Varanasi News - Dalimss News

A Legacy at Stake: Why Authenticity Matters More Than Ever in Banarasi Sarees

Sumita Khanna Wahi — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 06:27:46 GMT

Last night, our dinner table conversation turned to a familiar topic: how shopkeepers are passing on semi silk products as pure silk. This morning our local news portal Dalimss news gave our discussion a number - 5 out of 10 products in the local market are fake. Our family has been in the textile business for 119 years and never has the market been so flooded with fakes. Centuries old reputation of the rich Benarasi craftsmanship is bearing the reputational hit due to the greed of a few. Part of the problem is that deception is not a gimmick of the amateur it has become sophisticated, systematic and increasingly difficult for the consumers to detect.What makes this problem specifically alarming is how widespread the problem has become. It's no more limited to a single seller or a single buyer. Every counterfeit product sold under the name of authenticity weakens the generational trusts weavers and honest businesses earned over years. Every customer who later realised that a fake product has been sold to them have begun to question the credibility of the entire craft. Coming from a legacy business created over generations of hard work it pains me to see the situation a few for their commercial gains have put us and the whole industry into this state of plight.While its difficult to decipher the counterfeit from the real still there are a few markers that consumers can look for while buying Benarasi products. The first and foremost will be an imperfection in the product. Usually people look for absolute perfect products rarely realising that its the imperfection which gives a human touch. Any saree which has been handwoven will somewhere and somehow will have that slight imperfection which will make it stand out from a power loom product. For pure fabrics they will always posses a natural sheen, fluidity and weight which would be far away from that synthetic feel and stiffness. You can also ask for a Silk Mark which is usually a certification for pure silk products. A personal advice from my end would be if the offer seems to good to be true it usually is. One last and most reliable suggestion would be to buy from a reliable establishments legacy businesses who have tirelessly worked with a commitment of preserving the craft.In an era where almost everything can be reproduced, authenticity has become the measure of true luxury. The future of Benarasi craftsmanship can only be protected by our unwavering commitment from the artisans who weave it, to the houses that sell it and the customers who choose it. It gives me immense pride that i come from one such powerhouse that has always worked towards preserving the art and passing it down unbroken to the future generations. We at Sautri work with the same commitment passed on to us by our forefathers.What took centuries to weave should not be unravelled by a decade of shortcuts.About the author-Sumita Khanna Wahi is an entrepreneur and the founder of Sautri Banaras. Passionate about India’s handcrafted textiles, she works closely with artisans to preserve centuries-old weaving traditions while presenting them through a modern, refined lens. Her vision is rooted in authenticity, sustainability, and the enduring value of handmade craftsmanship.

NSG Commandos and Security Agencies Conduct High-Level VVIP Security Mock Drill in Varanasi

SUSHANT GAURAV — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 04:10:51 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, alongside state police forces and central intelligence agencies, executed a comprehensive high-level joint mock drill in Varanasi. The strategic exercise was conducted to strengthen VVIP security protocols and evaluate rapid-response capabilities across critical installations in the city.The drill simulated real-time emergency scenarios and featured an extensive rehearsal of VVIP convoy movements through key transit corridors and high-security zones.Key Operational Focus AreasThe multi-agency tactical exercise tested cross-departmental coordination, emergency evacuation readiness, and perimeter defense measures:Convoy Tactical Rehearsal: Precision movement of high-security VVIP motorcades was tested across primary and alternative routes to streamline traffic management and motorcade security.Inter-Agency Coordination: Integrated tactical responses were synchronized between NSG commandos, local Varanasi Police, Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) personnel, and central intelligence units.Threat Mitigation & Readiness: Simulating emergency evacuation protocols and counter-threat deployments at key public locations and transit hubs.

Swift Action Averts Major Disaster as Cylinder Catches Fire at Varanasi Sweet Shop

SUSHANT GAURAV — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:36:34 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — A major fire disaster was successfully averted at Shri Vinayak Sweets in the busy Pandeypur area of Varanasi after a commercial cooking gas cylinder caught fire inside the kitchen premises.The sudden blaze sparked brief panic among shop staff, workers, and customers present inside the establishment. However, quick thinking and immediate action by the shop employees prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring commercial units.Timely Emergency Response Prevents EscalationUpon noticing the flames erupting from the gas cylinder connection, the alert staff immediately deployed the fire extinguishers installed on the premises. Their rapid intervention brought the blaze under complete control before it could engulf the entire sweet-making unit or cause a major cylinder explosion.Casualties & Safety: Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported during the incident.Property Loss: Goods, raw food materials, and kitchen equipment worth thousands of rupees were damaged in the fire.Fire Safety Equipment: The presence of functional fire safety equipment and trained staff played a decisive role in neutralizing the hazard within minutes.Local administrative and fire department officials are expected to inspect the venue to determine the exact cause of the leak and assess total property damage

Three Policemen Suspended After Gambling Raid In Nadesar

Harsh Mehra — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:21:31 GMT

VARANASI: Three policemen attached to the Nadesar area have been suspended after a surprise raid uncovered an alleged gambling operation inside the Mint House campus under Cantt police station.The action covers the Nadesar police outpost in-charge, a sub-inspector and a head constable. Police Commissioner Mohit Agrawal ordered the suspensions on the ground that gambling activity had continued in their jurisdiction without effective preventive action.The raid was carried out on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday after the commissioner took suo motu cognisance of information about a large gambling setup. Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Varuna zone, Pramod Kumar, led a sizeable team into the campus. Four people were arrested, while several others allegedly fled when the police entered.Officers recovered ₹21,000 described as stake money, three currency-counting machines and playing cards. The presence of counting machines has drawn attention because it suggests an operation more organised than a casual card game, though the scale and financial trail will have to be established through investigation.The arrested men are entitled to due process, and the allegations against them will be tested in court. The suspensions are departmental measures, not criminal convictions. An internal inquiry will need to determine what information the local staff had, what patrol or intelligence duties were performed and whether any omission was deliberate.For residents, the accountability question is larger than one raid. A police outpost exists partly to know what is happening in a relatively small area. When an alleged organised activity is discovered by a special team, the immediate question is whether the local unit missed it, ignored it or lacked the people and information required to act.Suspension can protect the inquiry from interference, but it should not become the entire response. Investigators need to examine who organised the games, how participants were contacted, whether premises were rented or controlled by others and whether money moved digitally in addition to the cash found at the site.Online betting and physical gambling now frequently overlap. A room may host card play while settlements happen through bank transfers, wallets or informal credit. That makes phones, account records and communication patterns more useful than the amount lying on a table at the moment of a raid.The locality also needs a reliable way to report recurring illegal activity without exposing the complainant. Residents are often reluctant to speak when they believe an operator has local influence or prior warning. Anonymous information must still be verified, but it can help senior officers identify patterns that routine patrols miss.The Mint House raid has produced arrests, recoveries and three suspensions. Its real test will come later: whether the inquiry explains how the operation functioned, whether disciplinary findings are made public in an appropriate form and whether the same room—or another nearby—quietly reopens after attention moves elsewhere.

Railway Teams Rescue Teen Who Fell From Train Near Babatpur

Harsh Mehra — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:20:53 GMT

VARANASI: A late-night railway alert near Babatpur ended with an 18-year-old passenger being found alive beside the tracks and reunited with his family, after station staff, train crews and the Railway Protection Force coordinated across the section.The emergency began at about 1.04 am on Thursday when the alarm chain was pulled and the Ekatmata Express stopped at Babatpur station. Family members told station master Chandresh Kumar Singh that the teenager had fallen from the moving train roughly three to four kilometres before the station.At that hour, a trackside search is complicated by darkness, uneven ground and the danger posed by other trains. The station master alerted railway control and personnel working nearby. A caution message was sent to the crew of the New Delhi-Rajgir Shramjeevi Express, which was approaching the same section.The Shramjeevi Express loco pilot later spotted the teenager sitting beside the track. That observation was the crucial break. He was kept safe until RPF personnel reached the location, after which coordination with commercial control arranged his return to Babatpur on the Patliputra-Chandigarh Superfast Express.The passenger was identified as Ayush Chauhan, a resident of Chandauli district. He had been travelling with his family from Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction towards SGPGI in Lucknow for medical treatment. He was handed back to his relatives at Babatpur station.The rescue shows why the first minutes after a railway emergency matter. Pulling the alarm chain without cause is an offence, but in a genuine threat to life it can help staff establish the last known location and communicate with control. Family members should give the train number, coach, direction of travel and any visible landmark as clearly as possible.It also highlights the role of the driver on an approaching train. A caution order allows the loco pilot to reduce speed and watch the track margins without creating a second emergency. At night, a person may be difficult to distinguish from equipment or vegetation until the locomotive is close.Passengers can reduce risk by keeping coach doors closed where the system allows, avoiding the doorway of a moving train and not changing coaches through unsafe areas. Crowded vestibules and late-night fatigue can make an ordinary movement dangerous. Families travelling with someone who is unwell should inform railway staff if extra assistance may be needed.After a fall, an apparently conscious person may still have internal or head injuries. Medical evaluation remains important even when the person can sit or speak. Moving someone unnecessarily can worsen a spinal injury, so trained responders should guide the retrieval where possible.There was no dramatic technology behind the Babatpur rescue. It worked because information moved quickly from a family to a station master, from control to a loco pilot, and from the track to the RPF. On a railway network built around timetables, that human chain made the difference between a missing-person search and a reunion before dawn.

Varanasi Court Awards Life Term In Child Sexual Abuse Case

Harsh Mehra — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:19:51 GMT

VARANASI: A special POCSO court in Varanasi has sentenced a 35-year-old man to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life in a child sexual abuse case, while directing the district administration to prepare a school- and community-level awareness campaign.Special Judge Nitin Pandey delivered the judgment in a case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The court convicted Ravi Kumar Patel, a resident of the Madhwa area, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and other applicable laws. The ruling also covers the circulation of child sexual abuse material.Under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, the court imposed life imprisonment for the rest of the convict's life and a fine of ₹1 lakh. A separate 20-year rigorous-imprisonment sentence and ₹50,000 fine were awarded under Section 4, along with punishments under other provisions of the POCSO Act, Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code. The sentences are to run concurrently.Reporting on such cases requires restraint. The identity of a child survivor is protected by law and must not be revealed directly or through family, school, address or other identifying clues. The public interest lies in the court's findings, the institutional response and the safety lessons—not in details that can retraumatise a survivor.The direction to the district magistrate gives the judgment a wider civic dimension. Awareness programmes often become one-day lectures, but effective child protection needs repeated, age-appropriate conversations. Children should know the difference between safe and unsafe behaviour, how to seek help and that they will not be blamed for speaking up.Schools also need a clear response protocol. A teacher receiving a disclosure should listen without interrogation, ensure immediate safety and follow mandatory reporting requirements. Staff must be trained not to conduct their own amateur investigation or confront a suspected offender in a way that destroys evidence.Digital safety is equally important because abusive material can be circulated, stored or used for coercion. Parents and schools should avoid framing every internet conversation as punishment. A child who fears losing access to a phone may hide a serious incident. The safer approach is to keep communication open, set boundaries and explain how manipulation works online.For adults who encounter suspected child sexual abuse material, forwarding it “to warn others” causes further harm and can itself create legal problems. The correct step is to preserve essential reporting information without redistributing the content and contact the police or the designated cybercrime reporting channel.The conviction can be challenged through the appellate process, as permitted by law. That legal right does not reduce the importance of the trial court's message: serious punishment must be accompanied by prevention.Varanasi's administration now has an opportunity to turn the awareness direction into a measurable plan—trained counsellors, school sessions, parent guidance, child-friendly reporting routes and periodic review. A judgment closes one trial. A functioning safety system tries to stop the next case from reaching a courtroom at all.

Varanasi Tax Rebate Window Closes Today For Households

Harsh Mehra — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:18:02 GMT

VARANASI: Residents planning to use the municipal rebate on house, water and sewer taxes have reached the last day of the current window. Payments made at Varanasi Municipal Corporation counters on Friday are eligible for a 10 per cent discount, while the online rebate is 12 per cent.The difference is designed to encourage digital payment, but the deadline creates a predictable rush. Taxpayers who have waited until July 31 should check their property details early rather than attempting the process in the final hour. A mismatch in the house number, owner record or outstanding amount can take longer to resolve than the payment itself.The corporation's online system provides one route. Residents can also use the municipal WhatsApp chatbot on 8601872601 to access the payment process. Anyone using a digital channel should verify that the page belongs to the official municipal system before entering card, bank or UPI details. Search advertisements and forwarded links are not a safe substitute for the official website.House tax deadlines rarely feel like major city news, yet they matter to both sides of the civic relationship. A rebate can reduce the immediate burden on a family, especially where arrears have accumulated. For the corporation, faster collection improves the cash available for sanitation, roads, lighting, drainage and other daily services.The online incentive also lowers pressure on zonal counters. A digital payment does not require a taxpayer to travel, queue or carry cash, and it leaves a time-stamped receipt. The system only works, however, if the portal remains responsive and the payment record updates correctly. Residents should download the receipt and retain the transaction reference until the ledger reflects the payment.Those paying in person should carry the property identification details and previous bill or receipt where available. Counter staff can locate records more quickly when the property number is clear. Taxpayers should check the printed receipt before leaving, particularly the assessment year, amount and property entry.The deadline is also a reminder for owners who have never updated an inherited or purchased property's municipal record. Paying the tax does not automatically settle a title or mutation issue, but an inaccurate municipal entry can create repeated billing problems. Such cases need a separate correction process and should not be handled through unofficial intermediaries promising an instant fix.For tenants, the legal responsibility generally rests with the property owner, though rental agreements can distribute utility or service payments differently. A tenant asked to pay should obtain a copy of the bill and receipt so the transaction is not disputed later.The current rebate period ends with Friday's payments unless the corporation issues another formal extension. Residents should not rely on rumours of an extra date. If a transaction fails but money is debited, the bank reference and screenshot should be preserved for reconciliation rather than immediately paying a second time.The final-day advice is simple: use the official channel, check the property record, save the receipt and avoid handing account details to anyone offering to “complete” the tax from a personal phone.

