UP election: Why politicians, public and priests share a unique bond with faith
A recent hostage situation in Uttar Pradesh involving a priest, who was taken captive post-ceremony, underscores the extraordinary demands placed upon those who mediate between the divine and the faithful. The kidnappers were after a ransom to recoup ritual costs, exposing the complex relationship between faith and finance. Meanwhile, political figures continue to harness religious narratives as a strategy for winning elections.
151 Ambedkar statues vandalised in UP under BJP govt, only 14 arrests so far: Akhilesh
LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday claimed that 151 statues of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar were damaged across 72 districts of Uttar Pradesh during the BJP rule, but only 14 arrests have been made so far. He alleged that the vandalism was done deliberately because the BJP wanted to change the Constitution but failed []
DMK is reaching out to regional parties nationally to form a common platform. Kanimozhi has spoken with leaders from TMC, Shiv Sena, and NCP(SP). In Uttar Pradesh, AIMIM and Azad Samaj Party are discussing a joint front. Swami Prasad Maurya and Pallavi Patel are also being considered for this alliance. An announcement regarding the Uttar Pradesh coalition is expected soon.
HC upholds Sonbhadra land action against demographic change bid
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CM Yogi condoles demise of Kalraj Mishras wife
25 cars, 25 years: Patna-Kashi rally marks Modis public service journey
Bangkok-Delhi flight diverted to Lucknow after passenger reports chest pain
3 children drown in rainwater-filled pit in UP
50,000 were displaced: Owaisi targets Akhilesh over Muzaffarnagar violence
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Two children die after drowning in factory pit in Barabanki, third missing
Digital Desk | Two children die after drowning in factory pit in Barabanki, third missing Barabanki, Sep 20 (IANS) Two children died after drowning in a deep pit filled with rainwater at an under-construction factory in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday evening, while a third child remained missing despite an extensive search operation, police said. The incident occurred outside Baina village, under the jurisdiction of Kursi police station, when three children went to bathe in a water-filled pit dug inside the factory premises for soil excavation. According to preliminary information, the pit had filled with rainwater following recent rainfall. The three children, identified as Deva (13), Sumit (10) and Divyansh (15), had reportedly gone to the site along with other children during the evening. While bathing, the three children ventured into deeper water and began drowning. The children accompanying them raised an alarm, following which local villagers rushed to the spot and launched a rescue effort. Villagers managed to pull Deva and Sumit out of the water and immediately took them to a private hospital for medical treatment. However, doctors examined both children and declared them dead. Meanwhile, Divyansh could not be located despite prolonged efforts by villagers to search the pit. Following information about the incident, personnel from the Kursi police station reached the spot along with local divers. As darkness made the rescue operation more difficult, arrangements were made for additional lighting to facilitate the search for the missing child. Police and residents continued efforts to locate Divyansh, while further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident were awaited. The tragic incident has raised concerns over the safety of deep excavation pits at construction sites, particularly during the monsoon season when such pits can become filled with rainwater and pose a serious risk to children, said residents. Authorities are expected to ascertain the circumstances that led to the children entering the factory premises and investigate the safety arrangements at the site. Sent from Outlook for Android
Anil Rajbhar Criticizes Samajwadi Party Over Reservation Issues in Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh Minister Anil Rajbhar accuses the Samajwadi Party of neglecting reservation rights for backward communities. Anil Rajbhar Criticizes Samajwadi Party Over Reservation Issues in Varanasi
Traffic police crack whip on irregular parking at markets
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151 Ambedkar statues vandalised in UP under BJP govt: Akhilesh
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday, September 20, claimed that 151 statues of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar were damaged across 72 districts of Uttar Pradesh during the BJP rule, but only 14 arrests have been made so far. He alleged that the vandalism was done deliberately because the BJP wanted to change the Constitution 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 .
Paise Ki Garmi: Akhilesh Yadav Expels SP Leaders From Meet After They Clash In His Presence
A heated argument broke out between two Samajwadi Party leaders during a meeting attended by party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow. According to reports, SP leader Manjeet Yadav and former Etah district panchayat chairman Jugendra Singh Yadav exchanged words and allegedly hurled abuses at each other. Akhilesh Yadav reportedly asked the two leaders to leave the meeting after witnessing the commotion. The meeting, attended by around 250 senior leaders and office-bearers from Etah and Kasganj, was held to review organisational preparedness ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Following the incident, the SP dissolved its district committees in both Etah and Kasganj, along with their frontal organisations. Akhilesh later commented on the incident, saying, These things happen, its okay, and urged party workers to work together.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) national president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday reiterated that he would want to contest next year's assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh in an alliance, but targeted the Samajwadi Party (SP) for calling his party 'B team' of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Uttar Pradesh Election 2027: AIMIM chief Owaisi seeks Opposition unity to stop BJPs third term
Yogi Adityanath Hits Back At Hamid Ansari Over 'Hindu Communalism' Remarks
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has criticised his remarks, calling them unfortunate and accusing him of tarnishing India's image.
