Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday visited the residence of his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The visit took place at Raj Thackeray’s residence, ‘Shivtirth,’ in Mumbai, where Lord Ganesha was welcomed with devotion and grandeur.

Uddhav Thackeray was accompanied by his wife Rashmi Thackeray and sons Aaditya and Tejas. The Thackeray family participated in the Ganesh puja and offered prayers together, marking the auspicious occasion with traditional rituals.

A video surfaced online, showing Uddhav Thackeray offering prayers and seeking blessings from Lord Ganpati. As Maharashtra celebrates Ganeshotsav with great enthusiasm, the meeting between the Thackeray families stood out as a moment of togetherness and shared devotion.

The Ganeshotsav is being celebrated across Maharashtra with great devotion and festive spirit. The 10-day festival, dedicated to Lord Ganpati, marks his arrival into homes and public mandals with rituals, music, and vibrant decorations. From iconic pandals like Lalbaugcha Raja to the local community, devotees are gathering in large numbers to offer prayers and seek blessings for prosperity, peace, and new beginnings.

In other news, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his family welcomed Ganpati Bappa at their Mumbai residence on Wednesday, marking the start of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities with devotion and tradition. On the occasion, CM Fadnavis, along with his wife Amruta Fadnavis, performed the aarti at their official residence, Varsha.

The Chief Minister and his family carried out the aarti and pooja as part of the ceremonial welcome for Lord Ganesha. A video that surfaced online captures the Fadnavis family performing rituals, offering prayers, and joyfully celebrating Ganpati Bappa’s arrival at their home.

Mumbai: Based on specific intelligence that a syndicate was fraudulently availing drawback and RoSCTL benefit by exporting misdeclared and highly overvalued garments to various African countries by using several dummy IECs from ICD Talegaon (Pune), officers of DRI intercepted two such live consignments.

DRI uncovers bogus IEC export scam

Examination of the said consignment revealed that misdeclared and inferior quality goods were being exported at grossly inflated values. Simultaneous searches were conducted at eight premises in Mumbai. Preliminary investigations revealed that 14 IECs, identified so far, were issued in the names of fictitious individuals and were non-existent/bogus.

All export documentation and invoices were prepared by a Mumbai-based mastermind. Crucial digital evidence, including fake invoices, were recovered during searches. In his voluntary statement, the mastermind admitted that the syndicate procured low-quality goods from local markets in Mumbai, Kolkata, and other cities without invoices or e-way bills, and exported them by overvaluing to the extent of five to six times their actual value. Using this modus operandi, they fraudulently availed drawback benefits of approximately Rs 18.74 crore and RoSCTL benefits of approximately Rs 96 crore.

The mastermind, who has orchestrated the whole scheme, was arrested along with the customs broker, who was a complicit in the fraud and received commission for processing such exports. Further investigation is under progress.

Mumbai: In a move aimed at preserving the cultural identity of local residents in the Bandra Government Colony redevelopment project, the Public Works Department has taken an important decision. Due to the consistent efforts of Cabinet Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale, a 400 sq. meter space in the colony has been allocated for the establishment of the Pragya Cultural Centre, which will include a Buddha Vihar and a public library.

Social Centre Secured for 30 Years

The proposed Social Welfare Centre will serve as a hub for cultural and intellectual activities, while also strengthening community ties within the redeveloped colony. As per the lease agreement, the space will be provided to the centre for 30 years at a nominal rate.

The ownership of the land will remain with the Public Works Department, and the area will continue to hold its designated reservation as a ‘Samaj Mandir’ (community temple).

“Redevelopment may change physical structures, but retaining the culture and social identity of the locality is far more important. This space will safeguard the cultural heritage of the residents,” said Cabinet Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale.

Pragya Centre to Promote Culture

The Pragya Cultural Centre is expected to promote reading culture, open new avenues for spiritual and cultural activities at the Buddha Vihar, and ensure that the cultural heartbeat of the colony remains alive even after redevelopment.