More Than 93,000 Students Register For BHU Undergraduate Admissions

Harsh Mehra — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:12:38 GMT

VARANASI: More than 93,000 applicants have registered for undergraduate admission at Banaras Hindu University, setting up a crowded contest for roughly 9,600 seats across 13 faculties in the 2026-27 academic session.Registration and the correction window closed late on Thursday. The university's central admission team is now preparing to begin the first seat-allocation round on Monday. The plan is to finish most undergraduate admissions during August and start classes in the first week of September.The headline ratio works out to almost ten registered candidates for every available seat, though competition will not be evenly distributed. Popular combinations and established professional or social-science courses can attract far more applicants, while specialised programmes may see a narrower field. Reservation categories, subject requirements and CUET scores will also shape the actual cut-offs.BHU extended the registration period by two days after the original July 25 deadline. Applicants could then correct errors on the portal between July 28 and July 30. That correction window is not a minor administrative detail. A wrong category entry, an uploaded certificate in the wrong format or a subject mismatch can cost a student a seat even when the entrance score is strong.Around 1,300 seats in visual arts, performing arts and physical education will follow a separate path because practical or physical assessments are required. Departments have been asked to complete those tests by August 10 before merit-based allocation begins for the programmes. Candidates should therefore read their course-specific notice instead of assuming every seat will move on the same calendar.The scale of interest confirms BHU's pull far beyond eastern Uttar Pradesh. For many families, the attraction is a combination of academic reputation, comparatively affordable public-university fees, residential facilities and the breadth of subjects available on one campus. Varanasi's improved rail and air links have made the city easier to reach, although finding affordable accommodation remains a serious concern when hostel seats run short.Applicants entering the allocation stage should keep a close watch on the official admission portal. A seat offer usually comes with a limited payment window, and waiting for a separate phone call can be costly. Students should also verify whether a fee request appears inside the authorised portal rather than responding to messages from unofficial counselling groups.The university has said that remaining postgraduate seats will receive another admission opportunity, with a final process scheduled in August. That runs parallel to undergraduate allocation and will keep departments, document-verification teams and help desks busy through the month.For BHU, large applicant numbers are flattering but create a service test. The portal must remain stable, help channels must give consistent answers and seat movement must be published clearly enough that a student in another state can make a travel decision without guesswork.For the 93,000-plus students, the next few weeks will be a routine of dashboards, documents and deadlines. Only a fraction will receive the course they first marked. A transparent allocation process cannot remove that competition, but it can ensure that nobody loses out because the system was harder to understand than the examination.

Varanasi Village Administrators Seek Clearer Powers As Projects Stall

Harsh Mehra — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:12:07 GMT

VARANASI: In villages across Pindra, Sewapuri and Chiraigaon, an extension of responsibility has not brought an equal extension of authority. Gram pradhans continuing as administrators after the delay in three-tier panchayat elections say they can answer residents' complaints, but often cannot approve or pay for the work needed to resolve them.The arrangement was meant to prevent a vacuum in local government. In practice, administrators say proposals now travel through block offices and Vikas Bhawan for approvals that elected panchayat bodies previously handled closer to the village. New works have slowed, old bills remain unpaid and the person residents see as the village head is frequently left waiting for funds or permission.The problem is visible in ordinary repairs rather than grand projects. Panchayat secretariats need maintenance, community toilets require small fixes and hand pumps fail during humid months when reliable water is essential. Material suppliers and workers who completed earlier jobs expect payment, while administrators say the relevant accounts do not have enough money.In Chiraigaon, village representatives have described files moving upward without the funds required for approval. One panchayat has more than ₹2.5 lakh pending for secretariat repair material and labour. Elsewhere, a community-toilet repair bill of about ₹50,000 is awaiting a route to payment. Such amounts are modest in a district budget but significant for the local mason, supplier or sanitation worker who is owed them.The administrators' core demand is for a defined spending window. Panchayat representatives say elected bodies earlier had authority to undertake works up to ₹5 lakh through their committees. They now want administrators to receive direct power for plans up to at least ₹2.5 lakh, with transparent records and audit checks. At present, even the limited ₹20,000 repair provision is difficult to use when money has not reached the account.Officials say monthly instalments received in village-fund accounts are being used for sanitation, minor maintenance and the honorarium of village-level employees. Proposals for other development works are being approved in phases. That process offers a route forward, but it also confirms why residents experience uneven progress: a village can have an urgent repair while its proposal waits in a district-wide queue.There is a governance issue beneath the cash shortage. When responsibility and authority sit in different offices, accountability becomes blurred. Residents pressure the administrator, the administrator points to the block, and the block waits for funds or a higher approval. Everyone remains technically involved, yet no one appears able to give a date.The answer is not an unchecked spending power. Public money requires tenders, measurement, digital entries and audits. But the transition period needs rules that are simple enough for urgent local work and strong enough to prevent misuse.Until elections restore a full panchayat structure, Varanasi's rural administration will be judged on small things: whether a broken hand pump is repaired, a sanitation worker is paid and a supplier is not made to chase the same file for months. Those are the points where the phrase “local government” either becomes real or remains a rubber stamp.

Everyday Prices Climb Across Varanasi Markets Ahead Of Festive Demand

Harsh Mehra — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:11:43 GMT

VARANASI: The increase is easiest to notice at the kirana counter. A five-kilogram rice pack that recently sold for about ₹310 is now closer to ₹330, loose rice has moved from roughly ₹38-40 a kilogram to ₹48-52, and sugar that was available at ₹48-49 is being quoted between ₹52 and ₹55 in parts of the city.The numbers look small when read one item at a time. Put them into a monthly household basket and the squeeze becomes clearer. Tea, rice, sugar, mustard oil, coffee, cardamom and several packaged daily-use products have all become costlier in Varanasi's retail market. Shopkeepers say fresh stock is arriving with revised rates, leaving them little space to hold the old price.Sugar is drawing particular attention because demand usually rises through Shravan and the festival calendar that follows. Wholesale rates have reportedly moved from around ₹4,400 to ₹4,900 a quintal over two months. Traders point to lower quota availability and seasonal demand. Sweet shops, tea sellers, small restaurants and households will all feel the change, even if each business absorbs a portion before revising its menu.Tea vendors face a similar calculation. A commonly used grade of tea leaf has risen by about ₹20 per 250 grams, or roughly ₹80 a kilogram. Many roadside sellers cannot change the price of a cup every few weeks, so they adjust strength, serving size or margin. Customers may not see a new rate board, but they often taste the economics.Market participants are also linking some increases to renewed tension in West Asia and higher transport or input uncertainty. That explanation deserves caution. Global events can affect fuel, packaging and imported ingredients, but not every local price revision can be pinned on a distant conflict. Retailers have questioned whether some fast-moving consumer goods companies are using a nervous market to push increases earlier than necessary.For Banarasi households, the distinction matters less at the payment counter. Salaries and pensions do not reset with every wholesale list. Families respond by switching brands, buying smaller packs, delaying non-essential purchases or visiting more shops before choosing. Those choices consume time as well as money.Small retailers are squeezed from both directions. Customers blame them for the visible increase, while distributors demand payment at the new rate. Stocking less protects cash flow but creates the risk of empty shelves during a busy week. Stocking more can lock scarce working capital into goods that move slowly.The most useful public information now would be consistent price monitoring across wholesale and retail points. A clear weekly comparison can help residents distinguish a genuine supply-driven increase from opportunistic pricing. It can also alert enforcement teams when the gap between wholesale and retail becomes difficult to explain.Varanasi is entering a period of heavier religious and festive consumption. That makes the market lively, but it also gives every price revision a wider reach. For now, the household response is familiar: a little more calculation, a shorter list and another conversation with the neighbourhood shopkeeper about why the same bag costs more this week.

BHU Vice-Chancellor Sets Out Reform Agenda After First Year

Harsh Mehra — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:10:46 GMT

VARANASI: One year after taking charge of Banaras Hindu University, Vice-Chancellor Professor Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi has placed systems—not personalities—at the centre of his agenda for the next phase of the institution.His first 365 days arrived with immediate pressure. The university had to complete a complicated PhD admission cycle, manage long-running internal concerns and prepare for another academic session at a campus that functions more like a small city than a single college. Chaturvedi has described the research-admission process as one of the clearest improvements of the year, while accepting that student feedback must shape the next cycle.The larger argument is about work culture. BHU's size can turn routine decisions into long files moving between departments, faculties and central offices. The Vice-Chancellor wants teachers, heads, deans, staff and students to communicate directly enough that disagreements do not become permanent administrative walls. Institutions outlive every office-holder, he has stressed, so rules and transparent procedures must carry more weight than individual equations.Research is another major test. BHU has begun an interdisciplinary research programme and is trying to bring in modern equipment and larger national and international projects. The ambition is to make research modernisation continuous rather than a one-time funding exercise. That will require laboratories to share facilities, procurement to move on time and scholars to receive practical support after a grant is announced.The everyday student experience features prominently in the roadmap. Hostel food has repeatedly drawn complaints, including concerns about hygiene and uneven quality across many small messes. The university is examining whether dozens of independent kitchens can be consolidated into roughly 20 to 25 larger mess systems with better monitoring, nutrition and round-the-clock availability. Any consolidation, however, will need careful pricing and student oversight so that efficiency does not erase choice.Placements remain a weak spot for several non-professional courses. BHU has renamed its central unit as the Placement and Internship Cell, is sharing the management faculty's placement model across faculties and plans coordinators for individual academic units. The practical challenge is to turn that structure into employer relationships rather than another set of committees.Chaturvedi has also spoken about heritage and construction as linked responsibilities. Old buildings need repair, but a functioning university cannot stop while restoration is carried out. At the same time, new laboratories, classrooms and student facilities must not flatten the visual character of the 110-year-old campus.Artificial intelligence is now part of the conversation as well. An internal task force is working in the area, and faculties have been encouraged to hold seminars that help teachers and students use new tools responsibly. The sensible measure will be whether AI improves research and learning without weakening academic integrity.The first-year review is not a victory lap. It is closer to a list of promises against which the second year can be judged: cleaner admissions, better food, stronger research, credible placements and decisions that still work after the people who announced them have moved on.

Inter-Unit Hockey Championship Opens At BHU With 5-1 Win

Harsh Mehra — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:08:21 GMT

VARANASI: Competitive hockey returned to the blue astroturf at Banaras Hindu University on Friday as the 29th Inter-Unit Hockey Championship opened with a decisive 5-1 victory for the 34th Battalion over the 12th Battalion.Ten teams are taking part in the 2026 tournament, which runs until August 2. The opening match quickly separated the two sides: the 34th Battalion moved the ball with greater control, found space around the circle and converted enough of its chances to build a four-goal margin. The scoreline gives the winning unit an early lift, but a short tournament can change quickly once recovery and squad depth begin to matter.The competition was inaugurated by Dr Anil Kumar Pandey, an IPS officer and commandant of the 36th Battalion PAC, who is also serving as organising secretary. Players, support staff, match officials and the band contingent were welcomed before the first whistle. The formal message was straightforward—play with discipline, respect the officials and let the quality of hockey decide the contest.That may sound routine, yet tournaments between uniformed units serve a practical purpose. Hockey demands aerobic fitness, coordination and decision-making under pressure, the same broad qualities that disciplined services try to maintain away from the field. It also offers personnel a competitive outlet that cuts across rank and posting.BHU's astroturf gives the event a setting that allows faster, more technical play than a worn grass ground. The surface rewards clean trapping and quick passing, but it also exposes loose first touches. Players who are used to slower grounds must adjust their body position and pace within minutes. For spectators, that usually means a more open game and quicker transitions from defence to attack.The championship also brings a useful stream of organised sport to the campus at a time when the new academic session is gathering pace. Varanasi has no shortage of cricket conversations, but hockey needs visible fixtures if it is to remain part of the city's sporting imagination. A tournament with ten teams provides several days of exactly that.The opening result should not be read as a prediction of the final. Teams will now study one another, goalkeepers will face heavier workloads and small errors can become decisive in knockout matches. The 34th Battalion has made the first statement; the rest of the field still has time to answer it.For local coaches, the event is also a chance to watch how trained adult sides manage formations, substitutions and penalty-corner routines. Those details are often more educational for young players than a highlight reel of goals.The closing fixtures are scheduled for August 2. Until then, the BHU turf will host a compact test of fitness and structure—two qualities that do not attract much noise but usually decide who is still standing at the business end of a championship.

Varanasi Karate Athlete Gauri Pathak Earns World Police Games Berth

Harsh Mehra — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:04:39 GMT

VARANASI: A sporting journey that began in a neighbourhood academy when she was eight has carried Lahartara resident Gauri Pathak to one of the biggest stages available to police athletes. The CRPF player has been selected for the World Police Games in Australia after winning gold at the 11th All India Police Judo Cluster 2026.Pathak took the top position in the individual kumite event in the under-61 kilogram category. The result matters beyond the medal table. It gives a Varanasi-trained martial artist the chance to compete internationally in a field where fitness, discipline and split-second judgement are tested with little room for error.Her early years were spent training in karate at the Manav Academy of Martial Arts in Varanasi. Starting at eight meant the basics were built slowly: footwork before flair, repetition before tournament confidence, and long sessions that rarely make it into a podium photograph. She went on to win medals at national competitions and represented India at the Asian Karate Championship.In 2019, that record helped her enter the Central Reserve Police Force through the sports quota. A uniformed service can give an athlete institutional support, but it also adds a demanding professional routine. Pathak continued competing after joining the force and has now converted that consistency into selection for Australia.For young athletes in Banaras, her progress is a useful reminder that combat sport is not only about a dramatic knockout or a viral clip. The route is usually quieter: a dependable coach, a safe practice floor, correct technique, strength work, recovery and the money to travel for events. Families often carry much of that load before a player reaches a department or federation system.Pathak's selection has been welcomed by the district karate community. Her coaches and local association members have followed her development from the academy level to national police competition. Their part in the story is important because Varanasi still needs more structured pathways connecting school sport, private academies, university facilities and government recruitment.The World Police Games bring together personnel from police and public-safety organisations across countries. Competition there will be sharper and preparation will have to account for unfamiliar opponents, travel, weight management and tournament pressure. A place in the squad is therefore a beginning, not a ceremonial finish.There is also a wider local value in this selection. Varanasi is known globally for culture and faith, while its athletes often work outside the spotlight. Every credible international berth expands the city's sporting identity and gives younger players a real person from their own streets to look towards.Pathak now has the hard part ahead: arriving in Australia healthy, making weight without compromising strength and delivering on the day. Whatever the final result, the gold that secured her ticket has already put Lahartara on a new sporting map.