Owaisi Calls for Opposition Unity to Halt BJPs Third Term in Uttar Pradesh
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi urges opposition parties to unite against BJP ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections. Owaisi Calls for Opposition Unity to Halt BJPs Third Term in Uttar Pradesh
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi stated his party is ready to work with others to prevent a third BJP term. He invited like-minded parties for discussions, emphasizing no single party can stop the BJP alone. Owaisi highlighted AIMIM's strengthened organization and grassroots leadership in Uttar Pradesh. He asserted the upcoming assembly elections will present different challenges and outcomes. The party is actively visiting constituencies to understand and address public issues.
Uttar Pradeshs Cultural Richness Celebrated in Iceland with Focus on Investment and Tourism
The Indian Embassy in Iceland showcased Uttar Pradeshs culture, tourism, and investment opportunities during Uttar Pradesh Day celebrations. Uttar Pradeshs Cultural Richness Celebrated in Iceland with Focus on Investment and Tourism
Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra: 500 volunteers on motorcycles clean schools, ponds along the route
Digital Desk | Vadnagar/Varanasi, Sep 20 (IANS) More than 500 young volunteers taking part in the Seva Yatra on motorcycles from Vadnagar to Varanasi from September 17 to October 7 are offering manual service and cleaning campuses of schools, hospitals, orphanages and old-age homes along the route. The 22-day journey, aiming to cover 35,500 kilometres across 20 teams, is part of a campaign organised around Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday and his 25 years of public service. Driven by the goal of offering service to communities, the 500 youths are travelling from village to village and undertaking activities including cleanliness drives, cow service, care of older people and sharing awareness about government schemes, said a statement issued by the BJP. They are travelling through towns, districts, talukas and villages, taking the spirit of Seva right to the grassroots, said the statement. The Seva Yatris are not just passing through communities but stopping, meeting people and committing Seva in activities that respond to local needs - from cleanliness drives at ponds, temples, schools, parks, hospitals and other public areas to beneficiary interactions, youth dialogues, Gram Sabha samvad and Gau Seva to tree plantation under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. At PM SHRI Schools, the Yatris are cleaning campuses, interacting with students and distributing books and stationery and at hospitals, orphanages and old-age homes, they are extending their support to those who need it the most, the statement said. Kits are being distributed to widows, ASHA workers are being honoured, and communities are coming together for different welfare activities, it said. The Yatra is equally about contact and dialogue. Yuva Samvads, Gram Sabha interactions, Mahila Samvads and beneficiary interactions are creating opportunities to meet people directly and understand the aspirations and provide awareness at the grassroots, the statement said. Organ donation pledges are also being encouraged by the volunteers to promote the spirit of giving, while tributes to martyrs and freedom fighters are connecting communities with the nation's history and its heroes, it said. The Yatra is bringing together several dimensions of public engagement, including Seva, Sampark, youth participation, social welfare, cultural connect and community mobilisation and carrying them from one grassroots location to another, it said. On the occasion of PM Modis birthday on September 17, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off a 'Seva Sankalp Yatra' from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) to Vadnagar in Gujarat. He said the 'Seva Sankalp Yatra' is not merely a means of traversing the geographical distance between two places; rather, it is a sacred spiritual and social journey connecting the birthplace of PM Modi with his 'karmabhoomi', Kashi. The Yatra is being organised under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' as a means of serving the people, said the Defence Minister, adding that during the journey the waters of Varanasi and Vadnagar will be exchanged and used for the Jalabhishek of Hatkeshwar Mahadev and Baba Vishwanath. He said the objective of this journey is to connect public sentiments, reach the last person through service activities, and highlight PM Modi's 25 years of dedicated service to the people.
UP: BJP chief Nitin Nabin to begin two-day poll strategy visit from tomorrow
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Sep 20 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Partys National President Nitin Nabin will lead organisational meetings, public programmes and conferences related to election preparations in Uttar Pradesh during his two-day visit starting on Monday. During his visit, Nabin will also visit historical sites and prominent temples to seek blessings, reflecting the BJPs continued commitment to the values of service, dedication and faith. On the first day of his visit on Monday, the BJP National President will arrive in Krantidhara, Meerut and pay floral tributes to the immortal martyrs at the Indian National Army Martyrs Memorial and Park, a party statement. Thereafter, he will address a Yuva Sammelan organised at the Mangalya Auditorium of Swami Vivekanand Subharti University and call upon the youth to harness their strength. Later in the afternoon, he will address Shakti Kendra Sammelan (Western Region) to be held on the same campus. Nabin will also hold special meetings with former office-bearers, Members of Parliament, legislators and dedicated karyakartas of the Western Region to give final and precise direction to election preparations. On the second day of his visit on Tuesday, Nabin will hold an interaction meeting in Meerut in the morning with eminent personalities and distinguished citizens of the region. He will visit the historic Augharnath Temple in Meerut to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Mahadev. Later, he will travel to Saharanpur and visit a karyakartas home for a meal, conveying a strong message of the BJPs great tradition of Karyakarta First, warmth and its unbreakable connection with the grassroots. In Saharanpur, he will later interact with former Members of Parliament and legislators of the Western Region. Immediately thereafter, he will hold a high-level meeting with state and regional office-bearers, district presidents, district in-charges and district general secretaries to deliberate extensively on the election strategy. Nabin will conclude his visit by offering prayers to Maa Bhagwati at the renowned Siddhapeeth Shri Shakambhari Devi Temple, the statement said.
