Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Officially regarded as the ‘financial capital of India’, Mumbai has evolved into a global financial hub and has the highest number of millionaires and billionaires. It is the second-most populous city in the country and the seventh most populous city in the world. Bombay was recommended as the capital for the bilingual state for Maharashtra in 1955. But it was reorganised on May 1, 1960. South Asia’s largest city, Mumbai is located on a narrow peninsula on the southwest of Salsette Island which lies between the Arabian Sea to the west, Vasai Creek to the north and Thane Creek to the east.
Six major lakes including Vihar, Tulsi, Tansa, Powai act as a source of water supply to the city. Marathi is the official language that is extensively spoken by the regional people of the city but a colloquial form of Hindi, known as Bambaiya is the most famous and common dialect spoken on the streets of Mumbai.
Apart from this, Mumbai’s culture is a blend of traditional festivals, food, music, dance and theatres. Ganesh Chaturthi is the major festival of Mumbai which is celebrated with great pomp and show. Mumbai is also considered the birthplace of Indian Cinema and it has the world's most prolific film industry. Interestingly, the city is synonymous with 'Mayanagari' or the 'City of dreams' as people from across India come to fulfil their dreams in this city. Mumbai is home to the three UNESCO World heritage sites: The Elephanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Victorian and Art Deco buildings which showcase the architecture built in the Victorian Gothic style.
In addition to this, beaches are a major tourist attraction in the city among which are the famous beaches such as Juhu beach, Girgaum Chaupatty, Versova beach, Gorai beach and Aksa beach to name a few.
An Air India Vistara flight from Kolkata to Mumbai was grounded after a hijacking threat note was found onboard. Passengers were deboarded and security checks conducted.
An Air India flight from Kolkata to Mumbai was put on high alert after a hijack threat note was found onboard. Passengers were offloaded and security checks conducted.
The BJP criticized Sonia Gandhi's memoir 'Belonging', questioning her stance on key historical events and accusing her of justifying the Emergency.
Mumbai bans rockets and aerial firecrackers until 25 November after several fire incidents during Diwali. The order covers public and private spaces and follows multiple emergencies attended by the Fire Brigade.
Mumbai's fire brigade tackled a significant rise in firecracker-related calls during Diwali, responding to numerous fires across various neighbourhoods.
The Commission for Air Quality Management has enforced GRAP Stage 3 measures across Delhi NCR following a decline in air quality levels into the severe category ahead of Diwali.
Mumbai has been placed on high alert following a threatening email sent to the Bombay High Court. The communication named key locations including the Bombay Stock Exchange, the Worli Racecourse, and the residence of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, bungalow Jalsa. Police and security agencies are investigating the source and tracing the sender, with security checks conducted across the locations and no suspicious objects found. The alert follows a pattern of recent security scares, threat calls, and firing incidents targeting several personalities in the Mumbai film industry, leading to heightened security measures.
A senior citizen was robbed at knifepoint right outside her apartment inside a residential building complex in Mumbai. The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred when an unidentified man approached the elderly woman under the pretext of asking for directions and an address. As the woman attempted to assist him, the stranger suddenly grabbed her by the neck and robbed her gold chain at knifepoint before fleeing. The incident highlights rising safety concerns and underscores the need for stringent security protocols, particularly for elderly citizens living alone in residential complexes.
A bomb threat received via email has targeted several prominent landmarks across Mumbai, including actor Amitabh Bachchan's residence Jalsa, the Bombay High Court, the Bombay Stock Exchange, and the Worli Racecourse. Mumbai Police have initiated an investigation to trace the sender and locate the IP address from which the email originated. Security agencies have been alerted, and thorough searches are being conducted across the specified locations as police probe the authenticity and source of the threat message.
Speaking from Mumbai's Zaveri Bazaar on Dhanteras, jeweller Kumar Jain observed steady consumer interest despite elevated gold prices. Jain noted that rates rose from 1,31,000 to 1,49,000, with buyers anticipating further increases. While purchases are being made in smaller quantities, overall customer footfall increased compared to the previous year, prompting shops to open as early as 9:00 AM. Jain noted that buyers continue purchasing coins and ornaments for puja due to sentimental value, alongside advance bookings.
A shocking chain snatching incident targeting an elderly woman was caught on CCTV camera inside a housing society in Mumbai's Kandivali West. The accused approached the woman at Umang Apartments under the pretext of asking for an address directions. As the elderly resident guided him toward the upstairs floor, the man turned around, attacked her, snatched her gold chain, and fled the building while the woman shouted for help. A police probe has been initiated into the robbery.
