After fire, norms changed at Kumbh
LUCKNOW: After Sundays fire, safety measures have been spruced up by the Maha Kumbh administration. It has been decided to set up a fire station for every 800 square metre of the mela area where over 1.6 lakh tents have been put up. On Tuesday, teams of police and fire services personnel started an awareness and checking drive to ensure that there were no illegal cylinders kept in any of the camps. An emergency meeting of the food and civil supplies department, fire safety officials and LPG distributors was also held. Besides, the fire safety department issued dos and donts for the devotees staying in the mela area. It was decided during the meeting that strict action would be taken against those found misusing domestic LPG or selling unauthorised cylinders. In all, 53 fire stations and 20 fire posts have been set up to deal with fire. More than 1,300 firemen and 300 fire-tenders are ready to deal with any eventuality, said a senior official of the fire safety department. Prayagraj and Lucknow have nine and 11 fire stations, while the mela area 53. This was the reason we could control the Sunday fire incident. Our set up is such that a fire tender will not take more than three-four minutes to reach any site in the mela area, the official says. More 4,300 fire hydrants have been strategically deployed to handle any emergency. The fire department was allocated a budget of `66.75 crore, while the overall budget for fire safety equipment and vehicles is `131.48 crore. Each akharas tents have also been equipped with fire safety gear. In preparation for the event, dozens of mock drills have been organised in collaboration with NDRF and SDRF, ensuring that all personnel were prepared to respond to emergencies. Special flights to be parked at 11 airports in 4 states In view of the massive air traffic expected for Mauni Amavasya on January 29 in the Maha Kumbh, arrangements have been made to park chartered and special flights at 11 airports spread across four states. These airports are situated within 600 km from Prayagraj. The Prayagraj airport is expected to handle more than 200 flights on January 29, when 8-10 crore devotees are expected to visit Maha Kumbh. The Airport Authority of India has already sought assistance from these airports situated in UP, Bihar, MP and Jharkhand. The airports which have been contacted for providing parking facilities are Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Kushinagar, Gorakhpur, Gaya, Khajuraho, Jabalpur, Bhopal, Deoghar and Chitrakoot. The Chitrakoot airport will be reserved for emergency parking. The Prayagraj airport is already handling an unprecedented number of flights and passengers. Approximately 40,000 have either landed at or taken off from the airport which is an all-time record. Expecting a large number of international passengers, the airport has set up customs and 2 booked for spreading fake news at Mela Two persons have been booked for allegedly spreading fake news about the Maha Kumbh through social media. According to police, the two have uploaded a video of a runaway minor girl chatting with a sadhu and called it inappropriate. A complaint has been lodged. But the matter has turned out to be fake. PM to visit Maha Kumbh on Feb 5, Prez on Feb 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Maha Kumbh on February 5, according to sources. Union Home Minister Amit Shah may attend the mela on January 27, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on February 1 and the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, is expected to part of the celebrations on February 10.
After Kumbh blaze, cops quiz NSUI man
An NSUI activist from Varanasi, involved in NRC protests, was questioned by the UP Police Anti-Terror Squad after returning from a 10-day stay at the Maha Kumbh mela, where a fire broke out for two consecutive days. He complied with the interrogation, provided explanations, and had his mobile data checked, claiming no association with banned groups.
Centre delaying Worship Act reply: Mosque panel to SC
The Mathura Shahi Masjid Eidgah Committee has approached the Supreme Court, requesting the court to prevent the central government from filing a response to a petition challenging the Places of Worship Act's constitutional validity. The committee accuses the BJP-led government of intentionally delaying its response. The court had previously issued a notice to the government in March 2021, but the government has yet to submit its reply despite numerous opportunities. The committee argues that the government's delay is intended to obstruct those opposing the challenge to the Places of Worship Act from filing their own responses. The petition also states that the pleas challenging the law's validity are scheduled for hearing on February 17, and closing the government's right to respond would serve justice. The Supreme Court previously issued a ruling in December 2022 that stopped courts from entertaining new lawsuits or issuing interim or final orders regarding the reclaiming of religious places, particularly mosques and dargahs. The ruling halted proceedings in 18 lawsuits filed by Hindu groups seeking surveys to confirm the original religious character of 10 mosques, including the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi, the Shahi Idgah Masjid in Mathura, and the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. This decision was made in response to six petitions, including one filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, challenging various provisions of the Places of Worship Act. The 1991 law prohibits the conversion of places of worship and guarantees the preservation of their existing religious character as it stood on August 15, 1947. Notably, the dispute regarding the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was excluded from this law. There are also several cross-petitions advocating for a strict enforcement of the 1991 law to uphold communal harmony and maintain the current status of mosques that Hindu groups seek to reclaim, claiming they were temples before being destroyed by invaders.
