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School Holiday on October 27: Are schools open or closed tomorrow in your state on Chhath Puja? Check state-wise list

Several states, including Delhi, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, have announced school holidays on October 27 for Chhath Puja 2025. Bihar schools will remain closed till October 29, while West Bengal schools will shut for Jagadhatri Puja and Chhath celebrations later in the week.

DNA India 26 Oct 2025 1:23 pm

Chhath Puja: PM Modi extends greetings for Kharna Puja; shares folk song by Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm wishes for Kharna Puja, a key ritual of the Chhath festival, honouring Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. He shared a song by Bhojpuri artist Nirahua, highlighting the festival's devotion and traditions. Preparations are underway across Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, with folk songs enhancing the sacred occasion.

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 9:49 am

Meet woman, daughter of sub-inspector, who cracked UPSC exam in fifth attempt without any coaching with AIR..., she is from...

According to her father, Devendra Dubey, a sub-inspector in the Uttar Pradesh Police, Shakti studied till Class 12 at SMC Ghoorpur and later went on to top the exam from the University of Allahabad.

DNA India 26 Oct 2025 7:49 am

Happy Chhath Puja 2025: 50+ Kharna wishes, messages, quotes, Insta images, Facebook and WhatsApp status to share with loved ones

Happy Chhath Puja 2025 Wishes: As Chhath Puja 2025 unfolds, devotees observe Kharna, a significant ritual involving fasting and special offerings like gur ki kheer. Celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, the festival honors the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, seeking blessings for well-being and prosperity. Families share heartfelt wishes and messages to commemorate this auspicious occasion.

The Economic Times 26 Oct 2025 7:09 am

Good News for Uttar Pradesh's Residents: Purvanchal Expressway to bring prosperity in state with 22 flyovers, 121 bridges, 271 underpasses, here's all you need to know about this project

The expressway is designed to provide a safe and speedy journey, with a maximum speed limit of 120 km/h for cars and 80 km/h for trucks and buses. Read here to know more about this expressway.

DNA India 26 Oct 2025 6:36 am

Yogi inspects Noida International Airport

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 4:13 am

Stray in care of family bites 3 in Sheetalkheda

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 4:04 am

BJP has not spared even holy cities from scam: SP

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 3:14 am

Lucknow Kid Shines Bright In Tinsel Town

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 2:19 am

Quirky stories behind hidden shrines

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 2:05 am

Lottery for LDA flats in Dalibagh on Nov 10-11

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 1:26 am

LU provost to bear expense of labourers treatment

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 1:26 am

Clash at police stn over workers death

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 1:26 am

CM extends Chhath wishes to all

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 1:23 am

Post Nahaye Khaye, 3-day fasting for Chhath begins

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 1:23 am

Gomtinagar resident loses Rs 2.34L in fake job scam

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 1:23 am

SDMs residence burgled in Madiaon

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 1:23 am

NER GM inspects rly stn and hosp

The Times of India 26 Oct 2025 1:03 am

Yogi invites PM to inaugurate Noida International Airport

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 11:44 pm

UP NEET UG 2025 revised counselling dates released: Check important dates at upneet.gov.in

UP NEET UG COUNSELING 2025: The UP NEET UG counselling 2025 schedule has been revised for the third round. Over 900 seats are now available in medical colleges across Uttar Pradesh. Candidates can check the updated dates on the official website. Choice filling begins on October 17, 2025. Seat allotment results will be declared on October 29, 2025.

The Economic Times 25 Oct 2025 10:23 pm

UP CM Yogi Adityanath calls Noida airport 'symbol of UP's development'; orders quality check ahead of launch

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar, directing officials to ensure high standards of quality and timeliness for its inauguration. He emphasized the airport as a symbol of the state's development and aspirations, demanding no laxity in preparations for a smooth passenger experience.

The Economic Times 25 Oct 2025 9:05 pm

MHA asks law enforcement agencies for a plan to disrupt gangster-terror nexus operating from prisons

NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued directions to all the law enforcement agencies to work out an elaborate plan to break the network of gangster-terrorists operating from prisons across the country. Officials added that they have been asked to adopt an out-of-the-box strategy to disrupt local nodes of such a nexus. Following the directions, they said, a plan is being worked out to relocate such inmates, who continue to run criminal or terror-linked networks from within jails, aimed at severing their existing communication and influence chains inside prisons. As per the plan, first, the law enforcement and intelligence agencies are tasked to jointly identify high-risk inmates in coordination with the state police, the officials said, adding: Once identified, such elements will be shifted to jails located in States or regions where they have no connections or linkages. The aim is to stop them from rebuilding or expanding their influence among fellow prisoners. The plan is being closely monitored and supervised by senior functionaries of the MHA. According to the officials, one officer each from the intelligence and central probe agencies will be designated as nodal entities to coordinate the execution of the plan. In the security circles, it is believed that the move would help them break entrenched networks that often operate from prisons, paving the way for coordination between criminal gangs and terror outfits across States. According to sources, the plans primary focus is jails in north India, particularly situated in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. It is to be noted that last month, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) detained several suspects during a massive multi-state crackdown on the terrorist-gangster-drug smuggler nexus, connected with listed terrorist Arsh Dalla and many dreaded gangsters. A total of 53 locations were raided during the day-long operation in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh. The NIA in a statement had then said, The investigations have revealed that the conspiracies under its probe were being hatched in prisons of different states and were being executed by an organised network of operatives based abroad. Notable among such crimes include the sensational killing of Maharashtra builder Sanjay Biyani, mining trader Mehal Singh and international Kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambia in Punjab last year.