A political controversy erupted in Mumbai after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation took down a cracker-free Diwali awareness video featuring actor Dia Mirza following objections from BJP leaders. The Bombay High Court intervened, criticising the decision and observing that festivals belong to everyone and cannot be isolated by religion. Emphasising that India is a secular nation, the court called Mirza's appeal a positive environmental message and noted it was ideal to restore the video. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the civic body's move, stating the BMC holds the right to decide content on its social media handles.
The Bombay High Court has expressed displeasure over the removal of actor Dia Mirza's pollution-free Diwali awareness video by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, asking the civic body to restore it. The civic body had taken down the video following objections and political backlash from Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including MLA Amit Satam, who alleged an anti-Hindu bias. Dia Mirza had appealed to citizens to celebrate Diwali without firecrackers to safeguard the environment and public health. The High Court observed that pollution poses a severe public health hazard and urged collective efforts to tackle deteriorating air quality. NCP-SP leader Clyde Crasto defended Mirza, alleging that the BJP communalised an environmental initiative despite similar appeals made by other prominent personalities. The High Court stressed the need to prioritise air quality concerns over political controversies.
Reliance Foundation has unveiled the Nita Mukesh Ambani Anant Ashray at a proposed site in Karjat, near Mumbai. The 100-acre, not-for-profit township will provide a lifelong home to over 5,000 individuals, including orphaned children, senior citizens, and persons with physical and developmental disabilities. The project will feature an orphanage, an old age home, and dedicated care facilities with comprehensive healthcare. Set to be developed in phases, the initiative is expected to support an overall community of approximately 15,000 people, including caregivers, medical professionals, support staff, and their families.
Indian equity markets opened higher with the Nifty crossing the 23,550 mark, supported by gains in IT, banking, and FMCG stocks. The Indian rupee opened stronger at 94.66 per dollar, gaining 24 paise. Meanwhile, gold and silver prices slid ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali, with MCX silver falling below 1.8 lakh rupees. Crude oil dropped overnight, easing pressure on the domestic economy amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and the US midterm elections. Adani Group announced plans to borrow 1.5 billion dollars via AdaniConnex as part of a 100 billion dollar investment in data centers by 2035. Corporate earnings remained in focus, with ITC posting a drop in profitability amid lower cigarette EBITDA, while Marico reported a 29 percent rise in net profit. Additionally, restaurants in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune prepare for menu price hikes of 10 to 15 percent due to rising milk and commercial LPG costs. Sun Pharma recorded 11 percent revenue growth in the first half of the fiscal year.
In an interview with India Today, Advocate Prakash Ambedkar, representing the parents of deceased IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, stated that established institutional examination rules were flouted before Wakode's death. Ambedkar alleged caste-based discrimination, describing the incident as the tip of an iceberg where nearly 80 students have faced victimization. Explaining why the parents moved the Bombay High Court to challenge the Mumbai Crime Branch probe, Ambedkar remarked, "what we are asking is SIT or CBI, anybody the court might, uh, appoint, but at the same time, it should be court monitored." He added that students are prepared to file affidavits detailing harassment.
Actor Shah Rukh Khan marked his birthday by continuing his tradition of greeting fans from the balcony of his Mumbai residence, Mannat. The superstar made an appearance before the crowd of admirers assembled outside his house, waving and blowing kisses to celebrate the occasion alongside his fans.
Reliance Foundation founder and chairperson Nita Mukesh Ambani and director Isha Ambani have unveiled the Nita Mukesh Ambani Anant Ashray in Karjat near Mumbai. Spread across 100 acres, the proposed township is envisioned as a permanent, not-for-profit institution that will offer a lifelong home to more than 5,000 individuals, including orphaned children, senior citizens, and persons with developmental disabilities. The project will feature healthcare facilities, an orphanage, an old age home, and dedicated care centres. Developed in phases, the township is expected to support a larger community of around 15,000 people, including caregivers, medical professionals, support staff, and their families.
A political row has erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation over a Diwali awareness campaign. The civic body had recorded videos featuring influencers, celebrities such as Madhuri Dixit, cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, and actor Dia Mirza, following Bombay High Court directives to encourage a pollution-free festival. However, Mumbai BJP leader Ameet Satam strongly objected to Mirza's anti-firecracker appeal, asserting that traditions are rooted in culture and outside advice is unnecessary. Following the political backlash, the civic administration removed the video featuring Mirza from its platforms.
