7 Unique Cultural Experiences In Varanasi That Will Transform Your Spiritual Journey

Whether you're meditating by the river, or simply watching life unfold on the ghats, Varanasi has a way of making you see the world differently.

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UP same but perception has changed: CM Yogi Adityanath shares report card of his eight years

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath claimed that good governance coupled with fast-paced robust economic growth is what the State has come to be known for during the last eight years. While giving an account of his governance of eight years, CM Yogi attributed the state's successes to the collective effort of 25 crore citizens of Uttar Pradesh under the guidance of PM Modi. He claimed that the state trod on the path of transformation from a Shram Shakti Punj to an Arth Shakti Punj of India. The state is the same but the perception has been completely transformed over the last eight years, he said. Flanked by both his Deputy CMs Keshav Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, BJP state chief Bhupendra Chaudhury and organisation secretary Dharam Pal Singh along with other cabinet colleagues, CM Yogi said that the entire nation was acknowledging the states emerging identity. It is prospering in the areas of security, good governance, prosperity, and Sanatan culture, he said. Uttar Pradesh, which once carried the tag of a BIMARU state has emerged as the growth engine of the Indian economy, he averred. Highlighting the significant impact made by the double-engine government across all sectors, the CM announced a three-day Vikas Utsav in all district headquarters on March 25, 26, and 27. During the event, Annadata farmers, youth, women, artisans, and entrepreneurs will be honoured, and the development milestones of 10 years of the Central government and eight years of the State government will be showcased to the public, he said. Second-largest economy in India Yogi claimed that UP was playing a pivotal role in PMs mission to make India a $5 trillion economy. He also said that UP is currently the second-largest economy in the country and is poised to become number one soon. Discussing fiscal management, the Chief Minister emphasised that over the past eight years, Uttar Pradesh's economy has been strengthened without placing any additional burden on the public or increasing taxes. UP is now a revenue-surplus state, he said. He noted that UPs economy, which was Rs 12.75 lakh crore in 2017 has more than doubled to Rs 27.5 lakh crore today. Per capita income has also grown from Rs 46,000 to Rs 1,24,000. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which was just Rs 3,300 crore from 2000 to 2017, rose to Rs 14,808 crore between 2017 and 2024. The states banking business grew from Rs 12.30 lakh crore to Rs 29.66 lakh crore, while the Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio improved from 46% to 61%. He credited the states journey over the past eight years to a collective spirit of teamwork, scale, skill, and speed. Reflecting on the states situation before 2017, Yogi said that Uttar Pradeshs identity was in deep crisis. Farmers were committing suicide, youth were searching for purpose, daughters and businessmen felt unsafe, and riots and lawlessness had crippled the economy, he recalled. In eight years, the double-engine government has changed that perception. Today, Uttar Pradesh is growing in every sector, he asserted. 'Law and order biggest achievement' Discussing the sector-wise transformation and sharing the data of all the sectors like agriculture, education, health, and employment, CM Yogi called improvement in the law and order situation as the biggest achievement of his government. Before 2017, riots were a regular feature. Daughters and traders lived in fear. Today, there is a rule of law in UP, he said. He cited the Prayagraj Mahakumbh as an example of effective governance, noting that during the 45-day event, not a single incident of molestation, robbery, kidnapping or abduction was reported. Emphasising that the safety, dignity, and self-reliance of women formed the foundation of a self-reliant society, he highlighted the transformation in women's representation in the police force. From 1947 to 2017, there were only 10,000 women personnel. In recent recruitments alone, 12,000 women were added taking the total to over 25,000. As a result, the share of women in the police force has increased from 14% to over 35%, he highlighted. Previous governments had abolished 54 companies of the PAC but thy all were reinstated after 2017. Additionally, three women battalions and five new PAC battalions were established. Cyber police stations and help desks were set up, and the response time of Police Response Vehicle (PRV) 112 was brought down from 25 minutes 42 seconds to just 7 minutes 24 seconds, he said. Focusing on youth development, CM Yogi stated that the unemployment rate, which was 19% in 2016-17, has declined to just 3% now, he added. He said that over the past eight years, more than 8 lakh government jobs have been provided, and over 2 crore youth have been empowered through self-employment in the MSME sector. Yogi pointed out that in 2017, there were 1.5 lakh vacant police posts. Through a transparent recruitment process, the government appointed 1,56,000 police personnel and recently added another 60,200. There were no police lines in 10 districts today, weve built them in every district, he added. Training capacity for police personnel has increased from 6,000 to 60,244. Other achievements CM listed out He underscored the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme which had revitalized traditional industries and entrepreneurship with exports rising from Rs 86,000 crore to over Rs 2 lakh crore. The