Take instant action to resolve peoples issues: CM Yogi
Natl Youth Day celebrations end
Aakanksha fest kicks off at BHU with creativity
IIT (BHU) announces Vortex of Visionaries for e-summit
NSUI activist summoned by ATS after Kumbh visit
Five criminals held in Mirzapur, Chandauli after police encounters
3 using boats to smuggle liquor in Bihar held
Researchers at IIT (BHU), Varanasi developed a Laser-Directed Electrochemical Paper Analytical Device for multifunctional sensing applications that surpasses commercial electrodes. This sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective platform enhances clinical diagnostics and environmental monitoring by detecting various analytes with high sensitivity and repeatability.
Aakanksha festival kicks off with creativity, camaraderie at BHUs Institute of Science
The annual youth festival, Aakanksha, started at Banaras Hindu University, featuring 30 different events aimed at promoting creativity. Inaugurated by the Institute's Director and Dean, the festival includes competitions like sketching, painting, and dance, with over 151 students participating on the opening day.
A five-day student-focused programme at Banaras Hindu University concluded, celebrating National Youth Day 2025. Organized by Wellbeing Services Cell, the event aimed to promote teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness through games like Slow Cycling and Relay Race. Over 238 students participated, with 61 winners awarded in various categories. University officials praised the event's success.
KOCHI: Grandeur of a different kind and a solitude that looms over the crowd. The slow run of the Ganga embracing the Yamuna and the invisible Saraswathi at the confluence that is deemed holy. The grand fair held once every 12 years in such a setting invites hordes of different kinds of people. Among them are those from Gods Own land. Arun A S, a mechanical engineer from Thiruvananthapuram, is put up in one of the 18 sectors in the Tent City at Prayagraj and plans to stay there for all the days till the last Shahi snan on February 26, the day Kumbh mela would end. He claims the event is an opportunity to showcase how spirituality runs deep into the psyche of everything material around us. There are different kinds of activities and I handle the Gyan Kumbh, showcasing our ancient scientific systems to display the connection of soul with matter. Several people from Kerals are coming for it, including vice-chancellors of universities too. ISRO former chairman S Somnath would also be there, he says. Arun is enjoying the spiritual fervour clubbing work with sojourns to the Triveni Sangam, where he often treks to take dips during the chilly mornings with the backdrop at times occupied by the sadhus. Renunciates, different kinds of them unseen otherwise to the world, are an attraction for Ajish A S, who works in the construction sector. I will be visiting the Kumbhmela soon. About six people from across Kerala are coming with me. Its a spiritual journey for us, to experience peace in a place where prayer and festivities join to form an ethereal atmosphere, he says. Ajishs friends also include teams from Russia and other countries, who are planning travels to Prayagraj to meet him. Ashwin K, an architect based in Bangalore, is planning the Kumbh for other reasons. I have heard about the Kumbh and the spiritual circuit of Varanasi and Ayodhya. I wanted to visit for a while and felt this would be a nice opportunity, he claims. However, some came to know of the Kumbh through reels and social media and wanted to feel it for the liberating experience. Its about exploration, also a culture unwinding. I want to know about this place. The whole world is talking about it, says Krithika Radhakrishnan, who plans to visit in February. For those already at the site, the environment is charged. That is why minor flaws like lack of water in our tent or the 10 km walk till the Sangam for the holy dip in biting cold and jostling crowd seem like nothing. Its fun. More than the destination, the path gets prominence here. Kumbh is a feeling. And I am so lucky to have felt it, says Pallavi Viswanath, who feels the youngsters in Kerala are slowly grooving towards such festivities which may seem outwardly religious but are at its core, purely civilisational. There is also a lot of mysticism in the air and enigma about naga sadhus, aghoris and such cults. Kumbh is indeed the time for several such people to be here and discuss spirituality, philosophy and the relation between all these. Its a different world. A world unique enough to be called surreal, she says. Travel firms from Kerala are also planning packages for Kumbh. But the number of those arranging it on their own with help from the spiritual groups such as the akharas in the north is increasing. Kumbh fervour is spreading among Kerala youth particularly, observes Vijay Menon, who is visiting Prayagraj with a team of eight on January 29.
