Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: GOLD ornaments, weighing 259 gramme, worth Rs 9.60 lakh belonging to anastrologer-cum Vaastu expert from Khammam (Telangana) were allegedly stolen from his room at Hotel Awadh. M Rama Rao (56), astrologer cum- Vaastu expert, lodged a complaint with Dhantoli Police that he had come to city on August 20 and checked in the hotel.

He purchased the gold ornaments and kept in his Room No. 214.

Due to some health problems, he was hospitalized for a few days. After he was discharged from the hospital, he returned to his hotel room and was shocked to find the ornaments stolen.

On the basis of his complaint, Dhantoli Police started investigation

Gold jewellery worth Rs 9.60 lakh stolen from hotel room

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: A middle aged man has leveled up allegations against the customer care of the travelling company Make My Trip of duping him to the tune of Rs 40,000. The accused reportedly asked Gyanchandra Murlidhar Hemnani to share some links over, following which the tricksters withdrew the amount, he told Jaripatka police.

According to police, Hemnani (51), a resident of Mahalaxmi Apartment, Nara Road had booked a bus ticket from Kolhapur to Pune through Make My Trip app on July 9. However, due to change in plans Hemnani cancelled the tickets but never received the amount return. As a result he contacted costumer care of the firm on July 19.

Following which the officials asked him to share two links he received containing crucial details about his bank account. Soon after which Hemnani received SMS about withdrawal of Rs 40,000 from his Bank of Baroda bank account through UPI. It is when he learnt about fraud and approached Jaripatka police.

Based on the complaint lodged by Hemnani, Jaripatka police have registered a case of fraud against the unidentified accused and started the probe.

Online Fraud : Make My Trip accused of duping Nagpur man of Rs 40k

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Elecronics //Electronics and Telecommunication Engg. Department of Priyadarshini J. L. College of Engineering has conducted installation ceremony of forum “EXORDIUM” on 28th August 2019. The committee members of forum were declared & members were nominated with badges at the hands of Honourable Ms. Mittal Bhatt, HR Maximist for Edification and software solution pvt. Ltd.

The members included Mr. Anurag Mishra, Mr. Sarfaraz Sheikh, Ms. Geeta Ninawe, Mr. Harsh Khodiyar. The Head of department Dr. Pravin Pokle briefly explained the overall forum activities being conducted and to be conducted.

Principal Dr. Abhay Shende appreciated the efforts of students for successful installation of forum. The installation was conducted under the guidance of Prof. Jayashree Shelke and Prof. Jayant Dorve.

All the teaching, non teaching and students of the department were worked hard for the success of the Event.

Installation ceremony of forum “EXORDIUM” at Priyadarshini J. L. College of Engineering.

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) delegation led by its president J. P. Sharma met Ashwin Mudgal, IAS – Collector Nagpur City & discussed issues in public interest apart from handing over memorandum in writing. VTA also dispatched memorandum to Devendra Fadnavis – Chief Minister and Anil Kawade – Inspector General of Registration & Controller of Stamps, Pune.

J. P. Sharma submitted before Collector that as per data available on official site of Department of Registrations and Stamps, Government of Maharashtra on an average 6000 documents are registered in a day; which means almost 1.8 million document registration annually and as part of registration process, thumb impression is taken of the executing parties as well as the witnesses; which is supported by ID identification as xerox of Aadhar, PAN, Driving License and likewise. However reports of frauds are quite often heard in news wherein duplicate IDs are prepared by the culprits and fraudulent transactions are recorded and registered.

Tejinder Singh Renu – secretary VTA suggested that such frauds can be curbed to a large extend by linking thumb impression unit with UIDAI network so that the impression itself verifies the person from its exhaustive data available. Furthermore earlier citizens were able to download registered documents from website of Department of Registration and Stamps, Government of Maharashtra in PDF format from link, which was extremely convenient as well as environmental friendly as it saves much precious paper and being in digital format, its circulation was also easy and Eco friendly. Hence this facility may please be restarted.

