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Shirdi’s Free Food Largesse Criticised, Evokes Sharp Retort
Shirdi Sai Baba temple in north Maharashtra is a major pilgrimage centre for numerous devotees in India but it, too, is not impervious to political give and takes. The Shirdi temple administration’s practice of distributing free food to over 50,000 people daily has been criticised by former BJP MP Sujay Vikhe Patil.  He has demanded immediate stoppage to this daily occurrence by the administration, which works under a board of trustees appointed by the state government. The food distribution has been going on for a long time. Hence, Vikhe’s timing to raise the demand has perplexed many. Vikhe has said that free food attracts a large number of beggars, many of them from around the country. The expenditure for the food distribution is met from the donations of the devotees. “Stop this practice and spend the money for sculpting the future of children, on their education,” he has asked the board. Warning of an agitation if this is not stopped forthwith, Vikhe has lamented the dismal level of academic standard imparted at an educational complex developed in Shirdi by the administration at a huge expenditure. Vikhe has also demanded concessional rates for meals served to the devotees. His views on the free food have been resented by Akshay Maharaj Bhosale, a leader of the Shiv Sena’s Dharmaveer Adhyatmic wing. The devotees thronging the temple should not be termed beggars, he has quipped. He has advised Vikhe to contact deputy CM Eknath Shinde in case the scion of one of most powerful families in the state has any problem with the Shirdi tradition.

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Editor’s Note: Short Post Noticed By People Who Matter

Four years have zipped by and we are crossing another milestone on 31st January 2025 – it’s our 4th Anniversary. It feels good.
Looking back at the 1460 days, I must say Short Post has made its mark with people who matter via 4000 stories published in the areas of politics, business, entertainment and sports. All made possible by the unflinching commitment and dedication of our senior editors, most of whom have been part of this journey from Day One.
Small pack, big impact is in essence the story of Short Post which was launched at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. It shows our conviction. In all humility, I can say, we have created a new niche in the news segment space like Hindustan Unilever which created a new segment, when it launched CloseUp Gel.
Yes, we have created a brand (in a limited sense), created demand (readers) and created supply (senior journalists). But we are facing teething problems like all start-ups. What makes us happy and confident is the recognition of our efforts. For instance, we have an arrangement with the OPEN Magazine, part of the $4.5 billion Kolkata-based Sanjiv Goenka-RPG Group. This arrangement sees around 10 Short Post stories posted on OPEN Magazine website every week. This arrangement is testimony that our content has been well received! Also, I may add that the Maharashtra government has recognised Short Post and has allowed our senior editor to cover the Assembly sessions. Ditto: Odisha.
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