CM stated that over the past eight years, more than 6 crore people have been uplifted from poverty in Uttar Pradesh. Presenting infrastructure achievements, CM Yogi said currently, UP has six expressways operational, and construction of 11 more was underway. Upon completion of the Ganga Expressway, Uttar Pradesh will account for 55% of the country's expressway network, he said. In 2017, only two airports were operational; today, the number has risen to 16, including four international airports. The countrys largest airport at Jewar is also nearing completion. Yogi highlighted UPs industrial growth noting its rise from 14th place in Ease of Doing Business before 2017 to a top achiever today. Highlighting growth in the tourism sector, CM noted a surge from 21 crore annual tourists before 2017 to 67 crore in 2023. The Prayagraj Mahakumbh alone saw 67 crore devotees. Faith is now a powerful driver of economic growth, boosted by better connectivity, security, and facilities, he said. 'Poised to be number one soon' Citing an RBI report, Yogi stated that Uttar Pradesh leads the country with a 16.2 per cent share in attracting funds for project financing. Currently, 132 companies from UP are listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange with a collective market capitalization exceeding Rs 3.68 lakh crore. He highlighted the number of factories in the state increased from around 13,000 in 2017 to over 26,900 today, demonstrating significant industrial growth. CM Yogi concluded by stating that Uttar Pradesh ranks first in the country in multiple sectors, including food grain, sugarcane, and potato production, ethanol output, ease of doing business, project financing, income tax returns, GeM portal procurement, skill development, MSME growth, PM Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Svamitva Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, and life and accident insurance schemes. He claimed that UP was playing a pivotal role in PMs mission to make India a $5 trillion economy. He also said that UP is currently the second-largest economy in the country and is poised to become number one soon. Discussing fiscal management, the Chief Minister emphasised that over the past eight years, Uttar Pradesh's economy has been strengthened without placing any additional burden on the public or increasing taxes. UP is now a revenue-surplus state, he said. He noted that UPs economy, which was Rs 12.75 lakh crore in 2017 has more than doubled to Rs 27.5 lakh crore today. Per capita income has also grown from Rs 46,000 to Rs 1,24,000. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which was just Rs 3,300 crore from 2000 to 2017, rose to Rs 14,808 crore between 2017 and 2024. Achievements Yogi highlighted Food grain production records 20 per cent increase from 557 lakh metric tonnes in 2016-17 to 668 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24. Over Rs 10 lakh crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries through DBT. Long-pending irrigation projects such as Arjun Sahayak, Bansagar, and Saryu Canal were completed, bringing irrigation to an additional 23,000 hectares. Rs 2.80 lakh crore paid to sugarcane farmers since 2017. Rs 60,000 crore more than the total paid in the previous 22 years. Ethanol production has also surged, growing from 42 crore litres to 177 crore litres. Share of women in the police force has increased from 14% to over 35%. 54 companies of PAC reinstated. Three women battalions and five new PAC battalions established. Cyber police stations and help desks set up, and the response time of Police Response Vehicle (PRV) 112 was brought down from 25 minutes 42 seconds to just 7 minutes 24 seconds. Against 10,000 women personnel from 1947 to 2017, 12,000 women were added in recent recruitment taking the total to over 25,000. The One District One Product (ODOP) scheme revitalized traditional industries and entrepreneurship with exports rising from Rs 86,000 crore to over Rs 2 lakh crore. Enrolment in Basic Education Council schools have increased by over 50 lakh. Every child receives Rs 1,200 for uniforms, school bags, books, shoes, and sweaters Ten new state universities and 21 private universities have been established. 15 crore individuals getting free ration for the last five years. 1.86 crore Ujjwala connections getting free LPG cylinders being distributed on festivals like Holi and Deepawali. Under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, 9 crore issued Golden Cards for health coverage. Housing provided to 56 lakh underprivileged families. Against 55 lakh destitute women, senior citizens, and divyangjans receiving pensions in 2017, today 1.06 crore, and the pension amount increased from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000. In 202425, Rs 1.10 lakh crore was transferred to 9.08 crore beneficiaries via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), resulting in savings of Rs 10,000 crore. 17 municipal corporations in the state have become smart cities Lucknow, Varanasi, and Kanpur being developed as State Development Regions. Against 1,28,494 villages receiving electricity between 1947 and 2017, 1,21,000 majras electrified in just eight years. From 2017 to 2024, over 1.65 crore free power connections issued compared to just 8.44 lakh between 2012 and 2017. Power generation surged from 6,000 MW to 33,000 MW, with solar capacity rising from 228 MW to 2,653 MW. A 4,000 MW solar project in Bundelkhand underway, aiming for 22,000 MW of green energy in five years. In the health sector, against 12 government medical colleges in 2017, the number rises to 80, including 44 government institutions MBBS seats increased from 1,990 to 5,250, and PG seats from 741 to 1,871. Surge in number of tourists from 21 crore annual before 2017 to 67 crore in 2023

