top of page

By:

Ruddhi Phadke

22 September 2024 at 10:17:54 am

‘Sounds heard, missiles visible’

Mumbaikars recall their encounter with the missile attacks in Middle East Govandi Muslim Youth Front stage protest condemning killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatulla Khameni, at Govandi, in Mumbai, on Sunday. | Pic: Bhushan Koyande Mumbai: Dombivli resident Meghana Modak who flew to Dubai 15 days ago, as a tourist told ‘The Perfect Voice’ that she heard loud sounds and huge clouds of smoke in the air when she felt something was unusual. She was out for a casual walk on Saturday, but had to...

‘Sounds heard, missiles visible’

Mumbaikars recall their encounter with the missile attacks in Middle East Govandi Muslim Youth Front stage protest condemning killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatulla Khameni, at Govandi, in Mumbai, on Sunday. | Pic: Bhushan Koyande Mumbai: Dombivli resident Meghana Modak who flew to Dubai 15 days ago, as a tourist told ‘The Perfect Voice’ that she heard loud sounds and huge clouds of smoke in the air when she felt something was unusual. She was out for a casual walk on Saturday, but had to immediately rush home. She tuned in to news to find out about the US-Israel strikes on Iranian targets and Tehran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Gulf. “Dubai was not their target. However, the intercepting action and the missiles that passed through could be seen and heard. We are at home. Normal routine is on. However, schools and colleges stay shut. We have been advised to go out only for the inevitable basic needs of groceries.” said Modak. Modak is in Dubai to spend some quality time with her son and his family. She is scheduled to fly back to Mumbai on Tuesday. However, the plan stands indefinitely cancelled till further notice. “The Dubai airport has been hit indefinitely. We do that know when we will be back”, said Modak. Less Scary Modak cited the situation was reasonably less scary in Dubai compared to other places in the Middle East considering Dubai was not the prime target. There are no panic-struck evacuations and or sudden rush towards bomb shelters reported. However, the falling of the missile debris is certainly creating difficult situations. “A building caught fire claiming a life because of this debris falling. People are not panicking because everyone has faith in the Dubai government that they will ensure the safety of the innocent civilians.” Modak is currently staying at Jebel Ali is a large commercial port and business hub on the southern outskirts of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. There are about 4.3 – 4.36 million Indians living in the United Arab Emirates — making them the largest expatriate community in the country and roughly 35 – 38 per cent of the UAE’s total population. Dubai has the largest share of Indians within the UAE. From residents, to students to tourists, Indians account for a huge share in Dubai. While for some, situation is safe but a long uncertain wait till further course of action is clear, while some are under constant fear for life. Wait and Watch A Mumbai-based tourist anonymously told ‘The Perfect Voice’ , “My husband, my seven-year-old son and I left for a Dubai trip to have a break from our routine lives. We were in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Soon after the conflict began, we were shifted to bomb shelters. On Sunday, we have reached Dubai. It’s wait and watch till we get further update. The recreation trip has taken a stressful turn.” Tour operators are finding it tough to plan the evacuations of tourists who are currently stranded in Dubai due to airspace closure. Mumbai-based Shashank Abhyankar, the tour manager of Rajguru Travels, said, “I am just back from a tour last week. Our group of 25 Mumbaikars is in Dubai right now. Another tour manager is with them. They were supposed to visit gold market, Bhurj Khalifa, Baps Temple on Saturday and Sunday. However, everything is shut. They are scheduled to checkout from hotel on Monday 12 pm and fly back on an Indigo flight to Mumbai. The airline has intimated that the flight stands cancelled.” While airports are flooded with stranded passengers, it is an uphill task for tour operators to bring tourists back. “Safety is not a concern in Dubai. The biggest concern is, how to get people back. Stretching the stay would mean additional cost and even if we bear the cost availability of accommodation is also a concern. We are reaching out to people who are living there since many years for some solution. We have full faith in Indian government that they will do all they can to get Indians back. However, what will they do till the airspace is closed?” cited Abhyankar.

Tuljapur Drugs Bust: Devotees shocked as ‘pujaris’ links emerge

Mumbai/Dharashiv: In a sensational development that has stunned the police, pandits and devotees alike, the two-month old probe into the Tuljapur temple town drugs cartel has unearthed an alleged nexus of some priests-cum- politicians in the scam.


According to police sources, around a dozen temple priests may be linked with the illicit drugs supply racket that was busted on Feb 14, sending shivers in the establishment.


Dharashiv Superintendent of Police Sanjay Jadhav confirmed to the media about the possible involvement of some priests, but declined to name them or the exact number of those (priests) who may face the music.


“We shall investigate the (accused) based on the evidence available with us, irrespective of what position they hold,” Jadhav said diplomatically.

He added "it would not be proper to point fingers at the entire priesthood" in this famed pilgrimage spot with historical importance.

Jadhav said that of the 35 suspects identified so far, 14 have been arrested and a hunt is on to trace the remaining 21 with police teams fanning out in several districts.


Though the Dharashiv Police have refused to name anyone, officials claimed that at least a dozen priests of the Shree Tulja Bhavani Temple are likely to be implicated in the drug peddling case.

More interestingly, as the probe enters the eighth week, it has come to light that some of the accused, including a few priests, are connected with the major political parties in the state. Taking umbrage, the Palikar Priests Board President Vipin Shinde contended that “the priests accused in the drugs scam are not connected with the daily purja or worship of Goddess Tulja Bhavani”.


“We have raised our voice against the narcotics racketeering thriving in Tuljapur for the last three years,” Shinde said.


The sacred Temple

The Shree Tulja Bhavani Temple, Tuljapur – one of the 51 Shakti Peeths in India –was deeply revered by the founder of the Maratha Empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.


After the drug scam erupted in Feb. 2025, Dharashiv Guardian Minister Pratap Sarnaik had ordered the police to provide a detailed report on the drug expose matter within 72 hours, along with the names of the accused.


The Dharashiv Collector, Keerthi K. Pujar – who is also the Chairman of the temple trust – has sought the list of the priests purportedly accused in the drugs scam along with their political affiliations. This is billed as the first time in the state that a narco-peddling ring with political colours has been laid bare in a well-known pilgrimage centre, sparking concerns among the lakhs of pilgrims thronging there as well as the law-enforcers, say local bigwigs.

Comments

bottom of page