The New Indian Express 25 Oct 2025 6:23 pm

Tension grips Greater Noida as Dalit youth dies days after attack by 'upper-caste' men; family demands justice

LUCKNOW: Grief and simmering tension gripped Mohalla Ambedkar in Greater Noida district on Saturday as the body of a 20-year-old Dalit youth, who died at a Delhi hospital following an attack by a gang during his birthday celebration on October 15, was brought home amid heavy police deployment. The youth, Aniket Jatav, was allegedly attacked outside his home in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida on the night of his birthday. Police have arrested two men Yuvraj and Jitu in connection with the assault, while efforts are on to trace the remaining suspects, sources said. It took nearly an hour of tense negotiations in the narrow lane, crowded with mourners and onlookers, before the grieving family demanding justice for Aniket allowed the body to be taken for cremation. Aniket, who worked as a mechanic and driver, was allegedly attacked by a group of upper-caste men on the night of October 15. He had just cut the cake when they came, said his uncle Sumit, who also sustained injuries in the attack. His right eye was visibly swollen and bruised. Sumit alleged that the accused had been threatening Aniket for several weeks. The Rabupura police registered an FIR on October 17 two days after the incident naming seven upper-caste men. Two have been arrested, while five remain absconding. A police officer said investigators suspect that a social media post may have triggered the violence. However, according to Sumit, tensions had begun a month earlier when Aniket intervened during a local Ramleela, where a group of upper-caste men were allegedly abusing one of his friends. They hurled casteist slurs and the situation escalated, Sumit recalled. Two days before the attack, they caught Aniket outside his house and hit him with a rock. Aniket slapped one of them in retaliation. They told him he had forgotten his aukat (status). On the night of October 15, when Aniket was celebrating his birthday in a nearby field, the same group allegedly returned armed with rods and hockey sticks. They started hitting me. I thought Aniket had escaped, but we later found him lying unconscious behind some bushes, his body soaked in blood, Sumit said. Both men were rushed to a local hospital and later referred to Delhi for treatment. Sumit was discharged two days ago, but Aniket succumbed to his injuries earlier this week. According to Sujeet Upadhyay, Station House Officer (SHO) of Rabupura, an FIR initially registered for assault has now been amended to murder. We are verifying the allegations of caste abuse. A case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has been registered, and efforts are on to arrest the remaining accused, he said. The Jatav community of Rabupura a large Dalit population living along the southern edge of Gautam Buddh Nagar district resides alongside upper-caste families who, locals say, control much of the land in the area. Anikets father is unemployed, while his mother said her eldest son was the familys sole breadwinner. He worked long hours repairing motorbikes and brought home whatever he could. That money kept us going, she said, surrounded by mourners. As the body arrived, scores of men gathered near Ambedkar Chowk, while women wailed inside the family courtyard. Throughout the day, a stream of politicians visited the family to offer condolences. Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh (BJP) sat quietly among the mourners and later arranged a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who, Singh said, assured strict action. Leaders from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) also visited the family and pledged support. Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the Congress, strongly condemned the incident, accusing the government of failing to curb caste violence in the state. Every week or two, we see reports of Dalits being killed in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh. @narendramodi and his double-engine governments have completely failed to protect the lives of Dalits, Congress spokesperson Shama Mohammad wrote in a post on X.

The New Indian Express 25 Oct 2025 6:09 pm

I Love Muhammad graffiti on UP temple sparks tension, 8 arrested

Aligarh: Tensions prevailed here on Saturday after I love Muhammad graffiti was found on the walls of five temples in Uttar Pradeshs Bhagwanpur and Bulaqigarh villages, prompting heavy police deployment. Senior police officials rushed to the spot with forensic experts and CCTV footage from the surrounding areas was examined to identify the culprits, police said. 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 .

The Siasat Daily 25 Oct 2025 5:56 pm

UP acid attack survivor gets Rs 5 lakh 'relief' after 28 years; NGO vows to move HC seeking Rs 50 lakh

A 43-year-old acid attack survivor in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has finally received Rs 5 lakh in compensation nearly three decades after the brutal incident. The victim, who was attacked at 15, received Rs 1 lakh from the Centre and Rs 4 lakh from the state government.