Yogi Adityanath Says Riots Simply Do Not Happen In UP
In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said riots simply do not happen and added that mock drills are conducted so people do not forget what riots used to be like.
BJPs Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra movement for social reform, says Meghwal in Fazilka
Digital Desk | Fazilka (Punjab), Sep 20 (IANS) Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal on Sunday described the BJPs Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra as a movement for social reform. He said the objective of the campaign was to protect generations of Punjabis from drugs and take Punjab forward on the path of becoming a developed state. Meghwal was addressing a public gathering before flagging off the third Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra from Fazilkas Old Vegetable Market. Before addressing the gathering, he visited the Asafwala Shaheedi Memorial, where he paid floral tributes to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. He was accompanied by BJP national General Secretary and Punjab BJP in-charge Satish Poonia, state president Kewal Singh Dhillon, former state president Sunil Jakhar and former minister Surjit Kumar Jiani. Addressing the gathering before flagging off the third Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra, the Union Minister said some people were viewing the yatra through a political lens. However, he said it was not a political campaign but an initiative for social reform. Meghwal said the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Narendra Modi government not only run government programmes but also undertake initiatives aimed at social reform. He cited PM Modis campaigns such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam as examples of such social initiatives. Speaking about the harmful effects of drugs, the Union Law Minister referred to the Bani of Guru Amar Das from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and said that people should stay away from anything whose consumption affects the human mind, intellect and sense of discretion. He also referred to the importance of Naam Simran in the Bani of Guru Nanak Dev, saying that one can truly engage in Naam Simran only when ones sense of discretion remains intact. The minister said this is why people were urged to stay away from intoxicants. During his address, Meghwal also sang a Shabad of Guru Nanak Dev, drawing an appreciative response from the gathering. He said the message of creating awareness against drugs could also be found in the Bani of the Sikh Gurus, Bhagat Kabir Das and Guru Ravidas. The minister said people could be motivated to protect themselves from the harmful effects of drugs only by linking the campaign for a drug-free Punjab with social and spiritual awareness. He said this was the objective of the BJPs Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra. Speaking on the occasion, state BJP President Dhillon said, Those who had spread the scourge of drugs have been rattled by the BJPs Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra. The yatra has put the Chief Minister on the back foot. Referring to the recent Mohanjeet Sheron and Gulzar Singh incidents in Sangrur, Dhillon alleged that the government was suppressing voices speaking out against drugs. He said people had become so frustrated that residents in Faridkot were putting up house for sale boards outside their homes. He said that if the BJP could eliminate gangsterism in Uttar Pradesh, Naxalism in Jharkhand and violence in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, then why could it not eliminate drugs from Punjab? Dhillon said the BJP had a track record of delivering on its promises and doing what it said it would do. Former state BJP President Jakhar said that while deaths had so far been occurring due to drug abuse, more people were now dying for raising their voice against drugs. He said some people were being killed by drug smugglers, while others were being forced to commit suicide on the pretext of having raised questions. Launching a sharp attack on AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Jakhar said 79,000 arrests that had been made were not a sign of Kejriwals bravery, but evidence of the extent to which the younger generation had been pushed into the drug crisis.
Finance Ministry calls meeting with banks ahead of 3-day nationwide strike
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) The Finance Ministry has convened a meeting of chief executives of public sector banks (PSBs), regional rural banks (RRBs), the Indian Banks Association (IBA) and NABARD on Monday to review preparedness and contingency plans ahead of a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike beginning September 28. The meeting, which will be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), is expected to focus on measures to ensure continuity of banking operations and the availability of essential customer services during the strike period. Officials are likely to discuss contingency arrangements to minimise disruptions, particularly as the proposed industrial action coincides with the half-yearly closing period for banks. The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body representing seven bank employee and officer unions. The unions have raised several demands, with the implementation of a five-day banking week emerging as a key issue. UFBU had earlier organised a nationwide strike on September 11 over the same demand. The previous strike affected over-the-counter banking services, cash transactions and cheque clearances in several parts of the country. While banking operations remained largely normal in Mumbai, disruptions were reported in states including Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, particularly in smaller cities and towns. Apart from a five-day work week, the unions are seeking improvements in pension benefits, implementation of a uniform dearness allowance formula for pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) to switch to the old pension scheme. UFBU has claimed that it represents nearly 90 per cent of the country's banking workforce. The proposed strike could have a wider impact on customers because September 26 and 27 fall on a weekend. As a result, normal branch operations could remain affected for up to five consecutive days, from September 26 to 30, increasing concerns about cheque processing, cash transactions and other branch-dependent services. The unions had served a strike notice on August 26, following which conciliation meetings were held involving union representatives, the IBA and government officials. However, discussions failed to produce a breakthrough on the demand for a five-day banking week.
AIMIM Plans to Strengthen Party Ahead of UP Polls: Owaisi
In preparation for the upcoming Assembly elections, we have already visited various constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Owaisi said
SP MP Laxmikant 'Pappu' Nishad booked under SC/ST Act over assault, caste-based abuse
151 Ambedkar Statues Damaged In UP Under BJP Rule: Akhilesh Yadav
SP chief alleges 14 arrests were made in the 151 cases documented across 72 Uttar Pradesh districts.