Varanasi Cyber Crime Cell Busts Fake Call Center; 30 Arrested in Multi-Crore Investment Fraud

SUSHANT GAURAV — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 03:18:02 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — In a major crackdown against digital financial fraud, the Varanasi Cyber Crime Team busted a fake call center operating out of the city on Thursday night. The high-stakes operation led to the arrest of 30 individuals, including 22 women callers, who were allegedly involved in defrauding both Indian citizens and foreign nationals under the guise of stock trading, investment opportunities, and tech support.Along with the frontline callers, police apprehended the primary company operator and key associates running the illicit setup.Dual Modus Operandi: Investment Frauds & Tech Support ScamsAccording to cyber investigators, the syndicate operated a sophisticated dual-front scam designed to exploit both domestic traders and international targets:Domestic Investment & Marketing Fraud: Callers contacted Indian traders, small business owners, and investors while posing as representatives of top multinational corporations. They promised lucrative returns through fake trading accounts, high-yield investment programs, digital marketing packages, and verified buyer leads. To establish credibility, the gang provided victims with forged corporate certificates and counterfeit legal documentation.International Tech Support Scams: The syndicate also systematically targeted foreign citizens, particularly residents of the United States. Posing as authorized customer support agents for major global tech brands such as Apple, callers convinced overseas victims that their personal devices or accounts were compromised, extracting substantial remote access fees and wire transfers.Seizures and Ongoing InvestigationDuring the Thursday night raid, cyber crime officials seized a vast array of digital equipment and evidence, including:Dozens of desktop computers and high-end laptopsHard drives containing encrypted client data and international caller leadsVoIP setup hardware and fraudulent corporate documentation templates

Ravidas Birthplace Launches Nationwide Social Harmony Campaign

Harsh Mehra — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:35:52 GMT

VARANASI: Seer Govardhanpur, the birthplace of Sant Ravidas, became the starting point for a nationwide social-harmony campaign on Guru Purnima, with 131 ceremonial urns prepared to travel to different parts of the country.The Bharatiya Janata Party launched the Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan as part of programmes marking the saint’s 650th Prakash Parv. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and senior party leaders attended the Varanasi launch, placing the temple complex at the centre of a campaign that will run until Ravidas Jayanti in February 2027.Workers had gathered near the temple on Tuesday to fill 131 kalash with soil from the birthplace. After worship and a procession, the urns were prepared for onward travel. Organisers said the first phase would take the kalash to state, district and local units, followed by outreach to religious figures, hostels and communities.The programme combines devotion with unmistakable politics. Sant Ravidas is respected across caste and regional boundaries, while his birthplace holds particular importance for Dalit communities in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and beyond. Political parties have long visited Seer Govardhanpur, especially around Ravidas Jayanti, to signal their commitment to social equality.The BJP says the campaign is intended to promote harmony and public participation through the teachings of the 15th-century poet-saint. Its schedule includes a Sant Sampark programme, a yatra from Jalandhar to Kashi later in the year and outreach in student hostels. Organisers have also planned lamp-lighting programmes at Ravidas Ghat and related sites.Voters will judge whether the language of equality is matched by policy and conduct. Ceremonial outreach can create visibility, but it does not settle questions about education, employment, discrimination, representation or access to public services. Those issues give the symbolism its political weight.For Varanasi, the event again demonstrates how a neighbourhood spiritual site can become a national stage. Seer Govardhanpur is part of the city’s everyday geography, yet on major occasions it draws pilgrims and political delegations from across India. Roads, sanitation, crowd movement and facilities around the temple therefore remain local civic concerns even when the message is national.The birthplace has seen sustained development and repeated visits by leaders from multiple parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former chief ministers and national opposition figures have all attended programmes there over the years. That cross-party attention reflects both Sant Ravidas’s cultural reach and the electoral importance of communities inspired by his teachings.The latest campaign will continue in phases until February 20, 2027. Its movement from Varanasi to other states will be watched as both a religious commemoration and a political outreach effort ahead of elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.In Kashi, the launch began with soil, urns and prayers. The more demanding test lies beyond the ceremony: whether a campaign invoking Sant Ravidas can keep its focus on dignity and equality once the procession moves away from the birthplace.

Jewellery Worth ₹1.95 Crore Detained At Varanasi Cantt Station

Harsh Mehra — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:35:14 GMT

VARANASI: A joint railway security team detained two men carrying jewellery valued at about ₹1.95 crore at Varanasi Cantt station and handed the matter to the Income Tax Department for document verification.The interception took place on Friday when personnel from the Government Railway Police, Railway Protection Force and Railway Intelligence were patrolling near platforms six and seven. Officers checked the men’s bags and found gold, silver and diamond jewellery.The two travellers, aged 23 and 24, are residents of Surat in Gujarat. They told the authorities that they worked for a Gujarat-based jewellery company and were carrying samples for prospective buyers. According to their account, the consignment was being taken towards Jaunpur.Documents relating to the jewellery were also produced. However, railway police said they considered the movement of such a high-value consignment without security arrangements or prior local intimation unusual. The company had not informed local police about the journey, prompting officials to refer the goods and paperwork for closer examination.The Income Tax Department is now checking whether the quantity, value, ownership and declared purpose of the jewellery match the available records. Jaunpur police were also contacted as part of the verification. No conclusion about tax evasion or criminal ownership has been announced.That distinction is important. Detention for verification is not the same as a final seizure based on proven wrongdoing, and carrying jewellery is not by itself an offence. Businesses often move samples between markets, exhibitions and clients. The central issue is whether the consignment can be fully explained through invoices, stock records and transport documentation.The names of the travellers have been reported by police, but Dalimss News is withholding them because no criminal finding has been made. They are entitled to due process and a fair examination of their documents.Varanasi and the wider Purvanchal region support a busy jewellery trade, with goods frequently moving through rail and road networks. Cantt station is a major transit point connecting Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and cities in Gujarat. That scale makes routine security checks necessary, but it also requires officers to distinguish carefully between legitimate commercial movement and an unexplained consignment.For traders, the case highlights the need to carry complete, current documentation and to follow security protocols for high-value goods. Clear authorisation letters, itemised invoices, insurance papers and verifiable company contacts can prevent confusion during a check. Depending on the route and value, advance coordination with relevant authorities may also be prudent.For passengers, the incident caused no wider disruption at the station. The bags were examined within the security process and the matter moved to specialist tax officials.The next update should come only after verification is complete. Until then, the responsible description is narrow: two men were detained with a large jewellery consignment, papers were recovered, and authorities are checking whether those records satisfactorily explain what was being carried.

Ten Arrested After Fake Marriage Bureau Call Centre Busted In Varanasi

Harsh Mehra — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:34:43 GMT

VARANASI: Cantt police have arrested ten women after busting an alleged fake marriage-bureau call centre in the Orderly Bazar area, bringing attention to a form of online fraud that exploits both money and personal trust.The action was taken under the city police’s ongoing cyber-crime drive after complaints linked to matrimonial services were examined. Investigators traced the operation to a property in Vindhyavasini Nagar colony, where callers allegedly contacted people who had responded to websites or social-media advertisements.Police said prospective clients were promised help in finding a suitable marriage partner and then asked to pay registration or service charges. After receiving money, the operators allegedly stopped responding or continued the conversation through fabricated profiles. The police estimate mentioned so far is about ₹10 lakh in online payments, though the full scale of the operation is still being investigated.Officers seized 27 mobile phones, documents containing details of potential victims, bank information and suspected fake identity papers. Those items will now be examined to identify account holders, call patterns and possible links to other people behind the setup.All claims remain allegations at this stage. The arrested women are entitled to due process, and the evidence will have to be established before a court. Police have said further questioning and financial analysis are underway to identify additional members and trace the money trail.Matrimonial fraud is particularly effective because it enters a conversation families already consider private and urgent. A caller may sound professional, use polished photographs and offer apparently suitable profiles. Registration fees can seem small compared with the emotional importance of the service, which lowers a victim’s guard.Red flags include pressure to pay immediately, repeated requests for upgraded membership, refusal to arrange a verifiable meeting, and profiles that avoid live video or basic identity checks. A platform’s presence on social media does not prove it is registered or accountable. Families should verify office details independently and avoid transferring money to personal accounts.People should also be cautious with identity documents. Aadhaar copies, salary slips, addresses and family information can be misused long after the original payment dispute. Watermarking a document for a specific purpose and sharing only what is necessary can reduce risk.Anyone who suspects an online financial fraud should contact their bank quickly and report the transaction through the national cybercrime helpline or portal. Speed matters because funds may be transferred through several accounts within minutes.The Varanasi case is a reminder that cyber fraud does not always arrive as a technical-looking hacking attempt. Sometimes it appears as a friendly phone call about a deeply personal decision. The best defence is not cynicism about every service, but verification before payment and a refusal to let urgency replace judgement.

Varanasi HPV Campaign Puts Cervical Cancer Prevention In Focus

Harsh Mehra — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:33:34 GMT

VARANASI: A public appeal to trust medical evidence and reject rumours brought cervical cancer prevention into focus at a Varanasi programme on Tuesday, where eligible adolescent girls received the human papillomavirus vaccine.Governor Anandiben Patel used the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith’s convocation at the Rudraksh Convention Centre to speak directly to girls and their parents. She described vaccination as a protective health decision and asked families not to let fear or online misinformation keep eligible children away.The local campaign is targeting girls who have completed 14 years of age but are still below 15. Health officials say the purpose is to build protection before possible exposure to the virus linked to most cervical cancer cases. Vaccination does not replace future screening or medical advice, but it is an important part of prevention.During the day, 155 girls were vaccinated at the Commissioner’s Auditorium and another 96 at the Rudraksh Convention Centre. Vaccination certificates were handed to several recipients, turning what is usually a private clinical procedure into a visible public-health message.That visibility matters. Families can hesitate when a vaccine is associated with a disease they find uncomfortable to discuss. The silence leaves room for forwarded messages, exaggerated side-effect claims and moral stigma. A clear explanation from trained health workers is more useful than either pressure or dismissal.Parents should be able to ask what the vaccine protects against, who is eligible, what mild reactions may occur and where to seek help if they have concerns. Consent, proper screening and post-vaccination observation remain essential. Anyone with a specific medical condition or a history of serious allergic reaction should discuss it with a qualified clinician rather than relying on social-media advice.Patel also linked girls’ health with equality inside families. The message is relevant in a district where education and health choices can still be shaped by whether a child is a son or a daughter. Preventive care works best when it is treated as a normal right, not a special favour.District health officials said the campaign would continue according to the prescribed schedule. The challenge now is to reach eligible girls who are not present at large ceremonies or well-connected schools. Community health workers, government schools and neighbourhood clinics will be crucial in identifying families and explaining the programme in familiar language.Cervical cancer prevention cannot depend on a single event. It needs accurate records, reliable vaccine supply, trained staff and consistent follow-up. It also needs public communication that is calm and specific, especially when false claims begin circulating.For Varanasi, Tuesday’s programme created a useful moment of attention. Its long-term value will be measured by what happens next: whether parents receive trustworthy answers, whether eligible girls can access vaccination without confusion, and whether the city sustains a serious conversation about women’s preventive health after the stage has been cleared.

Women Kanwariyas Get Dedicated Stay And Care Facilities In Kashi

Harsh Mehra — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:33:00 GMT

VARANASI: Women kanwariyas arriving in Kashi during Shravan will have separate accommodation, toilets and breastfeeding rooms at municipal camps, an overdue but practical shift in how the city prepares for a major pilgrimage.The Varanasi Municipal Corporation is setting up 12 free camps and three cloakrooms as the month-long rush begins. Officials expect large numbers of pilgrims to travel to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple for jalabhishek, with women forming a visible and growing share of the yatra.Dedicated spaces for women are more than a comfort measure. Pilgrimage routes often operate around arrangements designed for men, leaving women to negotiate privacy, rest and sanitation on their own. A breastfeeding mother may need a secure room rather than a curtained corner, while women travelling overnight need clearly marked sleeping areas with staff and lighting.Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal said every camp would include dedicated arrangements for women. The corporation has also said it can open additional resting spaces if demand exceeds current capacity. That flexibility will be important on peak Mondays, when the pressure on temple routes and public facilities rises sharply.The camps are expected to provide drinking water, fans, lighting, mobile charging points, mattresses, bedsheets, pillows, coolers, toilets and caretakers. Three safe-deposit facilities will allow pilgrims to store belongings before entering crowded areas. The cloakrooms are planned at Chittaranjan Park, Godowlia Crossing and near the Chowk police station premises.Free camps are being arranged at locations including JP Mehta, Gilat Bazaar, Chittaranjan Park, Town Hall, Ashtabhuja Temple, the Varuna area and Rath Yatra crossing. Their spread matters because the pilgrim movement is not limited to the final lanes near the temple. People enter the city from railway stations, highways and local transit points before walking or taking shared transport towards the core area.A joint quick-response team has been formed with personnel from water supply, electricity, health and engineering departments. Its task is to address complaints involving drinking water, sewerage, roads, sanitation and lighting. The real test will be whether that coordination works after midnight, during rain and at the busiest hours—not only during inspection visits.Shravan runs from July 30 to August 28 this year. Crowd pressure will fluctuate, but the facilities need consistent cleaning and supervision throughout the month. Signage should be easy to understand, and help desks should be able to guide women without sending them between departments.Safety also depends on the route between a camp and the temple. Well-lit approaches, visible women police personnel, reliable transport information and quick handling of harassment complaints are as important as the room itself.Kashi has spent heavily on making pilgrimage movement faster and more organised. The new women-focused facilities address a quieter part of that experience: dignity. If implemented properly, they can turn a broad promise of convenience into something a tired pilgrim can actually feel when she reaches the city.