J. P. Sharma also submitted that thankfully Maharashtra Government has introduced Maharashtra Stamp Duty Amnesty Scheme 2019 which gives opportunity to unregistered documents pertaining to CIDCO, MHADA or SRA to get them registered now with considerable concession in interest and penalty. This amnesty should also cover all property related documents in Maharashtra as in the past many properties especially sold or allotted by Societies where not registered and properties used to get ownership transferred on unregistered stamp papers. If this amnesty is made available to all such documents related to properties, then it would bring on record many such old transactions unavailable as of now to the Administration and shall also generate revenue for the State Exchequer.

VTA also requested that as NIT has accepted renewal of NIT lease on majority basis for apartment owners, likewise Nazul Lease should be allowed to get renewed if 51% of above owners come before authority for renewal of Nazul Lease.

Collector Ashwin Mudgal said that administration is already working on linking of thumb impression with UIDAI for Aadhar identification. Further issues needs policy decision and the same will be forwarded to the State Government.

Also present in VTA delegation were Hemant Trivedi & Amarjeet Singh Chawla – Joint Secretaries and Rajesh Kanungo.

VTA suggest registration of documents to be linked with UIDAI

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

An Outreach and Awareness Program for “SABKA VISHWAS (LEGACY DISPUTE RESOLUTION) SCHEME, 2019”, was recently conducted by CGST & CX, Nagpur at GST Bhawan, Telankhedi Road, Nagpur. This program was organized jointly with the WIRC of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The scheme is an one time amnesty scheme to clear all pending disputes and litigations, by giving relief in taxation up to 70 % and waiver of interest and penalty.

Hon’ble Chief Commissioner, Shri. H R Bheemashankar urged that “We must settle the legacy issues – Look Ahead and Go Further”. He further stated that CA’s are the lifelines between Trade and Department and both Department and Chartered Accountants need to work together for benefit of trade community. “Chartered Accountants are the friends, philosophers and guides of Business Community” said Hon’ble Chief Commissioner, Nagpur Zone (Customs & GST) Shri H. R. Bheemashankar while speaking at GST Outreach and Awareness Program recently.

The Central Government has in its agenda to clear all pending litigations and with this vision in mind a very novel scheme for amnesty for service tax and central excise assessees is being notified from 01st September’19 to be called as “Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resolution Scheme) 2019. Hon’ble Chief Commissioner, Shri. H R Bheemashankar urged all the tax payers to come forward, resolve all the legacy disputes and avail the benefit of this flagship scheme of the government.

Shri P.K. Agrawal, Hon’ble Principal Commissioner, Nagpur-I Commissionerate (Customs & GST) stated the figure of pending litigations at Central Excise and Service Tax was pegged at 3.78 lakh Crores. He further stated that the scheme is in line with the slogan given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabka Vishwas”. He urged all Chartered Accountants present to “Be a part in Nation Building” by supporting and getting the benefits of this scheme passed on to all eligible taxpayers. Shri. Agrawal invited suggestions from the members of trade/ industry and tax consultants for making the scheme a grand success and assured that all assistance would be provided to the taxpayers. This is a positive scheme and he assured full support from the Department regarding any queries / assistance to all the taxpayers, he confirmed. It’s a hand holding scheme by Government wherein taxpayers can get rid of onerous tax liabilities by paying very little. Mr. Agrawal invited suggestions from the business community regarding the scheme and assured that all assistance would be provided to all the taxpayers.

Shri Sanjay Rathi, Hon’ble Commissioner Nagpur-II (Customs & GST), termed the Sabka Vishwas Scheme as an opportunity not to be missed. While explaining the benefits of this scheme, Mr. Rathi pointed out that the Sabka Vishwas Scheme is like a sale offer by the Government. Come, Pay and clear all litigations. He assured full support of department in making this scheme a big success.

