Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami Reviews Development Projects and Announcements
Dehradun, April 10: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting on Friday at the secretariat to assess the development works, announcements, and other initiatives related to the Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar constituencies. CM Dhami shared updates on social media platform X, stating that during the meeting, various issues related to regional ... Read more Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami Reviews Development Projects and Announcements
Preparations for Census 2027 Accelerate in Nainital, First Phase Begins April 10
Nainital, April 10: The Additional District Magistrate of Nainital, Shailendra Singh Negi, has shared significant updates regarding the upcoming Census in India. He announced that preparations for the Census 2027 have commenced. Notably, this time, the census will be conducted digitally, enhancing public participation. Negi explained that the census will be completed in two phases. ... Read more Preparations for Census 2027 Accelerate in Nainital, First Phase Begins April 10
Discover the Spiritual Haven of Shri Sankat Mochan Temple in Nainital
Nainital, April 2: Nestled in the serene hills of Uttarakhand, Nainital is a beautiful blend of nature and spirituality. The picturesque lake, lush green mountains, and cool breeze attract visitors, while ancient temples provide a deep spiritual experience. One of the most renowned temples in Nainital is the Shri Sankat Mochan Temple, dedicated to Lord ... Read more Discover the Spiritual Haven of Shri Sankat Mochan Temple in Nainital
Good Friday 2026 long weekend: 7 perfect getaways near Delhi for a quick escape
Planning a Good Friday long weekend escape is easy with destinations near Delhi. Rishikesh offers adventure and spirituality. Mussoorie provides misty mountains and colonial charm. Jaipur presents heritage and vibrant bazaars. Jim Corbett National Park is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts. Nainital boasts a beautiful lake and mountain views. Neemrana offers a heritage fort palace experience.
Villagers Protest Against Proposed Liquor Store in Nainital
Nainital, April 1: Villagers in Nainital, Uttarakhand, are expressing strong opposition to a proposed liquor store. They have staged protests and met with the commissioner to voice their concerns. The villagers warned that if the store opens and their demands are ignored, they will escalate their protests and movements. The anger among residents is growing ... Read more Villagers Protest Against Proposed Liquor Store in Nainital
Delhi Woman, On Solo Trip, Hides In Nainital Forest Overnight To Escape Rape Attempt By Taxi Driver
Using CCTV footage, the taxis registration number and its GPS system, police tracked down the accused driver, identified as Deepak Singh Bora (39) of Pines Bhawali Road.
Happy Propose Day 2026 Valentine Week: Top 5 destinations for an unforgettable proposal in India
Happy propose day 2026: Planning a proposal in India? Udaipur's romantic lakes, Goa's serene beaches, Agra's iconic Taj Mahal, Nainital's scenic hills, and Lonavala's lush landscapes offer unforgettable backdrops. These destinations blend natural beauty with magical settings, perfect for creating cherished memories as you pop the question. Discover the ideal spot to make your commitment truly special.
Weather live updates on 24 January 2026: Many parts of the country are experiencing chilly winter conditions, with snowfall reported in several areas. In Himachal Pradesh, heavy snowfall forced the closure of 535 roads, including four National Highways, while large-scale snow-clearance operations continued, the Public Works Department (PWD) said. Heavy snowfall on Friday night left vehicles and people stranded at several locations in the high-altitude areas of Nainital, Uttarkashi, and Tehri Garhwal districts. Based on information received from the DCR Nainital and the District Disaster Management Department, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams acted swiftly and rescued stranded vehicles and passengers in the Ramgarh-Mukteshwar and Dhanachuli Band areas.
Traffic Snarls, Cars Skid On Ice: Tourist Rush Chokes Snowy Hills From Manali To Mussoorie | Videos
Heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand stranded tourists in Manali, Shimla, Mussoorie, and Nainital, causing traffic jams.
Uttarakhand: Fire breaks out at BD Pandey Hospital campus in Nainital
Residents immediately informed the fire department after noticing the incident. However, before fire tenders could reach the spot, the warehouse, along with three scooters and three motorcycles parked along the roadside, had already been reduced to ashes.