Sampurnanand Sanskrit University Convocation Honours 11,958 Students

Harsh Mehra — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:32:26 GMT

VARANASI: Sampurnanand Sanskrit University completed its 44th convocation on Wednesday, awarding degrees and certificates to 11,958 students and placing the future of Sanskrit education, manuscripts and campus standards at the centre of the ceremony.Governor Anandiben Patel, who serves as chancellor of the state university, presented medals to meritorious students and addressed teachers, graduates and guests. A total of 51 gold medals went to 29 students who secured the highest marks in their examinations. Seventeen male students received 35 medals, while 12 female students received 16.The ceremony was the culmination of weeks of preparation on the historic campus. Previous Dalimss reports covered the new venue, competitions and readiness work. Wednesday’s event was the actual academic milestone: thousands of students formally closed one stage of study and stepped into teaching, research, priesthood, public service and other careers.Patel asked young people to connect education with responsible conduct and public contribution. She also raised concerns about excessive mobile-phone use, online language and the pressure of digital culture. Her remarks were pointed, but the more useful question for the university is how an institution built around classical knowledge can help students navigate a modern information environment without becoming cut off from it.The governor also turned attention to campus cleanliness and asked teachers to prioritise the university’s development. For a 235-year-old institution, maintenance is not a cosmetic issue. Students and researchers work in a living heritage campus where classrooms, libraries, manuscript collections and public spaces all require sustained care.Manuscript preservation received particular emphasis. Patel said the condition of the collection had concerned her during an earlier visit, while progress had since been made under the university’s conservation efforts. The work matters because manuscripts are not valuable merely as old objects; they are research material that must be catalogued, preserved, studied and made accessible without exposing fragile originals to unnecessary damage.The university draws students from Uttar Pradesh and from states including Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand. That national footprint gives Sampurnanand a role beyond Varanasi. It trains scholars and teachers who carry Sanskrit and Indian knowledge traditions into institutions across the country.Four teachers were also honoured for work in teaching, research and academics. A school student who spoke Sanskrit fluently received appreciation, prompting a call for the university to train more children in conversational Sanskrit and connect younger learners with manuscript heritage.The convocation did not need to choose between tradition and the present. Its strongest moments suggested that the two must work together: ancient texts preserved with modern methods, classical languages taught with contemporary clarity, and graduates encouraged to build careers without losing intellectual discipline.For the students leaving with medals, degrees and family photographs, the ceremony will be remembered as a personal achievement. For the university, it begins another year of harder, less visible work—improving the campus, supporting research and proving that a historic centre of learning can remain ambitious in 2026.

Guru Purnima Rush Fills Varanasi Ghats, Mutts And Ashrams

Harsh Mehra — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:31:51 GMT

VARANASI: Before the first light settled over the Ganga on Wednesday, the old city was already moving. Devotees had begun arriving at the ghats for a ritual dip, while long queues formed outside ashrams and mutts for Guru Purnima darshan.The festival produced one of the season’s busiest mornings across Kashi. Thousands of followers visited spiritual teachers, offered prayers and received prasad at institutions spread from Ravindrapuri and Garhwa Ghat to Padav and the inner city. Many had reached their chosen ashram late on Tuesday night to secure a place before the main rituals began.At Aghorpeeth Baba Keenaram Sthal in Krim Kund, Ravindrapuri, devotees from different parts of India and abroad waited to seek blessings. The morning programme included cleaning, aarti, pujan and a prabhat pheri before darshan and prasad distribution. The queue continued for hours as new groups arrived.Large gatherings were also reported at the Avadhoot Bhagwan Ram Ashram in Padav and the Santmat Anuyayi Ashram at Garhwa Ghat. At the Annapurna Temple, Guru Pujan rituals were held before disciples offered their respects. Across these locations, volunteers managed footwear, water and movement while police regulated the roads outside.The ghats carried a different but connected rhythm. Families descended the steps for a holy dip, priests conducted rituals and groups moved towards their next destination. The early start helped some visitors avoid the heaviest crowd, but the pressure increased steadily through the morning.Traffic restrictions and diversions were introduced near major ashrams, approach roads and other congregation points. The arrangements also covered routes towards Shakteshgarh near Chunar in adjoining Mirzapur district, another important destination for followers. Within Varanasi, motorists faced slower movement around several spiritual centres, and police advised commuters to use alternate roads where possible.Guru Purnima has an unusually broad presence in Kashi. It is observed not only in temples and monastic institutions but also in music gharanas, Sanskrit schools, yoga centres and family traditions. A guru may be a spiritual teacher, an academic mentor or the person who introduced a student to an art. That range explains why the city’s celebrations do not remain confined to one shrine.The crowd also brought familiar civic challenges. Narrow roads near older institutions can become difficult to navigate when pedestrians, e-rickshaws and private vehicles arrive at the same time. Drinking water, medical support, sanitation and clear pedestrian lanes remain essential even when the gathering is peaceful.By afternoon, the intense morning rush had begun to ease at some ghats, though queues continued at prominent ashrams. The day offered a preview of the crowd-management demands Varanasi will face through Shravan, when pilgrim numbers rise sharply around the Kashi Vishwanath corridor and connecting routes.For residents, Wednesday was both a festival and a test of patience. For devotees, it remained a personal journey to the teacher they had come to honour. Those two realities—faith and city management—shared the same roads all day, as they so often do in Kashi.

Five Held As Police Trace Fresh Interstate Mule-Account Network

Harsh Mehra — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:30:27 GMT

VARANASI: The city’s cyber crime police have arrested five people in a fresh interstate investigation into bank accounts allegedly opened in the names of financially vulnerable residents and then handed over for use in online fraud.Police said the group approached people who needed money and offered payment in return for opening accounts. Once an account became active, the operators allegedly collected its ATM card, passbook, cheque book, registered SIM card and internet-banking details. That gave them effective control while the account continued to exist in another person’s name.The five arrested men are residents of Varanasi, Mirzapur, Azamgarh, Muzaffarnagar and Mau, underlining the networked nature of the case. Police have alleged that the controlled accounts were supplied to cyber criminals operating in India and abroad. Investigators are now examining transactions, devices and contacts to establish how many accounts moved through the chain and which fraud complaints may be connected.According to the police account, transaction applications supplied by foreign associates were installed on devices linked to the registered mobile numbers. The arrangement allegedly allowed remote access to accounts and helped money move through several layers. Such layering is designed to make a victim’s payment difficult to follow after it leaves the first recipient account.During questioning, the accused allegedly spoke of commissions linked to the value of the money routed through an account. Police also suspect that two vehicles recovered in the case were purchased and maintained using the proceeds. Those claims remain part of the investigation and will have to be tested through bank records and the legal process.The recovery includes Android phones, iPhones, dozens of ATM cards, passbooks, cheque books, SIM cards, a laptop, cash, a diary and two vehicles. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. The accused are entitled to due process, and the allegations are yet to be established in court.For residents, the case is another warning that “renting” a bank account is not a harmless shortcut. The person whose documents and mobile number are attached to an account may become the first visible link when a fraud victim files a complaint. Even if someone did not make the fraudulent call, surrendering banking access can bring account freezes, police questioning and serious legal exposure.Banks repeatedly advise customers never to share passwords, one-time codes, SIM cards or debit cards. Job offers that ask a worker to receive and forward money should also be treated with suspicion. A legitimate employer does not need full control over an employee’s personal bank account.The latest arrests are distinct from an earlier account-kit case reported in the city. They show why investigators are shifting attention from only the person who contacts a victim to the supply chain that allows stolen money to travel. Breaking that chain may be less dramatic than chasing a viral scam call, but it is central to making cyber fraud harder to run.

Sarnath Tourism Push Takes Centre Stage At International Buddhist Seminar

Harsh Mehra — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:28:00 GMT

VARANASI: Sarnath’s next chapter as a global Buddhist destination came into focus on Wednesday as monks, scholars and officials gathered at Mulagandha Kuti Vihara for an international seminar marking Ashadha Purnima and Dhammachakka Pavattana Day.The two-day programme is significant because it moves the conversation beyond Sarnath’s new World Heritage recognition. The immediate question for the city is what happens after the celebration: how the site handles larger international footfall, improves the visitor experience and protects the calm that gives the Buddhist circuit its character.Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh, who attended the inaugural session, said the state was working to develop Sarnath as a global centre of Buddhist tourism. He placed better facilities for Indian and overseas visitors at the centre of that effort. The announcement did not come with a new project list, but it set a clear administrative direction for the heritage zone.Sarnath is where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment, making it one of the most important sites in the Buddhist world. Visitors from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Myanmar, Tibet and several other regions are a familiar part of its streets. Yet the area must balance pilgrimage, archaeology, neighbourhood life, transport and commercial activity within a relatively compact landscape.That balance matters more now. Global recognition can raise visibility quickly, but a destination is judged on details: clean walking routes, dependable information, accessible public facilities, multilingual interpretation, sensible traffic management and respect for sacred spaces. Local traders and guides also need a fair place in the tourism economy rather than being pushed to its edges.The seminar was organised jointly by the International Buddhist Research Institute under the state culture department and the Mahabodhi Society of India. Its central theme examined the significance of Dhammachakka Pavattana Day. Monks and scholars from India and abroad joined the discussion, connecting the history of the first sermon with contemporary ideas of peace and compassion.The timing gives the gathering an added layer. Sarnath has recently been recognised as India’s 45th World Heritage Site and the fourth in Uttar Pradesh. The status brings prestige, but it also increases responsibility. Conservation rules, local planning and tourism promotion will now be watched more closely by residents as well as the global heritage community.For Varanasi, the opportunity is wider than a single monument. A well-managed Sarnath can extend visitor stays, create work for trained guides and hospitality workers, and strengthen the city’s place on the international Buddhist circuit. Poorly managed growth, however, could produce congestion and erode the reflective atmosphere people come to experience.The seminar continues with academic and cultural sessions. Its most practical message is that Sarnath’s global profile must now be matched by patient work on the ground. Heritage recognition opens the door; thoughtful city management will decide what visitors find when they walk through it.

Guru Purnima At Patalpuri Mutt Draws Devotees Across Faiths

Harsh Mehra — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:21:32 GMT

VARANASI: Guru Purnima at Patalpuri Mutt carried a distinctly Kashi flavour on Wednesday: rooted in an old spiritual tradition, yet open enough to bring people from different communities under the same roof. Muslim women were among the devotees who performed aarti for the head of the mutt, Balak Devacharya Maharaj, and sought his blessings during the day-long observance.The gathering was not presented as a spectacle. It unfolded as part of the regular guru-disciple rituals at the mutt, where visitors began arriving from the morning. Families from tribal communities and Muslim households joined other disciples, while some participants received diksha. The mood remained devotional, with people waiting for their turn, offering prayers and listening to addresses on the role of a guru.Speakers at the programme described knowledge, conduct and a willingness to learn as the real foundations of the guru-shishya relationship. Their emphasis was that the relationship cannot be reduced to caste, language or religious identity. That argument has particular resonance in Varanasi, a city where religious institutions often sit within densely shared neighbourhoods and daily life depends on countless small acts of coexistence.Balak Devacharya Maharaj told the gathering that the responsibility of a spiritual teacher is to remove discrimination and bring people together. The mutt also underlined that disciples from Muslim families have been associated with its tradition for generations. Wednesday’s participation, therefore, was described by organisers as a continuation of an existing social relationship rather than a one-off gesture.For residents watching from outside the formal programme, the image of women from another faith taking part in the ceremony became the most discussed detail. But the more meaningful story was the absence of fuss around it. Devotees entered, followed the ceremony and left with blessings, while the institution kept the focus on learning and social equality.Guru Purnima is observed across Kashi at temples, ashrams, akharas and music schools. Students honour teachers, disciples visit spiritual leaders and families remember the people who shaped their lives. Patalpuri Mutt’s observance added an inclusive note to that wider citywide rhythm.At a time when religious identity frequently turns into a source of argument online, the gathering offered a quieter local counterpoint. It did not erase differences or ask participants to abandon their own traditions. Instead, it showed how respect can travel across those differences without becoming a political slogan.The event concluded with blessings and community interaction. Its lasting takeaway was simple: in Kashi, a centuries-old tradition can remain relevant when its doors are open and its message is larger than the boundaries people draw around themselves.

