Mumbai: The sons and daughters of political leaders have entered the fray for the high-stakes BMC elections, armed with professional graduate and postgraduate degrees. An endodontist, an MBA, and candidates with backgrounds in humanities are among those seeking to secure a seat. From Arun Gawli’s second daughter to Arif Naseem Khan’s son, and children of former corporators, the next generation of politicians is making its electoral debut this season.In Dahisar’s Ward 11, former corporator Riddhi Khursange’s daughter, Dr Aditi Khursange, an endodontist representing Shiv Sena, is in a direct contest with MNS’s Kavita Mane. After working for two years at the BMC-run Hinduhridayasamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Polyclinic and witnessing shortcomings first hand, Khursange decided to step into politics.“I had possible solutions, but nothing was falling into place,” she said. “The BMC must provide healthcare to citizens not as a formality, but with genuine commitment.” Her father, Bhaskar Khursange, served as a corporator in 2007 and 2012. When the ward was reserved for OBC women in 2017, her mother, Riddhi Khursange, contested and won. Aditi continues to visit her clinic daily.Leena Gudhekar, daughter of three-time corporator Shubhada Gudhekar, a computer engineer and MBA topper, has taken a break from her career. She is currently assistant vice-president in a leading company. She is looking to serve the ward her parents have been working in for three decades. She said it is a natural choice to carry forward the family’s baton of service. Gawli’s second daughter Yogita is following her sister Geeta’s footsteps. After completing her MA in political science, Yogita was an intern with Saarc. She established an NGO and started connecting with people. This election, locals from Ward 207 and her parents insisted on having a family member as their representative. “Despite being in the heart of south Mumbai, this region lacks cleanliness and hygiene. Water is one major concern that I wish to work upon,” said Gawli, who plans to continue her social work as a political representative, while balancing her role as a mother of two children, one of whom is just a month old.Amir Khan, son of former minister Naseem Khan, is contesting from Ward 162. While Khan’s family did not contest any election for years, this time, local residents were reportedly in favour of a candidate from the family. Eknath Hundare’s daughter, Vrushali Hundare (24) too is one of the younger candidates in the fray.

MUMBAI: BJP candidate Makrand Narwekar, brother of state assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar, is among the richest candidates in the forthcoming BMC elections, with assets worth Rs 124 crore declared in his affidavit.The 47-year-old two-time corporator, listed as an advocate in his affidavit, purchased 27 land parcels in Alibaug between Oct 2022 and Nov 2025. “Everything is shown in my affidavit. I would only like to say this is a live example of India shining,” he told TOI .

With infrastructure projects such as the Atal Setu, RoRo ferry to Alibaug, the value of these holdings has suddenly gone up, said Narwekar, whose assets were listed as Rs 6.32 crore in 2017 and Rs 3.67 crore in 2012.Around 35% of the candidates contesting the BMC elections are crorepatis. His sister-in-law Harshita Narwekar, who is contesting from ward 225, has declared assets worth Rs 63.62 crore — up from Rs 10.74 crore in 2017. Close behind is Sana Abbas Qureshi with Rs 60.3 crore. Contesting from Kalina on a Samajwadi Party ticket, Qureshi says the collapse of the area pushed her into politics.“This is my first election,” she said. “My family runs schools. But I realised that if you want change, you cannot only complain — you have to be a part of it.” Every lane, she says, carries its own catalogue of neglect. “Sanitation is a mess. Toilets don’t even have doors. We need better hospitals, better schools. The problems are visible everywhere,” she added.Another affidavit drawing attention is that of Samadhan Sarvankar, son of former MLA Sada Sarvankar, who is seeking a second term as corporator. Sarvankar has declared assets of Rs 46.59 crore, up from Rs 9.43 crore he reported in 2017. Of this, Rs 40.59 crore is listed under immovable assets. Meanwhile, his sister, Priya Sarvankar, who is contesting from Dadar Shivaji Park, has declared assets of Rs 12.16 crore. Former mayor Shraddha Jadhav, the first female mayor from the Shiv Sena from 2009-2012, has assets worth Rs. 46.34 crore.Independent candidate Ashok Gupta, a pan vendor from Bandra, has declared assets of Rs 1.6 crore. Gupta says he worked for years for Sharad Pawar’s party but was denied a ticket, prompting him to contest as an independent. “I want to work to make Mumbai a better city,” says Gupta, who assets include an SRA house worth Rs 1 crore, some savings and his wife’s jewellery.And then, there are candidates like Khandu Nana Khandekar, a rickshaw driver from Mankhurd–Govandi, whose affidavit carries no such heft. “When auto drivers stand for elections, they go door-to-door touching people’s feet,” he said. “But after they get elected, they behave like kings. I am not like that. I will never become that. So, people will vote for me.”

