from displaying advertisements for gutkha, tobacco products, or other prohibited items. Care must be taken to ensure that the display of advertisements does not obstruct pedestrian movement on footpaths or traffic on the roads. Mandals may display a message such as “Heartfelt welcome to devotees” on the upper horizontal section of their traditional entrance arch. Commercial advertisements of donors may be displayed on the vertical pillars to the right and left of the entrance. Public awareness should be promoted through the display of social and civic messages. Mandals will be permitted to install digital screens (up to a maximum size of 10 ft x 10 ft) to display messages concerning public interest or health alongside commercial advertisements, provided a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) is obtained from the Traffic Department and the local police station.

Regulations Applicable Post-Immersion

The concerned Mandals are required to take the initiative to remove advertising hoardings themselves—both during the public Ganesh Utsav and Navratri Utsav festivals and on the day following the Visarjan (immersion of the idol). Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has also appealed to the Mandals to display advertisements in an organized manner while upholding the religious and social spirit of these public festivals, and to strictly adhere to the prescribed guidelines.

Continuous heavy rainfall has disrupted normal life in Mumbai and its adjoining areas, as waterlogging at several locations is causing considerable inconvenience to commuters and motorists.

Heavy rains that have continued since Saturday night have resulted in severe waterlogging on the eastern side of Nalasopara Railway Station.

Despite the waterlogged conditions, passengers have been forced to wade through accumulated water to reach their destinations. Large crowds of passengers were also seen inside the station premises amid the ongoing rainfall.

Meanwhile, heavy rains have continued to lash Vasai-Virar city since Saturday night. Due to the persistent rainfall, several roads in Nalasopara, including areas around Centre Park and Tulinj Bridge, have become waterlogged, creating difficulties for motorists as well as pedestrians during the morning hours.

Heavy rainfall has also continued in Mumbai’s Dadar area, leading to inconvenience for commuters travelling through the locality. The railway tracks at Kurla station have also been flooded following the continuous downpour, affecting movement in and around the station.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar for Sunday, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, light to moderate rainfall and strong winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph at some places.

The weather department said, “The sky will generally remain cloudy with occasional moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by lightning and strong winds of 40-50 kmph. Isolated areas may also experience isolated heavy rain.”

Mumbai is likely to witness further rainfall on Monday as well.

The prevailing weather conditions are expected to keep rainfall activity over the city and neighbouring areas.

The IMD has forecast moderate rainfall in Mumbai for the day, which also marks the first day of the famous Ganesh festival.

The idol immersion processions are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, and according to the weather forecast, the city is also expected to receive light to moderate rainfall on that day.