THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL Vol. 68 No. 134 | Monday, March 10, 2025 | 25 Pages | `5 & for Pune `6 only Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 Leader in E-paper circulation l www.freepressjournal.in ● EDITIONS: ● MUMBAI ● INDORE ● PUNE ● BHOPAL ● NASHIK ● KONKAN ● E-paper ● Member: Audit Bureau of Circulation (Jan to June 2024) GAMES NATION Encouraged and helped by Rahul, Sitapur cobbler launches ‘Ramchet Mochi’ brand Cinema Check out the winners of the IIFA Digital Awards 2025 Ravi Shastri feels Virat Kohli’s discipline and situational awareness sets him apart Edit Trump rule has restored the atavism of might is right Blue Khalifa DANDIYA, WITH LOVE Haridev Pushparaj MUMBAI sually, players of the winning side pick up the stumps and take them home as souvenirs. This time they gently banged the stumps, striking them as if playing dandiya. The win can surely be dedicated to PM Modi. The winning shot was hit by Ravindra Jadeja in the 49th over. U QUOTABLE QUOTE Congratulations to #TeamIndia for their stupendous performance in winning the #ChampionsTrophy2025! Hats off to Captain @ImRo45 who led from the front with a brilliant 76, setting the tone for victory. @ShreyasIyer15 and @klrahul played crucial knocks, steering India to glory! A triumph to remember. Shama Mohamed, Congress leader Man gunned outside WH gunman was shot by Secret Service members after being spotted with a firearm just outside the White House at midnight on Saturday night. The armed man, from Indiana, parked his vehicle on 17th and G Streets - just a stone's throw away from the President's home - and was walking around the streets with a gun. A NOT HANGING HIS BOOTS: I am not going to retire from this format. Koi future plan nahi hai, jo chal raha hai, waise chalega (there is no future plan, whatever is going on will continue as it is) – Rohit Sharma Pipeline bonfire on dug-up road Fire in heavily leaking MGL pipeline; two moving bikes and auto are drawn into the blaze Devashri Bhujbal MUMBAI Fire broke out in a heavily leaking supply pipeline of the Mahanagar Gas Limited passing through the middle of the road at the Sher-e-Punjab society, at Takshila in Andheri east, at midnight on Sunday, injuring three people, according to the Mumbai Fire Brigade. Such was the intensity of the blaze that two moving bikes and an autorickshaw on the road were engulfed in the fire, with the drivers of the three vehicles suffering severe injuries and having to be rushed to the Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Centre in Jogeshwari.  It was a ‘Level 1ʼ fire confined to two moving vehicles, a fire officer informed.  “The incident was reported at 12.35am at the Sher-e-Punjab society, near the gurudwara in Andheri east. The fire was caused due to heavy leakage from the MGL- PNG pipeline passing through the middle of the road. Two moving vehicles were engulfed in the fire. The blaze was extinguished by the Mumbai Fire Brigade at 1.34am,” according to a state- Variable data shows Kumbh fit for a bath PTI NEW DELHI A fresh report by the Central Pollution Control Board submitted to the National Green Tribunal has said that as per statistical analysis, the water quality during the recentlyconcluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj was fit for bathing. The assertion came even as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray raised questions about the cleanliness of river Ganga and the quality of the water, insisting that he ment by the BMCʼs disaster management department. The two injured bike riders have been identified as Arvind Kumar Kaithal, 21, who suffered 30-40 per cent burns and Aman Harishankar Saroj, 22, who suffered 40-50 per cent burns. The autorickshaw driver has been identified as Suresh Kailas Gupta, 52, and he suffered 20 per cent burn injuries. Kaithal and Saroj were discharged against medical advice from the trauma care hospital, while Gupta remains admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital.  4Contd on | nation November 19th, 2023, was a horror day for Indian cricket team and its skipper Rohit Sharma after the humiliating ODI World Cup final loss to Australia in Ahmedabad. After over 15 months and a fair amount of fat-shaming, ‘Mumbaicha Raja’ resurrected his peak form with a domineering 76, as he helped India clinch its third ICC Champions Trophy title. In front of a boisterous crowd teeming with men and women in blue, Rohit put New Zealand’s bowling attack to the sword giving them a dream start which ensured the highest opening partnership of the tournament of 105 runs with Shubman Gill. A chase of 252 looked easy on a pitch which didn’t give much turn, but a gritty New Zealand ensured that it wasn’t a cakewalk. Team India, too, had their share of hiccups when they lost three quick wickets and were tying themselves into knots at 122/3 but 2nd heat wave in 12 days Devashri Bhujbal City AQI ‘moderate’ MUMBAI The calendar says itʼs March but given that a second heatwave is upon us in the space of 12 days, maybe itʼs May. For another two days, the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 38 °C.  