PICHOR: Union Minister for Communications and Northeast Region Development and Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday announced two new India Post services, Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48, at Pichor in Shivpuri district, which will ensure delivery within 24 and 48 hours, respectively.This announcement, made through a local program, is being considered an important step towards the modernisation of postal services. Speaking on the occasion, Scindia said that Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48 will set a new standard of punctual, reliable and fast delivery.“I am bringing two new products. One will be called Speed Post 24, which will deliver your Speed Post document to your home within 24 hours. The second is Speed Post 48.”, he said.In fact, the Central Minister inaugurated the renovated Pichhor sub-office at a cost of ₹2 lakh and laid the foundation stone and conducted ground-breaking ceremonies for the proposed new sub-office building at a cost of ₹1 crore 11 lakh. During this program, he made these big announcements.On December 29, 2025, Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), has rolled out a set of transformative reforms to bolster indigenous manufacturing and testing capabilities.“These transformative reforms will strengthen telecom security, reduce compliance burdens, enable sustainable industry growth and reinforce PM @narendramodi ji’s vision of Make in India, Make for the World,” he said.”Key reforms include: 1. Extension of the Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme for OEMs for 2 years 2. Reduced fees for Telecom Security Testing Laboratories (TSTLs),” the Minister added.Minister Scindia said these reforms are aligned with the principle of DSS- ‘Design in India, Solve in India, Scale for the world*’.”These and deliver a crucial boost to ease of doing business for telecom equipment manufacturers with the 90 per cent reduction in compliance burden for women-led and MSME testing laboratories, while other testing labs will benefit from a 50 per cent reduction. Central and State Government testing agencies, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and other government institutions have been granted a complete waiver of testing fees,” the Minister said.

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli’s presence in an Indian dressing room is often felt in moments that don’t make the highlights reel, and a small episode from India’s training camp in Vadodara has once again underlined that side of his leadership. Ahead of the opening ODI against New Zealand, a video surfaced on social media showing Kohli engaging with a local net bowler during an intense practice session, a clip that has quickly gone viral.The incident took place at the Kotambi Stadium on Saturday, January 10, where India were putting in the final touches before the three-match ODI series gets underway on Sunday. After an extended net session, Kohli paused to offer words of encouragement to the net bowler, later signing a cricket ball for him.

The interaction came after a demanding practice routine in which Kohli and the net bowler spent close to an hour and a half facing Indian pacers, spinners and throw-down specialists. Fresh off appearances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the sessions were designed to replicate match-like pressure, and Kohli appeared fully invested in every detail.During the exchange, Kohli was heard delivering a pointed yet motivational message: “Agar maar padh bhi jaati hai to koi baat nahi, par conviction se, ki main wo ball daal raha hu jo mujhe daalna hai, main wo ball nahi daal raha jo batsman mujhse dalwa raha hai (Even if you get hit, it’s fine. But you should have the conviction that you are delivering a ball that you want to, not the one the batter wants you to bowl).”Kohli arrives into the ODI series in red-hot form. After scores of 77 and 131 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he looked sharp against both pace and spin, even though inconsistent bounce from throw-down specialists challenged him in the nets. Now a single-format international player, Kohli skipped Delhi’s third Vijay Hazare match to join the national squad.His recent numbers underline his momentum. Kohli was named Player of the Series against South Africa after scoring 302 runs in three matches at an average of 151. He scored two centuries in the series. Against New Zealand, his ODI record remains formidable, with 1,657 runs from 33 matches at an average of 55.23.