Joint Commissioner, Nagpur Zone (Customs & GST) Shri Mukul Patil gave a detailed presentation on the “Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resolution Scheme) 2019”. While describing the salient features of this scheme he pointed out that there is no concept of disputed / undisputed dues under this scheme and all liabilities can be cleared by opting under this scheme.

Hon’ble Shri Sandeep Puri, Commissioner (Appeals) graced the dais on this occasion and assured full support of Department in all pending litigations.

CA Kirit Kalyani, Vice Chairman, Nagpur Branch of WIRC of ICAI assured the revenue authorities, that Chartered Accountants are working shoulder to shoulder with department to ensure effective compliance of the provisions and policies framed by the authorities. He thanked the Hon’ble Chief Commissioner Shri H. R. Bheemashankar and his team along with CGST and CX Department, Nagpur in conducting this Outreach and awareness program.

On this occasion queries of CA Members on Annual Return, GST Reconciliation Scheme and other areas were also answered by Shri Suresh Rayulu, Superintendent, GST Department.

Formal Vote of Thanks was proposed by CA Saket Bagdia, Secretary of Nagpur Branch of ICAI.

Prominently present on the occasion were CA Akshay Gulhane, Executive Committee Member, CA Satish Sarda, CA Milind Patel and a large number of Chartered Accountant Members and Departmental Officers.

We must respect the wealth creators – H.R.Bheemashankar

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: The local Bengali Association and Bengali Education Society are jointly organising a two-day drama festival here on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15 at Deshpande Hall, opposite MLA Hostel.

Two highly acclaimed dramas of Kolkata, Awddya Shesh Rajani (The last night) and Cinemar Moto (Like a movie) of well-known theatre personality and the West Bengal minister, Bratya Basu, will be staged on the occasion.

Awddya Shesh Rajani would be staged on Saturday, September 14 at 7.00 pm In the Awddya Shesh Rajani, the director Bratya Basu has paid tribute to a journey of a passionate theatre lover, late Ashim Chakraborty. The play is based on the novel written by Shyamal Gangopadhyay, with the adaptation done by the playwright Ujjwal Chattopadhyay.

The protagonist of the drama, Ashim Chakraborty, a theatre lover, actor and director, who carried the dream of making exceptional theatre in post-colonial Bengal. He was a theatre practitioner who had failed to gather initial attention of the spectators by doing conventional productions like Jonoiker Mrityu, Nil Ghora, and Samraggni etc.

On Sunday, September 15, Cinemar Mato, written, directed and enacted by Bratya Basu will be staged at 7.00 pm. The play dissects the journey of an art form – cinema – as opposed to that of an artiste, a Rabindra Sangeet icon, an IPTA stalwart turned dissenter.

True to its title, the play starts with a movie-style projection crediting the cast and crew. The four decades of screen evolution are distinguished by songs from popular cinema – “not necessarily complementing the situational mood, but annihilating the mounting emotional catharsis in the course of the drama,” the writer-director explains. Was cinema art, or entertainment? Does art entertain? Is entertainment itself an art? These questions hound the viewer through the play that unwinds a family drama just like those movies that kept Tollywood ticking in 1960s, 1970s, 1980s.

Both the plays will be presented before the audience of Nagpur by Bratyajon (Kalindi Bratyajon), a Bengali group theatre. It is the brainchild of ace playwright and actor-director Bratya Basu. Some of the important productions of Bratyajon are Ruddhasangeet (2009), Canvasser (2011) and Byomkesh (2011), Chiro Kumar Sobha (2012), Cinemar Moto (2013) and Ke? (Who?) (2014), Boma (2015). Apart from theatrical production, the group is active in many associated fields. An important activity of the group is to organize an annual theatre festival.

Pradip Ganguly, Secretary of Bengali Education Society and Pradip Maitra, President of Bengali Association appealed to all Bengalis of Nagpur to ensure the success of the festival.