The Economic Times 25 Oct 2025 5:32 pm

Hell kill me, I want to see my mother: Distressed Indian mans plea from Saudi desert sparks search

A heart-wrenching video of an Indian man from Uttar Pradesh claiming that he was being held captive in Saudi Arabia has gone viral, prompting the Indian embassy in Riyadh to intervene and launch efforts to trace him. The man, speaking in Bhojpuri, identifies himself as a resident of Handia, Pratappur in Prayagraj district. In the video, which was shared by a Delhi-based lawyer on social media, he alleges that his passport has been taken away by one Kapil, believed to be his employer, and appeals directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for help. My village is in Allahabad... I came to Saudi Arabia. Kapil has my passport. I told him I need to go home, but he is threatening to kill me, the man says tearfully, with a camel visible in the background. He pleads for the video to be widely shared so that it reaches Indian authorities and the Prime Minister, adding, Please help me, I will die; I need to go to my mother. TNIE could not independently verify the video's authenticity. @DrSJaishankar , ... 1 pic.twitter.com/5op97otITq (@Lawyer_Kalpana) October 23, 2025 Taking note of the viral clip, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia replied that it was trying to locate the individual but faced difficulties due to the absence of details such as location, contact information, or employer details. The embassy has been trying to locate the person. No further action can be taken as the video does not contain any details about the location/province in Saudi Arabia, or contact number or employer details, the mission posted on X. The embassy also reached out to officials in Uttar Pradesh, urging them to contact the mans family. As the person says that he is from Prayagraj district, @DM_PRAYAGRAJ @Sp_prayag @prayagraj_pol may also reach out to his family and advise them to write to us at cw.riyadh@mea.gov.in, it added. However, Saudi Arabias Public Security Department dismissed the claims as baseless, stating that the video was made to increase the number of views on social media. The claim by an expatriate in a video expressing a desire to return to his home country is baseless. The video surfaced amid a major policy shift in Saudi Arabia, which recently announced the abolition of the decades-old Kafala (sponsorship) system that tied migrant workers employment and residency to their employers. The system, introduced in the 1950s, had long been criticised by rights groups for enabling exploitation and restricting workers freedom. Ending the Kafala system marks a historic move for the Kingdom, aligning with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans Vision 2030 reform agenda. The change is expected to improve the rights and mobility of nearly 13 million foreign workers in Saudi Arabia. As of now, the identity and whereabouts of the man in the viral video remain unconfirmed, and the Indian embassy has requested anyone with credible information to come forward.

The New Indian Express 25 Oct 2025 3:32 pm

UP CM Yogi Adityanath inspects Noida airport site, inauguration expected soon

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar, reviewing progress and preparations for its imminent inauguration. The ambitious project, a public-private partnership, will eventually become India's largest airport by area. Passenger flights are anticipated to begin by December this year, marking a significant milestone for the region's connectivity.

The Economic Times 25 Oct 2025 2:55 pm

Morari Bapu Embarks on a Second Historic 'Ram Yatra' Retracing the Sacred Footsteps of Lord Ram During Exile and Back

Pujya Morari Bapu , the revered spiritual leader and exponent of the Ramayana, is set to embark on yet another extraordinary spiritual odyssey — the Ram Yatra, from 25th October to 4th November 2025. This divine journey will retrace the sacred path of Maryada Purushottam Lord Ram, connecting the holy sites associated with His life and teachings — from Chitrakoot to Rameshwaram and onward to Colombo, culminating in Ayodhya. This journey will bring out the quintessential essence of Sanatana Dharma, the glory of Lord Ram's name along with it being a journey that unites India and strengthens its traditions.   Morari Bapu   The journey will begin at the sacred Atri Muni Ashram in Chitrakoot, where the first Ram Katha is scheduled for October 25, 2025. Over the course of 11 days, Kathas will be held at various locations, covering a total distance of 8,000 km.   A total of 411 devotees will be travelling on a special 22-coach train, which will carry Bapu and his flowers (devotees) through this sacred route. Over the course of the journey, 9 Ram Kathas will be held at different spiritual locations across India and Sri Lanka, as devotees join to celebrate Lord Ram’s name and teachings.   Morari Bapu, who has been narrating Ram Katha for over decades, will embark on this spiritual pilgrimage to spread the timeless teachings of Lord Ram across the revered lands of India and Sri Lanka.    Through this Yatra, Morari Bapu will deliver soul-stirring discourses on Ram Katha at each of these spiritually significant locations:  Atri Muni Ashram (Chitrakoot) Agastya Muni Ashram (Satna) Panchvati (Maharashtra) Sabari Ashram (Karnataka) Rishimukh Parvat (Hampi) Pravarshan Parvat (Karnataka) Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) Colombo (Sri Lanka) Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh)   The journey, spanning sacred lands and seas, symbolizes the eternal journey of dharma, devotion, and compassion, bringing alive the timeless essence of Ram Rajya.   The Ram Yatra will be undertaken through train from Chitrakoot to Rameshwaram and flight from Rameshwaram to Colombo and Colombo to Ayodhya, the very land that Ram returned to after 14 years of exile and was consecrated as the king.   Ram Charita Manas not only depicts the outer journey of Lord Ram but also delves into the inner journey of the soul. Ram Katha on all days will be open for all, allowing individuals to join directly at any place along the journey. This inclusive approach allows an opportunity for people from all walks of life to participate in this spiritual experience.   All devotees will be served three meals daily as prasad by the organisers.   This is the second parikrama yatra related to Lord Ram’s exile – the first took place between 27 th November to 5 th December 2021 from Ayodhya to Chitrakoot and Nandigram.   It is important to note that Bapu does not accept any payment for conducting Katha; the discourses, as well as the meals served, are completely free of charge.   Speaking about the upcoming Ram Yatra,  Pujya Morari Bapu  shared, “ This Yatra is not merely a journey across lands, but a remembrance of the path of righteousness and compassion walked by Lord Ram. Wherever his name is remembered with love, that place becomes Ayodhya.”   This epic Yatra is being organized by Bapu’s flower (follower) Madan ji Paliwal of Santkripa Sanatana Sansthan. From the travel to the arrangements and the katha reflect the purity and inclusiveness of Sanatana Dharma. Devotees from across the world will accompany Bapu, making this a collective offering of faith and unity.   Rooted in the eternal values of Satya (Truth), Prem (Love), and Karuna (Compassion), the Ram Yatra reaffirms Bapu’s lifelong mission to spread the light of the Ram Charita Manas and strengthen the spiritual fabric of humanity.   About Morari Bapu Morari Bapu was born on Mahashivratri of 1946. He has been reciting Ram Kathas for over sixty-five years, beginning his spiritual journey at the age of 14 under a village tree in Gujarat. He was initiated into the Ramcharitamanas by his grandfather and guru, Tribhuvana Das ji. Drawing from Vedic Sanatana Dharma, popularly known as Hindu Sanatana Dharma, Bapu’s narrations emphasize universal peace, truth, love, and compassion. Those attending his kathas belong to all regions, castes and creeds.   Over the decades, Morari Bapu has conducted over 950 Ram Kathas in numerous cities and pilgrimage sites across India and around the world, including Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kenya, the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, Australia, Israel, and Japan, attracting millions of followers. He recently conducted Kathas at all 12 Jyotirlingas in India, travelling by train, and organized landmark events at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and at the University of Cambridge. He has also performed Kathas on a ship and on a plane during a circumnavigation of the globe.   Beyond traditional venues, Bapu has also conducted Ram Kathas for marginalized communities, including sex workers and transgender individuals, and has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts in disaster-hit areas globally, including war-torn Ukraine and Israel.   As a regular practice, free vegetarian meals are served as prasad for all those who come to the Katha.    Get more details of the event here : chitrakutdhamtalgajarda.org . www.youtube.com/@MorariBapu linktr.ee/ChitrakutdhamTalgajarda   Official Social Media Channels www.instagram.com/chitrakutdhamtalgajarda www.facebook.com/ChitrakutdhamTalgajardaMorariBapu twitter.com/MorariBapu_ t.me/ramkathaclips .

