Dashrath Bhagat and his family distribute festive treats and firecrackers, recognising the contribution of women sanitation workers to the city’s cleanliness.

The Celebration

Navi Mumbai Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat and his family celebrated Diwali and Bhai Dooj with women waste pickers and their families in Vashi, acknowledging their contribution to keeping the city clean and highlighting the dignity of their work.

The programme was organised in the slum area of Sector 30, Vashi, in the presence of corporators Nishant Bhagat and Preeti Sandeep Bhagat, along with social worker Sandeep Bhagat. Diwali snacks were distributed among the families, while firecrackers were gifted to children to make the celebrations special.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat said women waste pickers play an important role in making Navi Mumbai clean, beautiful and fragrant. He emphasised that their efforts deserve recognition and appreciation from society.

Corporator Nishant Bhagat said celebrating Diwali and Bhai Dooj with these women was a special experience. He added that the true spirit of festivals lies in spreading happiness among others. The smiles of the women, the joy of their children and their blessings were the family’s greatest gifts, he said. The initiative was organised under the ‘Sugandhi Shahar’ (Fragrant City) campaign, implemented as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission under the inspiration and guidance of State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik.

The campaign aims to encourage public participation in cleanliness initiatives while recognising the contribution of different sections of society towards keeping Navi Mumbai clean.

Vashi Police arrest accused for allegedly creating a fake government office, forging official documents and sending misleading letters to authorities.

The Fake Office

Vashi Police have arrested a 30-year-old man, identified as Suyash Sanjay Shirke, for allegedly creating a fake government office named ‘Tourism Tehsil Office’ and using forged documents to mislead government authorities.

According to police, the accused allegedly prepared fake letterheads featuring a government-style name, official logo and forged stamp to make the non-existent office appear legitimate. He reportedly posed as a revenue officer and sent letters to the Thane District Collector and Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner.

One of the letters, reportedly sent under the name ‘Kiran Kumar’, demanded a ban on members of the Muslim community offering prayers at Kalyan’s Durgadi Fort and its surrounding area during Ramzan Eid and between March and May. It also sought permission to organise a press conference at a private building in Vashi Sector 17.

The matter came to light when officials became suspicious and discovered that no such government office existed in official records. During the investigation, police examined courier records, CCTV footage and information from a photocopy centre in Sector 17, which helped them trace the accused.

Police said Shirke had allegedly used an address in the Naneghat area of Murbad and a Gmail account to prepare and send the forged documents. A case has been registered under Sections 336(2) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway to determine whether others were involved.

Bhojpuri devotional music heard over public announcement systems at Nerul, Sanpada stations, passengers seek clarification from railway authorities.

The Songs

Commuters at several railway stations in Navi Mumbai were taken by surprise after Chhath Puja songs were played over the public announcement systems on Wednesday, November 11. The songs were reportedly heard at Nerul, Sanpada and other stations.

Passengers, who are usually accustomed to hearing train arrival and departure announcements, platform changes and other railway updates, were surprised by the sudden broadcast of Bhojpuri devotional songs associated with Chhath Puja.

At Nerul station, some commuters approached station manager Awadhesh Singh seeking clarification about the initiative. He reportedly informed them that the songs were being played as per instructions from the Central Railway administration and that the decision had not been taken by the local station management.

The initiative appears to be aimed at creating a festive atmosphere at railway stations during the Chhath Puja celebrations. However, it is not clear whether the arrangement is limited to selected stations or will be extended across other Central Railway stations. While some commuters welcomed the festive gesture, others raised concerns about whether playing songs could interfere with important railway announcements. Passengers stressed that information regarding train schedules, platform changes and emergencies should remain the priority.

The incident has drawn attention to the balance between festive celebrations at public places and the need to ensure smooth railway communication.