The entries for both the plays are strictly by invitation. The Invitation cards can be collected from the office of Bengali Education Society from 11.30 to 8.30 pm, informs Bidyut Chakraborty, secretary of the Bengali Association.

Two-day Bengali drama festival in Nagpur on Sept 14 and 15

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Special Squad of DCP (Zone II) Vanita Sahu raided a ‘Satta’ den near Khare Chambers, Gokulpeth in Ambazari area and nabbed eight persons involved in gambling. Cops seized cash, cellphone and other material collectively worth Rs 1,03,780 from their possession.

Police arrested Apil Hemraj Shahu (34), Karan Hatibet (25), Subhash Wankhede (55), Ashish Surpan (20), Prashant Raut (53), Karan Katosi (26), Laxman Narnawre (33) and Brijesh Patel (20) on charges under relevant sections of Gambling Act.

‘Satta’ den raided, 8 persons nabbed

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: A 40-year old man from Imambada area died of poisoning on Wednesday. Ramesh Vishwanath Raut, a resident of Rambag Colony, near Hanuman Mandir, consumed some poisonous drug in his house around 2.30 pm.

As his condition started deteriorating, his family members rushed him to Government Medical College & Hospital where he breathed his last after an hour. Imambada Police registered a case under Section 174 of Code of Criminal Procedure. WPSI P U Bhoyar is investigating the case.

DR BABASAHEB Ambedkar National Association of Engineers is organising quiz contest, based on seven books available with the office of the Association. The State-level quiz will be held on December 6, the death anniversary of Dr Ambedkar and will be a tribute to him in the true sense

Man dies of poisoning in Imambada

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Few unidentified miscreants sneaked into a house under Pratap Nagar police station and decamped with the gold ornaments and cash collectively worth Rs 1.60 lakh. The incident happened when the family went out on August 20.

Police sources said the complainant Siddharth Marotrao Haste (60), a resident of Sarnath Apartment had gone to the hospital along with his wife between 11.30 am and 12.45 pm. In the meantime some unidentified miscreants barged into their house by breaking the latch of the main door and swept away with valuables to the tune of Rs 1.60 lakh. The burglary came to fore when, Haste returned home only to find open door and his house in ransacked state.

Based on the complaint lodged by Haste, Pratap Nagar police have registered a case under Sections 454, 380 of the IPC and started the probe.

House break in Pratap Nagar, Rs 1.6 lakh booty stolen

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Koradi police have booked unidentified miscreants for allegedly breaking into a mobile shop on Macchi Market Road, Mahadula and decamping with cash and mobile phones collectively worth Rs 3,27,948. The incident occurred at Taj Mobile Shop in the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

In his complaint Nawab Gulab Khan (39), a resident of Smruti Nagar, owner of the shop told Koradi police that, he had locked his shop on Wednesday night before leaving for home and when he returned next day he found the rear door of the shop broken and cash Rs 10,000 kept in the drawer along with mobile phones in the shop missing. Subsequently he rushed to Koradi police and filed a complaint.

Following the compliant of Khan, Koradi police have registered an offence under Sections 454, 457, 380 of the IPC and started the investigation into the matter.

Mobile shop burgled in Koradi, cash, goods worth Rs 3.27 lakh stolen

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Finally, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has shown the door to the controversial Kanak Resources Management Limited (KRML), engaged in door-to-door garbage collection since past 15 years. The civic body started fresh tendering process and after opening financial and technical bids, has shortlisted two firms – M/s AG Enviro and M/s BVG. Kanak Resources, which is engaged in lifting door-to-door garbage, was disqualified in tender process.

However, the finalising of M/s BVG, currently working with Jaipur Municipal Corporation, has raised many eyebrows. It is learnt that dissatisfied with the working style of M/s BVG, Jaipur Municipal Corporation had slapped a fine of Rs 78 lakh on it. The firm had also applied for garbage collection in Ujjain civic body but was refused the contract. The firm had moved the court but got no relief. Further, the firm was assigned the responsibility of garbage collection in Warsi city in South India but failed to carry out the job.