Early Childhood Educator Shivani Kapoor Conducts Groundbreaking Foundational-Stage Training Session at Dalimss Sunbeam School

Pooja Kapoor — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:05:44 GMT

Foundational stage teachers and coordinators from across the Dalimss Sunbeam Group of Schools attended an intensive professional development workshop at Dalimss Sunbeam School, Rohania.The session was conducted by early childhood educator and teacher trainer Ms. Shivani Kapoor, who shared practical methods for making classrooms more engaging, interactive and responsive to the needs of young children.Teachers from Dalimss Sunbeam schools in Rohania, Sigra, Ramkatora, Mehmoorganj and Paharia (Sarnath) participated in the programme. They were joined by educators from associate schools in Dildarnagar, Rampur and Jaunpur.Also present were Rohania Principal Mrs Gurmeet Kaur, Dean of Academics and Quality Assurance Mr Subhodip Dey, and Additional Director of the Dalimss Sunbeam Group of Schools Ms. Fizaa Madhok.The workshop covered classroom innovation, child friendly classroom environment, practical classroom strategies, teacher conduct, circle time, storytelling, music and movement, child psychology, behaviour management.Ms. Shivani Kapoor encouraged teachers to view the classroom from a child’s perspective. She spoke about how the arrangement of learning materials, visual aids and movement spaces can influence curiosity, confidence and participation. Innovation, she explained, does not always require expensive equipment. Even small changes in storytelling, questioning, routines and classroom activities can make learning more meaningful.Circle time was discussed as an important space for conversation, songs, stories and group interaction. Such activities can help children develop confidence, communication skills, listening habits and emotional awareness.The training also placed strong emphasis on teacher conduct. Kapoor spoke about how a teacher’s tone, expressions and response to mistakes can shape a child’s classroom experience. Participants discussed ways of handling behaviour with patience and consistency, along with the importance of constructive communication with parents while addressing behavioural or developmental concerns.Music, movement and storytelling were presented not simply as recreational activities, but as useful tools for improving language, memory, coordination and social development.Teachers were also encouraged to educate beyond the prescribed curriculum by giving equal attention to curiosity, empathy, independence and everyday life skills. Play, observation, conversation and real life experiences, the session underlined, can be valuable opportunities for learning.The workshop gave educators from different Dalimss Sunbeam branches an opportunity to exchange classroom experiences and discuss common challenges. It also reinforced the idea that the foundational years are not merely preparation for higher classes, but the stage at which children begin forming their confidence, habits and lifelong attitude towards learning.

The Legend of “Muhnochwa”: Varanasi’s Mysterious Night Visitor

Pooja Kapoor — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 07:29:07 GMT

In the long, oppressive summer of 2002, when the monsoon refused to arrive on time and the nights in eastern Uttar Pradesh stretched thick with heat and darkness, a new fear took shape. It moved without clear form. People called it Muhnochwa—the face-scratcher. Witnesses claimed a glowing shape would appear suddenly, leave burning scratches across cheeks, necks and arms, and disappear before anyone could fix it in memory. What began as scattered reports from villages in Mirzapur, Chandauli and the Ballia-Ghazipur belt soon reached the edges of Varanasi. By mid-summer it had settled into the city’s collective unease, particularly in the dense old neighbourhoods of Chauk, Dalmandi and Madanpura, where rooftops and courtyards had always been the natural places to sleep when the power failed.Contemporary newspaper accounts from July 2002, including those filed from Varanasi itself, described a flying object that emitted beams of red or green light and delivered something like an electric shock or a clawed strike. Injury marks resembled nail bites or superficial burns. In villages under the Ahraura police station in Mirzapur, five young men reported being struck on the same night. Children fell from terraces in panic. One man suffered a cardiac episode simply after hearing the rumour. Similar stories multiplied rapidly across eastern Uttar Pradesh—Sitapur, Barabanki, Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad—until nearly a hundred people were said to have been attacked. The creature’s appearance never stabilised. Some saw a football-sized sphere trailing light. Others described something bat-like, a flying cushion, a mechanical shape, or a figure with bloodshot eyes and tiger-like claws. A few insisted it was a remote-controlled device or even an insect engineered by hostile forces across the border.In Varanasi’s old city the fear took on a particular texture. Summer nights in those tightly packed lanes have always meant sleeping outdoors or on rooftops. Power cuts were routine. When the rumour arrived, families who had long treated the open night as ordinary began pulling their charpoys indoors. Groups of men organised informal patrols with lathis, torches and, in some places, drums. Loudspeakers in certain areas carried warnings to stay inside after dark. Weddings were postponed. Ordinary sounds after midnight— the creak of a door, the movement of a cat, the distant flash of a vehicle—acquired new weight. Residents of Chauk, Dalmandi and Madanpura still speak of those weeks the way people speak of a fever that once ran through an entire household: not as a single dramatic event, but as a prolonged, shared state of alertness that altered the rhythm of ordinary life.The panic extracted a measurable human cost. Villagers lynched strangers they mistook for the creature. People leapt from rooftops believing the Muhnochwa was approaching. In Barabanki, a crowd of several hundred stormed a police station demanding stronger protection; officers opened fire and one man was killed. Officials later spoke of at least a dozen deaths linked not to any supernatural attacker but to the terror itself—falls, heart attacks, mistaken violence. One man shot his own mother while aiming at what he thought was a light emanating from the creature. Another beat his father in the dark. A woman in one village thrashed her husband nearly senseless before the lights came on and revealed her mistake. Forest officials noted the killing of squirrels, foxes, bats and other animals by frightened villagers.The political response reflected the scale of public anxiety. The scare unfolded during Mayawati’s government. Opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party, accused the administration of failing to protect citizens and of allowing the panic to fester. The issue reached the floor of the state assembly. Mayawati, in turn, blamed political rivals for inflaming the situation and engineering violence in places like Barabanki. Senior police officers floated a range of explanations, some of them highly speculative: a technologically advanced insect released by anti-national elements, a laser-equipped device, even the possibility of an extra-terrestrial body in a small percentage of cases. None of these claims withstood scrutiny.A clearer pattern emerged when the scare was set beside the Monkey Man panic that had gripped Delhi only a year earlier, in May 2001. There, too, a half-seen nocturnal attacker left scratches and burning sensations. Descriptions varied wildly. People jumped from rooftops. Mobs formed. Police deployed thousands of personnel. Medical examinations later found many injuries consistent with self-inflicted wounds or ordinary accidents reinterpreted through fear. Rationalists and psychiatrists described both episodes as mass sociogenic illness—real physical symptoms generated and amplified by collective anxiety, rumour, media coverage, heat, power cuts, and dense living conditions. The Indian Rationalist Association, led by Sanal Edamaruku, investigated the Muhnochwa reports in Sitapur, Varanasi, Mirzapur and other districts. They found that alleged wounds were often superficial and non-specific. Many “victims” had not actually seen anything. The simple mention of the word Muhnochwa was sometimes enough to trigger panic. Water, light and the presence of calm observers appeared to keep the creature away.Scientific investigation pointed in a related direction. The state government asked experts from IIT Kanpur to examine the phenomenon. Professor Ravindra Arora of the electrical engineering department concluded that many of the luminous, fast-moving objects were consistent with ball lightning—a rare atmospheric event in which clusters of charged particles form glowing spheres that can travel near the ground, emit coloured light (often reddish, green or blue), and leave superficial burns or irritation on contact with skin. Almost all reported incidents, Arora noted, occurred during or after thunderstorms in drought conditions, when soil conductivity was altered. Widespread power theft in the region, which created irregular ground currents, may have further contributed. Ball lightning is a documented, if still imperfectly understood, natural phenomenon reported across the world for centuries. It dissipates quickly, leaves little lasting trace, and matches the fleeting, luminous quality of many Muhnochwa sightings. Other cases were later traced to pranks involving gas balloons fitted with battery lights, kites, or ordinary insects. A few injuries appeared deliberately self-inflicted in the atmosphere of heightened fear.No clear photograph or video ever captured the creature in a form that could be independently verified. Air Force radar detected nothing. The rains eventually arrived, the nights cooled, and the reports tapered off. By autumn the Muhnochwa had withdrawn into memory. What remained was a vivid chapter in the long list of mass panics that have periodically swept parts of north India—from the Monkey Man to later braid-cutting scares and other rumour-driven frenzies.Twenty-four years later, the story lives on as urban folklore in Varanasi. Older residents of the old city still recall the altered nights, the patrols, the closed doors. Younger generations know it mostly as a curious local legend, one more entry in the city’s vast store of stories about the unseen. The Muhnochwa never left physical evidence of a new species or an otherworldly visitor. What it left instead was a clear record of how quickly heat, darkness, rumour, media amplification and collective anxiety can reshape the experience of ordinary nights in a densely lived place. The scratches healed. The deaths, most of them caused by panic rather than any claw, remain harder to set aside. And in the narrow lanes of Chauk, Dalmandi and Madanpura, where history settles in layers and oral memory travels easily, the recollection of those weeks still surfaces now and then—an uneasy reminder that the most persistent visitors are sometimes the ones no one ever truly saw.

Varanasi Police Commissionerate Issues Detailed Traffic Plan for Sawan Kanwar Yatra 2026

SUSHANT GAURAV — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:02:29 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — The Traffic Department of the Varanasi Police Commissionerate has enforced a comprehensive traffic management and diversion plan ahead of the holy month of Shravan (Sawan Mela 2026). Designed to manage the influx of lakhs of Kanwariyas and pilgrims, the special traffic regulations come into force on July 30, 2026 and will remain active through August 28, 2026.Throughout the month, heavy movement is expected around prominent Shiva temples across the city, including the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple, Kedareshwar Temple, Tilbhandeshwar Temple, Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple, New Kashi Vishwanath Temple (BHU), Rameshwar Mahadev, Shool Tankeshwar Mahadev, Sarang Nath Temple, and Markandey Mahadev Temple.Key Festival Schedule & Focus TemplesKey Date Significance / Festival Event Primary Focal Temple July 30, 2026 Shravan Mela Begins Citywide Pilgrimage Routes August 3, 2026 First Monday (Somwar)Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple August 10, 2026 Second Monday Kedareshwar Temple August 17, 2026 Third Monday & Nag Panchami Tilbhandeshwar Temple August 24, 2026 Fourth Monday Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple August 28, 2026 Shravan Purnima, Raksha Bandhan & Shravan Shivratri New Kashi Vishwanath Temple (BHU)Heavy Vehicle Restrictions & Diversion RoutesTo prevent severe inner-city gridlock, buses, trucks, and heavy commercial transport originating from Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Mau, Azamgarh, and Sonbhadra will be restricted from entering Varanasi's urban core during active diversion windows.Heavy Vehicle Bypass Route: All inter-district heavy traffic will be re-routed externally via the Ring Road, NH-19, and outer bypass corridors.City Daytime No-Entry Rules: A strict daily No-Entry policy for heavy goods carriers remains active inside city limits from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM throughout the month of Sawan.Bus Routing Protocols (Roadways & Private)Incoming from Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Chandauli:Buses will travel via NH-19 → Rakhauna Overbridge → Ring Road → Harhua, before proceeding onward to assigned city drop-offs.Incoming from Ghazipur, Azamgarh, and Jaunpur:Buses will operate along Harhua → Gilat Bazaar → Shivpur Chungi → Phulwaria → Lahartara → Cantt Bus Station.Light Vehicle & Passenger Transit GuidelinesLight vehicles and private cars arriving from the Prayagraj direction will be systematically diverted onto outer feeder roads via designated Ring Road cuts to avoid core temple congestion.Commuters and local residents are advised to utilize navigation apps, follow real-time updates from the Traffic Control Room, and allow additional travel time for station and airport transfers during peak Monday periods.

Controversy Erupts at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University as Student Leader Alleges Midnight Merit Tampering

SUSHANT GAURAV — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:38:34 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — Tensions have flared at the historic Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi following serious allegations made by a prominent student leader against the university administration. The charges allege midnight marks manipulation, the arbitrary stripping of student medals, and systematic suppression of student grievances.The controversy emerges just as the varsity finalized its medal lists and academic honors ahead of its annual convocation ceremonyAllegations of Midnight Result AlterationsAccording to statements issued by student representatives, initial examination results and merit standings were publicly published following the conclusion of term evaluations. However, students claim that administrative officials altered marks overnight without transparency or formal review proceedings:Arbitrary Mark Reductions: The student leader alleged that scores were slashed by anywhere from 70 to over 100 points, causing sharp shifts in final GPA rankings and displacing deserving candidates from the top medal lists.Dismissal of Objections: Affected students attempting to meet with the Controller of Examinations and senior academic executives were allegedly turned away without valid explanation, official committee reports, or re-evaluation rubrics.Lack of Due Process: Protesting scholars asserted that modifications were implemented secretly rather than through an open and documented grievance redressal committee.Claims of Intimidation and Broad Institutional ConcernsBeyond the immediate dispute over merit lists, the student leader voiced grave concerns regarding campus governance, alleging heavy-handed tactics used to quell student protests:Legal Intimidation: Students alleging unfair treatment claimed they were threatened with hostel evictions, administrative disciplinary action, and legal notices, prompting some to seek anticipatory legal protections.Governance and Infrastructure Deficits: The statement raised broader criticisms regarding administrative priorities, citing irregular class schedules, infrastructure maintenance gaps, and allegations of superficial preparation during recent NAAC peer team evaluations.University administration officials have not yet released a detailed formal response addressing each specific claim of score deduction, though administrative sources maintain that final merit lists are finalized only after processing all formal student objections according to university bylaws

National Study Flags Guwahati Schools Among Highest-Risk Areas for Adolescent Substance Use

SUSHANT GAURAV — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:50:05 GMT

GUWAHATI, ASSAM — A comprehensive national study has identified educational institutions in Guwahati among the highest-risk environments for adolescent substance use, triggering urgent concerns among parents, educators, and health experts across Assam.The findings underscore a growing vulnerability among school-going teenagers, emphasizing the critical need for immediate, multi-faceted interventions to safeguard student health and well-being.Call for Multi-Stakeholder Action & Mental Health SupportIn response to the study's alarming conclusions, experts are urging a coordinated multi-stakeholder strategy to tackle substance vulnerability before it turns into a widespread crisis.Key recommendations put forward by healthcare professionals and educational experts include:In-School Counseling Services: Establishing dedicated psychological counseling units and trained mental health professionals on campus to assist students dealing with stress, peer pressure, or behavioral challenges.Life-Skills & Awareness Curricula: Integrating age-appropriate substance awareness and life-skills education into routine school activities to equip teenagers with emotional resilience and decision-making skills.Collaborative Community Frameworks: Fostering closer, institutionalized collaboration between school administrations, parents, local law enforcement, and healthcare providers to monitor high-risk zones around school premises.Early Detection Systems: Training teachers and guardians to spot early warning signs of emotional distress or substance experimentation, enabling timely intervention rather than punitive measures.