FairPoint: India suddenly has too many 'naaraz fufajis', some even outside
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) From Delhi to Washington, the naraaz fufaji -- the grumpy, angry or perpetually sulking uncle -- has now found a popular place in political vocabulary. It is not that naaraz fufaji is a new discovery; every Indian family knows one. But suddenly, these two words have acquired their own status, putting a familiar family character at the centre of political conversations. It is quite interesting to watch several 'naaraz fufajis' getting the spotlight in the country, from the desi political arena to international politics and even other fields. The country suddenly seems to have too many fufajis. The fufaji is a character most Indian households instantly recognise. He arrives at a family function and, instead of simply enjoying the hospitality, starts inspecting the arrangements. Why is this here? Why was that done? What was the need? And, most importantly, why wasn't I asked? The questions may be basic, but the intention is usually to find something wrong and, perhaps, remind everyone that he would have done it better. If the food is good, he will ask why another dish was not included. If the venue is impressive, he will question why this place was chosen. And if everything has gone perfectly, he may remind everyone that his daughter's or son's wedding was better. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently gave this familiar Indian character a political identity. During his interaction with students at the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce, PM Modi referred to the naraz fufaji, taking a dig at those who question every new government initiative. He returned to the expression days later in Vadodara while speaking about development projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore and the completion of the Dedicated Freight Corridor. The Prime Minister did not name anyone. But politics does not always require names. Sometimes a fufaji is enough. PM Modi used the freight corridor to contrast the pace of work under his government with the earlier Congress-led UPA period, pointing out that the project had been conceived earlier but had moved slowly before 2014. Once the naraaz fufaji entered political vocabulary, social media did what it does best -- memes, videos and reels appeared. And, naturally, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party became frequent recipients of the new political nickname. But Rahul Gandhi is not the only one who seems to have accepted the fufaji job description. Akhilesh Yadav too has increasingly found himself in the same political conversation, often taking a similar line to Rahul Gandhi on national issues. The BRICS Summit in New Delhi provided a rather perfect example. After India hosted a gala dinner for BRICS leaders with an elaborate vegetarian menu showcasing different parts of the country, Rahul Gandhi found something else to put on the political menu. He pointed out that 80 per cent of Indians are non-vegetarian and praised non-vegetarian food. Like a typical fufaji, Rahul Gandhi managed to find a point of criticism in the dinner menu at an international summit. Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government, saying international events such as the BRICS Summit could not conceal domestic governance shortcomings or replace genuine democratic accountability. Fair criticism? That is for people to decide. But in the fufaji dictionary, the timing certainly qualifies. The naraaz fufaji does not discriminate between a major family decision and the colour of the curtains. Everything deserves a comment. The wedding may be grand. The guests may be happy. The food may be excellent. But the fufaji will still ask questions and pass indirect judgements. In politics, apparently, even a BRICS dinner is not safe. And then there is the international family. US President Donald Trump could almost qualify as the international edition of the fufaji -- the kind who walks into a family gathering and within minutes tells everyone how important he is, how much he has done for them and what they should be doing differently. India has had its own experience. During the tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor in May 2025, Trump repeatedly claimed a role in bringing the hostilities to an end and spoke about mediation. India rejected the suggestion of US mediation and maintained that the cessation of firing followed direct communication between the two militaries. Then came the tariff threats and Trump's repeated comments on the Indian economy. In July 2025, he described India and Russia as having dead economies. No sooner had the international fufaji commented than some Indian fufajis led by Rahul Gandhi quickly endorsed it. Gandhi said Trump was right and that the Indian economy was a dead economy, while blaming the Modi government. They even tried to add their own reasons for the remarks, thereby proving a point for which the fufaji is perpetually known -- a fufaji gone naaraz. Every Indian knows this: the fufaji has an opinion about everything. And politics has plenty of such characters. Governments need criticism. Opposition parties have every right to question decisions. But when every government initiative is criticised simply because it comes from the government, the criticism can start sounding predictable. Rahul Gandhi has done this on several occasions, giving further credence to the fufaji title. At the same time, when every criticism is dismissed by calling the critic a naraaz fufaji, governments can also avoid answering uncomfortable questions. That is perhaps the strange beauty of the political fufaji. He is always around. He does not really retire. When his party is in Opposition, everything the government does is wrong. When his party comes to power, everything the previous government did becomes wrong. When the government announces something, he asks why. When it does not announce something, he asks why not. When something succeeds, he asks why it took so long. And when something fails, he is the first to say, I told you so. The fufaji will never change. And perhaps that is the most Indian thing about our political family. There will always be a naraaz fufaji, frowning at everything under the sun, no matter what. (Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)
From village head to CPI (maoist) cadre to TSPC supremo: Rise and fall of Brijesh Ganjhu
The Samajwadi Party (SP) would work to reduce the Bharatiya Janata Party's vote y 27,000 in each assembly constituency, party's national president Akhilesh Yadav said on Sunday, as the political activity intensifies in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the assembly elections slated for February or March next year.