BHU hosts workshop on systematic review, cost-effectiveness, and meta-analysis in healthcare

A two-day workshop on 'Systematic Review, Cost-Effectiveness, and Meta-Analysis' was held at Banaras Hindu University. Organized by the Health Technology Assessment India, the event aimed at evaluating health technologies for effectiveness and cost-efficiency. The initiative, supported by government officials, emphasized integrating modern and traditional medicine to ensure affordable, high-quality healthcare for the public.

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Cauvery Aarti: Act of devotion, awareness

BENGALURU: Bengaluru hosted its first-ever Cauvery Aarti at Sankey Tank on Friday, drawing inspiration from Varanasis Ganga Aarti. Organised by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), the event aimed to honour the Cauvery, Karnatakas primary water source. The event featured a procession led by priests from Varanasi, traditional rituals, a laser show, and live orchestral music. More than 10,000 attendees participated, with sacred water from Bhagamandala, the rivers origin, distributed as theertha. BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar called the initiative historic and announced plans to make Cauvery Aarti an annual event to promote devotion, environmental awareness, and cultural celebration. He also mentioned that Sankey Tank was chosen for its historical and religious significance, being linked to the Vrishabhavathi River, a tributary of the Cauvery. The event also marked the launch of the World Water Pledge campaign, emphasising the importance of water conservation. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar led the water conservation pledge ceremony during which thousands participated in the oath-taking, marking a record turnout for a conservation initiative. Addressing the gathering, DCM Shivakumar highlighted the significance of water in daily life. Water is the foundation of civilisation, faith, and existence. This morning, we travelled to Talacauvery, performed Cauvery pooja, and brought the sacred water to Sankey Tank for this event, he said. Shivakumar stressed the urgent need for responsible water management, saying, When drought strikes and wells run dry, we realise the value of water. Bengaluru has implemented Cauvery Phase 5 project, supplying water to 110 villages. Despite challenges, we are committed to ensuring the city does not face a crisis this year. Shivakumar also announced plans to extend Cauvery Aarti to the KRS reservoir in Mysuru during Dasara celebrations, stating that a committee has been formed to oversee the initiative. We have successfully introduced Cauvery Aarti in Bengaluru, and we aim to expand this sacred ritual to KRS, making it a key part of our cultural heritage, he said. Cauvery Aarati is cultural in nature, not commercial, Karnataka High Court told

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Ustad Bismillah Khan remembered

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Sultan of shehnai: Remembering Ustad Bismillah Khan on his birth anniversary

