2 min readMumbaiMar 29, 2026 07:42 PM ISTUnion Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan drew attention to IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee’s absence. (File Photo)At IIT Bombay’s Bharat Innovates Pre-Summit, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan drew attention to IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee’s absence. “Banerjee must be really busy. Bharat is preparing to go to France, but he did not have time to come to Mumbai,” Pradhan said. Glancing at Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, Pradhan said Banerjee must have communicated to him the reason for his absence. Resuming his addresss then, the minister said, “Friends, this will not work.”Politics in a cuppaIn Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray walked into the Assembly with a mug of coffee, taking a swipe at the ruling side. The prop was a pointed rejoinder to BJP minister Nitesh Rane, who had mocked him by claiming Mumbai’s waterways would soon be so efficient that Thackeray could travel from Bandra to South Mumbai with his “favourite cold coffee”. Thackeray ensured the jibe did not go unanswered quite literally.Quiet transferThe recent transfer of a government official allegedly linked to self-styled godman Ashok Kharat back to his parent department has raised eyebrows in official circles. The officer, said to enjoy strong political connections, is also linked to a prominent builder close to a former chief minister, and is learnt to have floated a construction firm in his wife’s name. The question now is whether these links will face scrutiny or whether the transfer will effectively push the officer out of the spotlight for now.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Live BlogIPL 2026 Live Score, MI vs KKR LIVE Cricket Score: Rahane-Allen start for Kolkata 14/0 vs Mumbai in Wankhede53 seconds agoMatricbiharboard.com, Bihar Board Class 10th Matric Result 2026 LIVE: 81.79% students pass, girls fare better than boys1 minute agoRajasthan Board RBSE 12th Class Result 2026 LIVE Updates: How to check RBSE Class 12 inter results?2 minutes agoDhurandhar 2 Worldwide Box Office Collection Day 10 LIVE Updates: Ranveer Singh film crosses Rs 50 cr mark on Sunday2 minutes agoBiharboardonline.bihar.gov.in, Bihar Board 10th Result 2026 [OUT] LIVE: BSEB Matric Results link active, check complete list of toppers12 minutes ago