1. CM Replies, but Questions Remain
Under pressure from environmentalists, citizen groups, activists and rival Shiv Sena, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said in the assembly that there would be no construction at the Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP). Instead, Fadnavis said, the MNP would be tagged as a natural area and its status as a green space would be protected. While a small battle has been won in the fight to preserve the open space, activists say it is not good enough. They have instead demanded that the proposal to include the MNP in the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) be scrapped. They are also afraid that the authorities will try and use the FSI of MNP to develop Dharavi.
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
2. Olive Ridley Turtles Hatch at Mumbai’s Versova Beach for the First Time in 20 Years
For the first time in 20 years, at least 80 baby Olive Ridley turtles were spotted at Versova beach on Thursday morning, making their way to the sea.
Morning walkers and beach clean-up crusaders were pleasantly surprised on Thursday when they went to Versova beach and spotted newly hatched Olive Ridley turtles waddling into the sea. The hatchlings were first spotted by beach clean-up crusader Afroz Shah and his team around 9.30am near Sagar Kutir Wadi.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
3. Fewer Hawkers or More? BMC’s Plans Baffle Citizens
Duelling proposals for Bandra’s Hill Road by the BMC — one to relocate licensed roadside vendors and another to allow 140 new hawking pitches — have left citizens and corporators confused about the civic body’s intention. Does it want to decongest the stretch that is popular among shoppers or make it messier for motorists?
Congress corporator Asif Zakaria wrote to assistant municipal commissioner Sharad Ughade, who manages H West Ward, on Monday saying shifting the vendors from Hill Road to Pali Market would serve no purpose if new hawkers were permitted on the stretch.
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
4. The Secret in Her Eyes
India’s best-known child star of the 1950s, Daisy Irani, whose moppet curls and saucer-eyed charm captivated generations of film lovers, has revealed that she was raped and abused at the peak of her stardom.
It has taken over 60 years for Irani, these days better known as the maternal aunt of Farhan and Zoya Akhtar and Farah Khan, to speak publicly about her trauma. More than #MeToo, what has prompted her to break her silence is the very large number of children working via films, TV and talent shows. Through her story, she serves a cautionary note to parents, guardians and mentors to keep a protective eye on their wards.
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
5. Hinduja Helps Patients Beat Dreaded MDR-TB
Thirty of the 50 multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis patients, who enrolled at the PD Hinduja Hospital two years ago, have been cured of the disease, while the remaining patients will complete it in August.
The project, part of Hinduja’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, includes free treatment, nutritional support, treatment for side effects and hospitalisation if it is required. “Hinduja is the first private hospital in the city to undertake such an initiative,” said Dr. Camilla Rodrigues, consultant microbiologist and chairperson, Infection Control, of the hospital. Dr Rodrigues said that only three patients had defaulted during the programme.
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
6. Rodent-Free Mantralaya? BJP Leader Smells a Rat
Senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse on Thursday demanded an inquiry into the way a contract to kill rats in Mantralaya was executed.
How could the company which was given the contract to kill 3,19,400 rats in Mantralaya accomplish the task in merely seven days, he asked in the Legislative Assembly.
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
7. Mumbai Businessman in Debt Tries to Murder Wife and Three Kids While They Are Asleep
A 48-year-old man reeling from a failed business allegedly tried to murder four members of his family in a Goregaon (west) building. Police said he critically injured his wife and son and also stabbed his daughters with knives late on Tuesday, before surrendering.
According to the Goregaon police, the businessman ran a lottery shop in Pathanwadi, Malad (East). He had suffered a loss of several lakhs in his business and had also taken loans, which he was unable to repay.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
8. Huge Fire Guts 27 Shanties in Navi Mumbai Slum; No One Injured
A massive fire broke out in a slum near Takka village in Panvel, gutting at least 27 shanties in the early hours of Thursday. However, no one was injured in the incident.
According to the fire brigade officials, the accident took place at Vaidu Wadi slum around 11.30 pm when most of the residents were sleeping.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
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