NEW DELHI: After an impressive showing in the ODI series against South Africa, India’s batting mainstay Virat Kohli has quickly turned his focus to the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. As the Indian team assembled in Vadodara to begin preparations, Kohli returned to the national camp in a relaxed and cheerful mood, setting a positive tone ahead of the series opener.The senior batter was seen in his element during training, cracking jokes, exchanging high-fives with teammates and sharing laughs as India eased into their practice sessions. Kohli’s light-hearted presence kept the atmosphere upbeat, offering a glimpse of the confidence within the camp following recent successes.

That easygoing vibe was best reflected during a net session when Kohli briefly slipped into entertainer mode. Spotting left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh running in to bowl, Kohli playfully mimicked his distinctive run-up, exaggerating the strides and movements to comic effect. The impromptu act drew instant laughter from teammates nearby and momentarily cut through the intensity of the session.While the mood was relaxed, the intensity of preparation was unmistakable. Senior batters Kohli and Rohit Sharma both looked in good touch as India went through a rigorous training session on Friday. The upcoming ODI series, beginning on Sunday, marks the start of a demanding stretch for the team, which will be followed by a long T20 season featuring a five-match series against New Zealand, the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League.Kohli and Rohit spent close to one-and-a-half hours batting against Indian pacers, spinners and throwdown specialists, following their recent appearances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Kohli, who struck scores of 77 and 131 in the domestic competition, took on both pace and spin with authority, though variable bounce from one of the practice nets posed a brief challenge.Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and pacer Mohammed Siraj were absent from the three-hour training session, having represented their respective state teams in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Thursday. The trio is expected to link up with the squad later in the evening.India captain Shubman Gill also completed his training drills comfortably, batting in the nets after recovering from a toe injury that had ruled him out of the final two T20Is against South Africa. The team had trained at the BCA Stadium at Kotambi on Thursday as well, with the venue set to host its first-ever men’s international match.

Ananya Panday’s cousin, Alanna Panday, the YouTuber, and her husband, Ivor McCray, recently went shopping to pick out materials for upgrading their new five-bedroom home. Their newest vlog captured the couple’s big spending outing, featuring items like marble slabs, fridges, and ovens, with prices soaring between Rs 60 lakh and almost Rs 1 crore.

Alanna Panday vlog kickoff

At the beginning of the vlog, Alanna shared, “We are officially shopping for all the raw materials we will need for the renovation, like stone, marble, flooring, and appliances. It’s going to be a long week of shopping.” To this, Ivor quickly added, “All the expensive stuff!” Agreeing with him, she explained, “If you’re wondering where your money really flies during a renovation, it’s when you start buying the raw material.”

Alanna Panday’s investment rationale

Ivor then explained why they chose high-end materials. “It’s going to increase the value of our home,” he said, adding, “Yes, this is the house we’re going to live in, but it’s also an investment, so we are looking at it from that angle.” He further noted, “We are trying to keep it within a budget, but if we have to go a little over because the material is better, we are okay with that.”

Alanna Panday marble showdown

Their initial stop was a marble showroom offering more than 5,000 varieties. After checking out multiple slabs, they stopped at one costing $7,000 per slab—about Rs 6.32 lakh. Alanna commented, “It’s $7,000 per slab, and we need five for the kitchen and five for the bathroom,” which brings the total to $70,000 (around Rs 63 lakh). Reacting humorously, Ivor joked, “Awesome, I am going to put a donation link at the bottom of the video.”The couple emphasized that the marble wasn’t their ultimate selection, as they had scheduled stops at three additional stores. Their plan involved selecting five marble varieties and finalizing after evaluating quality, design, and price. They proceeded to browse kitchen appliances, with Alanna stating, “We’re on our way to shop for appliances for our kitchen—everything we want, including the fridge, stove, and dishwasher.” Ivor added humorously, “I didn’t know a fridge could cost as much as a car. The fridge we want costs the same as my first car.”