VARANASI: The stairs are crumbling to dust, the walls ravaged by the passage of time and just beyond flows the Ganga as if in eternal serenity. It was here that a young Bismillah Khan practiced for hoursfrom 4 am till the sun came up and again in the afternoon till it went down. The strains of his shehnai have long faded away from the Naubat Khana but the Ustad, who took the instrument to the world stage and became synonymous with it, lives on somewhere in its recesses. And outside it too. On his 109th birth anniversary on Friday, memories of the man counted as one of India's greatest musicians linger in the corners of the temple town where he lived, learnt and played. He was the classical musician who famously heralded India's independence on August 15, 1947 by playing Raag Kafi from the ramparts of the Red Fort ahead of Jawaharlal Nehru's momentous Tryst with Destiny' speech. Anecdotes from the life of the sultan of shehnai, born Qamaruddin Khan in Bihar's Dumraon on March 21, 1916, abound around the ghats and narrow gullies of the ancient city of Varanasi, or Banaras as it was known. For the residents of the town, some who knew him and others who grew up on stories about him, he was the world renowned musician and also a beacon of the Hindu-Muslim syncretic culturethe Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb. The Naubat Khana, at the intersection of the Balaji and Mangala Gauri temples, was perhaps his first stage. Nearly 20 years since his passing in 2006, the floor of the room and the passage to it has fallen through. This is the place where he used to sit. His meditation was of four phases. He would light a diya in the alcove inside and sit down to play the shehnai at 4 am, then in the noon, then in the evening and later in the night, Pandit Narayan Guru, head priest of the Mangala Gauri temple, told PTI . The routine he followed for more than three years as a young student was an odd mix of Hindu and Muslim morning rituals, starting from taking a dip in the Ganga, followed by morning namaz at Alamgir mosque nearby and then settling down to play at the Naubat Khana after lighting an earthen lamp. He would play the shehnai at the Naubat Khana and also at the entrance of the temple but never inside. He was a devout Muslim but never looked differently at any Hindus he met, asking for their and their family's well being, recalled Prabhat Kumar Sharma, who manages the Balaji temple. Remembering the shehnai maestro as the best example of the culture of harmony for which the land was known for, Sharma said Khan would also donate money for the temple's food offerings. The Naubat Khana of Balaji Temple in Varanasi, where Ustad Bismillah Khan used to practice the shehnai in his early days, in Varanasi, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Khan, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, passed on the baton of his music and his values of tolerance and harmony to his grandchildren. Many of them play the shehnai though they haven't reached the heights of fame he did. Dada ji never believed in the difference of Hindu or Muslim. Music is the same for everybody', he would say. Music is my god and I have faith only in that', said one of his grandsons, 62-year-old Mohammed Shibtain. Another grandson Afaq Haidar added, He used to say go to a clean and holy place if you want to learn music. This instrument has its roots in 'fakeeri' (mendicancy), the more you drown in it the more efficacy the almighty will bestow upon your music, the 36-year-old said. Away from the Naubat Khana, Khan's home, hidden in a maze of narrow lanes in Hadha Sarai area of Banaras, is evidence to the fakeeri'. It is testament to his dedication to the craft, more often than not at the expense of materialistic wealth. Now turned into a shrine of sorts with his photos, awards, and shehnai, the room on the terrace, painted a bright green, is where Khan spent most of his time when at home. The room where Shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan lived his entire life, in Varanasi, Saturday, March 15, 2025. He would help everyone - for the last rites of someone in the area, for medical aid or for a wedding. Be it Muharram or Eid, people used to wait for him to help them get through the hard times. They used to pray for his health, remembered Zarina Begum, one of his three daughters. He also had five sons. Even though Khan was not keen on teaching music to the women of his family, he admired Zarina's natural talent. She recalled with affection one particular incident. I was preparing food in the kitchen and Abba left to meet some people downstairs. I did not know when he came back with his entire party. Lost in my thoughts, I was singing Laagi Charan Tumri Khwaja Moinuddin'. Abba then scolded my brothers, I have been wasting my lessons on you and here she is who has learnt it all while cooking', the 70-year-old said with a smile. Coming from a long line of court musicians, Khan came to Banaras as a three-year-old to learn the shehnai under his maternal uncle, Ali Bux Vilayatu' Khan, who was a shehnai player associated with the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The rest, as they say, is history. His journey onwards is marked with recordings, concerts and countless performances that collectively worked in making the shehnai a recognisable instrument on international stage and even establishing its status as a classical instrument. Shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan's grandsons, his daughter and other family members, in Varanasi, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Bismillah Khan converted the shehnai into a classical instrument. It used to be played at weddings and ceremonies, but he added the singing bit to it, added elements of dhrupad and dhamar, worked on sur' and taan'. He would observe classical singers and would replicate how they were singing through the shehnai, Haidar said. Long years of practice and a keen ear led him to familiarise the shehnai with various classical music forms, including thumri, chaiti, kajri, sawani and khayal. A prominent figure of the Banaras Gharana, Khan performed in India and across the world with his contemporaries and stalwarts of Hindustani classical music, including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Vilayat Khan, Amjad Ali Khan, and Hariprasad Chaurasia. His renditions of Vaishnav Jana To, Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, and Ganga Dware Badhaiyya Baje established him as a musician par excellence. Khan died on August 21, 2006 at the age of 90, his entire life lived in the service of his music. He received multiple awards and recognition. He was the third classical musician after MS Subbalakshmi and Ravi Shankar to receive the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. He also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1956), Padma Shri (1961), Padma Bhushan (1968), and Padma Vibhushan (1980). It has been many decades since he played. The road leading to his house, lined with shops of cosmetics and artificial jewellery, has been named after him. But the city now awaits a museum for one of its most celebrated sons.