CM Yogi Adityanath Gives Appointment Letters To 912 UP Police Recruits In Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath handed over appointment letters to 912 candidates selected for different posts in UP Police department on Sunday. The programme was held at Lok Bhavan in Lucknow. The candidates were selected after Uttar Pradesh Police
Veteran artiste Raghubir Yadav has a pivotal role in Om Ka Hari, which released in theatres on Friday September 18. Directed by Harish Vyas, the movie sees the actor play father to Anshuman Jha, who has also produced the film under his banner First Ray Films. The movie explores a bitter-sweet conflict between a father and his son. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Yadav said that he agreed to do the film as he has witnessed such scenarios before. I have stayed a lot in a lot of villages in UP (Uttar Pradesh), MP (Madhya Pradesh) and Bihar. I have been witnessing this relationship between a father and his kids since ages. Earlier, it was different and then things started changing. In our era, people didnt have much money to study. A father used to somehow educate his children and take them to a level. He then would look at the son of his neighbour and get his son also to become an engineer and get married. Yadav pointed out that now, of course, things have changed. Now the time is such that kids wish to live their lives as per their own wishes, he said. So, I found this conflict between a father and a son very interesting. I got a chance to become a father of this era. Om Ka Hari also stars Soni Razdan in the role of Yadavs wife, along with Ayesha Kapur and Samta Sudiksha. Yadav also found other characteristics of the father interesting. He is someone who realizes that the one he thought would provide him with support (his son) is having a conflict with him. He is also well-versed with astrology, so he realizes that he has only six more days to live. The character has a funny side and some conflict as well. So, I thought it would be fun to do it, he said. A large portion of the film was shot in Varanasi and its ghats. It was great fun, recalled Yadav. When we shot at the Harishchandra Ghat, we felt this is such a peaceful place. In our film, the father reaches that place to die. The ones who were getting burnt appeared to be more peaceful (laughs). Yadav has played various characters in his decades long career. When asked about his selection criteria, he simply said, It should be something I have never done before. It should challenge me. I dont enjoy if I am able to do it easily. It should give me sleepless nights (laughs). Doobne mein maza aata hai mujhe. Also Read: Alia Bhatt recalls childhood memory of Mahesh Bhatts theatrical parenting at special screening of Om Ka Hari: He is very theatrical and that sometimes makes for great memories
Dumper-crane collision in Delhis Sarita Vihar, death toll rises to four (Ld)
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) The death toll from a dumper truck's collision with a crane and an auto-rickshaw parked on the side of a road in south Delhi's Sarita Vihar, has risen to four, officials confirmed on Sunday. Three others who were injured in the incident, are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. The incident took place early on Sunday. CCTV installation work was underway near the parked vehicles as part of the Safe City Project at the time of the accident. According to preliminary information, the dumper truck was coming from Uttar Pradesh's Noida when it collided with the crane and auto-rickshaw parked at the roadside. The deceased have been identified as Umesh, 23, Praveen, 35, and Suraj, 34. The latter was the HR Manager of the company involved in the Safe City Project, officials said. Speaking to IANS, Umesh's cousin Ratan Singh blamed the administration for lapses that resulted in the tragedy. He said: Umesh was my maternal cousin. He, along with other workers, was installing CCTV cameras for Traffic Police, when the accident occurred. Some of them were on the crane while others were standing on the road when a speeding dumper truck hit them from behind. Ratan Singh added: One or two of them, including Umesh, died on the spot while others were taken to the hospital. Some of them succumbed to injuries there. Strict action should be taken against the driver as he was carelessly driving the vehicle. Also, there were no safety barriers or work zone barricades for those working on the roadside. This is the fault of the administration, he said. The three injured victims, Akash, Anup and Khem Singh, are currently undergoing treatment. One individual, identified as Sudhir, escaped unharmed in the incident. The driver of the dumper truck fled from the spot following the accident, and efforts are being made to trace him. Further investigation into the incident is currently underway. In a similar road tragedy, three people lost their lives, and another was critically injured in a serious accident in Mumbai early on Sunday, officials said. The accident involved a high-end car and took place on the Mumbai Coastal Road.
Shamli: Uttar Pradesh Police have booked three Muslim journalists, a lawyer, and two social media users for posting misleading and factless posts about the Allahabad High Court reprimanding Shamli Police during the Ayush Malik case proceedings. The High Court on September 16 held that Malik converted by his own choice to Islam and married a 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 .
