Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Indian Railways and the postal department are among the central establishments that are still awaiting the official nod before effecting changes in the names of Aurangabad and Osmanabad districts to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, respectively. The names of Aurangabad and Osmanabad in Marathwada were renamed as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, respectively, on July 16 last year. The state government on September 16 announced that Aurangabad and Osmanabad districts, talukas, divisions and subdivisions would also take the names Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, respectively. Two separate official gazettes, dated September 15, declaring the change in the names concerned were made public by the respective district administrations.South Central Railway (SCR) authorities on Wednesday said they needed an official order from the Railway Board for changing the names.The home ministry is expected to officially communicate about the name change to the Railway Board through the railway ministry. Such communication comes only after the state government officially intimates about the changes in names, a senior SCR official said. A postal department official said they were also awaiting a formal nod from the central authorities for changing the names of Aurangabad and Osmanabad. The regional post office had in the past witnessed the change in the name from Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. However, those opposing the renaming then opposed the move claiming that the matter was pending before the Bombay high court. The central authorities then asked us to revert to the original name till further order, a senior postal department official said.A fresh opinion from the central authorities would be sought in the wake of the gazette notification issued on September 15, the official said. Those opposing the renaming said the central establishments and state government departments must not rename Aurangabad and Osmanabad till the Bombay high court delivered its verdict. The court during past hearings specifically said not to rename the cities for now. It will be a violation of the court order if the government establishments use the new names, Hashim Osmani, one of the petitioners said. District collector Astik Kumar Pandey on Wednesday issued an order asking for the use of the new name Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for taluka, district, sub-division and division . The order referred to the gazette notification dated September 15 in which the name change was publicly announced.We also published the following articles recentlyMaharashtra govt renames talukas, districts Sambhajinagar, DharashivThe state government of Maharashtra has announced the renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad talukas, districts, subdivisions, and divisions to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, respectively. The decision, which fulfills a long-pending demand, has evoked criticism from those opposing the renaming. The renaming was done despite the matter being pending before the court, leading to accusations of the government playing communal politics. The decision will now have to survive the legal test.Maha districts Aurangabad & Osmanabad get new namesAurangabad and Osmanabad districts in Maharashtras Marathwada region have been renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, respectively. The decision was made just before a special meeting on Marathwada. The state government fulfilled the long-standing demand for the name changes, but it faced criticism from opponents who felt it showed a lack of respect for the judiciary. Hashim Osmani, who challenged the move in court, called the decision outrageous.Grand festivities start at Chhatrapati SambhajinagarChhatrapati Sambhajinagar, also known as Pune, welcomed Lord Ganesha with vibrant celebrations. Devotees flocked to popular markets to purchase idols, dressed in traditional attire. Processions were taken out by different mandals, accompanied by dhol-tasha beats and chants of Ganapati Bappa Morya. The festival provides energy for the entire year and a federation of over 1,500 Ganesh mandals in the city has called for eco-friendly and peaceful celebrations. The Sansthan Ganapati temple also held an installation ceremony for the Ganesha idol and announced plans for a larger temple in the future.

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