News Voir 25 Oct 2025 11:54 am

Konkona reveals acting in 'Omkara' was 'nerve-wracking'

Konkona Sen Sharma, who portrayed Indu in Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara, recently revealed that she was initially intimidated by the heavy Uttar Pradesh accent required for her role.

NewsBytes 25 Oct 2025 11:02 am

I will die: UP mans cry for help from Saudi goes viral; Indian embassy reacts

An Indian national from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has appealed for help in a viral video, claiming he is being held against his will in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy is attempting to locate him but requires more details, urging the lawyer who posted the video to provide additional information.

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 9:17 am

UP Minister Narrowly Escapes Accident As Truck's Tyre Bursts, Hits Her Car

Uttar Pradesh Minister for Women Welfare and Child Development, Baby Rani Maurya, narrowly escaped a road accident on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway on Friday night.

NDTV 25 Oct 2025 6:31 am

UP Minister Narrowly Escapes Road Accident On Agra-Lucknow Expressway

Uttar Pradesh Minister for Women Welfare and Child Development, Baby Rani Maurya, narrowly escaped a road accident on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway on Friday night.

NDTV 25 Oct 2025 6:31 am

BJPs double-engine govts propel falsehood: Akhilesh

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 3:33 am

Mission Karmayogi to boost skills: Asim Arun

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:34 am

Teen abducted & gang-raped in Lucknow, two arrested

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:33 am

Four, including lover, held for mans murder in Bahraich

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:33 am

Bike thief caught red-handed, thrashed by locals

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:31 am

Woman, son lose Rs 67L to online scam

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:28 am

Man murdered over witchcraft linked activities

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:15 am

Zero poverty Ph-2 to cover more families

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:14 am

Diesel scam: ED arrests Mukhtars aide

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:08 am

UP & Japan explore collab in pharma ind

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:08 am

LDA extends discount offer on ready-to-move flats

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:05 am

Six booked for damaging Ambedkar statue in Kushinagar

The Times of India 25 Oct 2025 1:05 am

Samajwadi Party plans region-centric manifestos to counter BJP's narrative in Uttar Pradesh

Party strategists entrusted with the responsibility argue that each region has different geographical, economic challenges and opportunities, and addressing it will be the focus of the SPs localised manifestos. The party will however release a State-level manifesto too.

The Hindu 24 Oct 2025 9:18 pm

Indian man stranded in Saudi Arabia, threatened by associate

A man from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, claimed he is being forced to remain in Saudi Arabia, prompting the Indian embassy there to take notice. Delhi-based lawyer Kalpana Shrivastav posted the video on X on October 23, in which the man says, My village is inAllahabad I came to Saudi Arabia. Kapil has my passport. I 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 .