UP nod to RDA in cabinet meeting at Maha Kumbh likely
LUCKNOW: The proposed meeting of Yogi cabinet at Mahakumbh on Wednesday, January 22, is likely to provide a major boost not only to the economic development of Prayagraj but also to neighbouring districts. The meeting, set to take place at the Integrated Command and Control Centre, is expected to approve several key proposals that will transform the city. One of the major proposals on the table is likely to be one pertaining to creation of a new religious circuit including Prayagraj and Varanasi, along with five adjoining districts Chandauli, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Mirzapur, and Bhadohi. The state government intends to create Regional Development Authority (RDA) to develop the region comprising above mentioned seven districts as a religious hub. The ambitious project aims at promoting religious tourism, area development, and generating employment opportunities for local population. The proposed RDA will oversee the development of the entire area, spanning 22,000 sq km. As per sources, both the state and central governments are on the same page over the proposal. The UP government is contemplating to create RDA after recommendations from NITI Aayog. This initiative will directly impact the lives of more than 2.38 crore people across the seven districts. Beyond tourism, the state is also advancing infrastructure and industrial development. Plans are afloat to establish an industrial corridor between Ayodhya and Ramsanehi Ghat, along with knowledge parks and industrial hubs in Prayagraj and Varanasi, with Centres support. The proposed regional religious circuit assumes significance in the wake of the Maha Kumbh as devotees are visiting the various other religious destinations in the state.
CBSE Conducts Surprise Inspection In Schools, Issues Show-Cause Notices
The inspections were carried out in schools in Delhi on December 18 and in Bengaluru, Patna, Bilaspur, Varanasi and Ahmedabad on December 19, 2024.
DM warning to depts ranking low in devpt work on CM dashboard
Two home guards killed as bike rams into truck
Screening, community involvement can reduce TB cases: Health dept
Street plays, contests to mark Natl Voters Day at Namo Ghat
BJP honours Ambedkars legacy, Cong ignored him: Dy CM Maurya
Man, family booked for making girls video viral
CM inaugurates elephant rescue centre, Butterfly Park at Gorakhpur zoo
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First Maha Kumbh Train From Secbad Starts
Hyderabad: The first Maha Kumbh Punya Kshetra Yatra commenced its journey from Secunderabad on Monday, carrying devotees to Prayagraj for the once-in-144-year event. The journey is part of the Bharat Gaurav initiative by Indian Railways, which promotes the countrys rich cultural heritage through theme-based tourist circuits. The train will cover key religious sites, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya, over a duration of seven nights and eight days. The initiative is a part of the ongoing Maha Kumbh festivities, which have drawn lakhs of devotees from around the world.
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is attracting tens of millions of people from across the globe. Many are making the most of it by adding other spiritual places like Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Chitrakoot not very far away from Prayagraj making their spiritual journey complete. Some are there to connect with their spiritual essence and cleanse the soul, others for moksha and atonement
32-year-old man killed after quarrel with wife in UP
A 32-year-old man, Rahul Seth, was killed in Varanasi following a quarrel with his wife. During the altercation, neighbor Rajaani Ravi Yogesh attacked Seth with a frying pan and knife. Rajaani was arrested, and the incident is being investigated by the police. Seth's body has been sent for a postmortem.
Nursing college director booked on abetment charges in Varanasi principal's suicide case
A dramatic turn occurred in the case of nursing college principal Sushmita Singh's suicide with the discovery of a suicide note accusing college director Anand Prakash Pandey of harassment. Sushmita's father-in-law lodged an FIR against Pandey for abetment to suicide, with police and forensic teams investigating further.
Varanasi to celebrate National Voter's Day and UP Day with festivities at Namo Ghat
Varanasi will celebrate National Voter's Day on January 25 and UP Day on January 24 at Namo Ghat with grandeur as per government guidelines. The events include slogan writing, essay writing, song competitions, skits, morning rallies, rangoli competitions, and oath-taking ceremonies to promote voter awareness among youth and women.
'One District One Product' Exhibited At Maha Kumbh
Items such as carpets, glass toys from Firozabad, and wooden toys from Varanasi are being showcased under the Centre's 'One District One Product' (ODOP) initiative at the Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, an official statement said on Sunday.
1 dead, 7 injured after SUV carrying baratis collides with stationary truck in UP's Jaunpur
A fatal accident occurred near Puraupur in Jaunpur district, where an SUV carrying wedding guests collided with a stationary truck due to dense fog. One person died, and seven were injured, with three critically. The injured were rushed to the hospital, with some transferred to Prayagraj for advanced treatment.