Uttarakhand: Seven killed, 12 injured as bus falls into gorge in Almora
Seven people were killed and about 12 injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Uttarakhands Almora district, police said on Tuesday. The accident occurred in the Bhikiyasain area when the bus was en route to Ramnagar in Nainital from Dwarahat in Almora, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Devendra Pincha said. According to the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Atleast six killed as bus falls into gorge in Uttarakhands Almora
The accident occurred in the Bhikiyasain area when the bus was en route to Ramnagar in Nainital, officials from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) said
Driver Dies Of Suffocation After Lighting Coal Heater Inside Car In Nainital
Police found him unresponsive at the parking spot, covered with a blanket.
Bolero driver crushed to death as truck overturns after hitting divider in Rampur
Rampur: An overloaded truck carrying wood shavings lost balance after mounting a road divider and overturned onto a Bolero SUV on the Delhi-Nainital highway here, completely crushing the vehicle and its driver on the spot, police said on Monday. The accident occurred near Pahari Gate crossing in Rampur on Sunday evening when the Bolero was Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Wildlife Photography in the Age of AI: Prakash Desai's Journey of Patience, Purity and Passion
As artificial intelligence and advanced editing tools rapidly redefine modern photography, wildlife photography continues to stand apart as a discipline rooted in patience, presence and respect for nature. Capturing wildlife in its raw form demands long hours, physical endurance and an unfiltered connection with the natural world. At a time when digitally altered images flood social media, authentic wildlife photography serves as a powerful reminder that the most compelling visuals are still born in silence, waiting and trust. Prakash Desai Among the photographers who embody this philosophy is Prakash Desai, an Indian-origin wildlife photographer based in the United States, whose work reflects decades of dedication to documenting nature as it truly exists. Desai firmly believes that wildlife photography cannot be rushed or recreated through software, and that real images are the result of observation, discipline and time spent in the wilderness. Over the last several decades, Desai has travelled extensively across forests, deserts, coastal regions and national parks in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and India to capture wildlife and natural landscapes. His commitment to the craft is evident in his journeys of over 5,000 kilometres one way, undertaken five times from the U.S. to Canada, along with deep expeditions into remote habitats. In August 2015, he also undertook a dedicated photography expedition to New Zealand, further expanding his global body of work. Photography teaches you humility. Nature works on its own terms, and the photographer must learn to wait, observe and respect the moment. The most powerful images are the ones that remain untouched and truthful . Born in Santrampur, Panchmahal, and originally from Bhadeli, Bulsar in Gujarat, Desai completed his schooling in Bilimora before pursuing science at Bombay University. He moved to the United States in 1966 and went on to earn a Bachelors degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas in 1970, followed by graduate studies in Business Administration from the University of Chicago. In 1980, he married Dr. Geeta Desai (Ph.D.), and the couple began working in the Texas oil industry in 1981. Today, he manages his oil-field service business under the name Ohm Tech Inc. Despite a successful professional career in engineering and business, Desais passion for photography continued to grow. What began as a hobby gradually transformed into a lifelong pursuit, with wildlife photography becoming his primary focus. During repeated visits to Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, he spent 18 years patiently returning to the forest before capturing a rare photograph of a tigress, a moment that remains one of the most meaningful milestones of his journey. Desai has participated in workshops and seminars conducted by internationally acclaimed photographers such as Galen Rowell, John Shaw, Willard Clay and George Lepp. His photographs have earned him multiple awards and have been showcased in exhibitions,including a recent major exhibition in India, with another exhibition scheduled to open soon in Vadodara. Every year, Desai spends nearly six months in Vadodara, travelling across regions such as Leh-Ladakh, Sikkim, Nainital-Kausani, Kerala, the Northeast, Himachal Pradesh, Sasan Gir, Velavadar and the Rann of Kutch. Often accompanied by his wife Geeta, he continues to explore Indias diverse ecosystems, living within national parks from dawn to dusk to document wildlife in its most natural state. Now 80 years old, Prakash Desai continues to reject image-editing software, relying insteadon evolving camera technology, refined skill and unwavering patience. His journey reflectsthe enduring spirit of wildlife photography, proving that authenticity, dedication and respect for nature remain timeless, regardless of age or profession. #prakashdesai
U-turn on Appraisal: Centre cites secrecy on 360-degree review after earlier denial