UP CM hands over appointment letters, says nepotism gripped police recruitments before 2017
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Sep 20 (IANS) In an apparent criticism of the previous Samajwadi Party government, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday alleged that the state's police recruitment process before 2017 was marred with paper leaks and ampant nepotism, and claimed that people had to conceal their identity while migrating in search of work. Chief Minister made the remarks during the distribution of appointment letters to selected candidates for various clerical and confidential posts in the state police at an event in Lucknow. The 912 selected candidates include those recruited for the posts of Police Sub-Inspector (Confidential), Assistant Sub-Inspector (Clerk) and Assistant Sub-Inspector (Accounts). Addressing the gathering, CM Adityanath said: When a capable candidate is selected through a transparent recruitment examination, the process becomes a 'symbol of faith' for not only the aspirant's family but also for the public, towards the government and administration. Before 2017, we witnessed the despair and hopelessness felt by the youth and believed that change was indeed possible. However, the lack of willpower to act, combined with the rampant nepotism that had gripped the entire system, meant that one could not even imagine transparency or integrity. And when the recruitment process itself is riddled with anomalies and discrimination, how can there be any trust? he asked. Without taking any name, CM Adityanath claimed that as soon as recruitment advertisement appeared before 2017, every young person felt that the process could not be completed without political patronage or financial dealings. They would feel disheartened, wondering whom to approach or how to secure their selection, he said, adding that questions would arise regarding the integrity of the examination and the selection process, ot to mention the separate issue of paper leaks. The UP Police, in particular, had a notorious reputation where one person would take the exam, while someone else would receive the results and the appointment letter, the UP CM alleged. Further, he said: So, we thought of strengthening the process to an extent that non-deserving people cannot enter the system. We brought in a law that if someone orchestrates a paper leak in the manner of before the year 2017, then that person shall be sentenced to life imprisonment and their entire property confiscated. He asserted that transparent recruitment in the Uttar Pradesh Police in the last nine years is an example of change brought into the state. The state is the same. It is not as if I brought something in from elsewhere. We haven't changed anything (in terms of the structure). The posts of DGP, Home Secretary, and Chief Secretary remain exactly as they were. All Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries also remain the same...Nor is it the case that I brought in extra officers from Gorakhpur or Delhi to run the state through them. It is the same state, the same workforce. However, according to CM Adityanath, it is the people's mindset that has undergone a shift. Recalling an anecdote shared by state Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, the CM said: During a discussion, a senior military officer told him (Khanna) that earlier people had to hide their identity while going out of Uttar Pradesh. This is not just the story of a single army officer. It is the story of every resident of Uttar Pradesh who had to hide their identity. When they went outside UP, they would conceal their identity, he said, claiming that there was lack of employment opportunities in the state before 2017. Riots would break out every other day. Curfews would remain in place for months on end. It wasn't limited to just one placebe it Bareilly, Aligarh, or Meerut; in Muzaffarnagar, riots continued unabated for six months. The riots began at Kosi Kalan, and there wasn't a single town, district, or village in the state that remained untouched by it, he alleged.
Missing eight-month-old from Nashik found safe by officials after three days
Digital Desk | Nashik, Sep 20 (IANS) An eight-month-old baby girl who went missing in Maharashtra's Nashik district three days back was found safe on Sunday, police said. The infant, who had gone missing from the Manyad police outpost region in Nandgaon taluka of Nashik on September 17, was found abandoned near the Vaibothi village in neighbouring Yeola taluka. Yeola taluka police reached the spot and took her into their custody. Subsequently, the infant was taken to the Yeola Sub-District Hospital for a medical examination after being identified by her mother and the Nandgaon police. Her safe recovery brought relief to the family and the police. However, the circumstances under which the baby reached Vaibothi, who brought her there, and why she was abandoned at the spot remain unclear. Police are investigating the matter to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the infants disappearance and subsequent recovery. In Odisha, Operation Anweshan, conducted by the state's Crime Against Women and Children Wing (CAW & CW) Department, along with the state police, rescued 101 missing children. The children included 54 boys and 47 girls. The teams conducted field-level searches, verified the leads, and coordinated with local authorities, along with various child care institutions during the operation. As part of the operation, as many as 17 specialised teams were deployed to several states and Union Territories where Odia children are frequently found. The youngest among those rescued was a three-month-old infant found institutionalised alongside her minor mother. Another child who was found was institutionalised for the longest duration and had spent more than five years away from home. The states in which the children were found include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Delhi Police trace minor girl after 8 years, recover her from Bihar
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) The Delhi Police have solved a long-pending missing-person case after the minor was found in Bihar after eight years of sustained efforts, officials said on Sunday. The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of Delhi Police's Central District successfully traced and recovered the minor girl from Bihar, bringing an end to a long-pending case registered at Anand Parbat police station. The case dates back to October 14, 2018, when an FIR was registered at PS Anand Parbat in connection with the alleged missing and kidnapping of a minor girl, who was then 14 years old and a resident of the national capital's Anand Parbat area. Following the registration of the case, sustained efforts were made by the police to trace the missing girl and ascertain her whereabouts. During the course of the investigation and search operations, the AHTU team examined footage from multiple CCTV cameras and conducted extensive searches at around 90 shelter homes for girls, 52 orphanages, religious places, and red-light areas across Delhi-NCR. Despite the extensive searches and multiple efforts undertaken over the years, the whereabouts of the missing girl could not initially be established. The AHTU team, however, continued to pursue available leads and kept working on the long-pending case. A few months ago, the team received a crucial secret input indicating that the missing girl might be present in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. Acting promptly on the information, a dedicated team was constituted to trace and recover her. The team comprised Sub-Inspector Raj Bahadur Singh, Head Constable Surender and Woman Constable Manisha. The team worked under the supervision of Inspector Anil Yadav, In-charge of AHTU, with overall supervision by the ACP, DIU. Following the development of the lead, the police team immediately travelled to Kanpur and conducted searches at the location indicated by the source. However, upon reaching the spot, the team learnt that the missing girl had been moved from the location shortly before their arrival. The police team did not abandon the search and continued checking the surrounding areas while developing additional local sources in an effort to trace her whereabouts. Despite these efforts, no immediate clue could be established at that stage. The team continued to follow the lead and subsequently received information suggesting that the missing girl might be residing in Bihar's Samastipur district. Acting on the newly developed information, the AHTU team proceeded to Samastipur on September 15. Through sustained technical surveillance, field verification and persistent ground-level efforts, the team was able to narrow down the location of the missing girl to Shahpur Patori. The police team subsequently conducted a search operation in the area and successfully located and recovered the missing girl from Patori with the assistance of the local police. Following her recovery, the girl was brought back to Delhi on September 17 and produced for medical examination. She was subsequently counselled, and her statement was recorded under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). After completion of the requisite legal and procedural formalities, the recovered girl was handed over to her parents, facilitating her reunion with her family after eight years.
