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Maharashtra

Thackeray-Shinde groups’ tug-of-war for Shiv Sena Dassehra Rally at Shivaji Park

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The historic Shivaji Park ground here has become the new bone of contention between the two rival Shiv Sena factions, both clamouring to hold the annual calendar event, the Dassehra Rally.

The Shiv Sena President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is facing competition from the rebel faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and even the Raj Thacekray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is toying with the idea of a rally at the Shivaji Park.

The annual mega-rally held on Vijaya Dashami or Dassehra Day each year is expected to be a litmus test on the Shiv Sena and the Shinde Group’s claims that it is the ‘real Shiv Sena’.

Both the factions have applied to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for permission to hold the public rally there on October 5.

Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai, close to Thackeray has sought permission on behalf of the Shiv Sena, while Dadar MLA Sada Sarvankar has submitted an application on behalf of the Shinde Group.

When asked about it, CM Shinde skirted a direct reply and said: “There is still time now… We are now celebrating Ganeshotsav and Anant Chaturdashi, then Navratri and Dassehra will come… How can I predict everything now? You will come to know in some more time.”

Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar said while anybody has the right to hold their rally at Shivaji Park, he urged Shinde “to avoid a confrontationist approach” with the Opposition.

Shiv Sena’s fomer mayor Kishori Pednekar slammed the turncoats, claiming they are apparently suffering from a ‘Ghajini-syndrome’ – referring to the 2008 blockbuster starring Aamir Khan in which he suffers a rare type of amnesia.

“They are trying to erase history. They have forgotten it is the Shiv Sena which started the tradition and has been holding the annual Dassehra rallies at Shivaji Park from 1966. They are attempting to fuel a law-and-order situation,” said Pednekar agitatedly.

Hoping to cash in on the sentiments, MNS Spokesperson Sandip Deshpande said on Saturday that many party activists want Raj Thackeray to address the rally this year, but said the final call would come only from the party chieftain.

NCP’s Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said since they (Shinde Group) have power, they will try everything to get the Shivaji Park for their rally, and it is possible both (Thackeray and Shinde) may be allotted the venue for back-to-back rallies.

Shiv Sena’s Spokesperson Dr. Manisha Kayande, senior leader Ambadas Danve and others have slammed the Shinde Group for attempting to hijack the traditions initiated by the late Balasaheb Thaceray.

Founding the Shiv Sena on June 19, 1966, Balasaheb Thackeray had held his maiden Dassehra Rally at Shivaji Park – also known as the ‘Cradle of Indian Cricket’ – and since then it became his signature event.

Since the past 55 years, it has remained an unbroken tradition – except twice, in 2006 owing to torrential rains and in 2009 as it clashed with the Assembly elections – and a ‘must attend’ for all Shiv Sainiks in the state.

After Balasaheb Thackeray passed away on November 17, 2012, he was accorded a public funeral with his last rites performed in a corner of his favourite venue with several lakhs in attendance.

In 2020, the Dassehra rally was held online and in 2021, it was at the Shanmukhananda Hall, addressed by the former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray owing to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, but this time he has cracked the whip on the Shiv Sena to make full preparations at Shivaji Park — a stone’s throw away from Sena Bhavan, the party landmark headquarters since 1977.

Education

Maharashtra Board Exams 2025: ‘Exam Centres With Mass Copying Cases Will Be Barred Permanently,’ Says CM Devendra Fadnavis

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Mumbai: The examination centres where mass copying for classes 10 and 12 board exams is reported will be barred permanently, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said.

Forty two cases of copying were reported on the first day of the HSC examination for class 12 on Tuesday, according to the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE).

Maharashtra CM Asks Officials To Monitor Sensitive Examination Centres

Fadnavis on Tuesday asked officials to monitor sensitive examination centres through drones and video cameras. He directed the sacking of school employees or teachers if they were involved in facilitating copying.

The decision was taken in the state cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Fadnavis also interacted with all district collectors and police officials and took stock of the preparation for exams.

The chief minister said district collectors should form special squads which should reach examination centres an hour before the exam starts and wait until the answer sheets are submitted to the custodian.

It is the joint responsibility of the district collector, superintendent of police, and chief executive officer of the Zilla parishad to prevent copying in exams. Similarly, in urban areas, it will be the responsibility of the municipal commissioner and police commissioner, he said.

Fadnavis also directed district collectors, superintendents of police and chief executive officers of Zilla Parishads to visit sensitive examination centres on the days when English, Mathematics and Science papers are scheduled.

About The Exam

The Class 12 board exams commenced at 3,373 centres in the state. The exams will continue till March 18.

Fadnavis said any unauthorised person should not be allowed in 100 metres from the examination centre. Steps should be taken to ensure students do not carry any material that can lead to copying in exams, he said.

It is also expected from the flying squad to effectively take steps to ensure copy-free examination, the CM said.

The State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education stated, “42 cases of copying were reported on the first day of HSC examination.” More than 15 lakh students appeared for the first paper, English, at more than 3,000 exam centres in the state.

Out of 42 cases of copying (malpractices), 26 were reported from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, eight in Pune, three in Nashik, two each in Amravati and Nagpur and one in Latur.

Mumbai, Konkan, and Kolhapur registered zero cases of malpractice.

Meanwhile, a student appearing for the exam at a centre in Pune’s Narhe area tried to jump from the second floor. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital, officials said.

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health

Mumbai: 13-Year-Old Girl Diagnosed With Guillain-Barré Syndrome Admitted To BMC-Run Nair Hospital, Condition Stable

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Mumbai: Mumbai has reported at least three Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) patients till now. A 13-year-old girl, who is said to be the youngest GBS virus patient from Mumbai has been admitted to BMC-run Nair hospital. 

Nair Hospital dean, Dr Shailesh Mohite confirmed to The Free Press Journal that the minor girl, affected by the GBS virus is admitted to the hospital. The patient is under treatment and in stable condition. 

Mumbai Sees Its First GBS Death

Meanwhile, Mumbai recorded its first GBS death. “The patient was admitted to Nair Hospital on January 23. He passed away at 11.10 on February 10. The deceased is identified as Subhash Dete,” said Dr Mohite. 

Reportedly, Dete (53) was working as a ward boy in the BMC-run V N Desai Hospital in Santacruz. After being admitted to Nair Hospital, he was placed on a ventilator, however, he succumbed to the virus. 

This has taken the death toll from GBS in the state to eight. 

Earlier, Mumbai had reported its first GBS case when a 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with the syndrome.

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Maharashtra

Terror Attack On PM Modi’s Aircraft? Mumbai Police Receives Threat Call On Feb 11 Ahead of Prime Minister’s US Visit; 1 Arrested

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Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a terror attack threat ahead of his two-day US visit, Mumbai Police said on Wednesday. The police control received the threat call on Tuesday, February 11 as the PM was leaving on an official visit abroad. The person who made the call was arrested. As per the Mumbai Police, he is mentally ill.

“On 11th February, a call was received at Mumbai Police Control Room warning that terrorists may attack PM Modi’s aircraft as he was leaving on an official visit abroad. Considering the serious nature of the information, the Police informed other agencies and began an investigation, the police said in a statement.

The accused was arrested from Mumbai’s Chembur area. “The person who made the threat call to the Mumbai Police Control Room has been taken into custody from the Chembur area. He is mentally ill,” the police added.

Notably, PM Modi embarked on his visit to France and the United States on February 10. He co-chaired the AI Summit on Tuesday. The Prime Minister is set to depart for the US on Wednesday, February 12.

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