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Pilgrim amenity complexes in Tirumala will be maintained, says Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy

BENGALURU: JDS MLC Saravana on Wednesday complained that pilgrim amenity complexes built by the Karnataka government in Tirumala lack maintenance, despite having a staff of over 50. The rooms in these complexes lack proper doors. People staying here have to place a chair to prevent the door from opening. Except for one or two staffers at the reception, no workers are seen. There is zero maintenance at these complexes, Saravana said. In his reply to Saravana, Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, Post May, tenders will be floated to maintain Hampi Block with 110 rooms, Aihole Block with 130 rooms and 36 VVIP rooms at Tirumala. A tender will also be floated for maintenance of a 500-capacity hall, and steps taken to maintain the complexes like 4-star hotels. Reddy said people can book the rooms online and that 40 per cent of the rooms will be reserved for people from Karnataka. He also heeded Saravanas request to provide uniforms, ID cards and enable biometric attendance for the staff. He told the House that a guesthouse built at Varanasi in 1928 was in a dilapidated condition. It will be demolished and a new guesthouse built, Reddy said. Replying to MLC DT Srinivas, who said temples and tourism go hand-in-hand and demanded that all temples in Karnataka be developed with more grants, and also properties adjacent to muzrai temples to fetch more revenue, Reddy said, Discussions are on to use land adjacent to temples to set up shops which will earn rent. Regarding temple tourism, I will hold a meeting with the tourism minister. Inam Dattatreya land: Illegality to be investigated Reddy said if there is any illegality in allotting land belonging to Inam Dattatreya Peeta in Chikkamagaluru to private individuals, it will be investigated by the departments principal secretary. He was replying to BJP MLC CT Ravis question whether the temple land has been illegally allotted to private individuals. It has been found that Dattatreya Peeta had 1,861.31 acres before the Tenancy Act. A total of 104.39-acre land from the Inam Dattatreya Peetha village has been allotted to private individuals, he said, adding that if there are any illegalities, land belonging to the Peeta will be transferred in the name of Dattatreya.

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Deputy CM flags off senior citizens pilgrimage train in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Altogether 775 people from six districts of Odisha boarded a special train here Wednesday to visit Ayodhya and Varanasi as part of a state government pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens, an official said. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida flagged off the special train under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra scheme from Bhubaneswar Railway Station. []

ED attaches properties worth 1.76 crore in Punjab National Bank case in U.P.

The properties attached are in the form of agriculture land, house and flat situated at Kanpur, Fatehpur, Gorakhpur and Varanasi

How Beauty Island is transforming bridal makeup

Beauty Island Bridal Makeup Studio in Varanasi is transforming the bridal makeup industry with its professional expertise, high-end techniques, international makeup brands, and personalised services. The studio offers comprehensive bridal packages, on-location services, and affordable luxury bridal makeup, ensuring a flawless, timeless look for every bride.

Series of activities to mark World TB Day On March 24

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Banaras Hindu University hosts GAIN course on structural biology techniques and drug discovery

A one-week course on 'Structural Biology Technique and its Role in Drug Discovery' commenced at Banaras Hindu University's School of Biotechnology, under the Ministry of Education's GAIN initiative. The event featured lectures by Prof Liang Tong from Columbia University and was attended by numerous participants from India. The program aims to enhance India's scientific and academic resources.

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Sexual harassment accused arrested after encounter

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Mirzapur sexual harassment accused shot, arrested after police encounter; 2 aides held

Mirzapur police arrested Pintu Pal, the main accused in a sexual harassment case, after a police encounter on Monday. Following his arrest, authorities captured two of his accomplices while the search for the fourth suspect continues. Illegal firearms were also confiscated during the investigation.

FIR against 100 madrassas in Azamgarh for flouting norms

Police have registered FIRs against over 100 madrassas in Azamgarh district for not complying with government norms. An SIT probe found 219 madrassas non-compliant. Some were recognized and funded without verification. Madrassa operators allegedly benefited from modernization schemes in collaboration with officials. Findings led the government to file legal cases against these operators.

