Mumbai: The investigation into the plane crash of the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (Ajit Pawar Baramati plane crash) will now be conducted by a central agency. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has started an investigation into the accident and after receiving its report, it will be sent to the state government. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had written a letter to Union Aviation Minister Kanjrapu Ram Mohan Naidu requesting an investigation into the accident. After this, the Union Minister gave this information in a letter written to the Chief Minister.

The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has started an investigation. The black box of the aircraft has been seized. An investigation has been started as per the Aircraft Accident and Incident Rules. This will be done in a transparent and time-bound manner.

All the technical records, operational details, facts available at the accident site are being investigated. The Ministry has taken note of our request to control such incidents in future and steps will be taken in this regard as soon as the investigation report comes. The cooperation of the Maharashtra government in this investigation will also be valuable for us. The local administration will help in this. We will also give this complete investigation report to the state government.

A very senior leader like Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash. Along with him, 4 others have also lost their lives in it. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had demanded that the exact reasons for this accident should be investigated. He also demanded in the letter that immediate steps be taken to ensure that such accidents do not happen in the future.

Ajit Pawar’s last rites
The last rites of the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar were performed in a mournful atmosphere in Baramati. Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash in Baramati yesterday. After which the entire state is in mourning. Ajit Pawar’s last rites were performed at the Vidya Pratishthan Ground in Baramati in the presence of lakhs of fans, supporters and leaders of all parties.

The untimely death of Ajit Pawar has shocked the entire state. Senior leaders of all parties including senior leader Sharad Pawar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, MNS President Raj Thackeray and others were present at the Vidya Pratishthan. Amidst the slogans of Ajit Dada Amar Rahe, Partha Pawar and Jay Pawar performed the last rites of Dada with tearful eyes. It seems that Dada’s departure has created a big void in the politics of the state.

Ahmedabad, Jan 28: Cement major ACC Limited, part of the diversified Adani Portfolio, on Wednesday reported a standout performance for the quarter ended December 31 (Q3 FY26), with profit after tax (PAT) surging by 346 per cent (normalised basis) at Rs 380 crore year-on-year, with highest-ever quarterly revenue at Rs 6,483 crore — up by 22 per cent.

The company also recorded its highest-ever quarterly volume at 11.3 million tonnes, up 15 per cent (on-year).

“We have sustained our growth momentum with another strong quarter, delivering our highest‑ever quarterly volumes. Higher trade and premium cement sales, alongside continued expansion in RMX, have supported better realisations than industry peers and strengthened our market position in core regions,” said Vinod Bahety, Whole-Time Director and CEO, ACC Limited.

The company’s momentum during the quarter reflects transformative steps, chief among which is the announcement of the amalgamation of ACC Limited into Ambuja Cements Limited — establishing a unified ‘One Cement Platform’ that will accelerate its growth trajectory, drive operational excellence, improve capital efficiency, reinforce its industry leadership and support long-term value creation.

“The proposed integration into the One Cement Platform is expected to accelerate both efficiency and growth, enabling deeper synergies across procurement, manufacturing and distribution once statutory approvals are completed,” Bahety mentioned.

Pursuant to the implementation of the new Labour Codes with effect from November 21, 2025, the company has recognised Rs 50 crore as an exceptional expense towards additional Gratuity and Leave Encashment obligations.

Along with the parent company, ACC continues to work on cost leadership and targets to achieve Rs 3,650/ MT by FY28 under the One Cement Platform, it said.

Cement grinding units at Salai Banwa (2.4 MTPA) and Kalamboli (1.0 MTPA) are on track to be commissioned in Q4 FY26, the company informed.

“On the market side, our premium portfolio, led by ACC Gold, continues to deliver superior EBITDA margins, and the increasing share of Trade and Premium is expected to sustain realisation advantages. We are grateful to our customers, our expansive dealer and retailer network of over one lakh partners, and the seven‑lakh‑plus influencers (masons/contractors) who power the Adani Cement Parivar,” said Bahety.

Moreover, the concrete business footprint increased through the addition of 14 plants YoY — and now there are 117 plants spread over 45 cities.

Mumbai: cultural calendar gets its most-awaited highlight as the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) returns in 2026, promising over a week of creativity, colour and community spirit for free. Every winter, South Mumbai’s historic Kala Ghoda precinct comes alive with artists, performers and culture lovers, and the upcoming edition is set to be bigger and more immersive than ever.

The 26th edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival will be held from Saturday, January 31 to Sunday, February 8, 2026. Spanning nine days, the festival once again transforms the iconic arts district into an open-air celebration that draws thousands of visitors daily.

The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is often described as the heartbeat of Mumbai’s cultural calendar. Celebrated as one of Asia’s largest multidisciplinary street art festivals, it brings together artists, performers, writers, filmmakers, designers and audiences in a shared celebration of creativity. What started years ago as a small community-driven initiative has evolved into a city-defining cultural movement, transforming everyday streets into open galleries, performance spaces and conversation hubs.

The festival is rooted in the historic Kala Ghoda precinct, a neighbourhood that carries layers of history and reinvention. Named after a black statue of King Edward VII that once stood there, the area has long been associated with art, heritage and intellectual exchange.

Today, it is home to museums, galleries, colonial-era architecture, independent boutiques and cafes, all of which form the perfect backdrop for the festival’s vibrant energy. Over the years, sustained efforts by the Kala Ghoda Association, cultural bodies and supporters have helped preserve and rejuvenate the precinct, allowing it to remain a thriving creative zone.

While official details of the 2026 edition are still under wraps, visitors can expect the festival’s signature blend of experiences. Streets are likely to be lined with art installations, exhibitions and pop-up performances, while music, dance and theatre take centre stage across multiple venues.

Literature sessions, film screenings, heritage walks and architectural tours typically add depth to the experience. A lively food section and thoughtfully designed children’s programmes ensure there’s something for everyone.