The Siasat Daily 24 Oct 2025 8:52 pm

Indian Railways starts playing Chhath songs at over 100 stations across nation

NEW DELHI: Ahead of Bihars Chhath festival, Indian Railways has introduced a unique arrangement of playing popular folk songs dedicated to the Chhath festival at over 100 prominent stations across the country. In the first phase, this initiative has been implemented at 30 different stations, where announcements of train departures or arrivals pause for a while. During these intervals, folk songs sung by well-known singers such as Sharda Sinha, Nitu Kumari Navgeet, Vindyavasni Devi and others are played when no train information is being broadcast over the automated announcement system. The Railways has started playing Chhatha songs at more than 30 stations in Bihar, including Patna, Danapur, Hajipur, Bhagalpur, Jamalpur, Sonepur and others. Similar arrangements for playing Chhatha songs have also been made at New Delhi, Ghaziabad and Anand Vihar Terminal, which are now witnessing heavy footfall of passengers travelling to Bihar and other Hindi-speaking states for the festival. Confirming this to the newspaper, ED (I&P) Dileep Kumar of the Ministry of Railways said on Friday, Indian Railways has started broadcasting Chhatha songs at railway stations on the auspicious occasion of Chhatha Puja. The aim of this initiative is to connect the passengers with the auspicious spirit of the festival and make their journey more pleasant. This has been launched at almost all those stations that now witness large numbers of Bihar-bound passengers travelling for the Chhatha festival across the country. Savita Kumari, a passenger travelling from Kolkata to Patna with her family members for the Chhatha festival, said These devotional songs being played at railway stations during Chhatha Puja surcharge the ambience of station with religious festivity for the devotees, who either remain in wait to take trains or boarding in trains. A senior railway official told the newspaper that the Chhatha folk songs being played make passengers feel the fragrance of their home and culture, thereby infusing devotion and joy into their journey even when they remain away from their states. Begun on Friday, the initiative through the automatic announcement system will continue for several days after the end of Chhatha, covering the period when passengers make their return journeys. Others stations such as Banaras, Gorakhpur and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Kolkata, Burdwan, Durgapur and Asansol in West Bengal, as well as Ludhiana and Amritsar in Punjab, are among the hundreds of stations where this initiative has been introduced. Currently, Indian Railways is operating more than 12,000 special train trips to manage the surge of passengers travelling from across the country to states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where the Chhatha festival is celebrated on a large scale.

The New Indian Express 24 Oct 2025 8:27 pm

Uttar Pradesh approves five-fold hike in financial powers of PWD officers; first reform in 30 years

LUCKNOW: For the first time in three decades, Uttar Pradesh government has approved a major overhaul of the Public Works Department (PWD), as CM Yogi Adityanath sanctioned a fivefold increase in the financial powers of PWD officers and a comprehensive revision of the engineers service structure. The move is aimed at granting greater autonomy to officers, reducing dependence on higher-level approvals, and expediting processes like tendering, contracting, and project execution. CM Yogi said the revision was essential to improve administrative efficiency, ensure timely project execution, and uphold financial discipline. At a PWD review meeting, it emerged that financial powers of the PWD officers were last revised in 1995, while construction costs have gone up over 5.5 times since then, as per the Cost Inflation Index. After detailed discussions, it was decided that the financial limits for civil works would be increased up to five times and for electrical and mechanical works at least two times. The chief minister emphasised that the reform would enhance both transparency and accountability in departmental functioning. Under the new system, the Chief Engineer can now approve works up to Rs 10 crore, up from Rs 2 crore. The Superintending Engineer can sanction work up to Rs 5 crore, compared to Rs 1 crore. Similarly, the Executive Engineers financial powers have been raised to Rs 2 crore from Rs 40 lakh. Assistant Engineers will also receive limited authority to approve tenders and minor works. The meeting also approved key amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Engineer Service (PWD) (Higher) Rules, 1990, restructuring the electrical and mechanical cadres. A new post of Chief Engineer (Level-1) has been created, while the number of Chief Engineer (Level-2) and Superintending Engineer positions has been increased. The revised rules clearly define the promotion process, pay scales, and service conditions, making the cadre structure more transparent and organized. Promotions to Chief Engineer (Level-1) will now be based on seniority from Level-2, with updated procedures also defined for promotions to Level-2 and Superintending Engineer. In line with the Seventh Pay Commission, revised pay matrices have been implemented from Executive Engineer to Chief Engineer (Level-1), and the selection committees composition has been updated to ensure fairness and merit-based progression. CM Yogi emphasised that as the PWD played a vital role in state development, timely and transparent service rules and a merit-driven promotion system were essential to enhance efficiency, technical quality, and the departments service spirit.

The New Indian Express 24 Oct 2025 6:44 pm

UP Woman Made To Abort Twice, Pressured To Sleep With In-Laws. All For A Son

In the desire for a baby boy, a woman in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur was made to abort her pregnancy twice and then forced to have relations with her father-in-law and brother-in-law.

