jollibee outfit Counting will begin on Saturday 8 am in the Bandra East (Vandre East) Assembly constituency in Mumbai that witnessed 54.65 % turnout on Wednesday in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The seat, known for its multicultural and multi-religious voter base, saw two young leaders, Zeeshan Siddique and Varun Sardesai, going head-to-head. While the race was primarily between these two candidates, former Shiv Sena MLA Trupti Sawant of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) added a third dimension to the fight. Zeeshan Siddique, 32, is the sitting MLA who won from Bandra East in 2019 on a Congress ticket. Recently, he joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to represent the BJP-led Mahayuti. His entry into the election came in the wake of his father Baba Siddique’s tragic murder, which has generated a sympathy wave in the constituency. With an MA in Global Management from Regent’s Business School, London, Zeeshan brought academic expertise alongside five years of legislative experience. His campaign revolved around continuing his father’s legacy, focusing on housing rights and the welfare of weaker sections. Varun Sardesai, 31, represented the younger generation of the Thackeray family as the nephew of Uddhav Thackeray and a close aide to Aaditya Thackeray. He holds a Master’s degree in Construction Engineering and Management from Columbia University and has been active in politics through the Yuva Sena, where he currently serves as secretary. Sardesai, making his electoral debut, aimed to reclaim the seat for the Shiv Sena (UBT) and re-establish its influence in a constituency that has been a stronghold for the Thackerays. He was banking on his organisational skills and the cadre strength of his party, which played a crucial role in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. Bandra East is a diverse and dynamic constituency with a mix of slum pockets, middle-class housing colonies, and upscale areas like the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). The constituency faces pressing issues such as slum redevelopment, infrastructure development, traffic congestion and the lack of public amenities like playgrounds. While Zeeshan Siddique relied on his father’s legacy and a potential sympathy wave, Varun Sardesai looked to consolidate Shiv Sena (UBT) votes and tap into the Congress vote base from the MVA alliance. Trupti Sawant of the MNS may also influence the outcome by drawing Marathi votes. With both candidates representing young, dynamic leadership, this election is shaping up to be a battle of ideologies, community influence, and generational change in one of Mumbai’s most diverse constituencies.GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Simon Hildebrandt had nine points in High Point's 65-59 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday. Hildebrandt had six rebounds for the Panthers (10-2). Kezza Giffa scored nine points, going 3 of 9 and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line. Abdoulaye had nine points and shot 3 of 7 from the field, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line. Myles Tate led the Mountaineers (6-4) in scoring, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. CJ Huntley added 12 points, six rebounds and two steals for Appalachian State. Jackson Threadgill had seven points and six rebounds. Up next for High Point is a Tuesday matchup with Carolina University at home, and Appalachian State visits Louisiana on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .LAHORE: A smog clean tower developed by the Punjab Environmental Protection Department in collaboration with the Space of NUST is being installed at Mahmood Booti. This location has been selected due to its high levels of air pollution. The installation and calibration of the tower are underway and will be fully operational by December 21. The tower is designed to purify the air by removing toxic particles, playing a significant role in reducing air pollution in the city. Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has hailed this initiative as a revolutionary step toward environmental protection. She emphasized the importance of utilizing modern technology to address critical issues like smog. According to her, this tower will serve as a model not only for Lahore but for the entire country. The government is taking all possible measures to address environmental challenges. Large-scale operations are being conducted against illegal and pollution-causing sources. In Bhakkar, six non-zigzag kilns were demolished, while one each in Gujrat, Khanewal, and Multan were dismantled, totaling nine kilns. In Lahore, six industrial units, including steel re-rolling mills and steel furnaces, were sealed. Across Punjab, 10 units, including stone crushers, textile mills, and resource recovery units, were shut down. A total of 16 units faced action. Meanwhile, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has stated that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has issued strict directives to launch a crackdown against the timber mafia, as illegal deforestation is a significant contributor to smog. In compliance, the Forest Department conducted a grand operation in the Cholistan Range Management Division, targeting the illegal cutting and sale of rare timber. The department carried out multiple raids and intercepted a trailer loaded with stolen timber. The confiscated timber and vehicle were seized under the Forest Act 1927, initiating legal proceedings. The culprits were fined Rs.5.148 million. Additionally, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Cholistan and relevant field staff were suspended for negligence in duty. Strict departmental disciplinary actions have been initiated against the suspended officials, and a high-level inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the matter. The committee has been directed to submit a fact-based report within seven days. “This committee will conduct a transparent investigation, free from any external pressure, and strict action will be taken against those responsible.” She highlighted that the government’s recent measures are critical steps toward combating smog. Illegal deforestation not only contributes to smog but also causes soil erosion, climate change, and water scarcity. The government is leveraging modern technologies such as drone surveillance and GIS mapping to protect forests alongside afforestation efforts. The minister appealed to the public to support the government’s environmental protection initiatives, stating, “We must understand that cutting down one tree puts countless lives at risk.” Copyright Business Recorder, 2024

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