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By:

Dr. Abhilash Dawre

19 March 2025 at 5:18:41 pm

Rs 27 crore worth narcotics seized; inter-state cartel uncovered

Thane : In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, Mumbra police have seized a massive stockpile of mefedrone valued at approximately 27.21 crore. Acting on critical intelligence, the Narcotics Control Unit conducted a special operation extending as far as Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the arrest of five key drug traffickers involved in supplying large quantities of mefedrone to the Thane region.   The operation was led by Assistant Police Inspector Rohit Kedar and Ganesh Jadhav under...

Rs 27 crore worth narcotics seized; inter-state cartel uncovered

Thane : In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, Mumbra police have seized a massive stockpile of mefedrone valued at approximately 27.21 crore. Acting on critical intelligence, the Narcotics Control Unit conducted a special operation extending as far as Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the arrest of five key drug traffickers involved in supplying large quantities of mefedrone to the Thane region.   The operation was led by Assistant Police Inspector Rohit Kedar and Ganesh Jadhav under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector Anil Shinde. The initial seizure took place near Bilal Hospital, where suspect Basu Sayyed was caught with 23.5 grams of mefedrone. Further interrogation revealed a large-scale supply chain sourcing drugs from Madhya Pradesh.   Subsequently, police arrested Ramsingh Gujjar and Kailas Balai, recovering an additional 3.515 kilograms of mefedrone from their possession. Investigations traced the supply back to two major traffickers Manohar Gurjar and Raju Mansuri based in Madhya Pradesh.   The Mumbra police team then traveled to Madhya Pradesh, arresting both Gurjar and Mansuri and confiscating a staggering 9.956 kilograms of mefedrone from them.   In total, the operation resulted in the seizure of 13.6295 kilograms of mefedrone, with a street value exceeding 27.21 crore. All five accused have been taken into custody.   According to police sources, the arrested individuals have prior records involving serious offenses under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Indian Penal Code, and Arms Act. They were engaged in trafficking mefedrone in bulk quantities from Madhya Pradesh to the Thane region.   This successful operation was carried out under the guidance of ACP Priya Damale (Kalwa Division), Senior Police Inspector Anil Shinde, Crime Inspector Sharad Kumbhar, and supported by the NDPS unit officers and staff of Mumbra Police Station.   Since January this year, Mumbra police’s NDPS unit has conducted 954 seizures and 58 raids, confiscating narcotics worth over 48 crore, significantly impacting drug trafficking activities in the area.

Celebrating grace, wisdom and legacy

Updated: Nov 10, 2025

NM College ex-principal Dr. Urmila S. Rai turns 90

Principal Dr. Urmila Rai (3rd from right), son Tapan, daughter Shantala and son-in-law Nimesh Kothare.
Principal Dr. Urmila Rai (3rd from right), son Tapan, daughter Shantala and son-in-law Nimesh Kothare.

Mumbai: The CK Nayudu Hall at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) shimmered with laughter, nostalgia, and affection this weekend, as the academic fraternity, friends, and family gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of a remarkable woman - Dr. Urmila S. Rai, retired Principal of Narsee Monjee College, Vile Parle.

 

Turning 90 is no small feat, but Dr. Rai’s radiant presence, sharp intellect, and youthful spirit made it seem like just another milestone in her brimming life.


Clad in a lively green ensemble - perhaps symbolic of her evergreen personality - Dr. Rai, who relishes chocolates, flitted gracefully from table to table, exchanging warm greetings, hearty laughter, and affectionate hugs. Her fluffy, snowy white hair framed a face still glowing with enthusiasm and curiosity. Each conversation she shared seemed to light up the room, a testament to the enduring charm that once inspired generations of students and colleagues.

 

As former colleagues, relatives, and students gathered around, memories of her golden years helming the SVKM's prestigious Commerce college resurfaced. The nonagenarian “Madam Principal” - once affectionately dubbed “Indira Gandhi” by her students for her commanding presence, discipline, and authority - led the interactions with her trademark grace and humour.

 

Cheerfully discarding old protocols, she moved from group to group, greeting everyone personally, undeterred by age and bustling with energy. A touching moment was when she warmly shook hands with a former colleague who had flown in specially from Kerala, along with some relatives who had travelled from abroad to join the memorable celebrations.

 

Her son, Tapan Rai, with his wife Madhu, and daughter Shantala, with her husband Nimesh Kothare, played perfect hosts - ensuring guests felt at home while keeping a loving eye on their mother. They gently re-introduced her to some familiar faces transformed by unforgiving hands of time, bridging decades of shared memories.

 

What shone through the afternoon was not just the deep respect Dr. Rai commanded, but the esteem with which she is held even today. Her students - scattered around the world and some now luminaries in their respective fields - instinctively bent to touch her feet, receiving her blessings with reverence. Her colleagues enveloped her in warm embraces, cherishing fond memories of shared laughter, challenges, and long years spent shaping young stubborn minds.

 

Adulation flowed freely for the woman who had once steered one of India’s most prestigious colleges with vision, integrity, and compassion. 

“At 90, Dr. Rai remains what she has always been - an educator, a charismatic leader, a great motivator and a charming, graceful human,” gushed a former Vice-Principal Ramila Desai.


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