HC directs UP Police to ensure safety of same-sex live-in couple
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to ensure the protection of an inter-faith same-sex couple in a live-in relationship, saying the lack of marital recognition does not give anyone the liberty to attack the dignity and physical safety of adult citizens. Justice Gautam Chowdhary said the couple has the freedom 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 .
Fire partially damages Katra helipad terminal in Jammu & Kashmir
Digital Desk | Jammu, Sep 20 (IANS) A fire partially damaged the helipad terminal, used to ferry pilgrims to the hilltop Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, at Katra in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district early on Sunday. According to local sources, the fire was noticed around 3.15 a.m. The flames were brought under control shortly after by personnel present at the site, with assistance from fire and emergency services. The helipad terminal, an important transit point for pilgrims travelling to the shrine atop the Trikuta Hills, was closed at the time of the incident. No casualties have been reported so far. The extent of the damage is being assessed. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the exact cause of the fire, though a short circuit is suspected. In a similar incident in June, a fire had broken out near the helipad at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya minutes before the scheduled landing of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, officials said. Police had then launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire and determine how it broke out close to the helipad designated for the Chief Minister's arrival, according to an NDTV report. The blaze reportedly started near the helipad and quickly spread towards the nearby Saryu Guest House. According to officials, it affected an area of about 15 metres before being brought under control ahead of the chief minister's landing. Security personnel deployed at the site initially attempted to contain the flames before fire brigade teams arrived and extinguished the blaze. No injuries or loss of life were reported. A massive fire broke out at the Sethi Complex Manihari Katla, also known as Purohit Ji Ka Katla, in Jaipur's Tripolia Bazaar in Rajasthan on Thursday morning. More than 20 shops and warehouses, including clothing warehouses, plastic goods shops and bangle stores, were reportedly affected by the blaze. According to initial information, the fire started in goods stored in cartons outside a clothing shop on the second floor.
Rs 30 lakh reward Naxal commander Brijesh Ganjhu killed in encounter with UP ATS in Varanasi
Govt jobs to one lakh youth in Uttar Pradesh, says Adityanath
25-30 thousand more recruitments will take place through UPSSSC results and 20-25 thousand recruitments through the Uttar Pradesh Education Selection Commission
High Court directs Uttar Pradesh Police to ensure safety of same-sex couple in live-in relationship
Considering the law laid down by the Supreme Court, the court said that being in a live-in relationship is a fundamental right of two adult citizens who decide to live together by choice.
Jharkhand Maoist carrying Rs 30 lakh bounty killed in encounter with UP ATS in Varanasi
Digital Desk | Varanasi, Sep 20 (IANS) Jharkhand-based banned Maoist outfit Tritiya Prastuti Committee's (TPC) chief Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh Bhokta was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Varanasi on Sunday morning, officials said. Ganjhu carried a cumulative bounty of Rs 30 lakh announced by the Jharkhand government and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to information shared by security agencies, the encounter took place at around 5 a.m. near Tengra Mod in the Ramnagar police station area of Varanasi. The UP ATS had received intelligence that Ganjhu was travelling on a motorcycle via Ramnagar towards Mughalsarai, following which a team laid a trap in the area. Police said that when ATS personnel signalled him to stop, Ganjhu opened fire on the team. ATS officers retaliated, and Ganjhu sustained bullet injuries in the exchange of fire. He was taken to a district hospital for treatment, where doctors declared him dead. ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police Vipin Rai said that bullets fired by Ganjhu struck the bulletproof jackets of both him and Head Constable Nitendra Krishna during the encounter. One of Ganjhu's associates managed to flee the spot. The ATS recovered two pistols, live cartridges and spent shells from the scene. The body has been kept at the post-mortem facility of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in Varanasi. A resident of Lawalong in Jharkhand's Chatra district, Ganjhu had long figured on the wanted lists of security and investigative agencies. The Jharkhand government had announced a reward of Rs 2.5 million for information leading to his arrest, while the NIA had separately declared a reward of Rs 500,000. He was wanted in several cases related to murder, extortion, illegal arms activities and terror funding across Jharkhand and other states. The NIA was also searching for him in connection with a terror-financing case linked to the TPC. Investigators alleged that he played a key role in a levy-extortion network targeting businesses associated with coal mining, transportation and contracting operations. Following his death, security agencies in Jharkhand have begun reviewing records about cases registered against him and his alleged involvement in Maoist activities.
Naxal commander Brijesh Ganjhu carrying Rs 30 lakh reward killed in Varanasi
A major security operation has been reported from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, where Naxal commander Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh, carrying a total reward of Rs 30 lakh, was killed, according to the information available so far. Ganjhu was identified as a commander of the banned Jharkhand-based Naxal organisation Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC).