MADHYA PRADESH: Meet the social media-savvy cops of Madhya Pradesh, who are harnessing the power of digital platforms to educate, empower, and safeguard citizens, while setting a new standard for community policing. At a time when police forces across India are increasingly zeroing in on the virtual world to curb its misuse, a small but effectively-communicating group of cops in Madhya Pradesh have emerged as social media icons on a mission to usher in positive changes in society. These cops resemble a band of superheroes who are not only stopping crimes and mishaps but, through their social media handles, are also empowering thousands of people with information about traffic safety and cybercrime, among others. Some of them are already famous, like Rajesh Dandotiya, additional DCP (crime) Indore Police, and Prashant Choubey, an additional SP in Vidisha district. But, there are others too, who are making a mark. Posted in eastern MPs Shahdol district and promoted just a few months back as head constable, 35-year-old traffic cop Vivekanand Tiwari is on a mission to educate people on the ABCD of traffic safety and all related aspects. He has 76 lakh YouTube subscribers, 31 lakh followers on Facebook and 12 lakh on Instagram. Before and after his eight hours of official duty at the designated road traffic point daily, Tiwari, along with a cameraman, spends a couple hours at various routes and mingles freely with commoners, particularly youths, for whom he is a big attraction. Spanning from young children riding their bicycles and youngsters on bikes and scooters to farmers on tractors and truckers on heavy vehicles, Tiwari stops them with a smile on his face and educates them with key lessons of road traffic rules, which are important not just for safe transport but also to save their kitty from avoidable traffic challans. Rajni Chauhan His love for teaching the commoners about road traffic and safety rules has not just saved people from unnecessary challans but also helped them save money plausibly while getting the prized high-security registration number plates. Dont be surprised if the head constable hailing from Rewa district meets you while you are driving or walking the streets and lanes of tribal-dominated Shahdol district. His latest videos include tips for all those purchasing second-hand vehicles. His commitment to road safety has not just been a hit in Shahdol and other districts of MP but even saved a youngsters life in Prime Minister Narendra Modis parliamentary constituency around a year ago. It was to my pleasant surprise that I got a call on my phone from Varanasi, who told me that my safe driving tips from one of the videos helped his son save his life from a sudden speeding truck, Tiwari recalled. Out of the plethora of educational and interactive videos/reels shot by Tiwari, more than 150 have attracted one crore views each, with one of them getting the maximum of 24 crore views. Six hundred kilometres away at Pohri police station in Shivpuri district, inspector in-charge Rajni Chauhan, too, is a social media icon who is focused on promoting issues such as women empowerment, child education and informing people about the ill effects of child marriage and cyber crimes like digital arrest. Enjoying a large follower/subscriber base of 464k Facebook followers, 609K on Instagram and 7K on YouTube, the 34-year-old police inspector is not alone in her mission to usher a positive change in society but is joined in the interactive videos by her 5-year-old kindergarten student daughter Shivaya. Its a very satisfying experience when, at the end of the day, its clear that these efforts of mingling with the commonest of people, particularly with women and girls in their own rustic lingo, is helping people, particularly kids, shed the sense of fear for cops, Chauhan says proudly. Ravindra Singh Chauhan, however, is not just arousing the proactive interests of people, particularly Generation Y, in issues of women empowerment and child education but has used her trusted follower base in the same district to bust a nework of drug peddlers.During my previous posting at Physical Police Station in Shivpuri district, it was someone among the social media follower base who came forward with specific and reliable inputs which helped us in busting a ring of drug peddlers. In the state capital, Bhopal, meanwhile, sub-inspector in-charge of Hamidia Chowki, Ravindra Singh, is using the power of social media to help youngsters prepare for physical tests of various government recruitment tests and stay fit overall. In his videos/reels, Singh makes it a point to narrate how he transformed from a lean boy into a brawny youth with a disciplined life and utmost dedication. With a large base of 376K followers on Instagram, Singh is also educating citizens against the rising cases of cyber crime, especially digital arrest. On lines of Singh, constable Sandip Yadav in CM Dr Mohan Yadavs home district, Ujjains Birlagram police station, is on a mission to prevent people from cyber fraud, particularly digital arrest, and save teenagers from taking any extreme step after failing in the examinations. Having over 81K followers on Instagram, his videos have been used by many others in Ujjain to educate parents not to put unnecessary pressure of results on the psyche of school-going children. My videos against digital arrest fraud saved a Bhajan Mandali musician from losing hard-earned money due to digital arrest some weeks back. When he came and hugged me with tearful eyes, it was like winning a trophy, remembered Yadav. Social media-savvy cop empowers women rajni chauhan is focused on promoting issues such as women empowerment, child education and informing people about the ill effects of child marriage and cyber crimes like digital arrest. its a very satisfying experience when, at the end of the day, its clear that these efforts of mingling with the commonest of people, particularly with women and girls in their own rustic lingo, is helping people, particularly kids, shed the sense of fear for cops, chauhan says proudly.
Match fixed for T20 champ Rinku Singh & MP Priya Saroj
Woman killed as bus driver loses control
1 booked for bid to rape toddler
Gita Press sends 9.7L copies of aarti sangrah to Prayagraj
SP has disrespected Sanatan, Lord Ram during its regime
Bullet deflects from shooting range, hits woman
Temple caretaker masterminds theft of idols worth 30 crore
Constable nabbed for abduction
KV students get glimpse of tech world at IIT (BHU) fest
DDUGU kicks off diamond jubilee celebrations
From vignyan to gyan: Abhey Singh alias IITian Baba's quest for truth brings him to Mahakumbh
He speaks in staccato. Sounds silly and sublime at the same time. And breaks into a delightful impromptu jig. The first week of Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, already visited by over 70 million, saw this unlikely head-turner, Abhey Singh, 34, now a media star identified by the masses as 'IITian Baba'. Abhey Singh's life journey is one as unique as the spelling of his name. From science to spirituality -- from vignyan to gyan -- he is now on a quest to explore the meaning of his existence and purpose of his life. My existence is unrestricted and boundless. I possess complete freedom to undertake any action, unbound by limitations or constraints, he tells media persons, now following him in droves. He is a complete nomad even at the Mahakumbh and it's difficult to spot him at one place. After the limelight remained trained on him at the beginning of the Mela, he suddenly disappeared for a couple of days, but showed up on Friday evening, claiming that seers were spreading rumours about his 'vanishing' act due to his popularity. Born to lawyer father and a homemaker mother in Jhajjar, Haryana, Abhey was exceptional in academics. His entry to IIT-Bombay in 2008 was a testimony to this. He completed his four-year degree in aerospace engineering like a normal whiz kid. In came a campus placement at a Delhi firm. Nothing unusual on the surface. But somewhere within there was growing restlessness. I studied at IIT-Bombay for four years, and also did MDS from there. But there was something amiss. Soon, I developed interest in arts and photography, he says. He also did a course in fine arts. But equilibrium was nowhere to be seen. Still, despite a tumultuous state of mind, he carried on for some more years. A high-paying job took him to Canada in 2016. But at the same time disenchantment with the material world was on full throttle. In one of the Instagram posts from 2016, he writes in a philosophical post: There were so many things I did not want to be, but they were deep within me. So I cut parts of me out. With time, more parts I chopped. The less remained. And now I wonder who it is that is 'left'. The Covid pandemic revealed to him the unpredictability of life. He left Canada for good. The family, expectedly, was not amused. But, for Abhey, the familial thread had weakened. Parents' appeal for pursuing a normal life remained unheeded. And he often started remaining outdoors. His passion for photography and travelling added to his spiritual pursuit. Soon he realised his real calling lay in the hills. For the next couple of years, he was off to Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh -- Rishikesh, Haridwar, Shimla, Mussoorie, Dharamshala. Spending harsh winters at these places triggered his own metamorphosis. Then I spent a couple of days with an Aghori baba performing week-long sadhna (meditations)... life changed after that, he says. Crisp suit and tie gave way to saffron rob and Rudraksh. A few months ago, he met Baba Someshwar Puri of Juna Akhara in Varanasi, who brought him to Mahakumbh. Now soaked in ascetic ecstasy and basking in the fame that he is getting here, he says: I have finally understood the truth. Gyan ke peeche chalte jao, chalte jao, aur kahan jaoge, yahin aoge (Keep following the path of knowledge and wisdom. Where else will you go? You will return to your roots). I don't want to get stuck, I don't want to stop. When a man doesn't get stuck anywhere, then he becomes free, he says, declaring I have no friend, nor I am in touch with my family. He last spoke to his parents six months ago. They, of course, want him back, but deep within they know it's a difficult demand.
Yogi meets Kumbh devout at Varanasi Jn
FSDA catches 3 fake food inspectors
Trainee officers on edu visit to Varanasi Division
Delegation from Islamic Republic of Iran Rly visits BLW
Deoria man opens 2 Jan Aushadhi Kendras at Maha Kumbh Mela
Mission Parivar Vikas event in Varanasi from Jan 18-31
Intl symposium on disease biology begins at BHU
IMS-BHU to host 32nd edition of IANCON for 1st time in Kashi
2 criminals with bounties arrested in Sonbhadra
City student secures silver at SOF olympiad
Uttar Pradesh boosts religious tourism with development of key pilgrimage sites
Uttar Pradesh aims to boost religious tourism by developing sites like Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj. Projects include the Mahakumbh 2025, generating temporary jobs and local economic growth. The state focuses on infrastructure and industrial development alongside religious tourism with support from the central government.
