The Magnificance of Shaniwarwada

Although Shaniwarwada bears no sign of royal history, there was a time when the place was non-official capital of India. Peshwas built the palace here. The place is a spectator of many incidents in the history of Maharashtra. The love story of Bajirao I and Mastani unfolded itself here. It was here that Narayan Peshwa was killed by his uncle Raghunath Peshwa on Dec.  13, 1772. For the fact, not Peshwa Raghunath killed himself Narayanrao....

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Two Regional Tracks Led To Railway Exmination Decision

The announcement by Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee that the railway recruitment examination in Marathi will be conducted soon comes as a boon for the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. It is nothing less than a victory for the party which was consistently harping on the issue. However, the decision could not have come had Mamata herself was not an avid advocate of regional politics. Banerjee, who was in Mumbai yesterday to flag off new train services,...

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Govt. Wakes Up To Fake Currency

The government seems to have risen to the threat of parallel economy by means of fake currency notes. The central Government has decided to introduce 1 billion pieces of polymer banknotes in Rs. 10/- denomination on trial basis. According to information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha today, Reserve Bank of India has initiated the process of purchase of polymer...

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MNS Attracts Strong Reactions

While political analysts and media is engaged in bashing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena over the incident yesterday in assembly house, there is equally strong reactions from the public in favour of the party. Marathi blogs are replete with the praise for the MLAs who staked their position in the incident. Surprisingly, Ramesh Wanjale, MLA from Khadakwasla constituency was also involved in the manhandling of Abu Azmi. Surprisingly, because he was not...

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Oath Taking Replaces Incertainty

After 15 days of lingering incertainty, there is a government finally an the state. The 38 members strong council of ministers tookl oath of the secrecy today. The Congress has 18 ministers and NCP 20. NCP ministers are expected to take oath on at once  and Congress ministers would be sworn in two phases.Pune, including district has got only three ministers in the new cabinet while city will be represented by only one representative. Ramesh...

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A Government At Last

Ok. What is the ‘big deal’ Full 15 days after the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party returned to power in Maharashtra, the new government is finally to be instated. After a fortnight-long tough bargaining over portfolio-sharing between two parties, Congress and NCP finalised a deal based on the 1999 formula to form a new government. Chief Minister-elect Ashok Chavan had indicated on Tuesday that the next government would be in place within two days. NCP leader Praful Patel told reporters in Mumbai that portfolio-sharing will be done on the...

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H1N1 Worsens in Maharashtra

PIB Press ReleaseMaharashtra continues to be the hub of Swine Flu activity as the 12 cases are reported in the state today.  The total number of deaths due to H1N1 Flu have touched 204 and Pune is almost on the verge of touching 100 deaths due to the pandemic. Worse, there have been 48 confirmed cases of dengue among 138 suspected cases in the city, still the Pune Municipal Corporation claims the situation is ‘under control’. They feel it’s...

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The Question of National Character

When I read that France is embarking on a debate of nationalism, I was surprised. We the Indians are always accustomed to living with differences and the voices of rebels against the nationalism are always dominant in the country, even as the reverence for nationalist activists have never receded. Having said so, we have never defined the national character of an Indian. Living with 3000 ethnicities and 21 scheduled languages, we never can. That is why the announcement by Eric Besson appears ambitious. The country which gave the world three basic...

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Power Game in Maharashtra

Even ten days after the election results are out, there is no government in the state. The power sharing talks between Congress and NCP are still continuing and each side is testing the patience of other. Congress and NCP have got the mandate of the people of Maharashtra but they are yet to win over the confidence of their allies. The bargaining between both the parties over major portfolios and numbers of ministers from each party is creating a hurdle in the ministry formation. Chief minister-elect Ashok Chavan has said that both the parties...

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