Gay Man Stabbed To Death By Live-in Partner in Varanasi

Pooja Kapoor — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:11:47 GMT

Varanasi - A 26-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death by his male live-in partner following a late-night dispute at their residence in Varanasi’s Bazardiha area. Police have arrested the accused and begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.The victim was identified as Deepanshu Rai, also known as Lucky, while the accused has been named as Kush Pandey, a resident of Sonarpura. The incident reportedly occurred late on Monday night and continued into the early hours of Tuesday at a property in VDA Colony, under the jurisdiction of Bhelupur police station. According to the preliminary police investigation, Rai and Pandey had been living together for approximately a year. Police said the two had consumed alcohol before returning home, after which an argument broke out. Initial accounts suggest that the dispute involved cooking food and washing utensils, although investigators are still working to establish the precise trigger and sequence of events. The argument allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. Police suspect that Pandey attacked Rai using a kitchen knife ordinarily used for cutting vegetables. Rai reportedly sustained five stab wounds around the abdomen and lower chest. Accused Called Emergency Services After AttackLocal reports citing police officials said Pandey contacted emergency services after the attack. Police personnel responding to a call on the 112 emergency helpline reached the residence and found Rai lying in a pool of blood.Authorities subsequently confirmed Rai’s death. His body was sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and document the nature of the injuries. A forensic team also examined the scene as part of the investigation. Pandey was detained at the location and later formally arrested. ACP Bhelupur Gaurav Kumar said further legal proceedings had been initiated and evidence was being collected to reconstruct what happened inside the residence. Police Investigating History of DisputesInvestigators have reportedly been told that the two men had been in a relationship for a considerable period and had lived together for nearly a year. During questioning, Pandey allegedly told police that the couple had participated in a ceremony at a temple and regarded themselves as married. The statement remains part of the police investigation and has not been independently verified. Neighbours reportedly told investigators that arguments had occurred between the two on earlier occasions, particularly after alcohol consumption. Police are examining whether a recurring domestic dispute contributed to the fatal confrontation. A complaint in the case was reportedly submitted by Rai’s uncle, following which police proceeded with the murder investigation. The accused’s alleged statements to investigators will remain subject to verification through forensic findings, witness accounts, the post-mortem report and other evidence collected during the investigation. Police have not yet publicly released the complete post-mortem findings or a final account of the motive. The investigation remains underway, and the allegations against the arrested man will be tested through the judicial process.

Ramnagar Civic Officials Face Action After Surprise Inspection

Harsh Mehra — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:51:18 GMT

VARANASI: A surprise inspection of the Ramnagar zone has led to disciplinary action against municipal staff after the city’s civic chief found garbage heaps, damaged drains and encroachments obstructing drains and sewers at several locations.Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal issued a show-cause notice to the Ramnagar zonal officer. He also directed that an adverse entry be recorded against the junior engineer, civil, and ordered the deduction of 10 days’ salary from the sanitation supervisor.The inspection covered cleanliness, drinking-water supply, road construction, sewer overflow, encroachment and the cleaning of drains and sewers. Officials found that some shopkeepers and property owners had extended structures and placed permanent slabs over drainage lines. Such coverings can make routine desilting difficult and prevent crews from reaching a blockage when rainwater or sewage begins to back up.Nagpal expressed displeasure over the absence of effective anti-encroachment action and delays in repairing damaged drains. The junior engineer came under scrutiny after damaged sections were linked to waterlogging at multiple points. The sanitation supervisor faced the salary deduction over irregular cleaning and failure to issue challans against dumping on public roads.The inspection sends a message about accountability, but Ramnagar residents will judge it by what changes after the notices. Garbage piles need a collection route that works every day, not only before an inspection. Damaged drains need a repair schedule. Encroachments over sewers require measured action, clear notice and restoration of access for maintenance crews.The zone’s civic problems are interconnected. Solid waste thrown near a drain can be carried into it during rain. A slab that cannot be lifted prevents cleaning. A broken section then spills water onto the road, weakening the surface and creating another complaint for the engineering wing. When departments work in isolation, residents see the same spot repaired and blocked repeatedly.The inspection included officers from Jal Kal and the municipal engineering and sanitation teams, which should make a coordinated response possible. General Manager of Jal Kal Anoop Singh, civil engineers, the sanitation inspector and other staff were present. The next step should be a location-wise list of defects with responsibility and completion dates attached.Enforcement against property owners also needs consistency. Selective removal can create resentment, while ignoring permanent covers makes future maintenance impossible. A transparent lane-by-lane drive, accompanied by guidance on removable access slabs, would be more durable than a one-day clearance.Ramnagar’s density and older infrastructure make civic upkeep difficult, but they do not make neglect inevitable. The action against officials has established where responsibility sits. Prompt repairs, visible cleaning and unblocked drains will show whether the inspection produced more than paperwork.

Kanya Janmotsav Celebrates 10 Newborn Girls in Varanasi

Harsh Mehra — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:50:53 GMT

VARANASI: Ten newborn girls and their families were at the centre of a Kanya Janmotsav held at the Women’s Hospital on the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Government Hospital campus in Pandeypur, where the celebration was paired with a review of services for women and girls.Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission Chairperson Babita Singh Chauhan and commission member Geeta Vishwakarma attended the programme on Monday. A cake was cut to mark the births, and the families received baby kits and sweets.The event carried a simple public message: the birth of a daughter should be welcomed with the same joy, support and dignity given to any child. Chauhan spoke about respect, protection and empowerment for girls and called for the objectives of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign to reach every section of society.After the celebration, the commission representatives inspected the Women’s Hospital and the One Stop Centre. They reviewed the facilities and services available and directed officials to ensure that support for women and girls is delivered with quality, sensitivity and within a reasonable time.That second part of the visit is important. A ceremonial welcome can challenge old social attitudes, but a newborn and her mother also need dependable postnatal care, nutrition advice, vaccinations, birth registration and follow-up. Families leaving a government maternity ward should know where to return if the mother or baby develops a health concern and what public schemes they may be eligible to access.The One Stop Centre serves a different but connected role by bringing assistance for women facing violence or distress under one support system. Its effectiveness depends on privacy, trained staff, coordination and trust. A woman who reaches the centre may already be navigating fear and family pressure; delayed or insensitive handling can prevent her from seeking help again.Kanya Janmotsav programmes are symbolic by design. Their value grows when the symbolism is followed by measurable service: mothers treated respectfully, girls kept in school, families linked to health care and complaints resolved without making the applicant run from office to office.The Pandeypur programme also placed public officials inside the hospital environment rather than in a distant auditorium. That allowed the celebration and the inspection to happen together, linking the social message with the condition of the services meant to support it.For the ten families, the day offered gifts and a shared welcome at the beginning of a new chapter. For the administration, it set a more demanding benchmark. The dignity celebrated at birth has to continue in the ward, at the help desk, in the classroom and wherever a girl later seeks an opportunity of her own.

Varanasi to Get 500-Bed Hostel for Working Women

Harsh Mehra — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:49:51 GMT

VARANASI: A 500-capacity hostel for working women has received the Uttar Pradesh cabinet’s approval, opening the way for a large state-funded residential facility aimed at women who come to Varanasi for employment or self-employment.The project will be developed under the Chief Minister Shramjeevi Women’s Hostel scheme. For construction, the cabinet has approved the free transfer of 6,000 square metres of Social Welfare Department land to the Women Welfare Department. A separate hostel for students of Basant Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Rajghat, was also approved in the cabinet decision.Secure and reasonably priced accommodation is a persistent challenge for women moving to a new city. Varanasi’s economy now draws employees across health care, education, tourism, retail, banking, public services and small businesses, but the formal rental market does not always offer a safe or affordable option close to work. High deposits, restrictive conditions and uncertain transport after late shifts can narrow the jobs a woman is practically able to accept.A 500-bed public hostel can ease part of that pressure if the final design matches real working routines. Entry systems, women staff, lighting, fire safety, clean kitchens, reliable water, internet access and transport connectivity matter as much as the number of beds. The campus will also need arrangements for residents whose shifts begin early or end late; a hostel that locks everyone into a conventional college timetable would miss its purpose.The land transfer is an enabling decision, not the completion of the project. Detailed design, budget execution, tendering, construction and an operating framework will follow. The government will also have to define eligibility, rent, length of stay and the process for allotment. Those rules should be published clearly so that access does not depend on informal referrals.Location will be another decisive factor. A safe hostel on an isolated edge of the city can still leave residents paying heavily for daily travel. Links to public transport, hospitals, major employment clusters and well-lit roads will shape whether the facility is genuinely affordable over a month.The accompanying hostel for Basant Mahila Mahavidyalaya students addresses a related need at Rajghat, where education and accommodation are closely connected. Together, the two approvals recognise that women’s participation in study and work depends on the urban systems surrounding the classroom or office.Varanasi often discusses women’s safety through policing and surveillance. Housing deserves equal attention. A stable address gives a worker time, privacy and the freedom to choose a job on merit rather than on whether a relative lives nearby.The cabinet decision has created the administrative space for that change. The next measure of progress will be visible on the ground: a transparent timeline, a well-connected site and a hostel that working women can actually afford to call home.

Faridpur–Sarnath Elevated Road Work Picks Up Pace

Harsh Mehra — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:49:29 GMT

VARANASI: Construction activity has picked up on the four-lane elevated road planned between Faridpur on the Outer Ring Road and the Sarnath railway station area, a corridor expected to create a more direct approach to one of Varanasi’s busiest heritage and pilgrimage zones.The 1.18-kilometre project is estimated at ₹161 crore and is being executed by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation, commonly known as Setu Nigam. The alignment begins near Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalaya on the Faridpur side of the Ring Road and moves towards Sarnath, passing the water-treatment plant and the Vietnam Temple before reaching the railway-station side.A joint team from the district administration, Varanasi Municipal Corporation and Setu Nigam inspected the site as work gathered pace. Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal directed the executing and civic agencies to coordinate with the Varanasi Development Authority, an important step because an elevated structure affects much more than the road surface below it.Utility lines, drainage, junction design, pedestrian movement and the use of land beneath the viaduct all need to be settled while construction is underway. If these details are postponed until the pillars and deck are complete, the city can end up reopening finished stretches or creating new bottlenecks at the entry and exit points.The Faridpur link has strategic value because the Ring Road carries traffic that does not need to enter the old city. A direct elevated approach can help visitors reach Sarnath without adding pressure to narrower internal roads. It may also improve access for residents living around the growing northern edge of Varanasi, where daily traffic now mixes with tourist buses and long-distance vehicles.Sarnath’s new UNESCO World Heritage status is likely to bring even greater attention to access, streetscape and visitor management around the archaeological zone. Better connectivity can support tourism, but it also increases the responsibility to protect the area’s character. Road engineering, signage, parking and last-mile movement must work together so that the final kilometre does not become a chaotic spillover point.During construction, residents and commuters will need clear diversion information and safe passage around machinery. Dust control, barricading and lighting are basic requirements on an active urban site. The monsoon adds another challenge, as unfinished drains and excavated edges can quickly turn into hazards after heavy rain.The project’s headline numbers—four lanes, 1.18 kilometres and ₹161 crore—capture its scale but not the test that follows. An elevated road succeeds only when the junctions at both ends keep moving and the space below does not become neglected.For Varanasi, the Faridpur–Sarnath corridor is a chance to connect a modern orbital road with an ancient destination in a more orderly way. Faster construction is welcome; disciplined coordination and a clean finish will decide whether the new route genuinely improves the journey.

Free High-Speed Wi-Fi Goes Live at Varanasi Court Complex

Harsh Mehra — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:49:06 GMT

VARANASI: Advocates, litigants and visitors at the Varanasi court complex can now use a free high-speed Wi-Fi service launched by the Municipal Corporation as part of its expanding public-connectivity programme.Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari inaugurated the facility, which is the third phase of the civic initiative. Free Wi-Fi was introduced earlier at Assi Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat, followed by BHU Hospital and Trauma Centre. The court complex takes the service to five major high-footfall locations across the city.Special boards carrying QR codes have been installed inside the Wi-Fi zone. A user can scan the code on a mobile phone and follow the access process instead of searching through a long list of nearby networks. The system has been designed for a space where thousands of people may be waiting, working or moving between offices on a regular day.BSNL has been given responsibility for operating and maintaining the network. Principal General Manager Anil Kumar Gupta said its speed and coverage were planned to support smooth connectivity and data transfer even when the court complex is crowded.The location makes reliable internet more than a convenience. Court users frequently need to check case information, receive documents, contact family members or coordinate with a lawyer. Advocates and clerks work with digital files and time-sensitive updates throughout the day. A public network can be especially useful for a visitor whose mobile data is weak or exhausted during a long wait.Free access must still be paired with sensible digital caution. Public Wi-Fi should not be treated like a private office connection. Users should avoid entering banking passwords or sharing highly sensitive documents on an unfamiliar network, confirm that they are joining the official service displayed on the Municipal Corporation’s board, and log out of important accounts after use. The civic body and BSNL will also need to keep the QR boards readable and prevent misleading lookalike stickers from being placed nearby.The service will be judged on consistency rather than launch-day speed. Court buildings have thick walls, packed corridors and shifting crowds, all of which can create weak spots. Clear instructions for reporting an outage, regular testing and prompt maintenance will determine whether the connection remains useful after the initial rollout.Varanasi’s phased approach has placed public Wi-Fi at ghats, medical institutions and now a justice complex—three very different types of crowded urban space. That variety gives the city a chance to understand how demand changes by location before extending the model further.For the court complex, the immediate promise is modest but practical: a visitor who needs a case update, a digital copy or a quick call over the internet should not be stranded because mobile data fails. If the network stays stable under peak load, it will turn a QR code on a board into a genuinely useful public service.

NER and GAIL Plan PNG Supply for Varanasi Railway Colonies

Harsh Mehra — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:48:45 GMT

VARANASI: Railway households in the city are set to move towards piped cooking gas after the Varanasi division of North Eastern Railway signed an agreement with GAIL India Limited for domestic PNG supply in its colonies.The memorandum of understanding was signed by Senior Divisional Engineer, Coordination, Vikas Kumar Singh and GAIL General Manager Sushil Kumar in the presence of Divisional Railway Manager Ashish Jain. Connections will be extended in phases to railway residences as well as railway institutions located in the division’s Varanasi colonies.The shift is designed to replace the routine dependence on LPG cylinders with a metered pipeline service. Railway officials expect the system to provide a safer, cleaner and more continuous fuel option for employees and their families. Billing will be based on recorded consumption, giving households a clearer link between use and monthly cost.For residents, the everyday change is easy to understand. A piped connection removes the cycle of checking cylinder levels, booking a refill and arranging delivery. It also reduces the need to store a full replacement cylinder in a kitchen or staff quarter. Supply reliability, however, will depend on the quality of the network, pressure management and a responsive maintenance system.The agreement is a starting point rather than an instant citywide switch. A phased rollout normally requires route surveys, pipeline laying, safety clearances, meter installation and work inside individual premises. Railway institutions may also have different consumption patterns from homes, so their connections and safety arrangements will need separate assessment.Residents should receive clear information before work begins in their block: the installation sequence, documents required, billing rules, emergency contact process and safety checks. Any internal fitting must be handled by authorised personnel. Households also need basic guidance on shut-off valves, ventilation and what to do if they suspect a leak.PNG is often described as a cleaner household fuel because it burns with fewer local pollutants than several traditional alternatives. In this project, the environmental gain is paired with a service upgrade for a defined residential community. The railway colonies give the two organisations a manageable area in which to build the distribution network in stages.The project will also be watched for disruption during construction. Colony roads and shared spaces may need trenching or access work, making advance notices and quick restoration important. A convenient final connection should not come at the cost of poorly repaired internal roads or unsafe exposed sections.Once operational, the network could become one of the more noticeable upgrades to daily life in the colonies, even though most of its infrastructure will remain out of sight. For railway families, success will be measured less by the signing ceremony and more by a steady flame, accurate bill and prompt service when something goes wrong.

BHU Forms Anti-Ragging Squads for 2026–27 Session

Harsh Mehra — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:47:48 GMT

VARANASI: Banaras Hindu University has constituted anti-ragging squads and monitoring cells for the 2026–27 academic session, putting formal oversight teams in place as a new group of students prepares to enter the campus.The arrangement covers both the main BHU campus in Varanasi and the Rajiv Gandhi South Campus at Barkachha in Mirzapur. University officials said the teams have been formed under the University Grants Commission’s 2009 regulations for preventing ragging in higher-education institutions.Professor Lalit Mohan Agarwal of the Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, will chair the anti-ragging squad for the main campus. Professor T. D. Singh of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Ayurveda, has been named coordinator of the main-campus monitoring cell.At the Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Manoj Kumar Singh of the Department of Kriya Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, will chair the anti-ragging squad. Santosh Marandi of the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences will coordinate the monitoring cell.The squads will be able to bring in a special invitee when a particular complaint or inquiry requires additional expertise. The Office of the Chief Proctor will provide administrative support for surprise inspections, inquiries and other action. That support is crucial because an anti-ragging order is only effective when a team can reach hostels and vulnerable campus spaces quickly, document what happened and protect the student who reported it.The timing is significant. The first weeks of a university session are when freshers are learning hostel routines, department cultures and informal peer networks. A student who is new to Varanasi may not know whom to call or may hesitate to report conduct presented as a “tradition”. The university’s responsibility is to make the line clear: humiliation, coercion, intimidation and forced participation are not harmless introductions.Monitoring cells and squads serve different but connected functions. Monitoring is meant to keep preventive systems active, while squads provide a mobile response and inquiry mechanism. Regular rounds, visible contact information and private reporting channels can deter misconduct before it escalates. Faculty members, wardens and senior students also have a role in noticing early warning signs rather than waiting for a formal complaint.Students should keep official anti-ragging and proctorial contact details accessible and preserve messages or other evidence if an incident occurs. Friends who witness harassment should not treat it as somebody else’s issue. Prompt reporting can prevent the same behaviour from being repeated against another student.BHU’s new committees establish the administrative structure for the year. Their credibility will depend on how approachable they are, how fast they respond and whether complainants feel safe throughout an inquiry. A campus becomes welcoming through everyday conduct, not through a notice alone; the squads now have the task of making that standard visible from the opening week.

BHU Schedules 106th Convocation for December 12

Harsh Mehra — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:46:40 GMT

VARANASI: Banaras Hindu University has fixed December 12 for its 106th convocation, giving students from the 2025–26 academic session a firm date for the university’s biggest annual ceremony.The main programme will be held at Swatantrata Bhawan, the campus venue that traditionally hosts BHU’s large academic and institutional gatherings. Successful students from undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes will be awarded degrees, while meritorious students from different faculties and institutes will receive gold medals.BHU has formed 11 sub-committees to manage the ceremony. Professor G. P. Singh, Additional Controller of Examinations-II, has been appointed coordinator for the convocation arrangements. The committees will divide responsibilities across the many moving parts of the event, from the central ceremony and academic procession to student coordination and the distribution schedule.The convocation will not end with the main function at Swatantrata Bhawan. Faculties and institutes will organise their own degree-distribution events after the central programme, allowing graduates to collect degrees and medals through their respective academic units. This two-stage structure is important at a university of BHU’s scale, where a single hall cannot accommodate every graduating student and family member at once.For students, the announcement starts a long preparation window. Final eligibility lists, medal records and faculty-wise instructions will need to be checked in the months ahead. Graduates who have moved outside Varanasi will also be able to plan travel and accommodation early instead of waiting for a last-minute notice.The December date places the convocation at the close of the calendar year, but the groundwork begins now. Examination records have to be reconciled, names and programme details verified, and the ceremonial and faculty-level schedules aligned. Even a minor spelling error on a degree can become a lasting administrative problem, so students should monitor official university notices and promptly report discrepancies through the prescribed channel.The ceremony carries a particular emotional weight at BHU. Swatantrata Bhawan brings together research scholars completing years of work, first-generation graduates, medal winners and families who have travelled from across India. The photographs and robes are the visible part; behind them sits a large exercise in academic verification.Further details, including eligible batches, registration procedure, entry arrangements and the faculty-wise distribution plan, are expected through university notifications closer to the date. Students should rely on those notices rather than informal messages circulating in class groups.With the date now locked, BHU has roughly four and a half months to turn an academic milestone into a well-run campus event. For the graduating class, December 12 is no longer a vague point on the university calendar. It is the day their work will formally be recognised.

Drones and AI Join Varanasi’s Shrawan Security Plan

Harsh Mehra — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:45:53 GMT

VARANASI: The city’s Shrawan security plan will extend from the lanes to the river and the air, with police preparing a round-the-clock network of drones, artificial-intelligence tools and camera systems around Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, major ghats and pilgrimage routes.Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal has said that the temple premises will be protected through geo-fencing, creating a virtual restricted zone around one of the most sensitive and crowded parts of Kashi. Private drones will not be allowed to fly without permission. An anti-drone system is expected to respond if an unauthorised device enters the protected area.Ten drones available with the Varanasi Commissionerate will be used to watch temple approaches, prominent ghats, traffic movement and crowd flow. Two tethered drones are also planned at strategic points. Unlike regular battery-operated drones that return after a short flight, a tethered unit can remain in the air and transmit a continuous live feed. Officials say the system can observe an area of up to four kilometres from a height close to 400 metres.The camera network adds another layer. Automatic number plate recognition systems at city entry points will help identify vehicles, while face-recognition cameras at major crossings and sensitive locations are intended to flag persons of interest. AI-assisted monitoring will also look for unusual patterns, including somebody remaining at the same point for an extended period, so that control-room teams can alert officers on the ground.The technology is being deployed for a difficult public-space problem. Shrawan brings lakhs of devotees into a compact old-city zone where temple queues, neighbourhood traffic, emergency vehicles and ghat movement have to coexist. A camera may spot a crowd building up, but the response still depends on field personnel opening an alternative route, holding a vehicle stream or guiding pedestrians before a narrow lane becomes unsafe.That is why the live feed and the control room will be central to the plan. The practical value of AI will be measured by how quickly its alerts reach the right team and whether officers can distinguish a genuine risk from normal festival behaviour. Clear public announcements and visible route signs will remain essential, especially for visitors unfamiliar with Kashi’s lane network.The restrictions also carry a direct message for residents, tourists and content creators: recreational drone filming near the temple zone is not a harmless activity during the month. Airspace control is part of the security arrangement, and unauthorised flying can interfere with official surveillance.Varanasi has used cameras and integrated monitoring during earlier high-footfall occasions, but the Shrawan plan brings several systems together on a wider scale. The city is betting that earlier detection, not last-minute crowd control, will keep the pilgrimage safer and the surrounding streets more manageable.

Shrawan Special Trains Begin for Kashi Vishwanath Devotees

Harsh Mehra — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:44:45 GMT

VARANASI: Rail passengers travelling for darshan at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham during Shrawan are getting a set of special daily services from July 29, a move aimed at handling the sharp seasonal rise in devotees and kanwariyas entering the city.The Varanasi division of North Eastern Railway has scheduled special passenger trains on the Prayagraj–Banaras–Subedarganj and Subedarganj–Aunrihar routes from July 29 to August 29. A separate Aunrihar–Prayagraj daily special will operate from July 30 to August 30 and complete 32 trips.For travellers coming from Prayagraj, the passenger service will leave at 9.30 am and stop at Prayagraj Rambag, Jhusi, Handia Khas and Madhosingh before reaching Banaras at 11.50 am. The return-linked service will depart Banaras at 12.30 pm, pass through Madhosingh, Gyanpur Road, Handia Khas, Jhusi, Prayagraj Rambag and Prayagraj Junction, and arrive at Subedarganj at 4.10 pm. The rake will have 12 MEMU coaches.The schedule matters because Shrawan travel in Varanasi is less like a single festival-day rush and more like a month-long mobility test. Passenger numbers climb around Mondays, while groups travelling on foot and by road also place extra pressure on the same station approaches, crossings and city corridors. Additional rail capacity can spread arrivals across more services instead of pushing everyone towards a handful of regular trains.Banaras station is an important arrival point for pilgrims headed to the temple corridor and the ghats. The links with Prayagraj, Subedarganj and Aunrihar also make the services useful for passengers from the wider Purvanchal belt who combine shorter road journeys with rail travel. For families and older devotees, a daytime timetable offers a more practical option than reaching the city late at night.Passengers should still check the latest running information before leaving home. Special trains can be affected by operational changes, platform revisions and monsoon-related delays, and the busiest dates may see crowd regulation at stations. Travellers should arrive with enough time for security checks and avoid carrying excess luggage, particularly when moving through crowded station exits.The new services begin just as the holy month starts, giving the railway administration a full operating window through the main pilgrimage period. Their real test will come on the high-footfall days, when orderly boarding, clear announcements and coordination outside stations become as important as the extra coaches themselves.For Varanasi, the objective is straightforward: bring devotees into Kashi safely, reduce avoidable congestion and keep everyday passengers moving even when the city is hosting one of its largest annual religious gatherings.

BHU Doctors’ ‘Kashi Plus’ App Launches 15-Minute Bedside Medicine Delivery

Pooja Kapoor — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:09:33 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — Resident doctors at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have developed “Kashi Plus”, a digital health app designed to help patients navigate services at Sir Sunderlal Hospital, the Trauma Centre and Mahamana Cancer Hospital.The app brings together doctors’ OPD schedules, test rates, information on government schemes, online OPD booking and 24×7 chat support. It also provides step-by-step guidance through hospital procedures, aimed at reducing confusion and saving patients time, effort and money.Quick Pharma promises bedside delivery in 15 minutesKashi Plus has now introduced Quick Pharma, a service for patients admitted within the BHU hospital campus. According to the press release, prescribed medicines can be delivered directly to a patient’s bedside within 15 minutes at discounted rates.The service is intended to help patients and attendants avoid leaving the hospital to search for medicines or wait in long queues. It also offers an “Easy Return” option: if a prescribed medicine needs to be changed or returned, a delivery agent can collect it and complete the return process.Platform reports more than two lakh usersThe release states that more than two lakh patients have used services through the platform. It adds that over 50 patients a day receive guidance through chat support and telemedicine services. These figures were provided by Kashi Plus and have not been independently verified by Dalimss News.The initiative seeks to improve transparency, organisation and efficiency in government hospitals by making essential information and support available on one platform.Kashi Plus is available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The release describes the app as a digital health companion for patients using BHU’s major hospitals.

When Journalism Loses Credibility: Questions Raised Over Alleged Extortion Practices

Saurav Yadav — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:55:52 GMT

Varanasi: A strongly worded opinion article published in a local Hindi daily has triggered discussions about ethics, accountability, and public trust in journalism. The article argues that individuals who allegedly misuse journalism for personal gain, extortion, or influence are damaging the credibility of the media and undermining the profession's role in society.The commentary claims that some people use the identity of a journalist not to serve the public interest but to exert pressure on officials, businesses, and private individuals. It alleges that such practices can contribute to corruption, blackmail, and the erosion of trust between citizens and the media. The article emphasizes that journalism is meant to expose wrongdoing and hold institutions accountable, not to become a tool for personal benefit.The publication further calls for stricter scrutiny of individuals who misuse press credentials and urges authorities, media organizations, and journalist associations to take action against unethical practices. According to the opinion piece, genuine journalists who work to uncover facts and report in the public interest often face challenges because of the negative perception created by a small number of individuals accused of misconduct.At the same time, media experts note that allegations against journalists should be handled carefully and on the basis of verified evidence. They stress that ethical standards, due process, and press freedom must all be protected. Broad accusations against the profession, they argue, can unfairly affect the reputation of thousands of journalists who perform their duties responsibly.The debate highlights a larger issue facing the media industry: balancing accountability and transparency while safeguarding the independence of the press. As discussions continue, many observers believe that stronger professional standards, effective self-regulation, and swift action against proven misconduct are essential to maintaining public confidence in journalism.