Alanna Panday stove sticker shock

After reviewing several choices, the couple opted for a Thermador fridge at $16,000 (Rs 14.4 lakh). Alanna justified it by saying, “We’re paneling our appliances. I just like how it looks—it will blend in with the cabinets.” Next up were stoves, where Alanna was smitten by a premium one right away, stating, “This is what I am going to get,” and Ivor nodded that it stood out. They hazarded price guesses—Ivor at $40,000, Alanna between $30,000 and $35,000—before the salesperson dropped the truth: $90,000 or $120,000 (Rs 81.2 lakh to Rs 1.1 crore). Ivor blurted, “That’s ridiculous,” leaving Alanna without words.

Alanna Panday flooring finale

Later, they shifted to budget-friendly stoves costing about $12,000 (Rs 10.8 lakh), keeping their purchase decision private. As appliance shopping ended, Ivor affirmed, “We like the Thermador fridge, so we will be getting that.” Alanna quipped, “We are definitely not getting the G-Wagon stove.” They then explored flooring, with Alanna referencing a previous vlog about seeking light oak tones. Kitchen and bathroom marble got finalized, but its price stayed secret, with a promise of renovation details in the next video.

Legendary fast bowler James Anderson has openly criticized England captain Ben Stokes after their humiliating 4–1 Ashes loss to Australia. He was really disappointed and unhappy with the way the defeat was explained by Ben Stokes.

The fallout from England’s 4-1 Ashes 2025-26 defeat has taken a dramatic turn, as James Anderson has publicly blasted captain Ben Stokes, describing the captain’s post-series comments as “nonsense.”

The former England fast bowler slammed Stokes for praising the effort of bowlers like Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse after the loss. Anderson believes that praising effort after such a poor Ashes series sends the wrong message and hides the real problems inside the team.

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England was completely outplayed by Australia in the recent Ashes 2025-26. Australia looked stronger, sharper, and far better prepared, while England arrived with almost no warm-up matches and was later accused of lacking discipline between tests.

Their Noosa break was heavily criticized by the former cricketers and fans, as they were already 2-0 down in the five-match Test series in Australia. Because of this, questions have now been raised about the overall culture and standards within the England cricket team.

Anderson’s Explosive Criticism: “You’re in the wrong sport”

The legendary fast bowler said that running in hard and giving effort is not something special, as mentioned by Ben Stokes, because it is simply the basic requirement of being an international cricketer.

Anderson on BBC Radio: “When I saw Stokes come out and say the way Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse have just run in so consistently, I had a Roy Keane moment. I was like, that’s your job. If you’re not willing to run in all day for your team, don’t bother. You’re in the wrong sport.”

The Mitchell Starc Benchmark: Anderson attacked Stokes

To explain his point, Anderson highlighted Mitchell Starc as the best example of what top-level commitment looks like. Starc finished the Ashes as player of the series with 31 wickets and also made valuable runs with the bat, scoring 163.

Read Also: Nasser Hussain breaks silence on clash with Brendon McCullum, issues ‘sacking’ warning after Ashes loss

Even on the fifth day of the final test, Starc was still bowling at full pace, just as fast as he had in the five-match Test series, and Anderson said that this is the standard. The cricket pandit stressed that talking about effort after a big defeat is frustrating, saying this term should never even come into the conversation because it should already be part of every player’s mindset.

Blasting Stokes, the former fast bowler said that things like “the effort was there” only cover up deeper issues and lower the standards of the team.

Anderson noted, “Starc, for me, was the absolute standout of the series. He bowled on Day 5 of the final Test as quickly as he had bowled all series long. He was consistent with his speeds. But that is what you expect from all your bowlers. That is the standard. It always annoys me (when someone says), ‘Can’t fault your efforts.’ Well, the effort shouldn’t be a thing. It should just be in you.”