NDTV 24 Oct 2025 6:40 pm

Criminal carrying bounty of Rs 1 lakh killed in police encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli

LUCKNOW: A wanted criminal in western UP, carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh, was shot dead in a police encounter in Bhogi Majra village of Shamli district late on Thursday evening. During the encounter, Special Operations Group constable Deepak suffered a bullet injury to his leg and was hospitalised. The criminal, Faisal, who had 17 criminal cases including those related to murder and robbery, lodged against him, was killed just after committing a robbery with his accomplice. He was associated with the notorious Sanjeev Jeeva gang, Police said. The encounter took place in the forest of Bhogimajra. Just hours before the encounter, Faisal and his associate had robbed Jeetram, a resident of Barnawi village, and his wife of their motorcycle, Rs 3,000 in cash, and a mobile phone, Shamli Superintendent of Police (SP)Narendra Pratap Singh said. According to the police authorities, the encounter broke out near Bhogi Majra on the Bhogi MajraMachroli road when the Jhinjhana police team, along with the Special Operations Group (SOG), tried to intercept Faisal. The police of Jhinjhana police station and the SOG team had received a tip-off about Faisal's arrival. They were informed that some criminals were planning a robbery on the Vedkheri road. Consequently, the team surrounded the criminals. As soon as they saw the police, the criminals started firing. He opened fire on the police, prompting retaliation by the cops...Faisal sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to the hospital by the cops. However, the doctors declared him dead upon arrival. His accomplice managed to flee the spot, said an officer. Police recovered a motorcycle and two pistols from the spot. The police team started combing the forest in search of him. Faisal was a resident of Khalapar, Muzaffarnagar. During the encounter, SOG constable Deepak suffered a bullet injury to his leg and was hospitalised. The slain criminal was a sharpshooter of the notorious Sanju Jeeva gang and was wanted in two recent robbery incidents in the district. A cash reward of Rs 1 lakh had been announced for his arrest, said the SP. Police said Faisals associate, Shahrukh Pathan, was killed about one and a half months ago in an encounter with the Special Task Force (STF). According to the state government, from March 2017 to October 2025, UP Police has killed 259 criminals in encounters. During this period, more than 15,000 police encounters took place in which more than 31,000 criminals were arrested, and more than 10,000 were injured.

The New Indian Express 24 Oct 2025 6:31 pm

Ranji Trophy: Ravindra Jadeja Among India Stars To Watch In Second Round

Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC: With the second round of the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy set to commence on Saturday, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to play for Saurashtra in their Elite Group B game at Rajkot, meaning he will be among the Indian team stars that fans can keep their eyes on for the next few days. In the previous match at the venue, spinners accounted for 31 of the 35 wickets to fall in the drawn encounter at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, where Saurashtra earned three points courtesy of a first-innings lead. Jadeja was resting after playing in Indias 2-0 home Test series win over the West Indies earlier this month and was not included in the squad for the ongoing ODI series in Australia. At Saurashtra, he will rejoin fellow left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who took a match haul of 10-203 against Karnataka. Jadejas return is expected to enhance the bowling attack with more depth and experience as Saurashtra aim to build on their early momentum. Another major clash in the second round will see Bengal facing Gujarat at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, and Abhimanyu Easwaran will be in action. Shami, the veteran India pacer, had taken a match-winning seven-wicket haul in the win over Uttarakhand, and how he fares against a strong Gujarat bowling line-up will make for an interesting watch. The second round of the Ranji Trophy will feature 19 matches played across the country, in both Elite and Plate Divisions. Mumbai, fresh from an away victory against Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar, will host Chhattisgarh in an Elite Group D match at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai. Defending champions Vidarbha are set to face Jharkhand at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The Bengal-Gujarat clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Khel (TV) and JioHotstar (live streaming). The Saurashtra vs Madhya Pradesh game and Mumbai vs Chhattisgarh clash are also available for live streaming, with the rest of the games to be followed live on bcci.tv scoreboards page. Ranji Trophy 2025/26 second round schedule Plate Division games (with a start time of 9:30 am): - Meghalaya vs Sikkim - Meghalaya Cricket Association Cricket Ground, Shillong Manipur vs Bihar - Gokulbhai Somabhai Patel Stadium, Nadiad Arunachal Pradesh vs Mizoram - ADSA Railways Cricket Ground, Ahmedabad Elite Division games (with a start time of 9:30 am): - Group A Andhra vs Baroda - ACA Sports Complex, Vizianagaram Uttar Pradesh vs Odisha - Green Park, Kanpur Nagaland vs Tamil Nadu BCCI CoE Ground, Bengaluru Vidarbha vs Jharkhand VCA Stadium, Nagpur Group B Punjab vs Kerala New PCA International Stadium, New Chandigarh Chandigarh vs Maharashtra - Sector 16 Stadium, Chandigarh Karnataka vs Goa - KSCA Navule Stadium, Shivamogga Saurashtra vs Madhya Pradesh Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot Group C Assam vs Services - Tinsukia District Sports Ground, Tinsukia Bengal vs Gujarat - Eden Gardens, Kolkata Uttarakhand vs Railways - Kaushiki Cricket Ground, Jim Corbett Haryana vs Tripura - Chaudhary Bansi Lal Stadium, Rohtak Group D Jammu & Kashmir vs Rajasthan - Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, Srinagar Mumbai vs Chhattisgarh - Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy, BKC, Mumbai Jammu & Kashmir vs Rajasthan - Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, Srinagar Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Puducherry vs Hyderabad - Cricket Association Puducherry Siechem Ground, Puducherry Article Source: IANS

CNMSports 24 Oct 2025 6:00 pm

UP Man Chops Off Gay Partner's Genitals For Raping His Daughter, Kills Self

He learned that his partner had raped his six-year-old daughter. Enraged, he cut off his partner's private parts and, hours later, died by suicide. This bizarre incident unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Deoria district, police said.

