Maharashtra
Mumbai’s famed ‘dabbawalas’ mourn the demise of Queen Elizabeth

The famed ‘dabbawala’ (tiffin-carrier) community of Mumbai mourned the passing away of Great Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at 96 after a brief illness, here on Friday.
The Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association Charitable Trust Chairman Ulhas Muke said the Mumbai dabbawalas shared a close association with Britain’s royal family.
“We are extremely sad to hear about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II… There was a wave of shock and disbelief among the dabbawalas community last night when they heard the devastating news. We all pray that her soul rests in peace,” said Muke in a statement.
As a token tribute, the dabbawalas paid homage to the Queen at the Borivali railway station in north Mumbai, since Friday is a public holiday, NMTBSACT spokesperson Ritesh Shantaram Andre told IANS.
Maharashtra and Mumbai are currently immersed in the immersion ceremonies of gigantic, big, medium and small idols of Lord Ganesh on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi, marking the curtains on the 10-day long Ganeshotsav festival.
The dabbawalas enjoyed a close rapport with the British royalty ever since the Prince of Wales — now King Charles — visited and interacted with them first in 2003.
Highly impressed by their work and sheer dedication, later the British royal family had invited the dabbawalas’ leaders to Prince Charles and Camilla’s wedding in April 2005.
Two dabbawalas’ representatives — Raghunath Medge and Sopan Mare — attended the royal wedding, rubbing shoulders with other VVIPs from across the globe.
At the wedding, the dabbawalas had gifted a kurta set to Prince Charles and a sari to his wife Camilla, plus one trademark ‘dabba’ (tiffin).
In April 2016, during the first visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Mumbai dabbawalas had welcomed them as warmly as they would welcome a ‘mulga’ (son) and ‘suon’ (daughter-in-law).
At that time, the dabbawalas presented the Duchess with a coveted Paithani sari, considered an auspicious gift for a Maharashtrian bride, and a ‘pheta’ (headgear), a picture and statuettes of Lord Vithoba and his consort Rukmini.
Lord Vithoba and his consort are the presiding deities of the state as also the dabbawalas, whose main temple is in the pilgrimage centre of Pandharpur in Solapur district.
Later, in May 2018, during the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the dabbawalas sent a gift of a traditional ‘pheta’ (turban) for the groom and a special kurta-lehenga for his bride.
In May 2019, another body, the Mumbai Dabbawalas Association had presented a special set of silver jewellery to Prince Archie — the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
At that time, MDA spokesperson Subhash Talekar had excitedly told IANS: “We feel as if we have all become ‘Ajoba’ (grandpa). We have presented them with a silver ‘kamarpatta’, ‘toda’ and ‘wala’ (waist-band, wrist-band and anklets), gifted to a grandson.”
The dabbawalas are grateful that it was owing to the respect given to them and their humble trade by King Charles two decades ago that their 132-year-old tribe attained global fame and accolades.
Instantly recognized in their simple but iconic attire — a white kurta, loose pyjama and a cap — since 1890, the 5,000 dabbawalas deliver over 2,00,000 lunch tiffin boxes to hungary government or private companies’ staffers and even students daily all over the city, and post-Coronavirus pandemic, diversified into other related service sectors.
Maharashtra
Loudspeakers of mosques in Mumbai, Kurt Somaiya’s notice against mosques, threat of deteriorating atmosphere, police notice to maintain law and order,

Mumbai: Mumbai The controversy over loudspeakers of Mumbai mosques has now intensified. BJP leader Kret Soumya is adamant on action against mosques in Mumbai, after which the Mumbai Police also issued a restraining order notice to Kret Soumya. But despite all this, Kret Soumya visited the Bhandup police and not only demanded action against loudspeakers, but the police, under Kret Soumya’s pressure, took action against loudspeakers of four mosques in Malind. In addition, an illegal mosque was located in Jala Ram Market. Action was taken against it. So far, 11 loudspeakers have been removed. All these loudspeakers were on the mosque within the limits of the Bhandup police station. This information was given by Kret Soumya.
Bhandup police had issued a notice under Section 168 to Kreet Soumya to maintain law and order, asking him not to visit the Muslim settlements of Bhandup Khandipara during his visit on April 19, as this could pose a threat to law and order and also create traffic problems. Along with this, the police had also issued an order for action under Section 223 for violating the notice, despite which Kreet Soumya appeared at the Bhandup police station.
Kreet Soumya’s incitement against mosques is at its peak, and Kreet Soumya’s campaign in Mumbai city is also threatening law and order and communal harmony, while Kreet Soumya has also warned of intensifying this campaign, which continues to pose a law and order problem in Mumbai city. Kret Soumya’s campaign against mosques has also raised fears of communal tension, while the police have now started the process of sending notices to Kret Soumya for visiting Muslim-majority areas. However, despite this, Kret Soumya tries to pressure police officers by going to the relevant police station, while the police have banned Kret Soumya from entering mosques and other religious places in Muslim-majority areas. This is the first time this action has been taken against Kret Soumya in Bhandup.
Maharashtra
Demolition action on Jain temple in Vile Parle is unfair -: Abu Asim Azmi

Mumbai: On the demolition of the Jain temple in Mumbai’s Vile Parle, Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and Worker’s Assembly termed it as injustice by BMC and said that there is a need to formulate a separate law for religious places because in such a situation there is a risk of deterioration of the environment. He said that the legal stage needs to be completed before taking action on mosques, temples and religious places. The 90-year-old Jain temple was demolished by BMC even before the court’s decision.
This stage was under hearing before the action on the Jain temple, but the BMC has taken this action in a hurry. Before the Jain temple that was demolished, the documents related to the temple and the decision were received. The BMC did not show patience even until the temple was demolished. He said that the BMC takes more swift action on the demolition of religious places instead of demolishing illegal encroachments. He said that the order not to take action on structures and religious places built before 1995 was given by Chief Minister Manohar Joshi. He said that action is needed against such officers who promote illegal constructions and along with action against them, fines should also be collected from them for the demolition of illegal structures.
Maharashtra
Congress locks Mumbai ED office, Case registered against Congress workers

Mumbai: Mumbai Enforcement Directorate Police have registered a case against 15 to 20 Congress workers for protesting by locking the ED office. The protest was held at the ED office when it was on holiday and the Congress workers locked the already locked office. According to the police, the office was closed during the protest, but a case has been registered against Congress workers and protesters in this case. The protesters also raised anti-government slogans during the protest at the ED office and the protesters said that Modi sends the ED forward whenever he is afraid. Congressmen have continued to protest against the investigation and inclusion of their names in the charge sheet against Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case. Congressmen have protested in the same manner, after which a case has been registered. This case was registered by MRA Marg Police and the investigation is ongoing. No one has been arrested in this case, this has been confirmed by local DCP Praveen Kumar. Police have tightened security around the office following the protest.
-
Crime3 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra7 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra6 months ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra7 months ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News6 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Crime6 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
Maharashtra5 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News7 months ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface