An Indian wildlife conservationist, environmental commentator, author and photographer with a passion for elephants, Vivek Menon is a conservation leader whose lifelong dedication has created positive, global change for wildlife and natural habitats

With announcement wildlife conservationist Vivek Menon has become the first Asian to lead the commission in its 75-year history. Pic/Special Arrangement by Ranjeet Jadhav Indian conservationist Vivek Menon has made history by becoming the first Asian Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC). He was elected for the 2025-2029 term during the IUCN World Conservation Congress held in Abu Dhabi.

An Indian wildlife conservationist, environmental commentator, author and photographer with a passion for elephants, Vivek Menon is a conservation leader whose lifelong dedication has created positive, global change for wildlife and natural habitats.

“My goal is to strengthen the SSC into a more resilient, inclusive, and globally impactful network that drives action and shapes policy. I believe in the power of this global network of over 11,000 experts, united by a shared passion for life on Earth, and as Chair, I will lead it with integrity, transparency, and dedication,” Vivek Menon said.

Through expert guidance to premier organisations, participation in landmark initiatives, and training of enforcement personnel across more than 50 India and South Korea begin first-ever bilateral naval exercise, INS Sahyadri joins The Republic of Korea Navy warmly welcomed the Indian warship, highlighting the growing strategic partnership between India and South Korea, especially in the naval domain, it further said INS Sahyadri arrived at Busan Naval Harbour in South Korea to take part in the first-ever bilateral naval exercise between the Rear Admiral Vivek Dahiya assumes command of Navy’s Western Fleet Rear Admiral Vivek Dahiya served as Naval Assistant to the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, and as Commodore (Staff Requirements) at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi

Rear Admiral Dahiya was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1993. Pic/Defence PRO

Rear Admiral Vivek Dahiya, NM, has officially taken charge as the Commander of the 186 trainees graduate at Indian Naval Academy’s spring term Passing Out ParadeCadets from four friendly foreign countries were also among the pass-outs. The importance of integrating foreign cadets was emphasised as a means strengthen international naval cooperation and showcase India’s naval training excellence on the global stage

The reviewing officer commissioned the new officers, who will proceed to various naval establishments and ships for specialised training. PIC/DEFENCE PRO PRO

The IN PHOTOS: First-ever batch of 17 Female Cadets pass out from NDA The historic first batch of 17 female cadets was among the 336 cadets who graduated as part of the 148th Course – Spring Term 2025. The milestone event was marked by a grand Passing Out Parade (POP), where a total of 1,341 cadets took part at the iconic Khetarpal Parade Ground in Khadakwasla. (Pics/Defence PRO)

Updated on : 30 May,2025 09:17 PM IST | Compiled by : Divya Nair

The cadets marched with perfect coordination and discipline, impressing everyone who watched. The event was attended by proud parents, respected guests, school children, civilians, and both current and retired members of the Armed Forces. Pics/Defence PRO

A total of 1,341 cadets participated in the parade, including 336 who were graduating. This parade was especially significant as it marked the graduation of the NDA’s first-ever batch of 17 female cadets

The Reviewing Officer for the parade was Gen (Dr) VK Singh (Retd), the Hon’ble Governor of Mizoram. Lt Col Praveen Kumar Tiwari, the Adjutant, supervised the parade while riding his horse ‘Reliant Robin’. The parade was led by Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi from ‘G’ Squadron

The Reviewing Officer presented the President’s Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals to the Cadets who secured first, second, and third positions in the order of merit

The President’s Gold Medal was awarded to BCA Prince Raj, the Silver Medal to ACC Udayveer Singh Negi, and the Bronze Medal to BCC Tejas Bhatt for securing the top three positions in merit

The parade concluded with a stunning flypast by flag-trooping Chetak helicopters, Super Dimona motorized gliders, and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets. The Golf Squadron was awarded the Chiefs of Staff Banner, bringing the event to a close of Spring Term 2025 was conducted at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala on May 31.

A total of 186 trainees from the Indian Naval Academy (INA) completed their ab-initio training at the parade. The graduating batch included Midshipmen from the 107th and 108th INA courses, as well as cadets from the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Naval Orientation Courses, including the ICG and Navy rescue 24 crew members as Librarian container ship sinks off Kerala coast According to the statement, released by the Defence PRO, all 24 crew members on board Liberian container ship — MSC ELSA 3 were safely rescued. 21 crew members were recused by the Indian Coast Guard and three by the Indian Navy’s INS Sujata

The ship was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide. Pic/Defence PRO

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Indian Navy to induct traditionally built “Ancient Stitched Ship” The Indian Navy is all set to induct and unveil the name of the Ancient Stitched Ship during a ceremonial event on May 21, 2025, at the Naval Base in Karwar. The Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, will be presiding over the ceremony

Ancient Stitched Ship which is set to be inducted. Pics/Defence PRO

The Indian Navy is all set to induct and unveil the name of the Ancient Stitched Ship during a ceremonial event on May 21, 2025, at the Naval Base in Karwar. The Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, will be presiding over the ceremony as a chief guest. The launch of this vessel will formally mark the induction of the ship into the Indian Navy.Inspired by a painting from the Maharashtra: Ajanta caves to have QR codes to provide info of paintings to visitors, says ASI official The paintings in the fifth-century Ajanta caves illustrate the Jataka tales. They are in the dark area of caves where human eyes take time to get acclimatised

Ajanta caves. Pic/iStock

The famous Ajanta caves will soon have QR codes at the entrance to provide information to visitors about the paintings there, a senior said on Monday. The ASI is working to make the system available before the city hosts a G20-related event, the official said.

The ‘first inception meet’ of Women 20 (W20) as part of India’s presidency of G20 will be held in the city next month. The Women 20 was set up in 2015 to ensure gender considerations figure in G20 discussions. The paintings in the fifth-century Ajanta caves illustrate the Jataka tales. They are in the dark area of caves where human eyes take time to get acclimatised.

To make tourists learn more about the paintings they are going to see, the ASI will bring them on QR codes, the official said.

“Tourists get a maximum of ten minutes in a cave to see the paintings. They are randomly painted and not in a sequence. It takes time for our eyes to acclimatise to the poor lighting in the caves,” ASI’s Superintendent Archaeologist Milan Kumar Chauley told PTI.

Maharashtra: Govt sanctions 1.7-km-long bypass road to reduce traffic, pollution near Ellora Caves A 1.7-km-long and 15-metre wide bypass will be constructed at the cost of Rs 27.5 crore, the official said.

The Ellora Caves

The Maharashtra: School trips give ST buses big boost After irreparable losses during lockdown, it’s glory days for MSRTC buses with state school edu dept making it mandatory for schools to book these for field trips

An MSRTC spokesperson said it has been engaging an average of 700 to 900 buses per day for school field trips and excursions across the state. File pic/ Satej Shinde

School field trips and excursions returning to the academic calendar after the two-year Maharashtra reports nine COVID-19 cases, no death; active tally 127 as seven recover. The recovery count increased by seven to touch 79,88,275, leaving the state with 127 active cases.

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Monday reported nine Covid 19 cases which took the tally in the state to 81,36,820, while the death toll remained unchanged at 1,48,418, a health official said. The addition to the tally was 20 on Sunday, he pointed out.

The recovery count increased by seven to touch 79,88,275, leaving the state with 127 active cases, he added. The recovery rate is 98.17 per cent, while the fatality rate stands at 1.82 per cent, as per state health department data. So far, 8,60,30,630 coronavirus tests have been conducted, including 4,956 in the last 24 hours. Mumbai reports four new Covid-19 cases, active tally at 31. No death was reported on January 9, the death toll remained unchanged at 19,746, as per the BMC health bulletin

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Mumbai: Duo from West Bengal in search for job in city, steal NRI’s bag in Borivli; held

The GRP officials arrested the duo from West Bengal with the help of CCTV and recovered the stolen bag on Sunday, an official said

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The Mumbaikars, brace for a four-hour jumbo block between Borivali and Ram Mandir

The block will be in effect from 10 am to 2 pm between Borivali and Ram Mandir stations on the UP FAST as well as between Ram Mandir and Kandivali stations on the fifth line10 October,2025 06:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent

Mumbai: Borivli court convicts man for 2014 molestation case

Sentenced to one year of rigorous imprisonment; to pay Rs 10,000 penalty10 October,2025 10:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan

Received a one-year sentence of hard labor and ordered to pay a penalty of Rs 10,000. October 10, 2025, 10:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan Authorities continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation closely as new cases emerge. Public health officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and adhere to safety protocols. In related news, the legal system in Mumbai is tackling various cases, including a recent conviction for molestation. This highlights ongoing efforts to address safety and justice within the community. As the city navigates these challenges, both health and legal measures remain priorities for local governance. Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested two thieves who had allegedly stolen NRI’s bag from Borivli railway station’s waiting room and escaped to West Bengal, the police said.

The arrested accused were identified as Mohammad Arshad Azad and Mohammad Islam Idrisi, the police said.

The GRP officials arrested the duo from West Bengal with the help of CCTV and recovered the stolen bag on Sunday, an official said.

During the interrogation, the police learnt that the duo are a native of West Bengal and had come to Mumbai in the search of a job about a month ago. But, they did not find any permanent job. They worked as laborers for a couple of weeks in the city but their employer had not paid them any salary, sources said.
Both of them wanted to return back to their native place but they were unhappy with going empty handed. They decided to steal something and when they were at Borivli railway station, they saw the complainant who was sitting in the waiting room and decided to take his bag, said an officer from Borivli GRP.

The complainant, Balgovind Sharma, 60 who lives in America and is an NRI. He had come to India after around 30 years to meet friends from IIT Bombay in Powai, sources added. Mumbai: Lift trolley crashes in Worli building, two dead According to the civic body, the incident took place at  Avighna Tower, Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli Naka

Police examine the spot after the incident. Pic/ Ashish Raje

Two were killed after a lift trolley of an under construction building in Worli, mumbai crashed on Monday evening, the BMC said in a statement. The deceased, both labourers were killed after the lift trolley crashed at a 15-storey under construction building, an official from the fire brigade told the PTI.

According to the civic body, the incident took place at  Avighna Tower, Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli Naka. The incident was reported to the BMC at 4:33 pm. The incident took place when the labourers were cleaning the glass on the exterior of the building, the official told PTI.

The rope of the lift suddenly broke and the contraption crashed to the ground floor, he said.

Following the incident the Mumbai Fire Brigade rushed to the spot to conduct a rescue operation, the BMC said. Apart from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, a team of Mumbai Police and local BMC Ward staff rushed to the spot. 

In Photos: Political banners blot across Mumbai

Illegal hoardings and banners have again come into the spotlight with civic activists filing complaints. BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, during the review meeting of the civic body’s Rs 2,000-crore Mumbai beautification plan on Friday, directed officials to take strict action against in the matter.

Political hoardings at the boundary wall of SGNP in Borivli on Sunday. Pic/Satej Shinde

City based activists, say there was also a need for political will as a majority of these illegal banners are that of politicians. As per the BMC records, it takes action against around 22,000 such banners each year and files around 800 cases. Pics/ Anurag Ahire

As per the existing guidelines on action against illegal hoardings and banners, civic officials, if notified about the presence of such banners, remove them.

Cases against the act are only filed in case the individual or entity has installed too many banners or refuses to take them down despite notice.

As per BMC guidelines, the authority grants temporary permission for installing banners and hoardings on private premises by obtaining a no-objection certificate. In addition, during festivals, BMC grants permission for the same on roads within a distance of 100 metres from the pandal or place of worship. The guidelines also state that the civic body does not allow banners on roads or city gardens.