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TOI : PUNE: The two suspects arrested on October 27 for stealing and selling cartridges from the Khadki ammunition factory have revealed that they had supplied the stolen material to three criminals in Pimpri-Chinchwad areas. Besides a retired teacher from Pandharpur has also come under the scanner, who allegedly purchased cartridges from the duo and sold it to local gangs.

Inspector Mohan Mohadikar said the accused, Bholenath Bhegde and Santosh alias Balu Pawar provided the names and whereabouts of the criminals but they either do not stay at the given addresses or have gone missing.

Mohadikar said that investigations also revealed that a retired teacher staying in Pandharpur was purchasing cartridges from the suspects. The police suspect that the teacher was supplying cartridges to criminals. The teacher was not found at the address given by the suspects.

Bhegde had been stealing cartridges from the factory over a period of four months after he was shifted here eight months back. He used to sell it to Pawar for Rs 50 a piece who later sold it to gangsters for Rs 100, Mohadikar added.

When asked if Bhegde may have leaked any classified information pertaining to manufacture of ammunitions or explosives, Mohadikar said that the investigations so far have not revealed any such thing. Meanwhile, the factory officials have set up an internal inquiry committee.

The police had recovered 20 cartridges worth Rs 4,000 used for .9 mm and .38 bore pistols from the duo’s possession. Investigations later confirmed that the cartridges were manufactured in the factory.

Earlier, additional commissioner of police Rajender Singh (crime) had said that the use of .9 mm and .38 bore pistols was meant for the police and armymen only. Meanwhile, the court on Saturday further extended their police custody remand till November 3. Four more cartridges were recovered from Pawar on Saturday.
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TOI : PUNE: Renowned director and actress Vijaya Mehta, who has left an indelible mark on the theatre movement, will be presented with the prestigious Pu La Smriti Sanman here on November 8 during the inauguration of the 13-day Pulotsav art festival organised by Aashay Sanskritik and Paranjpe Schemes in memory of renowned humorist P L Deshpande.

The award, comprising Rs 1 lakh cash, a memento and a citation will be presented to Mehta by Jnanapeeth awardee, Marathi poet Vinda Karandikar at 10 am at the Yashwantrao Chavan auditorium, said Pulotsav organiser Virendra Chitrav while addressing a news conference here on Saturday. Previous recipients of the award include noted director actor Girish Karnad, poet director Gulzar and melody queen Lata Mangeshkar.

Mehta’s illustrious career in theatre spans some 45 years, right from the formation of Rangayan. She has contributed immensely to theatre in her role as a director and actress. She nurtured almost two generations of theatre artistes and has been a valuable guide to younger generations. Mehta is one of the very few Marathi theatre directors who has a distinct style of her own and has directed many films and documentaries.

It is a happy coincidence that she has been ably heading the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) – which P L Deshpande himself led for many years. The award has come at a time when Mehta is to celebrate her 75th birthday on November 4.

Chitrav stated that during the inauguration of the Pulotsav and the award presentation, there will be an open interview with Mehta. “We have also planned a Vijaya Mehta festival featuring a documentary on her and plays and films directed by her,” he said.

Besides the art, film, music and theatre bonanza planned during the Pulotsav, several awards will also be presented. “We have instituted Pu La Krutadnyata Sanman from this year which will…More

TOI : PUNE: The smoke and scent of incense sticks lend an ethereal aura to the house lit by dim orange and yellow lights. Huge speakers blare electronic music in the background. Welcome to the house of electronic music maestro Ma Faiza.

In her 30s, Ma Faiza stands tall in the tastefully decorated house, with her deep baritone ringing louder than the music. “I love my little pad. I always sleep out on the terrace, and create my music at home. But these days, I don’t have time to stay at home, as I’m busy shuttling continents,” she says.

The easygoing candour and charm defy her status as the woman who made the world’s dance capital, Ibiza, swing to her tunes. For over six months, she created original music ‘mixes’ in her studio-cum-apartment in the city, recorded her voice separately, and sent it to the radio stations in Ibiza.