The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had declared a heatwave from Sunday, March 9 to Tuesday, March 11, the cityʼs second one in 12 days. On February 25 and 26, the mercury had crossed 38 °C. While a degree of respite is in store from March 12, the hot and humid weather will not be going anywhere for a long while. Heatwaves and abovenormal temperatures for Summer 2025 is the IMD’s The air quality index (AQI) in Mumbai was in the moderate category on Sunday. AQIs recorded in other areas of the city were as follows: Borivli east overall outlook.  According to the IMDʼs March 9 forecast for the Konkan region, which includes Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Ratnagiri, “There will be a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by two to three degrees during the next 2-3 days and a gradual fall thereafter. The maximum temperature very likely to pre- vail will be between 36 to 38 °C over parts of Konkan over the next 2 to 3 days.” IMD Mumbai Director Sunil Kamble said, “Mumbai is receiving both easterly and northerly winds because of which afternoons and evenings temperatures are high. 4Contd on | nation Staff Reporter MUMBAI In a tragic incident on Sunday afternoon, four labourers lost their lives; the mishap took place while they were working in a water tank of an underconstruction building in Nagpada; the lone survivor’s condition is grim. The incident took place in Bismillha Space, a private building on Dimtimkar Road in Nag- pada, and was reported at around 12.29 pm. As per sources in the BMC, one of the deceased descended into the underground water tank to remove a plank but was overcome by toxic fumes and lost consciousness. The other four rushed to save him; however they ended up falling in the tank themselves. As soon as the incident was reported, the Mumbai Fire Brigade reached the spot and extricated the labourers from the BUDGET SESSION: SECOND LEG FPJ Bureau NEW DELHI The second leg of the Budget session of Parliament is set to resume on Monday and is expected to be a stormy one with both the Opposition and Government ready to outdo each other on multiple issues. While the Opposition will seek to take on the Centre over the issue of Duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers, delimitation row and 4Contd on | nation tank. They were rushed to JJ Hospital, where four were declared dead on arrival and one is under treatment. The deceased are identified as Hasipal Shaikh (19), Raja Shaikh (20), Jiaulla Shaikh (36) and Imandu Shaikh (31). The lone survivor is Purhan Shaikh (31). The BMC’s Buildings and Factory department will issue a notice to the builder and seek clarification on which safety equipments were provided to reciprocal tariffs threat by the United States, the govt is expected to push through the contentious Waqf bill through the Parliament and would be ready to walk an extra mile if needed, said sources. TMC and DMK are expected to lead the Opposition’s attack on the Centre as the respective parties have raised strong reservations against EPIC and alleged imposition of Hindi language on Southern states. The controversy over EPIC broke out after Trinamool Congress leaders claimed that the voter lists were manipulated in Bengal, to allow people from other states to cast ballots in the TMC-ruled state. The poll panel was quick to rubbish the charges and went on to clarify that the EPIC numbers of some voters look identical in some cases, but other details show striking dissimilarities pertaining to constituency, polling booths, and demographic information. 4Contd on | nation offgrid Simmering Manipur hills angry yet again Digjyoti Lahkar GUWAHATI The Kuki-Zo community in the Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District, Manipur, has enforced an indefinite shutdown. The concerted action is spearheaded by the KukiZo Council (KZC), in response to the fatal shooting of a young protestor, Lalgouthang Singsit. The 22-year-old died during clash with security forces at Keithelmanbi Military Colony on March 8. The shutdown, which commenced at midnight on March 8, has brought life to a standstill in Kuki-Zo-dominated areas. Hundreds of Kuki-Zo women took to the streets, ensuring complete adherence, while all commercial establishments, educational institutions, and private offices remained shut. Vehicular movement was restricted, with only emergency services permitted under the watch of women volunteers. A high-level meeting was Shutdown paralyzes Kangpokpi; protestors fired at security forces in the district, it is claimed convened at Keithelmanbi Military Colony, bringing together representatives from key civil