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
‘Welfare Of Police Personnel Is Top Priority For Home Department,’ Says Minister Yogesh Kadam

Mumbai: While responding to a question in the Maharashtra Legislative Council regarding the deaths of on-duty police personnel, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Yogesh Kadam, emphasized that “the welfare of police officers and staff is a key responsibility of the Home Department.”
He informed the House that the causes of death among police personnel in the state vary and include illness and suicide. To address these concerns and safeguard the health of police personnel, the government has undertaken several initiatives.
🔹 Free Treatment for 40 Diseases at 270 Hospitals
Police personnel and their families can avail free treatment for 40 different diseases across 270 hospitals. In Mumbai alone, these services are available at 34 hospitals.
🔹 Special Cancer Screening Camps
Special camps for cancer screening are being organized with support from Tata Hospital and other medical institutions.
🔹 Mental Health Initiatives
To strengthen mental well-being, yoga camps and gym facilities have been launched at various police stations.
🔹 Record Recruitment During Current Tenure
The state government has filled over 85% of vacant posts in the police force, marking the highest recruitment under this administration.
🔹 Compassionate Appointments Without Conditions
In the unfortunate event of an in-service death, a family member of the deceased police personnel is offered a government job on compassionate grounds, without any conditions.
Minister Kadam reiterated the Home Department’s commitment to ensuring the social, mental, and medical welfare of all police personnel and their families.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Urdu Academy should be formed, funds and staff should be appointed for the promotion of Urdu language Abu Asim Azmi

Mumbai: Mumbai Maharashtra Legislative Assembly member Abu Asim Azmi has demanded the immediate formation of Urdu Academy to promote Urdu. He said that academies of other languages including Gujarati and Marathi are active, but the condition of Urdu Academy is pathetic. Earlier there were 25 employees in this academy, but now only the superintendent is left. The remaining 24 have retired. The government needs to pay attention to the plight of Urdu.
The formation of this academy will promote Urdu. Azmi demanded that the Urdu Academy is facing difficulties due to the provision of funds. He said that the government allocates Rs 1 crore on paper, but this fund is not provided. Abu Asim Azmi said that Urdu is the language of our country. Whenever the Chief Minister or any other minister speaks in the House, they resort to Urdu poetry. But when it comes to the establishment of Urdu Academy and the development of Urdu language, the government is doing injustice
Maharashtra
On the third day of Maharashtra Assembly, the opposition protested against the corruption of Rs 3000 crore.

Mumbai: On the third day of Maharashtra Assembly in Mumbai, the opposition accused the ruling party of corruption and protested on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan, accusing the government of giving contracts to every company of its choice. The state’s construction and development department has given a contract of Rs 3000 crore to Mahagathbandhan government’s Megha Engineering Company. Many shortcomings have been found in the work of this company, but despite this it is dear to the government. Therefore, slogans were raised on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan that giving contract to this company is condemnable. Opposition members were also holding banner posters of contractor Megha Engineering, in which the picture of the owner of Megha Company was also visible. The opposition has intensified its protest against corruption in the Mahagathbandhan government. Shiv Sena opposition leader Ambadas Danve, Congress members and all parties including Congress protested loudly on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan and drew the attention of the government towards this.
-
Crime3 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra9 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra9 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
-
Maharashtra9 months ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
Crime9 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
National News9 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra8 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News10 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