DEHRADUN: The Central Government, through the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), has executed a significant reversal regarding the controversial 360-degree appraisal system for civil servants, specifically in a case involving Uttarakhand cadre IFS officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi before the Nainital Circuit Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). In a recent affidavit filed, the DoPT stated that guidelines concerning the 360-degree appraisalalso known as Multi-Source Feedback (MSF)fall under the purview of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). The department now claims these guidelines are ot in public domain and cannot be disclosed to the public at large, though they may be shown to the Tribunal privately. This stance starkly contrasts with an earlier affidavit submitted to the same Tribunal in October 2023. I n that filing, concerning the same officer, the DoPT had asserted that o such system is there in Government of India and hence no records of it exist, directly addressing Chaturvedis petition which sought the summoning of these appraisal records. The governments current claim of confidentiality stands in opposition to previous disclosures. Coincidentally, the then-Secretary of DoPT provided extensive testimony before a Parliamentary Committee in 2017, detailing the initiation, execution, and attributes assessed under the 360-degree appraisal system. Furthermore, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, in its 92nd Report, had thoroughly examined the MSF system. The Committee concluded that the system was opaque, non transparent and subjective, warning that informal feedback mechanisms made the process susceptible to manipulation and bias, rendering it ot legally tenable. The sequence of contradictory statements has forced the Tribunals hand. After the DoPT claimed in October 2023 that no records existed, the CAT ultimately ruled in May 2024 that the prayer seeking the guidelines was redundant based on the departments unequivocal denial. However, during a subsequent hearing in May 2025 concerning Chaturvedis empanelment, the DoPT counsel shifted position again, citing provisions within the MSF framework to justify withholding documents related to the officers empanelment process. Following this assertion, the Tribunal ordered the DoPT to produce the documents relating to the appraisal guidelines. The department has now requested the Tribunal to recall its earlier order directing the placement of these guidelines on record.
Uttarakhand fast-tracks six ropeway projects to enhance pilgrimage, tourism connectivity
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand is set to transform its pilgrimage and tourism landscape with a major push for ropeway infrastructure, as nearly 50 proposals are under consideration and the state government has identified six priority projects following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan on Friday. The meeting of the Steering Committee for Ropeway Development marked a decisive step towards streamlining approvals and fast-tracking construction. All proposed ropeway projects in the state must secure mandatory approval from this committee, Chief Secretary Vardhan said at the Secretariat. This is crucial to prevent duplication of efforts as various agencies are currently preparing different project reports. Vardhan also instructed that the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) CEO, to be managed by the National Highway Logistics Management Limited, must be appointed within a week to ensure the first board meeting of the newly formed committee takes place by the end of this month. The six selected projects represent key links for pilgrims and tourists across the state. Work orders have already been issued for the high-demand routes connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib. The proposal for the Kathgodam to Hanumangarhi Temple (Nainital) ropeway is in the final stages of approval, while Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are being prepared for the Kanakchauri to Kartik Swami route. Tendering processes are underway for the DPRs of the Rathal Barsu to Barnala (Uttarkashi) and the vital Joshimath-Auli-Gorson ropeways. The drive for rapid development is aimed at improving accessibility for the millions visiting the state. Over 50 lakh devotees undertake the Char Dham Yatra annually, a figure nearly matched by general domestic tourism. Once operational, these ropeways will not only significantly boost the number of devotees and tourists but will also open a major gateway to easier and more accessible travel, a source close to the development team noted. Chief Secretary Vardhan emphasized that the initial focus will remain strictly on these six projects and directed officials to prepare detailed timelines for every stage of the Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib ropeway developments. In a notable directive, he also ordered the inclusion of Kainchi Dham into the scope of the Kathgodam to Hanumangarhi project. Given the continuously escalating crowds of devotees at Kainchi Dham, we must immediately explore the feasibility of a ropeway project there, Vardhan said, highlighting the need to plan for tourist site development and route expansion for the next five to ten years alongside the construction phase. Officials acknowledged that while accelerating environmental and wildlife clearances is paramount, transporting heavy machinery to remote construction sites will present a significant logistical challenge.