NMC has divided door to door garbage collection in two packages, one for Zones 1 to 5 and second for Zones 6 to 10. The division was done to ensure that one single agency is not overburdened and ensures quality service to residents. The technical bids were processed and presentation was made by the seven agencies namely M/s AG Enviro, A to Z, BVG, Kanak, Unbesher, CDC and Swayambhu about their strategies for door to door garbage. The contract of Kanak Resources Management Limited (KRML) had come to end but it was given extension till finalisation of new contractors by the civic body. Kanak was among the seven enterprises that submitted their bids for garbage collection in response to tender floated by NMC. However, Kanak was disqualified in primary stage as it did not meet the technical capabilities listed in the tender document.

For package one comprising Zone 1 to 5, M/s BVG declared L1 as it quoted Rs 1665 per metric tonne for lifting garbage. BVG also participated in package two but the NMC has decided not to assign the work to same agency. It is expected that NMC will award garbage collection contract for 10-years and estimates the cost of the project in range of Rs 800 crore and Rs 1,000 crore. Kanak was given the rate of Rs 1,400 per tonne and in the new contract the rate of Rs 2,100/tonne is estimated in view of escalation in operating costs.

… Rajeev Ranjan Khushwaha

NMC shows door to Kanak, set to appoint ‘tainted’ M/s BVG for garbage collection, raises many eyebrows

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Market of clay idols witnessing steady downfall over the years

Nagpur: Every year Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) issues standardizing norms to differentiate idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and clay during the festive season. However, on the contrary, the civic body fails abysmally to implement its own directives on the ground level. This year too, the NMC official offers to provide a market for the traditional artists to sell clay idols at Kasturchand Park, but it remained on the paper itself. Owing to the apathy of NMC the traditional artists are facing a severe crisis, as the clay idols market witnessing incessant downfall since past few years.

Speaking to Nagpur Today, the artists from Kumbharpura in Juni Mangalwari and Chitar Oli narrated their agony that how PoP idols are preying on their business.

Arun, a 24-year-old young boy, living in Kumbharpura elaborated that his family makes around 50 Ganpati idols each year. However, demand is decreasing these days. “People know that they will get idols on time at the nearby market. Hence we do not get orders as we used to, earlier. I think PoP idols are the prime reason behind this downfall. If the clay models are sold at Rs 1000, PoP is just of Rs 600 bucks. For people, this is the catching point. And here, we lose the battle”, he added.

“I am the youngest one in the family, but I’ve seen it all. Now, I don’t want our coming generation to face the same issue and that is why we are inclining them towards education,” says Arun.

Another sculptor Ganesh Kapate said, “We make 200-250 Bappa idols every year. However, the co-operation from NMC is not much. I think there should be a proper market and space at an affordable cost for artists like us to get a deserved value for our work. We sell idols ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 5000. But every year,,we prefer not to go inside the market area, like at Chitar Oli or somewhere else, because of the expensive land cost. Whoever comes to us, we sell the idols to them at a wholesale price.”

“As it is clay, every single idol of ours takes far more days than PoP (Plaster of Paris) ones to be ready. And even after that, we are fighting for our existence”, he said while expressing his ordeal.

While the artists are facing this crisis at Kumbharpura, the lavishing Chitar Oli is no exemption either.

