MAHARASHTRA

The Christian community in Maharashtra faces a challenging situation in the upcoming elections, with the BJP’s promise to implement an anti-conversion law and deny minority quotas creating a sense of unease. Despite the lack of Christian candidates fielded by major parties, community leaders are urging members to vote in large numbers. Concerns about the anti-conversion law, economic inequality, lack of jobs, and the deterioration of democratic institutions are driving the community’s voting decisions. While expressing disappointment with the exclusion of Christian candidates by major parties, the community is seeking to vote for parties that uphold the Constitution and address their concerns.

Jaipur’s Ojaswini Saraswat, representing Rajasthan, has won her fourth national golf title at the IGU Maharashtra Ladies & Junior Girls Golf Championship in Pune. She secured the victory with rounds of 73, 69, and 75, overcoming a two-stroke deficit on the first day and even a controversial two-stroke penalty on the final day. This win marks her third national title this year, following a second-place finish in her previous tournament after recovering from dengue. Ojaswini credits her coach, Laurence Brotheridge, and her family for their support, and her dedication to training and practice at the Rambagh Golf Club in Jaipur is evident in her consistent success.

The fight for the Kalyan Rural assembly constituency, the only seat held by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the state, has become a three-way battle between the MNS, Shiv Sena, and Shiv Sena (UBT). The constituency, marked by rapid urbanization and a diverse population, faces challenges related to inadequate infrastructure, despite ongoing projects like road concreting and the Kalyan Taloja Metro. Delayed projects like the Palava junction flyover and the Airoli-Katai elevated flyover are causing traffic congestion. The state government’s promise of growth centers in villages to create employment opportunities for youth has also seen limited progress. Incumbent MNS MLA Pramod Patil claims credit for completed projects, while former MLA Bhoir emphasizes his contributions during his tenure. The BJP, initially supporting Patil, is now campaigning for Shiv Sena candidate Rajesh More due to the alliance. Shrikant Shinde, the Lok Sabha MP, is also actively campaigning for More, highlighting his work in the area.

The BJP’s manifesto for the Maharashtra assembly elections promises a wide range of initiatives, including the creation of 25 lakh jobs, a skill census to align training with industry needs, and free ration for low-income families. The manifesto also includes a pledge to enact a stringent anti-conversion law, aimed at combating forced and deceitful conversions. The BJP further promises to develop Maharashtra into a hub for robotics and AI training, create 10 lakh new business leaders, and empower women by establishing industrial clusters and providing financial assistance. The manifesto also includes plans to develop key cities into aeronautical and space manufacturing centers, return SGST on fertilizers to farmers, and stabilize the prices of essential commodities.

The Maharashtra government has allocated Rs 7 crore for the conservation of the historic Khanderi Fort, a strategic base for the Maratha navy in the 17th century. The project will focus on repairing 21 collapsed bastions, fortifying dilapidated walls, and reconstructing a portion of the seaside wall that collapsed in 2009. The conservation work will be carried out in five phases, with the initial phase prioritizing the repair of over 10 bastions. The project also aims to build necessary facilities for visitors, including historians, researchers, and tourists, who are drawn to the fort’s significance in Maratha history. The Khanderi Fort, built in 1679 to counter the Siddis at Murud Janjira Fort, is one of four forts nominated for World Heritage Site status. The conservation efforts aim to preserve this important historical landmark and provide visitors with a deeper understanding of its rich history.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly condemned undignified remarks made against female leaders during the Maharashtra assembly election campaign. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar urged political parties and candidates to refrain from such behavior, emphasizing that any violation of the model code of conduct will be met with stern action. Kumar also stressed the need for strict vigilance to prevent the misuse of government vehicles for transporting cash and valuables, and called for enhanced voter participation, particularly in urban areas. He highlighted the disparity in voter turnout between rural and urban areas, urging officials to address this issue.

A new tiger, named ‘STR-T2’, has been spotted in the Chandoli National Park of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR), marking the second tiger recorded in the Chandoli Wildlife Division. This follows the sighting of ‘STR-T1’ in December 2023, the first tiger recorded in the STR since 2018. ‘STR-T2’ was previously recorded in Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary in April 2024 and has traveled nearly 100 km northwards to reach the STR. This movement highlights the importance of the southern corridor of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve for tiger conservation, as it serves as a vital link between different tiger populations. The presence of these tigers, along with the recent increase in tiger sightings in the region, is a testament to the effectiveness of improved ground protection efforts in the STR, Radhanagari Sanctuary, and the surrounding Conservation Reserves.

The Maharashtra government has allocated Rs 7 crore for the conservation of the Khanderi Fort, a strategically important 17th-century Maratha naval base located in Alibaug. The project will focus on repairing 21 collapsed bastions, fortifying dilapidated walls, and reconstructing a portion of the seaside wall that collapsed in 2009. The fort, declared a state-protected monument and renamed Kanhoji Angre Island, is a significant historical site for its role in Maratha naval history. The conservation plan includes building facilities for visitors and researchers, ensuring accessibility for those interested in learning about the fort’s rich past. The project is divided into five phases, with the first phase prioritizing the repair of over 10 bastions. The conservation efforts aim to preserve the fort’s structure and historical significance, making it a more accessible and informative site for tourists and historians alike. The Khanderi Fort is one of four forts nominated for World Heritage Site status, highlighting its importance in Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.

A rare European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) was spotted on Vetal Tekdi in Pune, marking the first ever sighting of the species in Maharashtra. This discovery has thrilled environmentalists and birders, who are rushing to the hill to catch a glimpse of the bird. The sighting is significant as it is only the second time the species has been recorded in India, and it highlights the importance of Vetal Tekdi as an urban open space and biodiversity hotspot. The bird’s presence in Pune is a testament to the growing diversity of birdlife in the area, and underscores the need for its protection as a natural heritage of the city.

Mosin Shaikh, a VNIT Nagpur student, and his friend Soham Ghugare from VIT Vellore, secured joint first place in the Cosmoverse Hackathon in Dubai. Their innovative project, Cosmic Quest, a blockchain-based RPG, won them a $5,000 prize and the best user/dev experience award. Cosmic Quest transforms blockchain learning into an engaging game, allowing users to learn by deploying smart contracts and navigating cross-chain operations within the game itself. This unique approach, developed in just three nights, impressed judges and highlights the potential of Web3 for immersive education. Shaikh and Ghugare hope their project will inspire future developments in blockchain education, bridging the gap between theory and practical skills.