Maharashtra
Mumbai: Writing challenge for students as Maharashtra SSC Board exams return to pre-Covid norms

Mumbai: As the class 10 secondary school certificate (SSC) examinations return to the pre-Covid norms, city schools are faced with a distinct challenge: getting students to write for three hours at a stretch.
While studies like the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2022 have documented the decline in reading and maths levels of school-going children during the pandemic, the schools also found them to be severely lacking in writing – a key skill for the state board’s pen-and-paper subjective tests for class 10. With the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Examination (MSBSHSE) withdrawing all the concessions given last year, including a home centre for exams, reduced syllabus and additional time, finishing the papers on time has become a daunting task for many, said the teachers.
Less than adequate writing practice a hurdle
According to school heads, most of the students didn’t get sufficient writing practice when schools switched from physical classrooms to digital modes of teaching for almost two years since Covid broke out in March 2020. “The biggest challenge we are facing is that the students are not able to write and complete the paper on time. Their writing process has gone for a toss… Many of them get tired after writing for an hour or so,” said Sangeeta Srivastava, Principal of The Kandivli Education Society’s SVPV Vidyalaya, Kandivali. “Everyone is good at typing, but they give up when asked to write,” she added.
Anjuman-I-Islam’s Allana English High School at Fort is also grappling with this issue. “The students didn’t get much writing practice when the school was shut, as there were no notebooks to be filled,” said Rizwana Satare, Principal of the school.
New measures in place for SSC Board Exams 2023
To make matters more difficult, the state board on Saturday announced doing away with the practice of giving question papers to students 10 minutes before the exam time. “Those 10 minutes were very precious and we had taught students how to take advantage of them. But we are now calling them back to school during their preparatory leave to brief them about this new development,” said Srivastava.
The schools are taking several measures to ensure that the students are adequately trained in writing before they enter the exam halls for their first-ever board test on March 2. While most schools are conducting extensive mock tests, some held special workshops and classes to improve writing skills.
“Post-Covid our students’ writing speed has slowed down to a great extent. Hence, we organised workshops where they were assigned writing practice. We also encourage them to write as many past papers at home as possible, even if that means copying answers from textbooks. This way, they will not learn their answers, but will also improve their pace and stamina of writing,” said Sudhir Ghagas, Head Master, Padmashri Annasaheb Jadhav Vidyalaya, Bhiwandi.
The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-run Tilak Nagar Hindi School in Chembur has carried out multiple mock tests. “Students need to practice as they have lost their habit of writing during the past 2-3 years,” said the school Principal Gulabdas Achutra.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Police Issues Traffic Advisory For WPL 2025 Matches At Brabourne Stadium In Churchgate; Details Inside

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police has issued a traffic advisory for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 T20 cricket matches scheduled at Brabourne Stadium in Churchgate from March 10 to March 15. The advisory aims to ensure smooth vehicular movement and minimize inconvenience to the public.
According to the notification issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Traffic, Pradnya Jedge, the restrictions will be in effect daily from 12 pm to 11:55 pm during the match days.
Traffic Restrictions & No Parking Zones
To prevent congestion, the Pay & Park facility on key roads near the stadium will be temporarily suspended, and parking will be prohibited in the following areas:
– Veer Nariman Road (Sunder Mahal Junction to Churchgate Junction)
– Dinshaw Vachha Road (Marine Plaza Junction to Western India Automobile Association Chowk)
– N.S Road (Sunder Mahal Junction to Air India Junction, both South & North Bound)
– Jamshethji Tata Road (CD Deshmukh Chowk to Churchgate Junction, both South & North Bound)
Additionally, all vehicles, except emergency services, will be prohibited from using these roads during the restricted hours.
Mumbai Indians Eye Top Spot In WPL 2025
On the sporting front, the Mumbai Indians will aim to climb to the top of the WPL 2025 points table, beginning with their match against the in-form Gujarat Giants on Monday.
Currently placed third with 8 points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.267, Mumbai Indians have a crucial opportunity to secure first place by winning their upcoming matches against Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. A double victory would take them to 12 points, guaranteeing a top finish.
Finishing first is particularly important for Mumbai Indians as it would help them avoid playing a fourth match within six days, reducing player fatigue ahead of the knockout stage.
With both traffic arrangements and on-field action heating up, Mumbai is set for an exciting week of cricket and logistical management around Brabourne Stadium.
Maharashtra
ASI protects the dargah of Aurangzeb (may Allah be pleased with him)

Mumbai: On the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad, Aurangabad, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has clarified that this tomb is protected under the ASI Act and he held the Congress government responsible for this.
He said that the government will take a decision regarding Aurangzeb’s tomb, but it will not be done in a hurry. He said that before taking a decision regarding the tomb, the ASI Special Act will have to be amended or some other way will have to be adopted. On the other hand, the demand for removal and demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb is gaining momentum.
BJP leader and MLA Nitesh Rane has said that just as bulldozers are run on religious places early in the morning, in the same way one day action will be taken on Aurangzeb’s tomb. After this statement of Nitesh Rane, the uproar has intensified.
Devendra Fadnavis, while speaking about Aurangzeb’s Samadhi on the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, has revealed the government’s policy on its removal. He said that if needed, the Samadhi and Mazar will be removed by amending the ASI Act.
Aurangzeb died in 1707, he fought the Marathas for 27 years. As per his wish, he was buried in the premises of his Pir Sheikh Zainuddin Dargah. According to the information given in the death certificate, Rs 1.4 million was spent on his burial.
Maharashtra
Case filed against journalist for insulting Moin Miyan

Mumbai: Mumbra police have filed a case against Mumbai TV journalist Jain Syed for insulting the honour of Hazrat Maulana Moinuddin Ashraf alias Moin Miyan and hurting religious sentiments.
The complainant Mumbra resident Bilala Ahmed Muhammad Rafiq Qazi, 37, lodged a complaint at Mumbra police station stating that he received an objectionable and controversial video related to Moin Miyan on his mobile phone which aired objectionable content against Moin Miyan, causing outrage in Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) as Moinuddin Ashraf, also known as Moin Miyan, is also the head of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Sunni Jamiat Ulema (SJU).
This hurt the sentiments of his followers and relatives, following which the Mumbra police have registered a case against journalist Zain Sayed under Sections 299, 3(5) of the IPC for broadcasting controversial content against Moin Mian. The police are further investigating the matter.
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