In Lucknow's Ashrafabad, a cloth merchant, Shobhit Rastogi, his wife Shuchita, and their daughter Khyati tragically died by suicide due to overwhelming debt. They were discovered unconscious in their flat, with police finding a suicide note citing severe financial stress. Shobhit's younger daughter alerted her uncle, who then informed the authorities.

During the Emergency of 1975-77, Indian journalism faced severe press censorship, with newspapers forced to shut down and news subjected to pre-approval. Veteran journalist JP Shukla recalls how truth was suppressed, dissent was stifled, and journalists faced arrest. Some protested through blank editorials, while others went underground to report secretly, highlighting the dark period for press freedom.

On June 25, 1975, Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency following Jayaprakash Narayan's call for disobedience of unconstitutional orders, a move triggered by political turmoil and a court ruling against her. Opposition leaders like Narayan, Vajpayee and Advani were arrested, civil liberties were suspended, and the Janata Party was formed to resist.

Veteran journalist Hisam Siddiqui recalls the Emergency era as a period of both discipline and excess. While acknowledging the controversial sterilisation drive and hardships faced by political workers and certain communities, he highlights improved public services and administrative efficiency.

Dragon fruit cultivation is gaining traction in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Mirzapur, due to its profitability and health benefits. The state government is actively promoting its cultivation through subsidies and plans to establish a center of excellence. With its adaptability to diverse climates, dragon fruit presents a promising venture for farmers in the region, especially in areas facing water scarcity.

During the Emergency in 1975, a secret press network emerged in Allahabad, led by activists like Ramdutt Tripathi. They defied censorship by running an underground publication campaign from hidden locations, using cyclostyle duplicators to produce bulletins. These bulletins countered state propaganda and informed the public about government excesses, until Tripathi's arrest in 1976.

In May 1974, the arrest of George Fernandes in Lucknow ignited a nationwide railway strike, protesting poor wages and conditions. The strike, though ultimately unsuccessful, showcased Fernandes' leadership and galvanized workers across India. His arrest and the subsequent strike highlighted the growing opposition to Indira Gandhi's government, foreshadowing the Emergency.