Bengaluru to host first-ever Cauvery aarti at Sankey Tank on March 21, Varanasi priests to lead rituals: Report - Hindustan Times

Bengaluru to host first-ever Cauvery aarti at Sankey Tank on March 21, Varanasi priests to lead rituals: Report Hindustan Times

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Vadodara crash: Mob demands execution of accused Rakshit as one-day remand expires

AHMEDABAD: In Vadodaras explosive Rakshit case, police dragged the accused back to the crime scenelimping, roped, and under heavy scrutiny. A furious crowd swarmed the area, seething with rage, demanding his execution. Shouts echoed: Hand him overwell serve justice! On March 13 at 11:15 pm, a speeding Rakshit Chaurasia drove his car into a crowd, killing one woman and injuring seven others . The accused was placed under a one-day remand. With his remand expiring, police presented him in court once again, as public outrage intensified. After the crash, a heavily intoxicated Rakshit lost consciousness before erupting into shouts of another round, as caught on video. In the footage, he also repeatedly calls out the name Nikita, adding another twist to the incident. We were heading to Nizampura from Kishan Wadi Gadheda Market after celebrating Holika Dahan at a friends house, the accused, Rakshit Chaurasia, told local media. My friend was dropping me off at my room when the accident happened. The car was in sports mode, and I wasnt familiar with driving an automatic vehicle. The car was speeding a littlearound 50 to 60 kmph. Suddenly, the airbag deployed, and I lost visibility. I dont know what happened next, Chaurasia claimed. I want to meet the family affected by the accidentI want to apologise, though sorry feels far too small for this, said the accused. The crime I committed is unforgivable, and I understand the depth of their loss. The car belonged to my friend, but I was the one driving. I was not under the influence at the time, he added. It was my mistake, and I accept itbut I still dont know what exactly happened, said the accused. My father runs a sanitary business in Varanasi, while I am a fourth-year law student at MS University. I live alone in a rented room in Nizampura, Chaurasia said. #WATCH | Vadodara, Gujarat: One woman has died, and four others are injured after an overspeeding four-wheeler rammed into a two-wheeler (14/03). Accused Rakshit Ravish Chaurasia claims, We were going ahead of the scooty, we were turning right and there was a pothole on the pic.twitter.com/7UMundtDXH ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2025 DCP Panna Momaya said, The accused was presented in court for remand, and as per the order, a one-day remand was secured. During this period, we conducted a reconstruction of the crime scene, recorded statements, and examined who he interacted with. His samples have been sent to the forensic lab for further analysis. The accused remains in custody, and necessary actions are underway. If additional remand is needed, we will request an extension, Momaya added. As per legal protocol, a medical examination has also been conducted. Accused Rakshit, citing chest pain, was rushed to Sayaji Hospital and admitted to the surgical ward for examination. Once there, he claimed his discomfort stemmed from a car injurycontradicting his initial complaint. Whatever they wish should happen: Vadodara car crash accused wants to meet victim's family

Caught on Cam: Drunk driver kills woman, leaves 4 injured

The accident took place late Thursday night at approximately 12:30 am near the Karelibag area in Vadodara. The driver, identified as Rakshit Chaurasia, has been apprehended by authorities. Chaurasia, a resident of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is pursuing a law degree at a university in Vadodara.

Woman killed, four injured as law student rams car into two-wheelers in Vadodara

VADODARA: A woman was killed on the spot and four others sustained injuries when a speeding car driven by a 20-year-old law student crashed into their two-wheelers in Gujarat's Vadodara city in the early hours of Friday, police said. The accident occurred around 12.30 am near Muktanand crossroads in the Karelibaug area, following which the driver, Rakshit Chaurasiya, was arrested, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Panna Momaya. It could be a case of drunk driving as eyewitnesses, who caught Chaurasiya at the scene, told the police that he appeared intoxicated and was screaming Another round, another round after coming out of the car, the official said. The deceased woman has been identified as Hemali Patel, who was riding her scooter at the time of the accident. Chaurasiya, who originally hails from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, is a law student and lives in a PG accommodation here, Momaya told reporters. The car belonged to his friend Mit Chauhan, who was sitting in the co-driver's seat when Chaurasiya rammed the car into some two-wheelers at full speed while going towards Muktanand Circle, she said. Efforts are being made to track down Chauhan, the official said. A volkswagen car driven by a Drunk person rammed into several 2 wheelers killed a woman on spot & 3 other critically injured in #Vadodara Later the driver was seen screaming Another Round. @CMOGuj @Vadcitypolice #vadodaraaccident #vadodraaccident #vadodaranews pic.twitter.com/NdvZpif5lu Mrutyunjaya Swain (@Mrutyunjayaswa9) March 14, 2025 In a video captured by an eyewitness, Chauhan comes out of the car, with a wrecked front portion and starts blaming Chaurasiya for the crash. Chaurasiya, who appears incoherent, keeps shouting, Another round? Another round? The video shows Chaurasiya getting thrashed by bystanders, who subsequently handed him over to the police. In CCTV footage accessed by media, the speeding car can be seen hitting two scooters, knocking down the riders and dragging them along before coming to a halt. Primarily, the car was overspeeding. This can also be a case of drunk driving. We will conduct his medical test to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol, said DCP, adding that Chaurasiya does have a driving licence.

