Students from BVM-Trimurti Nagar demonstrated exceptional performance at an inter-school quiz competition on the Olympic Games, jointly organized by SGR Knowledge Foundation and the Sports Journalists Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at Riaan Tower, Sadar, on Wednesday.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget, presented on Tuesday, earmarked substantial funds for Vidarbha, focusing on critical areas of development. The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from political leaders and activists.
Boosting Irrigation and Infrastructure
A special allocation of ₹600 crore has been designated for irrigation projects in Vidarbha and Marathwada, aimed at addressing agricultural challenges in these drought-prone regions. Maharashtra’s Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis highlighted this initiative’s significance for the state’s agricultural sector during a media briefing in Mumbai.
Furthermore, the budget allocates ₹683 crore for Nagpur’s Mahametro project and ₹500 crore for the long-pending Nag River pollution abatement project, championed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Praise and Criticism
BJP Maharashtra President Chandrashekar Bawankule praised the budget for its comprehensive approach and sector-specific focus, expressing confidence in India’s development trajectory leading up to 2047.
However, opposition leaders voiced criticism. Congress MLC Abhijit Wanjarri lamented the lack of provisions for government jobs, highlighting a perceived emphasis on privatization. He also criticized the budget for not ensuring minimum support prices for farmers, echoing sentiments of unmet promises over the past decade.
Meanwhile, MNS State Secretary Hemant Gadkari described the budget as neither particularly positive nor negative for Maharashtra, noting the absence of significant provisions for sectors like railways despite the state’s substantial contributions to national taxes.
Balanced View from BJP
Former BJP City President Pravin Datke underscored the budget’s focus on enhancing production, services, urban development, and energy security. He emphasized investments in infrastructure, research, and next-generation reforms as pivotal for inclusive development.
BJP MLC Parinay Fuke hailed the budget’s provisions as beneficial for youth empowerment, highlighting increased Mudra loan limits and substantial allocations for women’s development. Fuke expressed optimism that these measures would create a conducive environment for young entrepreneurs and foster women’s empowerment nationwide.
In the final round, which featured six school teams competing for the champion’s trophy, the four-member squad from BVM-Trimurti Nagar—comprising Advait Lade, Mrunal Kokate, Abheer Warnekar, and Naman Tripathi—emerged victorious with 11 points.
Following closely on the podium were BVM-Wardha and BVM-Civil Lines with six and five points respectively. The BVM-Wardha team included Piyush Kalontri, Abhinav Jarodkar, Anay Pandit, and Aaradhaya Jha, while the BVM-Civil Lines team comprised Avaneesh Awari, Vivaan Chandurkar, Aashna Badwaik, and Shrawani Mazarkar.
Securing the fourth position, BVM-Chinchbhavan surpassed GH Raisoni School, Ambazari, based on the cumulative scores across all three rounds.
A total of 35 teams from across Nagpur city, along with one team from Wardha, participated in the competition. The winning teams received Rs. 7,000 along with a trophy, while the runners-up were awarded Rs. 5,000. The third and fourth-placed teams received cash prizes of Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 1,500 respectively.
Sunil Raisoni, chairman of Raisoni Education, presented the prizes during the event, attended by Palakh Raisoni, director of Raisoni Education, international table tennis umpire Mangesh Mopkar, SJAN members, Amina Vali, director of Sadabai Raisoni Women’s College, and dedicated volunteers from the college who contributed to the event’s success.
Kedar was convicted by a sessions court for misappropriating bank funds, resulting in a five-year prison sentence that led to the loss of his MLA status and a subsequent six-year ban on contesting elections. Despite an earlier refusal of relief by the High Court, Kedar hopes for a favorable decision from the Supreme Court to allow him to participate in the electoral process.