Ben Stokes’ Defense: “Commitment could not be questioned”

After the fifth Test, Ben Stokes had defended his players by saying their commitment and energy could not be questioned. The England captain had stated, “We’ve dropped a lot of catches on this tour, which have been very costly to the overall situation of the games.

In terms of stepping up, I can never fault anyone’s commitment or energy that they’ve given into this. We haven’t performed well; we know that, and we hold our hands up to that. But no one should question the care and commitment to try and go out there and give it your absolute best. It’s just been down to the lack of execution.”

Budget to presented on February 1 (Image credit: IANS)

State leaders met with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday for pre-budget discussions, where they reportedly asked for increased financial support for capital investments and compensation for GST revenue losses. The states also asked for more funding for urban and rural development, housing programs, and disaster management ahead of the upcoming FY27 budget presentation on February 1, according to officials cited by ET.During the meeting, Sitharaman emphasised the importance of state participation in achieving India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. She encouraged states to implement necessary reforms to support this vision.Kerala’s finance minister KN Balagopal mentioned his state’s concerns, claiming that the Centre has held back over Rs 17,000 crore this fiscal year. He requested an increase in the borrowing ceiling and addressed issues like GST-related revenue decline and railway development needs.Telangana presented infrastructure proposals, including the construction of 2.5 million houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the establishment of an Indian Institute of Management. The state also demanded allocation for various transport sector schemes such as a regional ring road and the expansion of the Hyderabad Metro Rail.Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh pushed on regional development, asking for assistance for the Rayalaseema Horticulture Development Package as well as the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar Link project.State leaders, including governors, chief ministers, deputy chief ministers, and finance ministers, attended the meeting among others. The union minster of state for finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, and members of the ministry also attended the meeting among others.Before this, Sitharaman has held meetings with different stakeholders such as economists, industrialists, farmers, and students of the Delhi School of Economics to get diverse inputs for the budget.

Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir has passed away at 78 after a battle with cancer. His spokesperson confirmed his death, citing complications from lung issues. Weir, a guitarist and vocalist, was a guiding force in American music, building a lasting community through his artistry. He is remembered for his fiery spirit and a legacy intended to endure for centuries.

Guitarist and the founding member of the Grateful Dead band, Bob Weir, has passed away at the age of 78. He had been battling cancer for quite some time. In a social media post, the musician’s spokesperson confirmed that Weir had passed away surrounded by his loved ones as he fought complications from his cancer diagnosis.

Bob Weir passes away at 78

In the social media post shared on his official page, it was revealed that the guitarist “unfortunately, he succumbed to underlying lung issues.” The post further read that, “Bobby took to the road. A guitarist, vocalist, storyteller, and founding member of the Grateful Dead. Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music. His work did more than fill rooms with music; it was warm sunlight that filled the soul, building a community, a language, and a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them.” The post recalled all of the work he had done in the past 60 years and how his music managed to connect people far and wide. It also talked about how he battled cancer and the underlying issues head-on after his diagnosis in July last year.They also revealed that the guitarist had been diagnosed only weeks before his memorable performance at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, his hometown. “Those performances, emotional, soulful, and full of light, were not farewells, but gifts. Another act of resilience,” the post added. The post remembered his fiery spirit and how his story has not ended, and has only taken another form. The post concluded with “He often spoke of a three-hundred-year legacy, determined to ensure the songbook would endure long after him. May that dream live on through future generations of Dead Heads. And so we send him off the way he sent so many of us on our way: with a farewell that isn’t an ending, but a blessing. A reward for a life worth livin’.”The post was also accompanied by a photo of the musician playing with his guitar, which was taken by his daughter, Chloe.

