Seasonal migrant workers from Marathwada, who labor in sugarcane fields in western Maharashtra and Karnataka, are returning home without much hope for change after the Lok Sabha elections. Despite facing harsh working conditions and limited job opportunities, they are resigned to a cycle of seasonal migration and temporary financial relief. Despite promises of development and improved agriculture policies by candidates during elections, the workers feel forgotten once the polls are over. The region faces a shortage of water resources and jobs, leading many villagers to leave for six months of the year to work in sugarcane fields.
Results for: Maharashtra
The Election Commission (EC) successfully set up the highest polling station in Maharashtra’s Baramati constituency in Raireshwar, at an altitude of 4,500 feet. While this was initially hailed as the highest polling station, Anand Mahindra reminded viewers that the highest polling station distinction belongs to Tashigang Village in Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 15,256 ft. Still, Mahindra commended the efforts of the polling agents who carried election materials up the iron ladder to ensure that all voters could cast their ballots. In Himachal Pradesh, Tashigang remains the world’s highest polling station, nestled at an astounding 15,256 feet and servicing two villages with a total of 48 voters.
India has witnessed a significant number of mumps cases in recent times. Over 2500 cases were reported in March, primarily in the Delhi-NCR region. Additionally, cases have been reported in Maharashtra and Telangana. Mumps is a viral infection spread through direct contact or airborne droplets from an infected person’s respiratory tract. It commonly affects children between the ages of 5-9, but adolescents and adults can also be susceptible. Symptoms include swollen salivary glands, fever, headache, muscle ache, and facial pain. Vaccination with the MMR vaccine is crucial for prevention, with two doses recommended for children. Adults may need additional vaccination as immunity weakens over time. Basic hygiene practices like handwashing and avoiding contact with infected individuals can also help prevent infection. Currently, there is no specific treatment for mumps, and most people recover within 3-10 days. Rest, hydration, a soft diet, and cold/warm compresses can alleviate symptoms.
Two descendants of Maratha warrior king Shivaji, Shahu Chhatrapati and Udayanraje Bhosale, are battling for Lok Sabha seats in western Maharashtra on opposing political fronts. Chhatrapati, representing the Maha Vikas Aghadi on a Congress ticket, faces Sanjay Mandlik of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Kolhapur. Bhosale, contesting from Satara on a BJP ticket, challenges NCP (SP) candidate Shashikant Shinde. Both candidates have strong roots in the Maratha royal family and are seen as strategic choices by their respective parties.
May 1st holds significance in Indian history with events such as the 7th National Film Award, the birth of Bollywood actor Balraj Sahani, the split of Bombay State into Maharashtra and Gujarat, and the death of Indian economist Ashok Mitra. Internationally, notable events include the birth of British star Joanna Lumley in India.
Following the successful conclusion of the second phase on April 26, Phase 3 of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections is set to take place on May 7. The upcoming phase will involve 89 constituencies across various regions of the country, including 11 constituencies in Maharashtra. As part of the safety measures, schools and colleges in these constituencies will remain closed on election day. This decision aims to ensure the safety of students and staff while minimizing disruptions during the voting process. By closing educational institutions, it also facilitates smoother movement for election officials and voters, encouraging wider participation in the election.
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, shared awe-inspiring visuals of Mt. Kalsubai, the highest peak in Maharashtra, and expressed his appreciation for its captivating beauty. Located near Igatpuri in the Western Ghats, Mt. Kalsubai, also known as the ‘Everest of Maharashtra,’ offers a breathtaking combination of natural wonders, including waterfalls, forests, grasslands, and historic forts. Social media users were captivated by the stunning views visible from the peak, sharing anecdotes about their trekking experiences.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has released its manifesto, emphasizing initiatives to halt the ‘loot’ of Maharashtra, create jobs, and provide farm loan waivers. The manifesto aims to bring economic opportunities to the state by establishing a financial city within Maharashtra and minimizing migration by creating jobs at the district level. Farm loan waivers, revised crop insurance conditions, free GST on agricultural equipment and seeds, and the implementation of MSP as recommended by the Swaminathan Committee report are among the key promises made in the manifesto.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari collapsed on Thursday while addressing an election rally in Maharashtra during a live broadcast on his social media accounts. He was carried away for first aid but returned to complete his speech, attributing the incident to discomfort from the extreme heat. The incident highlights the ongoing heat wave impacting India, with temperatures reaching record highs and an alert issued for Mumbai. The heat wave has contributed to lower voter turnout in the first phase of the ongoing general election, leading the Election Commission of India to implement measures to mitigate its effects in the remaining six phases.
A video showing a man throwing ink at an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and being apprehended by police has resurfaced online. However, this incident is not recent and is unrelated to the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. The event actually occurred during the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, involving a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader named Sunil Khambe.