Local Round-up: Mumbai's GSB Ganesh Mandal's Rs. 400 Cr Insurance, Ladakh's 5 New Districts and more!

Local Round-up brings to you what's happening across the country in the travel, food, infrastructure, sports, and herein, we have curated for you, the updates from the weekend and the initial of this week. So, read these out below. 

Mumbai's GSB Ganesh Mandal takes insurance worth Rs. 400 crores

The Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) Seva Mandal's Mahaganpati at King's Circle, has taken insurance for its Ganeshotsav pandal for Rs. 400 crores. This is India's richest Ganpati Mandal and this years Ganesh idol is decorated with 66 kgs of gold ornaments, more than 325 kgs of silver, and other precious items, mostly donated by devotees. The policy issued by New India Assurance covers various risks, including theft, fire, earthquake, and insurance for the pandal, fixtures, devotees, priests, and workers, including cooks, security guards, and valet parking assistants. 

5 year boy from India becomes the youngest Asian to scale the highest peak in Africa 

At the age of five, Teghbir Singh became the youngest ever in Asia to scale Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. This young boy from Ropar, Punjab started his trek on August 18 and reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point of the mountain on August 23, 2024. In April this year, he even trekked to the base camp of Mt Everest.

BMC converts scrapped double-decker bus into a mobile library

To draw citizens towards art and books, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced a mobile library in one of the scrapped double-decker buses. The library has bookshelves on the side of the deck and the bus is currently stationed at Byculla. The other two scrapped buses will likely be converted into a cafeteria and an art gallery. 

Maharashtra's Pench Tiger Reserve gets an AI-based system to tackle human-animal conflict

Due to the rising attack of tigers on humans outside Pench, various concerns were raised in the recent past. In a bid to reduce this human-wildlife conflict and ensure the safety of people, the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Maharashtra, has commissioned a mobile artificial intelligence (AI)-based system (virtual wall) in compartment number 262 in Zinjeriya in the Paoni buffer zone.

Union Territory Ladakh to get 5 new districts

In pursuit of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision to build a developed and prosperous Ladakh, the MHA has decided to create five new districts in the union territory. The new districts, namely Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang, will take the benefits meant for the people…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 26, 2024

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Amit Shah has decided to create five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh. These districts include Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang. In a post on X, Amit Shah mentioned, "These districts will take the benefits meant for the people to their doorsteps by bolstering governance in every nook and cranny."

The deadline to update Aadhaar free of cost extended to September 14 

The updation of any details in Aadhaar, which was free earlier, will now be charged, as announced by the government. The deadline for the same, which was initially June 14, has been extended to September 14, 2024, as announced on the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) website. Charges after that date will apply to services such as changing your name, address, photo, or other details.

New road between Assam and Meghalaya to reduce travel time to 45 minutes

The 36-kilometer road that has just finished has reduced the 1.5-hour travel time between Assam and Meghalaya to 45 minutes. Built by Badri Rai And Company, the road improves access between Damra and Bajengdoba. It is anticipated that this infrastructural improvement will facilitate local commutes and accelerate regional economic expansion. The cost for this project was more than Rs. 78 crore. 

Indian government investigates Telegram after CEO arrested

A government official informed Moneycontrol that Telegram is the subject of an investigation by the government due to suspicions of illegal activity like extortion and gambling. The official further stated that the results of the investigation may result in the messaging app's suspension. The revelation comes as Telegram’s 39-year-old Founder and Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris on August 24 over the app’s moderation policies.