One of the biggest makers of Ganpati idols, who are popular for crafting ‘Raje Bhosale’ Ganpati, the Bind family shares almost similar agony they are currently facing. The youngest one in the family, Dinesh says, “PoP makes have destroyed the entire market. We make idols for big pandals mostly, but due to the excessive rules and regulations, even their numbers are decreasing. We are getting a few orders. They are decreasing each year. On the one hand, we spend 2 to 3 months creating a Ganpati idol and on the other, PoP models just flood into the market two days before the festival and gets lump sum profit. The future is very blurred and the NMC needs to wake up for us,” said the artist.

by Shubham Nagdeve

PoP idols preying on livelihood of traditional artists

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Bappa idols are made of red soil and fertilisers with plant seeds hidden inside them

Nagpur: An artisan from Mumbai has come out with an innovative initiative to create eco-friendly Bappa idols from red soil and fertilisers with plant seeds hidden inside them. This novel idol is called ‘Tree Ganesha.’ The artist Dattadri Kothur says that the idols are placed atop clay pots with a base of soil. These idols are not taken to pond for immersion. Instead, they are watered until they melt over a span of few days and eventually, the seeds begin to sprout.

Talking to a Marathi daily, Kothur said “I have been creating eco-friendly idols for 15 years now. It is a painstaking job to create these idols out of red soil and manure.” He further said that last year, many devotees from Nagpur had ordered ‘Tree Ganesha’ idols but due to problem of coordination, the idols could not be supplied to Nagpur. But this year, Naman Betharia has taken the responsibility and he is promoting the eco-friendly ‘Tree Ganesha,’ Kothur said adding the response from Nagpurians has been overwhelming.

According to the Mumbai’s innovative artist, idols made of plaster of Paris, clothes, iron rods, chemical colours, varnish and paints are highly polluting. This leaves the water bodies in grave danger. Also, the use of this water is harmful for humans and animals alike.

Kothur said that he decided to come out with eco-friendly Bappa idols ‘Tree Ganesha.’ The most striking feature about the idol is the fact that it has a seed inside and can be grown into a plant by pouring water on it, after the festival ends. “Tree Ganesha” idols are made entirely out of organic materials that will disintegrate when they get wet, and are designed to be watered like a plant rather than immersed in the lake or any other water body. Once the idols are dampened, seeds hidden inside them will germinate, creating a lasting memento of the idol.

Mumbai artist comes out with innovative, eco-friendly ‘Tree Ganesha’

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari on Friday announced Rs 10 crore for a “permanent marketing centre” at Nagpur to promote goods manufactured by women entrepreneurs. The Minister was speaking after laying foundation stone for Jijau Shodh Sansthan, a civic owned project where women Self Help Groups (SHG) will be promoted.

State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced additional funding of Rs 10 crore to the SHG to ensure that it does not run out of funds before completion. The civic body managed project had already received a Rs 10 crore earlier but needed another Rs 7 crore. Mungangtiwar said Rs 10 crore funding is like a Rakhi gift to Nagpur Mayor Nanda Jichkar.

The proposed Jijau Shodh Sansthan is situated at Shankar Nagar in Dharampeth Prabhag No. 15. Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Minister of State Dr Parinay Fuke, Chairperson of State Women Commission Vijaya Rahatkar also graced the occasion as guests of honour while Mayor Nanda Jichkar preside over.

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is going to build the Sansthan building adjoining basketball court to utilise the same for promoting women entrepreneurship.

Gadkari announces Rs 10 crore aid to promote goods made by women entrepreneurs

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: It was day out for bulls (bails). With sunrise on Friday the August 30, farmers readied themselves to express their gratitude to their best friends in farms. The man-animal bonhomie was witnessed in its colourful best as Pola festival was being celebrated in traditional fervour and gaiety.

As the day began, farmers bathed their best friends with a caring touch and then decorated them with ornaments and jhalar (shawl). Their horns were painted in flashy colours, necks were adorned with garlands of vivid flowers.

As it was the much cherished rest day, the bulls were part of a procession to the beats of dhol tasha and dancing to celebrate Pola festival. The farmers showed their gratitude to their bulls for helping them and slogging around the year.

In the evening hundreds of people also worshiped the bulls and offered them delicacies mainly the Puran Poli and other stuff.

Day out for bulls as farmers celebrate Pola festival with gaiety

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: In view of festive season and improvement in water storage in Totladoh reservoir on river Pench, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation on Friday decided to ease restrictions on water supply in city.