NDTV 24 Oct 2025 5:12 pm

BHU creative brilliance shines in Ayodhya during Deepotsav

Banaras Hindu University's creative excellence was showcased in Ayodhya with the 'Tilak Dwar' installation. This monumental gateway, designed by Professor Manish Arora and Rahul Kumar Shaw, symbolizes Lord Ram's triumphant return. The structure draws inspiration from the sacred Tilak and represents India's past, present, and future. It affirms Lord Ram as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 3:25 pm

Shreyas Talpade, Alok Nath booked in multi-crore investment fraud case in Uttar Pradesh, accused of...

The cooperative society allegedly lured investors by promising to double their investments within five years. More than 500 people have reportedly been defrauded of a total of Rs 5 crore in the investment scam.

DNA India 24 Oct 2025 3:01 pm

Watch: Bihar womans Chhath song mentions Modi Bhaiya; 4-day festival begins tomorrow

Chhath Puja, a four-day festival honoring Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, is commencing with widespread preparations across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal. Prime Minister Modi has urged citizens to share traditional Chhath songs online, highlighting their role in enhancing the festival's divinity. These folk melodies, often featuring blessings, are a vital part of the enduring cultural legacy.

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 2:41 pm

October School Holidays 2025: Schools to remain closed in THESE states on Chhath Puja; Check dates and other details inside

Chhath Puja 2025 brings school holidays across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan from October 25-28. Celebrated with devotion to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, the four-day festival includes fasting, prayers, and river rituals, allowing families to gather, celebrate, and seek blessings.

DNA India 24 Oct 2025 1:43 pm

At Bihar rally, PM Modi predicts record NDA mandate, targets Rahul and renews jungle raj attack on RJD

With the Bihar election campaign heating up, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a rally, saying those who carry the Constitution are simply misleading people. Kickstaing the his poll campaign in Samastipur, the prime minister doubled down on his jungle raj claim against the RJD, saying the state must keep them at bay and vote for good governance. It was October 2005 when Bihar got rid of Jungle Raj and NDAs good governance under the leadership of Nitish Kumar began. But Congress-RJD was in power at the Centre. They created many obstacles, and the RJD left no stone unturned to damage Bihar. It was RJD taking revenge on the people of Bihar, even threatening Congress to withdraw support if they wanted to help the BJP-NDA government in Bihar, Modi said. A day earlier, Modi said the people of Bihar will never forget the misdeeds of Jungle Raj, an apparent reference to the RJD rule, and dubbed the opposition alliance as a lathbandhan (a coalition of criminals), whose leaders are out on bail. Meanwhile, the prime minister, today, expressed confidence that the NDA will secure its biggest mandate ever and that Bihar's growth will accelerate once the ruling alliance returns to power. The people of Maharashtra gave us a bigger majority than before. Haryana did the same and elected us for a third term. In Madhya Pradesh, too, the BJP has been in power for a long time. Weve seen this in Gujarat and Uttarakhand as well. In Gujarat, the BJP has been in power for over two decades, and in Uttar Pradesh, where governments changed every five years, the BJP ended that trend. All this shows that NDA stands for good governance, public service, and guaranteed development. I can now say with full confidence that under Nitish Kumars leadership, NDA will break its own record in Bihar and secure the biggest mandate ever. Modi also invoked former Bihar Chief Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee Karpoori Thakur in his hometown, praising the Bharatiya Kranti Dal leaders role in the states development and accusing the opposition of rying to steal his Jannayak title. Its a memorable day for me. I visited Karpuri Gram, the village of Bharat Ratna Jannayak Karpuri Thakur, and paid tribute to him. It is because of his blessings that leaders like Nitish Kumar and I, from backward communities and humble backgrounds, are standing on this stage today, he said. What RJD and Congress are saying and doing, you all know better than me. I dont need to remind you. These people are out on bail in corruption cases, on charges of theft. Such is their habit of theft that they are now trying to steal the title of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur. The people of Bihar will never allow this, Modi added. Jan Sangh brought down Karpoori Thakur's govt in Bihar after he introduced OBC reservation: Congress jabs PM

The New Indian Express 24 Oct 2025 1:10 pm

Communal Clash Erupts In UP's Kasganj After Dispute Over Car Parking

A minor argument over car parking turned violent in Uttar Pradesh's Kasganj district on Thursday evening, triggering a clash between two communities that led to firing and stone throwing in the Soron town.