Mosques in districts covered with tarpaulin, police remain on alert ahead of Holi

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath reviewed development projects and law and order at the Circuit House in Varanasi evening emphasising on maintaining peace and harmony during Holi celebrations

189 mosques in UP covered with tarpaulin on Holi eve as police tighten security

LUCKNOW: With Holi falling on Friday during the holy month of Ramzan and prominent Muslim clerics of Uttar Pradesh having already revised the timings for Friday prayers, postponing them after 2 pm, 189 mosques in at least four districts of the state were covered with tarpaulin ahead of the festival of colours. While Muslim clerics have adjusted the timing of Friday prayers across 18 districts of the state on Holi day, mosques in Bareilly, Sambhal, Shahjahanpur, and Aligarh in central-western UP were covered with tarpaulin to protect them from the splash of Holi colors. For the sake of maintaining peace, UP DGP Prashant Kumar sent a letter to all the district police chiefs, commissionerates, and heads of police zones and ranges with a 20-point directive to fortify the sensitive zones in their respective districts with adequate deployment of police and paramilitary forces. Besides holding direct interactions with top police officers of the state, the DGP personally met senior officers of sensitive districts and discussed police arrangement for the festival. In the hyper-sensitive Sambhal district, where Shahi Jama Masjid has been caught in a litigation for the past few months over the court-ordered survey, several mosques along with the Jama Masjid were already covered with tarpaulin sheets on Wednesday. As per the senior police officer of the district, additional paramilitary force for round-the-clock monitoring and vigilance were deployed in the town. In Sambhal, the Friday Namaz would be held at 2.30 pm due to Holi celebrations. Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid management committee chief Zafar Ali urged members of both communities to celebrate Holi and offer Friday prayers in a harmonious atmosphere. Regarding the administrations move to cover mosques with tarpaulin, Ali welcomed the decision, stating that it was a positive step. Maximum mosques 109-- were covered with tarpaulin in Bareilly where a Ram Barat was taken out on Holi eve with strict vigilance and deployment of over 5000 police personnel on all the mosques falling in the route of the Barat. In Shahjahanpur, 67 mosques were covered before the traditional Laat Sahab Juloos on Holi. Shahjahanpur is the only district where there is a tradition of playing Joota Maar Holi (playing Holi using shoes/slippers). A person is made to sit on a buffalo cart as laat sahab and is made to take the rounds of the city with people throwing colours, shoes and slippers at him. A senior officer, who is a part of the team monitoring security arrangements at DGP headquarters, said senior officers would escort the traditional procession of Laat Sahab. Around 1000 additional cops were called in from other districts for deployment at sensitive spots. The police contingent carried out a flag march on Holi eve in the district. Similarly, 10 mosques in Sambhal and three in Aligarh were also covered. The drone-equipped vigilance is on across the sensitive districts of the state. Barricades have been erected along the routes of Holi processions with the installation of several CCTV cameras by the respective local administration. As per Shahajhanpur SP Rajesh S, in all 18 Holi processions including the two major Laat Saheb processions, are taken put in the city. To ensure security, the larger procession was divided into three zones and eight sectors, with around 100 magistrates deployed. Moreover, police have taken preventive action against 2,423 people to deter potential troublemakers, he said. Similarly, in other districts including Mathura, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Rampur, Aligarh, Agra, Kanpur, Gonda, Bahraich and Siddharthnagar, additional paramilitary forces have been deployed to avert any untoward incident. DGP Prashant Kumar said that officers were instructed to ensure that no group was allowed to perform any act or hold untraditional processions.

Wah! Holi@Taj

Holi celebrations have begun. Glimpses from Agra, Varanasi, New Delhi and Patna...