Addressing a press conference, the Chairman of Water Works Committee Pintu Jhalke said that city will be supplied water on regular basis from September 1 to 15.

It may be recalled that following deficient rainfall in city, the NMC had decided to curtail water supply for three days – Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – until the situation improved.

However, considering the festive season ahead and increase in water storage in Totladoh reservoir due to good rainfall in Madhya Pradesh which resulted in release of water from Chourai dam upstream river Pench, a meeting of Water Works Committee and department officials was held on Friday. The meeting decided to ease restrictions and supply water on regular basis in the interest of citizens. Now, water will be supplied regularly from September 1 to 15. “If city and surrounding areas receive good rainfall in the next 25 days, water situation will improve further,” Jhalke said.

Jhalke further said that as against 82.33 MM3 storage last week in Totladoh resrervoir, the storage on Wednesday was 317.52 MM3, indicating almost four-fold increase in storage over the past week. Following good rainfall in the catchment area of Chourai dam, first two, then four,and then eight gates of Chourai dam were opened to release water into river Pench. This proved to be a boon for Totladoh reservoir. Now, Totladoh dam has 33 percent water storage and Navegaon Khairi 28 percent. “Dead Stock’ of water in both the dams is also full, he said.

The press conference was also attended by Chairman of Standing Committee Pradeep Pohane, former Chairman of Standing Committee Dayashankar Tiwari, Water Works Department chief Manoj Ganvir and other officials.

NMC eases restrictions, to supply water regularly from Sept 1 to 15

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: With the aim to avoid any future mishaps at the accident prone ‘Y’-point of Traffic Children’s Park in Dharampeth, the Deputy Commissioner Police (Traffic) Chinmay Pandit himself visited the spot during the rains on Friday afternoon and issued guidelines to curb the traffic mess.

The DCP interacted with the locals to get a glimpse of their share of traffic trauma.

DCP Pandit inspects ‘Y’-point of Children’s Park in Dharampeth

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday busted a Lashkaribagh based man for selling adulterated milk. The accused allegedly mixed chemicals with packet milk to sell it in the open market on the pretext of cow milk.

The accused identified as Rajendra Budhram Yadav, a resident of Bhoslewadi in Lashkaribagh area, works as a small milk vendor and owns several cows and buffalos. For quite some time, Yadav was struggling to meet customers’ demand for cow milk.

Following which he started mixing packed milk with the chemicals for cyellow colour and would sell it on the pretext of cow milk. Smelling something fishy, some locals filed a complaint with the FDA following which, a squad comprising Food Safety Officer Anant Chaudhary, Praful Tople and Vinod Dhawad raided Yadav’s house on Friday and seized the contaminated milk along with chemicals.

The raid was supervised by FDA Joint Commissioner Shashikant Kekre and Assistant Commissioner Milind Deshpande.

FDA raids vendor selling adulterated milk in Lashkaribagh

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Though heavy rain on Friday brought munch needed escape from humid weather for Nagpurians, the residence of Atharva Nagari had a miraculous escape after lighting struck at Flat No. 503 of building no. 2 of Flora Building damaging the roof top.

Fortunately, no casualty reported in the incident, though debris of roof fell on the ground.

Lighting struck at Atharva Nagari Building, no casualties reported

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Shri Devasthan Panch Committee, Itwari Bardana Market, Nehru Putala has organised main programme of ‘Kali Marbat’ celebration at its premises from August 30 t0 31. The programme started with Pansupari programme at Shri Hanuman Mandir on August 30 . The procession of immersion of Kali Marbat will start on August 31 at 10 am.