10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup begins in Leh
Leh, Ladakh: The 10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup 2026 is being held at the NDS Indoor Stadium in Leh, bringing together Pencak Silat athletes, coaches, officials, team managers and sports administrators from across the country. More than 850 athletes and participants are taking part in the national championship, which has emerged as a major sporting gathering in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Teams from various States, Union Territories and Paramilitary Forces are participating in the championship. The event also features more than 100 technical and federation officials and State/UT representatives, along with over 70 coaches and team managers. The opening ceremony will be attended by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena as the chief guest. Administrative Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, UT Ladakh Bhanu Prabha; Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh Shashanka Ala; Joint Director, Youth Services & Sports, Ladakh Tsering Paldan; Additional Deputy Commissioner to the Lieutenant Governor Shekh Aadil; President, Indian Pencak Silat Federation; President, Ladakh Pencak Silat Association; and District Youth Services & Sports Officer, Leh, will also be present. The championship has brought together sporting delegations from Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, CISF, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, ITBP, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Puducherry, Rajasthan, SSB, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The participation of State and UT teams along with Paramilitary Forces has added diversity to the championship, bringing athletes from different sporting backgrounds onto one national platform. Besides athletes, the championship includes technical officials, federation representatives, coaches, team managers, referees, judges, delegation representatives and members of the organising and support teams. The event has brought together more than 1,000 athletes, officials, coaches, managers, representatives and other sporting stakeholders. Hosting a national-level Pencak Silat championship in Leh at the high altitude of the Himalayas gives the event a distinctive setting. The championship provides athletes from across India an opportunity to compete at the national level while also experiencing the culture and hospitality of Ladakh. The event also highlights Ladakh's potential to host major sporting competitions and provides a platform for promoting sports and sporting activities in the region. The 10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup 2026 brings together athletes and sporting delegations from different regions of the country on a common platform. With more than 850 participants, 100 technical officials and representatives, and over 70 coaches and team managers, the championship provides a significant platform for Pencak Silat athletes to compete and showcase their skills.
Trade with Tradition: UPs cultural Mahakumbh to be showcased before global guests
A variety of cultural programmes will be organised at the UP International Trade Show from September 25 to 29 of 2026 to present Uttar Pradeshs industrial, trade and cultural identity on a global platform. As per the official handout issued here, through the efforts of the Yogi government, Uttar Pradesh is getting an opportunity to present its rich cultural heritage before the world alongside investment, trade and tourism. Entrepreneurs, investors and visitors arriving from India and abroad at the Trade Show will get a glimpse of the states folk arts, classical music, dance and cultural traditions. The cultural programmes at the Trade Show will begin on September 25 with conch-shell blowing and Vedic Manglacharan. The programme will commence with a performance by Vishal Kumar of Varanasi. This will be followed by instrumental music by Pt. Chetan Joshi of Noida, Kathak dance by Aloknisha Srivastava of Lucknow, Dedhiya folk dance by Purnima of Prayagraj and a bhajan performance by Aarti Khetpal of Vrindavan, which will attract audiences. On September 26, a Pakhawaj duet, Bhojpuri folk singing, Kathak, folk dance from Mathura and a Star Night will be organised. Pt. Ravishankar Upadhyay and Pt. Rishi Shankar Upadhyay of Delhi will perform in the Pakhawaj duet. Kusum Pandey of Mirzapur and Avnish Tiwari of Jaunpur will perform Bhojpuri folk songs, while Maryada Kulshreshtha of Noida will perform Kathak. Seema Mawal of Mathura will present a folk dance, and Nishtha Sharma of Sultanpur will perform at the Star Night. On September 27, saxophone instrumental music, bhajan/folk singing, Rai folk dance from Jhansi, Bharatanatyam and a Star Night will be organised. On September 28, a percussion ensemble by Bhatkhande Sanskriti University, Lucknow, Alha singing by Jitendra Chaurasia of Mahoba, Kathak, Tharu tribal dance from Pilibhit and a Sufi Night by Roopali Joggu of Sultanpur will be organised. On September 29, the cultural programmes will conclude with a sitar recital by Padma Shri Pt. Shivnath Mishra of Varanasi, ghazal singing by Kamal Khan of Lucknow, Kathak by Mitali Saini of Ghaziabad, a choreographed presentation of Kathak of India/UP and a Star Night. The showcasing of folk arts and classical traditions from different regions of the state at the Trade Show, organised on the initiative of the Yogi government, will highlight Uttar Pradeshs cultural diversity. Performances by artists from Kashi, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bundelkhand, Awadh, Purvanchal and the Terai region will introduce visitors to the states vibrant and diverse culture. Alongside industrial and trade activities, the cultural performances will present the UP International Trade Show as a confluence of art, culture and entrepreneurship.
IIT-BHU, University of Michigan sign MoU for electric mobility research
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Tawde reviews BJP poll prep, asks cadre to stay election-ready
Biomed research earns IIT-BHU prof NAMS fellowship
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RPF nabs 20 women posing as Kinnars, extorting cash from rly passengers
Fear of social stigma leads man to plot wife, blind daughters murder; 3 held
Another wanted accused held in Azamgarh jewellery robbery case
5-yr-old injured in blast at Kashi general store
Alld HC directs UP Police to protect interfaith lesbian couple in live-in relation
FIR against VDA jr engr alleges extortion, assault