Mission Parivar Vikas: Enhancing family planning awareness in Varanasi
The Mission Parivar Vikas campaign will be conducted from January 18 to 31 to spread family planning messages and provide services in remote Varanasi areas. Activities include sterilisation promotion, conferences, and distribution of contraceptives by community-level workers. The aim is to benefit as many beneficiaries as possible.
2 wanted criminals with bounties held after police encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district
Two notorious criminals with Rs 25,000 bounties were captured after an encounter in Sonbhadra district. They were involved in a recent truck driver robbery and were planning another crime. Both were injured in a police shootout and hospitalized. Police recovered weapons, cash, and mobile phones from them, with further legal action pending.
Fact Check: Did Bill Gates Visit Varanasis Kashi Vishwanath Temple? Details Inside
An X user shared a video claiming it showed Microsoft co-founder and former CEO Bill Gates visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
Fake food inspectors caught in UP's Mirzapur
FSDA officials in Mirzapur's Chunar area apprehended three imposters posing as food inspectors. They were threatening shopkeepers with hefty fines unless obtaining certificates from them. The suspects were handed over to the police for further action, and business operators were advised to contact FSDA for any concerns.
Sonbhadra can turn into Switzerland of India: CM Yogi
Gkp Khichdi Mela generates Rs 45 crore sale in single day
Yogi pushes for top class basic facilities for pilgrims
Kingpin of gang of thieves injured in encounter, arrested
CM takes stock of shelter homes
IIT-BHU team develops blockchain-based tech for emergency healthcare
Rs 6 crore assets of gangster Kashinath to beconfiscated
Mahakumbh 2025: UP handicrafts set for trade worth Rs 35 crore at ODOP exhibition
LUCKNOW: Mahakumbh-2025, a massive congregation of pilgrims along the banks of Sangam, is providing a platform for the artisans of Uttar Pradesh. Devotees, besides seeking spiritual fulfilment, are thronging the exhibition of 'One District, One Product' (ODOP), set up over 6,000 square metre area showcasing an array of exquisite handicrafts of the state. Be it the exquisite carpets of Bhadohi and Mirzapur, or intricate zari-zardozi, Katan silk quintessential to Banaras reflecting the ethos of the most ancient city of world, Firozabad's glass work, Moradabads brass work or fine wooden art pieces of Saharanpurall narrating the richness of handicraft industry of the state. Sharad Tandon, Joint Commissioner of Industries in Prayagraj Division, underscores the remarkable growth in trade from Mahakumbh held in 2019. In 2019, the turnover of handicraft industry was Rs 4.30 crore, but this time we are expecting a turnover of up to Rs 35 crore, an approximately eight times jump in the revenue from ODOP. This remarkable increase will offer new opportunities to the artisans while empowering small entrepreneurs, says Tandon. Adding another dimension to the event, Flipkart has set up a stall where local entrepreneurs are being offered a free sales opportunity. Artisans and handicraft sellers can now sell their products through Flipkart platform without any charge. It has been drawing shoppers in hoards. The exhibition is showcasing various crafts and Geographical Indication (GI) products. According to Dr Rajnikant, a GI expert, 75 GI products from the state are on display at ODOP exhibition in mela area. Among the 75 GI products, 34 are from the Kashi region, which has played an important role in securing the GI tag, offering recognition and protection to these unique crafts. Dr Rajnikant also mentioned efforts to bring other iconic products like Banaras Thandai, Lal Peda, and Banarasi Tabla to the global stage. The GI products up for grabs include Varanasi red chilies, Banarasi sarees, Pratapgarh amla and delicacies made of it, brass utensils from Mirzapur, and Gorakhpur terracotta. Additionally, carpets from Kushinagar and glass toys and utensils from Firozabad are top selling items at the exhibition. Visitors from across India and abroad are grabbing the opportunity to purchase products from local artisans, highlighting the growing popularity of this handcrafted treasure.