“They used to compile the two, and put it across as a live broadcast on every Friday evening. The listeners loved it,” she gushes. “I infused electronic music (also called trance music) in bhajans, classic old songs, Bollywood tracks, and it’s gaining popularity!”

Ma Faiza mixes electronic music with traditional Indian instruments, beats and voices, creating an eclectic dynamic strain of music, still in its nascent stage in India. She plays in London almost every month, and receives invitations to music festivals around the world. “I travelled to Madrid to play music for two hours. Can you believe that?” She asks. And, we do believe.

Ma Faiza, with her Indian origins, her birth in Africa and her exposure to the hippie culture of the ’70s, is a cult icon in her own. And, in this age of globalisation, she laments the end of the “tribe culture”. “People should be out on the streets demanding their rights back. Only then can we have…More

TOI : PUNE: Veteran educationist and former principal of Laxmanrao Apte high school, P G Vaidya passed away in the early hours of Saturday after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 75 and is survived by wife Vasundhara, son Rahul, daughter Ashwini and their families.

Although Vaidya had decided on donating his body, it could not be done because of delay in handing over the remains. The last rite will be performed on Monday after the arrival of his son and daughter, who are based abroad.

Vaidya, known for his experimentation in the field of education, taught Mathematics and Science at the Apte school for 30 years. He acted as principal of the school from 1962 to 1992. He also taught Mathematics for 15 years at the Apte junior college.

Vaidya was one of the founders of the school, which was originally started as ‘napasanchi shala’ (school for failures) to encourage students who have failed in their exams. The school eventually became one of the most sought after educational institutes in the city.

Vaidya was currently a member of the Pune Municipal Corporation’s school board and chairman of Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Balkumar Sahitya Sammelan. A former senate member of the University of Pune, he was also the founder chairman of Pune district and Maharashtra state mathematics board, life member and secretary of the organisation, Education Technology, member of International Mathematics Olympiad and had taken initiative in starting Computer curriculum for classes VIII to XII students.

He published more than 300 articles on mathematics, science and education. He also co-authored and independently wrote more that 50 books on education, scientific stories, imaginative mathematics and also textbooks for standards VIII to XII.

He is the author of the popular Marathi novel ‘Napasanchi Shala,’ which was narrated in radio in May 1998. The book also won the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad award….More

TOI : PUNE: “I have not met my husband ever since he expressed his desire to become an approver,” wife of Mansoor Mohammed Asghar Peerbhoy, accused of sending terror mails, said on Saturday. Peerbhoy and three others were arrested recently by the Mumbai crime branch in connection with serial blasts in Ahmedabad and Delhi.

TOI visited Peerbhoy’s residence at the Central Park Co-operative Housing Society on Ambedkar road for seeking the views of his family members on why Peerbhoy decided to turn approver.

Though Peerbhoy’s parents were not available for comment, his wife said that she has not met her husband since he filed an application before the court for turning an approver. Mansoor’s father Asghar Peerbhoy was out of the house since Saturday morning, she said.

When asked if Peerbhoy had consulted his parents and lawyer before filing the application, she replied in the negative. “I have no information if Mansoor consulted a lawyer. Besides, Mansoor did not discuss anything with me,” she said.

When questioned about the contents of Peerbhoy’s application, she said that she knew nothing about it. “I have not seen the application and so I am not aware of its contents,” she said.

“I am totally clueless about the application. I do not know if he has filed the application willingly. I have no knowledge if he was pressurised to file the application and whether he has expressed his desire to reveal the ‘facts’,” she said.

When asked if Mansoor was co-operating with the police and if he has admitted to his involvement in the alleged crime, his wife pleaded ignorance and slammed the door saying “khuda hafiz (goodbye)”.

Mumbai police joint commissioner Rakesh Maria had earlier said that the techie from Pune has filed an application in the special court hinting at his willingness to turn an approver and help the…More