Know more about Bob Weir

Weir began his journey into the world of music at an extremely young age. At the mere age of 16, he and Jerry Garcia played together at an event in Paulo Alto. This prompted the two of them to form a bond and later start a band. Along with Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Phil Lesh, and Bill Kreutzmann, Weir and Garcia made up the five-member band Grateful Dead. He spent 30 years with the band, playing the guitar and occasionally singing at some of their performances. After Garcia’s passing in 1995, the band officially came to an end; however, spin-off groups named The Other Ones and The Dead were formed. He spent another two decades playing with them on stage. Bob Weir is survived by his wife, Natascha Münter, and their two children, Monet and Chloe.

Axar Patel is now a member of India’s T20I leadership group after the selectors named him vice-captain for next month’s T20 World Cup. The all-rounder spoke to TOI on a range of topics ahead of the big ICC tournament. Excerpts:With the T20 World Cup around the corner, the next two months will be big for you…

“This journey started from the previous edition of the T20 World Cup. I’ve been maturing day by day as a cricketer. I understand better what I need to do in situations. Becoming captain of Delhi Capitals helped me understand my growth as a person. I got to know more about game awareness, like how to use players in different situations. A combination of confidence and clear mindset has made my journey smooth over the last two years. The reward is that I am also in the leadership group now.”You were part of the 2015 WC team but didn’t get a game, then missed out on the 2021 T20 WC and 2023 ODI WC after initially being named…“Those days were very difficult for me. Whatever I am today is because of those days. I made a comeback in the team in 2021 after I was dropped in 2018. During that phase I started identifying what I needed to do as a sportsperson, like staying positive in tough situations. Because all those things happened to me, I knew what to do in the last T20 World Cup final when I went out to bat under pressure. I was very calm.”(Axar scored 47 off 31 balls batting at No. 5 in the 2024 T20 WC final against South Africa.)Did that T20 WC final help you shed the image of being a backup choice for all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja?“Absolutely. Since then or just before the T20 World Cup, I have never been seen as a replacement for Jaddu bhai. A spot was created for me. Jaddu bhai and I started playing together. I was never competing with Jaddu bhai. When I used to practice, I used to think what else I could add to my game so that they could never drop me. After the T20 WC final, I never thought I would be dropped again.”Axar the batsman has also been given greater responsibility…“I started as a batter but became a full-time spinner when I reached the NCA. In my early days I didn’t do well with the bat and started doubting myself. When I got dropped in 2018, I worked very hard on my batting. When MS Dhoni was mentor of the 2021 WC team, he told me that in my earlier days, under his captaincy, I put pressure on myself by thinking I had to perform all the time, rather than simply believing that I was a capable batter. Slowly I started implementing what Mahi bhai had told me and I regained my confidence.”How do you see your role in a flexible batting lineup?“If I’ve been sent up the order, that means the team trusts me and I have the talent to perform this role. When I go out to bat, I don’t think I am a floater. The team management tells me that I’m not sent to blindly accelerate the scoring or play out a difficult spell or target a particular spinner. I am given a role like any other specialist batter.”You come across as a happy-go-lucky character…“My nature is to be a fun-loving guy, but when you’re a senior player or in a leadership group, you have to draw a line. I believe in keeping a fun environment but it shouldn’t happen that people around you take it for granted. On the ground, it’s serious business. Yes, I do have fun in interviews but my teammates also know when there is work, I do it very seriously.”How do you switch off?“Hanging out with friends or chatting. I have a me-time which is very personal to me when I completely switch off. I lie on my bed. I don’t really watch content. Sometimes, I browse YouTube to follow the PUBG mobile tournament. I don’t play much but I try to follow who is doing well in the tournament. I avoid watching things related to cricket. I’ve started to like Korean drama recently.”Do you prefer watching videos of your performances from the past?“I don’t like to watch my previous performances but I watch clips of my better efforts when a tournament is about to start. I try to remember what I was doing and what my mindset was. A lot of changes happen to your game involuntarily. Once in a while, I take out an hour to see the differences, if any.”(The interaction was facilitated by JSW Sports.)