UP police work in tandem with IIT-Kanpur, IIIT-Allahabad to avert cyber attacks at Mahakumbh
LUCKNOW: As the globe witnesses an alarming rise in cyberattacks, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken robust measures to safeguard Mahakumbh-2025, dubbed the Digital Mahakumbh, against potential cyber frauds. Recognising the event's vulnerability, prestigious institutions like IIT-Kanpur and IIIT-Allahabad have been roped in to secure its digital backbone, including the official website and infrastructure. In collaboration with the Prayagraj Development Authority and IIIT-Allahabad, IIT-Kanpurs Centre for Cybersecurity and Cryptography (C3A) is guarding these systems, supported by startups like Cythehack and Trent Shell. Cybersecurity Officer (CO) Tanu Upadhyay, leading the efforts on the ground, is overseeing a team comprising experts and 180 police personnel trained at the National Cybercrime Training Centre (CyTrain). As per a member of IIT-K team functional in Mahakumbh, the efforts are on to ensure hackproof websites for secured administration and public access, protected CCTV systems and other digital devices. IIT-Kanpurs Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) is working in tandem with selected cutting-edge solutions developed by various startups designed for mega events like Mahakumbh. Google joins Maha Kumbh celebration with petal shower on search screen The startups working with IIT-K include VU Dynamics (deploying aerostat-based platforms for aerial surveillance, ensuring safety in high-density areas), Stillweb (using AI/ML for detecting violations, identifying missing persons, and assessing hazards, and ScaNxt (monitoring soil and sludge to ensure environmental safety during holy dips). Proactive measures such as security audits, advanced cybersecurity tools, and a telecom security operation centre are ensuring a secure digital environment for the event. With the start of the religious congregation on the day of Paush Purnima, IIT-Kanpur has been tasked with a comprehensive review of the events security, crowd management, and infrastructure across 17 critical areas. Our team is on-site to gather insights, assess strategies in action, and propose necessary course corrections, said a team member. The initiative aims to optimise resource allocation, minimise government expenditure, and move towards a self-sustaining model through academia-industry-government collaboration. Mahakumbh: Renouncing professions, luxuries, many tread on sanatan path seeking spiritual fulfillment IIIT-Allahabad has conducted a vulnerability audit to strengthen security protocols further. Meanwhile, the UP Police has flagged 78 suspicious websites, taken down seven, and arrested four individuals linked to cybercrimes related to the Mahakumbh from Varanasi, Azamgarh, and Nalanda.
Varanasi police to confiscate over Rs 6 crore in assets from notorious gangster Kashinath Singh
Commissioner of Police Mohit Agarwal ordered the confiscation of assets worth Rs 6,20,53,095 illegally acquired by gangster Kashinath Singh. Singh, with a criminal history dating back to the 1980s including attempted murder and extortion, accumulated wealth through illicit activities. The assets include plots, a building, agricultural land, and more.
Mahakumbh 2025: Indian Railways Introduces 137 Special Trains for Devotees
Indian Railways has launched 137 special trains to accommodate the huge influx of devotees attending the fourth day of the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. These special services complement the 349 regular trains already serving the city. In the first two days, over 15.6 lakh passengers arrived at various Prayagraj stations. The special trains include long-distance options and ring rail services connecting nearby pilgrimage towns like Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, and Varanasi. During the 46-day Mahakumbh, Indian Railways plans to operate over 13,100 trains, including more than 10,000 regular services and around 3,100 special trains. This is a significant increase, with the number of special trains being 4.5 times higher than in the previous Kumbh Mela. Of these, 1,800 trains are for short-distance routes, while 700 cater to long-distance travel. Additionally, 560 services are running on four designated ring rail routes connecting Prayagraj with other cities. These routes include Prayagraj-Sangam Prayag-Jaunpur-Prayag-Prayagraj, Prayagraj-Ayodhya-Varanasi-Prayagraj, Govindpuri-Prayagraj-Chitrakoot-Govindpuri, and Jhansi-Govindpuri-Prayagraj-Manikpur-Chitrakoot-Jhansi. Over 3.5 crore devotees visited the Mahakumbh on the second day, with people traveling from across India and abroad. To manage the increasing footfall, additional train services are being arranged, with the Bhopal division preparing to introduce 15 more pairs of trains in the coming days. To handle the rush, nine railway stations around the Mahakumbh area have been upgraded. Major stations like Prayagraj, Phaphamau, Rambagh, and Jhunsi have been remodeled to manage more train operations. Subedarganj station has been developed as a satellite station to support Prayagraj Junction, which handled 45% of the crowd during the 2019 Kumbh. The Prayagraj region now boasts 48 platforms, following the addition of seven new ones. Passenger facilities have been improved, with the introduction of 17 new permanent Yatri Ashrayas, increasing the total accommodation capacity from 21,000 to over 1.1 lakh. Stations now feature a systematic color-coding scheme to guide passengers through waiting areas. Enhanced amenities such as upgraded toilets, improved waiting rooms, drinking water facilities, and food arrangements have been put in place. Additionally, Yatri Suvidha Kendras at Prayagraj Junction and Prayagraj Chheoki offer services like wheelchairs, luggage trolleys, hotel and taxi bookings, baby milk, and medicines. Security has also been intensified. Approximately 5,900 personnel, including 3,200 Railway Protection Force (RPF) members, have been deployed across the nine stations in Prayagraj. Surveillance has been bolstered with 1,186 CCTV cameras, 116 of which are equipped with Face Recognition Systems. For the first time, drone cameras are being used to monitor tracks and crowds on approach roads to stations.