society organizations, including the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Kuki Inpi, and the Kuki Students’ Organization (KSO). Powai Chembur Ghatkopar Mazgaon Malad west 140 117 115 111 108 100 Source: Central Pollution Control Board recordings as of Sunday evening 4 LIVES LOST IN WATER TANK Delimitation, tariffs on agenda would not take a holy dip in the river. "Come out of superstition and use your heads properly," Thackeray urged people as he questioned Ganga's cleanliness. Speaking at a programme organised to mark the 19th foundation day of his party on Saturday, Thackeray said his party leader, Bala Nandgaonkar, had brought holy water from the recently-concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, but he refused to drink it. Shreyas Iyer (48), Axar Patel (29), KL Rahul (33) and Hardik Pandya (18) ensured they were not left licking the bottom of the barrel. After Rohit fell for an explosive 83-ball 76, there was a palpable nervous energy in India’s chase. But given the enviable batting depth, they got over the line with an over to spare. Rohit’s counter-attack came after the Indian spinners led by Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav held the Kiwis in a tenacious hold as they plucked five wickets in the Although the resolutions passed at the meeting were not shared, the groups confirmed their decision not to claim Singsit’s body, which remains in the District Hospital Kangpokpi morgue. Meanwhile, Kuki-Zo women gathered at the hospital to mourn the deceased, intensifying calls for justice. CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen condemned the alleged brutality of Kangpokpi Superintendent of Police (SP), 4Contd on | nation the labourers.  An accidental death report (ADR) has been registered and a probe has begun to ascertain lapses, if any, on the part of those who hired the five and whether safety protocols were adhered to, a JJ police station official said. Action will follow as per the findings of the probe, the police official added. The Fire Brigade, the BMC and police personnel are at the site as part of the probe, he said. middle overs to kill the scoring opportunities. It was only a late flourish from Michael Bracewell (53) that helped New Zealand get to a competitive 251/7 in 50 overs. Of late, Rohit has been a talking point for all the wrong reasons. But the fa(c)t of the matter is he is the only captain to make it to the finals of all four major ICC tournaments; also, with the Mumbaikar clinching two out of four, it leaves little residue room for doubt or murmur. Hindu temple in California vandalised PTI NEW YORK/NEW DELHI A prominent Hindu temple in the United States was defaced on Saturday with anti-India graffiti by unknown individuals, prompting a strong condemnation from India and a demand for "stringent action" against those involved in the incident. The attack on the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, a city in southern California, came days before a planned "Khalistani referendum" in  Los Angeles in March -- a nonbinding vote for an independent Sikh homeland in India’s northern Punjab region. According to several media reports, the temple was defaced with “antiHindu” and “anti-Modi” graffiti. ‘‘Together with the community in Chino Hills and Southern California, we will never let hate take root," the temple authority posted on X. ‘‘Our common humanity and faith will ensure that peace and compassion prevail.” 4Contd on | nation Tailpiece Rage against Musk projected on Tesla T he anger against Elon Musk is being projected on his creation Tesla. During a demonstration at a gleaming Tesla showroom in Manhattan, protesters joined in chants of “Nobody voted for Elon Musk” and “Oligarchs out, democracy in.” One held a sign saying, “Send Musk to Mars Now!!” (Elon Musk also owns SpaceX.) The showroom was left with three shattered glass panels. Likewise, seven Tesla charging stations were intentionally  set on fire  at a shopping center outside Boston. In Colorado, federal prosecutors charged a person with malicious destruction of property. She is accused of spray-painting “Nazi” onto the side of a Tesla dealership and planting a Molotov cocktail near a vehicle.  The backlash against the electric vehicle company is possibly over the billionaire chief executive drumming up support for President Trump. But, of late, the backlash is increasingly over his sweeping spending cuts in federal agencies, a result of the newly formed cost-cutting initiative Musk has labeled the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk, the world’s richest man, has blamed fellow billionaires George Soros and Reid Hoffman of targeting his firm Tesla. Musk’s role as government hatchet man is complicating the public’s perception of Tesla. Shares are under pressure and some drivers are ditching their Teslas. Others say they are being targeted as they drive around.