The Marbat procession will pass through the regular routes and will end at the premises opposite Ramkrishna Flour Mills, Bagadganj. Tanha Pola programme will be held at 5 pm. Executive committee members of Shri Devasthan Panch Committee including President, Milind Madne; Secretary, Devendra Harde; Treasurer, Nikhil Tidke; and members of Kali Marbat Festival Committee including Presidents, Gaurav Harde, Jitendra Gupta, Rahul Harde; Secretaries Nikhil Harde, Nilesh Mahajan, Prashant Gupta; treasurers, Nehul Gupta, Roshan Harde, Sachin Gupta, Subhan Qureshi; Vice Presidents, Rakesh Harde, Nikhil Gupta, Akash Mantnawar and others have appealed the citizens to attend the programmes in large numbers.

‘Pili Marbat’ procession on Aug 31

Marbat Nagoba Devasthan, Tarhane Teli Samaj has organised a grand procession of Pivali Marbat on August 31 at 9 am. Earlier, a programme of Pansupari will be held at Tarhane Teli Samaj Pivali Marbat on August 30 at 7 pm.
The procession will start after the pujan being performed by Deputy Mayor, Deepraj Pardikar; Ajaykumar Malaviya, Police Inspector, Tehsil Police Station. The procession will start from Pivali Marbat Nagoba Devi Devasthan Panch Committee, Jagnath Budhwari at 9 am.

The Marbat procession will pass through Panchpaoleshwar Shankar Mandir, Golibar Square, Bharat Mata square, Maskasaath, Nehru Putala where Pili Marbat will meet with Kali Marbat at 11 am and joint procession will start from Nehru Putala and will pass through Marwadi Square, Mirchi Bazar, Amardeep Cinema, Shahid Chowk, Gandhi Putala, Badkas Chowk, Mahal, Kotwali, Gandhi Gate, Agresar Chowk, Ganjakhet Square, Golibar Square, Bharat Mata Square, Pivali Marbat chowk and will immerse at Tandapeth Naik Talao. President Prakash Gaurkar; Secretary, Vijay Khopde; Treasurer, Devidas Gabhane; Joint Secretary, Kishore Malkar; Manohar Motghare, Sharad Takitkar, Devanand Ambagade, Chandrashekhar Deshmukh, Dharmendra Sathwane, Jaywant Takitkar, Bhushan P Khopde, Bhaskar Takitkar, Swanil Motghare, Shubham Gabhane, Nitin Gaurkhede, Kishore Khode, Shubham Gaurkar, Digambar Deshmukh, Kunal Motghare, Atul Bhute and others are working hard for the success.Nagpurians have a novel way of wishing away everything that troubles society, in the form of the Marbat. Started in its present form in 1885 to protest against the British, the Marbat procession is unique to the Orange City and is a major attraction at the end of the holy month of Shravan.

The unique tradition has entered in 140th year

The last day of Shravan, celebrated with the festival of Pola, marks the end of monsoon. This season brings with it many waterborne diseases and pests which are a nuisance to people.

Legend has it that the Teli community would take small dolls out in procession after Pola would be celebrated. These dolls would be representative of all the diseases and evil spirits that people believed pestered them. These would then be burnt, symbolising the destruction of everything evil.

During pre-Independence, the dolls also became symbolic of the oppressive British regime. This led to the creation of the Pili (Yellow) Marbat, a gigantic female figure connoting the pale skin of the foreigners. Along with this, a Kali (Black) Marbat- symbolic of a woman from the royal Bhonsle clan who colluded with the British- and a male figure, Badgya, began to be paraded around before converging in a field to be burnt. This is a practice that has continued to this day.

The processions, which can be seen in the East Nagpur localities of Itwari, Mahal and Jagnath Budhwari, are carried out with slogans . In fact, anything that has been a source of annoyance to the people- corruption, terrorism, a political figure, an epidemic- finds itself chanted as a slogan.

The Marbat, therefore, gives vent to people’s frustrations, and acts as a means of protest, albeit with an element of lighthearted (sometimes light-headed) fun.

Kali Pili Marbat festival: ‘Pili Marbat’ procession on Aug 31