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Odisha Expands Bus Fleet for Maha Kumbh Mela Pilgrims with Four New Buses to Prayagraj
Bhubaneswar: To accommodate the growing number of devotees traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) has added four more buses to its fleet, a source from OSRTC confirmed on Wednesday. The new services, which began two days ago, connect various parts of Odisha to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. Bus travel, often more affordable than trains or flights, has become increasingly popular, and OSRTC is also planning to extend services to other pilgrimage destinations like Ayodhya. This expansion follows the launch of new bus services on January 13, designed to cater to the needs of pilgrims heading to key religious sites for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. These buses link Odisha with prominent pilgrimage destinations across the country. As part of the initiative, OSRTC buses are transporting devotees from four major cities in OdishaBhubaneswar, Berhampur, Bhawanipatna, and Sambalpurdirectly to Prayagraj. The special services will run until February 26, offering comfortable travel options for the pilgrims. We are committed to continuing these pilgrimage bus services in the future, said transport minister Bibhuti Jena. Additional Secretary of the Transport Department, Laxmikanta Sethi, also mentioned, We are in discussions with senior officials to secure permits for new buses to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya. For now, two sets of new buses will operate from four locations.
Elevate KaleshwaramManthaniRamagiri as tourism circuit, Sridhar Babu urges Shekhawat
Telangana state IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu. (Image: Twitter) Telangana state IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu. (Image: Twitter) New Delhi: Telangana Industries and IT Minister, D Sridhar Babu, has presented an ambitious proposal to Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, to elevate KaleshwaramManthaniRamagiri corridor into an iconic spiritual and heritage tourism circuit. With its unparalleled cultural significance, timeless architecture, and breathtaking natural beauty, this triad of destinations has the potential to redefine tourism in India. Kaleshwaram Mukteshwar Temple: The Southern Jewel of Devotion Perched on the serene banks of the sacred Godavari River, the Kaleshwaram Mukteshwar Temple is a divine marvel with over a thousand years of spiritual legacy. Revered as Dakshina Kashi (The Varanasi of the South), this temple is uniquely blessed with two Shivlingas in its sanctum sanctorum one symbolizing Mukteshwara (Lord Shiva) and the other Kaleshwara (Lord Yama). Sridhar Babu elaborated on its unparalleled importance, drawing parallels with spiritual landmarks like Somnath, Kedarnath, and Kashi. The Kaleshwaram Temple is more than a place of worship; it is a spiritual powerhouse that attracts millions of devotees annually. This years Saraswati Pushkaralu is expected to bring in 3040 lakh pilgrims, and the Godavari Pushkaralu in 2027 could see over a crore visitors. With the government central assistance, we can transform this temple into a world-class spiritual and eco-tourism hub, complete with amenities that elevate the experience for global visitors, he explained. Ramagiri Fort: Where History Meets Mythology Towering over the landscape with its 1,200-year-old legacy, the Ramagiri Fort is a treasure trove of history and legend. Its mention in the Ramayana, ancient temples dedicated to Lord Rama, cascading waterfalls, and an abundance of rare medicinal plants make it an irresistible destination for travelers and history enthusiasts alike. Sridhar Babu called for its transformation into a mega tourism hub under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme or similar initiatives: Ramagiri Fort is a hidden gem, embodying the spirit of Indias ancient heritage. Its scenic beauty, mythological significance, and archaeological wealth make it a perfect fit for global recognition. Visitors are already flocking here, and with strategic investments, this fort can be elevated to the ranks of world-class heritage sites, he said. Crafting a Global Tourism Landmark Sridhar Babus visionary proposal highlights the transformative potential of the KaleshwaramManthaniRamagiri circuit as a flagship tourism project. By weaving together history, spirituality, and natural splendor, the region can be positioned as a global magnet for tourists, pilgrims, and cultural enthusiasts alike. This is not just about tourism; its about celebrating Indias soul. With the central governments support, we can turn this dream into a reality, establishing Telangana as a shining beacon of Indias spiritual and cultural legacy on the global stage. With such grand ambitions, the Kaleshwaram Temple and Ramagiri Fort could soon stand shoulder to shoulder with Indias most iconic destinations, drawing millions from across the globe and leaving an indelible mark on the world tourism map, he added.
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