NDTV 24 Oct 2025 11:47 am

Check full list: Indian Railways announces 12,075 special trains for festive season

Indian Railways deployed a significant 12,075 special trains during the festive period, primarily for Diwali and Chhath Puja, to ensure passengers reached home safely. This substantial increase of 56% compared to last year facilitated travel for over 30 lakh individuals, with a focus on routes connecting to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 11:27 am

UP CM Yogi Adityanath urges people to keep rivers clean during Chhath festival

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath extended greetings for Chhath Mahaparv, urging citizens to celebrate with reverence for nature and a commitment to clean water bodies. He highlighted his government's efforts in rejuvenating over 50 rivers since 2017 and the ongoing 'Ek Zila, Ek Nadi' initiative, emphasising the importance of rivers for civilisation and life.

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 11:22 am

Gangster carrying 1 lakh bounty killed in police encounter in Uttar Pradeshs Shamli

Teams from Jhinjhana police station and the district's SWAT unit intercepted the accused during a check, leading to an exchange of fire in which Faisal sustained gunshot wounds

The Hindu 24 Oct 2025 9:32 am

Rise and rise of Son of Mallah in Bihar political potboiler

PATNA: The INDIA bloc has finally yielded ground to Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani, who was on Thursday formally announced as deputy chief ministerial face of the Opposition alliance for the Bihar Assembly elections. It has been a meteoric rise for 44-year-old Sahani. Starting as a Bollywood set designer, he chose politics as his next career, formed a new party in 2018, contested 2020 Assembly elections as part of NDA and finally ended up as a hard bargainer in the 2025 state polls. Sahanis party has no MLA in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. Better known as Son of Mallah, Sahani is now with INDIA bloc comprising the RJD, Congress and three Left partiesCPI-ML, CPI, CPI(M). He comes from Mallah (fishermen) community, an EBC, which constitutes nearly 2.5% of Bihars population, as per the caste survey conducted in 2022-23. Mallahs, Sahanis and Nishads constitute nearly 9% of the states population. The VIP chief is expected to tilt their votes towards the INDIA bloc. Mallahs, a sub-caste of Nishad community, are spread across the state but have influence in certain constituencies in north Bihar, particularly Mithilanchal and Seemanchal regions. Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Supaul, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Kishanganj, Saharsa, Khagaria, East Champaran and West Champaran are among districts where fishermen have sizeable population. Elated over being named as INDIA blocs deputy CM face, Sahani targeted BJP, saying, BJP ko jab tak hum todenge nahi, tab tak chhodenge nahi (I will not let go until I cause a split in BJP). Sahani said that he had been waiting for the moment (being declared deputy CM face) for the last three and a half years. He narrated how his MLAs were poached by the BJP after he raised the issue of reservation for fishermen in Bihar and other states. I have not forgotten the moment when I was dropped from the Nitish cabinet, and my MLAs were poached by BJP. I had vowed then to teach BJP a lesson at an opportune time. And that time has come, he told this reporter. In the 2020 Assembly elections, four VIP candidates won. In November 2021, its Bochahan MLA Musafir Sahni died. In the by-election, the BJP fielded its candidate on the seat earlier held by VIP. Moreover, Sahanis decision to contest elections in Uttar Pradesh against the BJP strained their relationship. Barely a week before the first phase of the Assembly elections in 2020, Sahani had jumped from the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and aligned with the BJP and JD(U). He had then accused RJD and its allies of betrayal as his party was sidelined in the seat-sharing deal. But after his bitter experience with the BJP after 2020 elections, he again aligned with RJD-Congress-led Mahagathandhan and is eyeing better performance in the Assembly polls to be held on November 6 and 11. Sahani initially demanded 25 seats and a deputy CM post but has to settle with 15 seats and deputy CM post. VIP chief likely to tip poll scales in favour of INDIA Sahanis party has no MLA in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. Better known as Son of Mallah, Sahani is now with INDIA bloc comprising the RJD, Congress and three Left partiesCPI-ML, CPI, CPI(M). He comes from Mallah (fishermen) community, an EBC, which constitutes nearly 2.5% of Bihars population, as per the caste survey conducted in 2022-23. Mallahs, Sahanis and Nishads constitute nearly 9% of the states population. The VIP chief is expected to tilt their votes towards INDIA.

The New Indian Express 24 Oct 2025 8:06 am

Air pollution Skyrocketed This Diwali

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 5:11 am

2 IAF pilots from UP hailed for exemplary courage

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 3:37 am

1.37 lakh farmers register for paddy procurement in UP

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:27 am

Stop Kamil-Fazil inclusion in council poll list: BJP to CM

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:27 am

MLA slams SP for Diwali remarks

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:27 am

Sector desks drive Viksit Bharat vision

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:24 am

Invest UP to set up satellite offices to boost investments

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:21 am

Min invasive surgery on 21-day-old successful

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:20 am

4 suffer burns after jeweller brothers throw acid on them

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:20 am

Govt-backed feudal forces behind Dalit atrocities: Akhilesh

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:18 am

Min to SP: Fight for Krishna Janmabhoomi

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:18 am

Cops advisory on electric fencing in fields

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:18 am

Police reshuffle in Banda after extortion racket exposed

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:15 am

Property dealer ends life amid financial crisis

The Times of India 24 Oct 2025 1:15 am