UP Governor Anandiben Patel Completes 7 Years in Office at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University Convocation

SUSHANT GAURAV — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:05:39 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — In a special milestone moment, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel completed seven years in office while attending the 44th Convocation Ceremony of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi as the chief guest.The occasion was marked by double celebrations as university officials, faculty members, and students warmly felicitated the Governor for her extended leadership and dedicated service as the Chancellor of state universities across Uttar Pradesh.Inspiring Address to Graduating ScholarsAddressing the gathering at the prestigious Sanskrit university, Governor Patel congratulated the degree recipients and medal winners. She emphasized the importance of preserving ancient Indian heritage, classical literature, and Sanskrit scholarship while adapting to contemporary technological and social developments.Key highlights from the convocation address included:Contribution to Society: Encouraging graduates to use their education not just for career progress, but to actively uplift local communities and promote social harmony.Preserving Classical Heritage: Calling upon scholars to make Sanskrit language studies accessible and relevant to modern research and national development goals.Felicitation by Varsity: The Vice-Chancellor and senior academic leadership presented a commemorative memento and traditional ceremonial shawl to the Governor to honor her seven-year milestone in office.The convocation ceremony concluded with ceremonial degree distributions, traditional Sanskrit recitations, and participation from distinguished academicians, administrative dignitaries, and proud families of the graduating scholars.

Dalmandi Road Widening Project Nears Completion in Varanasi

SUSHANT GAURAV — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:53:04 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — In a significant boost to urban infrastructure near the central commercial hub of Daalmandi Market VaranasiClick to open side panel for more information, the ambitious Dalmandi Road Widening Project is rapidly approaching physical completion. Administrative authorities confirmed that only seven structures remain to be cleared along the planned alignment, paving the way for full-scale road construction work.Debris removal and site-clearing operations are currently underway. The Public Works Department (PWD) is scheduled to begin civil road construction by the end of this month, marking a pivotal step in decongesting one of Varanasi's busiest trading corridors.Key Project Highlights & Urban TransformationThe Dalmandi thoroughfare, located near central Kashi, has long faced heavy pedestrian footfall and severe vehicular bottlenecks. The ongoing road-widening drive addresses key urban mobility challenges:Site Preparation & Rubble Removal: Municipal teams are clearing concrete debris and acquired land parcels to prepare a clean right-of-way for PWD engineering crews.Final Structure Relocation: District officials are finalizing acquisition and relocation protocols for the seven remaining properties along the stretch.PWD Construction Timeline: Physical road laying, proper drainage installation, and utility ducting will begin before the end of the current month.Enhanced Commercial & Pilgrim Access: Once widened, the revamped roadway will provide seamless connectivity for local shoppers, emergency services, and pilgrims traveling through the heart of Varanasi.

Bhojpuri Star Akshara Singh Visits Kashi Vishwanath Temple Ahead of Sawan and Guru Purnima

SUSHANT GAURAV — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:29:40 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — Popular Bhojpuri actress and singer Akshara Singh, who has been making waves across regional cinema and Bollywood, visited the holy Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi to offer prayers and seek divine blessings ahead of the auspicious month of Sawan.Arriving at the temple corridor at 7:00 PM, the multi-talented artist performed rituals and paid homage to Lord Shiva. Ahead of Guru Purnima, she expressed her deep spiritual connection to Kashi, describing Baba Vishwanath as the ultimate guiding force in her life and career.In Kashi for Special Sawan Music ProjectAkshara Singh revealed that her visit to Varanasi coincides with the shoot of a special Sawan devotional song. Despite a demanding shooting schedule along the ghats and surrounding areas, she made it a priority to visit the temple before the commencement of the holy month.She emphasized that visiting the shrine right before Guru Purnima held special significance for her, as she considers Lord Shiva her supreme mentor (Guru).From Bhojpuri Cinema to Bollywood StardomAkshara Singh’s spiritual visit comes at a time when her career is reaching new heights across multiple film industries:Bollywood Ventures: She recently featured alongside superstar Akshay Kumar in a high-energy special track for the star-studded feature film Welcome to the Jungle.Upcoming Role with Shraddha Kapoor: Adding another major project to her portfolio, Akshara is set to appear in an important role in Shraddha Kapoor's upcoming movie Eetha.Bhojpuri Industry Stature: Renowned for her powerful vocal renditions and lead acting roles, Akshara remains one of the highest-rated and most influential figures in regional Indian entertainment.

Comprehensive Traffic Diversions and No-Vehicle Zones Declared in Varanasi

SUSHANT GAURAV — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:24:49 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — In light of a high-profile VVIP visit and a massive influx of devotees expected at the Sant Ravidas Temple in Seer Govardhanpur on the occasion of Guru Purnima, the Varanasi Traffic Police has issued an extensive traffic advisory.Multiple key thoroughfares across Kashi will be designated as No-Vehicle Zones starting at 1:00 PM and remaining in force until the event concludes. Traffic will be regulated across nearly 40 major intersections, with strict route diversions enforced to facilitate secure VVIP transit and ensure public safety.Affected Routes and Diversion PointsTraffic restrictions and route diversions will affect vehicular movement across several critical urban and transit corridors during the VVIP convoy movement:Key Regulated Corridors: Babatpur, Harahua, Gilat Bazar, Bhojubir, Golghar, Police Lines, Chowkaghat, Teliabagh, Maldahiya, Sigra, Rajghat, Ramnagar, and the Varanasi Cantonment area.Commercial & Public Transport Restrictions: Heavy commercial vehicles, auto-rickshaws, and e-rickshaws will face temporary route bans along primary routes leading toward the Lanka and Seer Govardhanpur sectors.Special Parking Arrangements (P1 to P6)To manage incoming passenger traffic and vehicles carrying devotees from across Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states, the traffic administration has established specialized parking zones:Designated Parking Lots (P1 – P6): All buses, private cars, media vehicles, police, PAC personnel, and public representatives arriving for the Guru Purnima gathering will be directed to specified parking slots based on their entry route.Devotee Guidance: Dedicated traffic marshals and police personnel will guide pilgrim buses arriving via the NH-19 and Ring Road directly toward the designated P1–P6 staging grounds.

Dalmandi Road Widening Project Nears Completion in Varanasi

SUSHANT GAURAV — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 03:34:09 GMT

VARANASI, INDIA — In a major step toward transforming urban mobility near the core temple district of Kashi, the ambitious Dalmandi Road Widening Project is nearing physical completion. Local administrative authorities have confirmed that only seven remaining structures are left to be removed along the stretch, paving the way for immediate road construction work.Active debris removal and land clearing operations are currently underway in full swing. The Public Works Department (PWD) is slated to commence civil road construction by the end of this month, marking a pivotal breakthrough in easing chronic traffic congestion in one of Varanasi's busiest commercial hubs.Key Project Highlights & Urban TransformationThe Dalmandi market corridor, situated close to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, has historically been one of the city's most congested and densely packed commercial lanes. The widening initiative brings several critical improvements to the area:Debris Clearance & Site Preparation: Heavy machinery and municipal teams are actively clearing rubble from cleared properties to ensure a smooth transition for the PWD engineering teams.Final Demolitions in Progress: Administrative teams are coordinating with property owners of the remaining seven structures to wrap up acquisition protocols and clear the full right-of-way.PWD Construction Timeline: Physical road laying, underground utility ducting, and drainage layout work by the PWD are set to begin by the end of the current month.Enhanced Visitor & Commercial Access: Once completed, the widened thoroughfare will provide a spacious, organized pathway for shoppers, local merchants, emergency vehicles, and thousands of daily pilgrims heading toward central Kashi.

₹515 Crore MSME Credit Push Reaches Varanasi Entrepreneurs

Harsh Mehra — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:57:16 GMT

A large credit outreach in Varanasi has put ₹515 crore in business finance at the centre of the city’s MSME conversation. Union Bank of India, the district’s lead bank, said loans worth ₹515 crore were disbursed during a programme held at Rudraksh Convention Centre in Sigra, with sanction letters and cheques handed to more than 300 customers.More than 500 entrepreneurs attended the event, bringing together bankers, industry representatives and public agencies at a time when many small businesses are dealing with tight working-capital cycles. For a city built around weaving, trade, tourism, food processing, services and a growing manufacturing base, access to timely credit can decide whether an order is fulfilled, delayed or lost.District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar described the outreach as an initiative to support entrepreneurs and strengthen the micro, small and medium enterprise sector. Indian Industries Association national secretary Anupam Deva urged local businesses to make full use of the scheme, while bank officials outlined the credit terms and application support available.Union Bank zonal head T Kameshwar Rao said eligible MSME borrowers can seek finance linked to up to 20 per cent of the maximum working capital recorded in the March 2026 quarter. The loans are being offered at concessional interest rates without processing charges, with a repayment tenure of five years. The upper loan limit under the scheme is ₹100 crore, although actual sanctions depend on eligibility and appraisal.The outreach was linked to the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, presented as support for industries facing working-capital stress connected with the West Asia crisis. Representatives of the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company explained the guarantee framework, while the Jan Samarth team provided information about the government’s digital credit platform. State-level bankers, NABARD and MSME officials also participated.The ₹515-crore headline is substantial, but it should be read correctly. This is credit, not a grant. Businesses must evaluate interest costs, repayment schedules and the likely return from using the money. A low processing burden helps, but a loan only strengthens an enterprise when the cash is deployed into viable inventory, equipment, wages or confirmed business expansion.For Varanasi’s smaller units, documentation often remains the real barrier. Clean accounts, GST filings where applicable, bank statements, credit history and a clear estimate of working-capital need can make the difference between a quick decision and weeks of back-and-forth. Outreach events are useful when they continue beyond the stage and create a help channel for applicants whose proposals need correction.Banks also need to keep the process transparent. Entrepreneurs should receive written terms, a clear list of charges and realistic timelines. They should not rely on unofficial agents promising guaranteed approval. Any applicant asked for an irregular payment should use the bank’s formal grievance route and keep records of communication.Varanasi’s business ecosystem has no shortage of ambition. The sharper question is whether formal credit reaches productive firms at the moment they need it and on terms they can survive. The Sigra outreach has created a sizeable pipeline and distributed funds at scale. Its real impact will show in healthier cash flow, sustained jobs and enterprises that remain stronger after the five-year repayment period—not merely in the total announced on programme day.

Varanasi Plans 15 Smart Bus Shelters with EV Charging and Free Wi-Fi

Harsh Mehra — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:55:46 GMT

Varanasi is set to get 15 modern bus shelters designed as compact public-service hubs rather than simple roadside sheds. The proposed facilities will combine live bus information, free Wi-Fi, mobile and electric-vehicle charging, CCTV surveillance, solar power and wheelchair-friendly access at some of the city’s busiest movement points.The plan covers Englishia Line near Kashi Vidyapith Gate No. 2, Kachahari Crossing, the space below the Lahartara–Chowkaghat flyover, Ravindrapuri near Acharya Ramchandra Shukla Crossing, Maidagin near Town Hall and Bhelupur near the Jal Kal office. Shelters are also proposed at Havelia Crossing, Sarnath Crossing, Domri Road in Ramnagar, Banaras Station Road, Namo Ghat Road, Bada Lalpur, Fatman Road, Rath Yatra–Kamachha Road and Sigra near the Smart City office.Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal has said the shelters will include smart LED displays, seating, mobile-charging points, EV-charging stations and free internet access. CCTV cameras and adequate lighting are part of the safety design, while solar energy is expected to support the facilities’ electricity requirements.For passengers, the most useful feature may be the least flashy one: reliable arrival and departure information. A display is only smart if the data behind it is accurate. Real-time timings can reduce uncertainty at stops, particularly for students, office workers, senior citizens and visitors who do not know the route network well. City maps and emergency-information systems are also planned.The shelters are expected to provide protection from summer heat, monsoon rain and winter cold. Drinking-water points and public toilets on a user-fee basis have been included in the proposal. Varanasi Smart City officials have also highlighted accessible entry for wheelchair users and older passengers, an area where traditional roadside stops frequently fail.The locations show that the project is trying to serve different versions of Banaras at once: railway passengers near Englishia Line and Banaras station, commuters in Sigra and Bhelupur, old-city traffic around Maidagin, and visitor routes towards Sarnath, Ramnagar and Namo Ghat. That spread makes consistent maintenance more difficult, but also more important.A revenue model is planned through advertising panels, digital displays, EV-charging points, retail kiosks and other public utilities. The idea is sensible only if commercial activity does not swallow the passenger space. Seating, accessible movement and a clear view of arriving buses should remain the first priority, while advertising and kiosks support upkeep from the side.No verified construction cost or final completion date has been announced in the available project details. Residents should therefore wait for the tender, work schedule and location-wise rollout before assuming when a particular shelter will open.The long-term test will not be the inauguration photographs. It will be whether screens keep working, toilets stay usable, Wi-Fi survives peak crowds, solar panels are maintained and buses actually stop where passengers are waiting. If the city gets those basics right, the 15 shelters could make public transport feel noticeably more predictable and dignified without pretending that technology alone can solve every mobility problem.

Sarnath Becomes India’s 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site

Harsh Mehra — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:54:06 GMT

Sarnath has entered the UNESCO World Heritage List, giving Varanasi one of its most significant cultural milestones in years. The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath was inscribed on July 25 during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea, becoming India’s 45th World Heritage property.The recognition covers the architectural and archaeological remains associated with the place where the Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon and met his earliest disciples. For more than 2,500 years, Sarnath has remained a centre of Buddhist memory, pilgrimage and scholarship, even as the physical site went through long cycles of growth, decline, excavation and conservation.UNESCO’s listing records the property under cultural criteria (iii) and (vi). The core property covers 8.05 hectares, supported by a 72.2-hectare buffer zone. Those figures matter on the ground because World Heritage status is not a decorative badge placed only around the Dhamek Stupa. It brings attention to a wider archaeological landscape of stupas, monasteries, temple remains and spaces still used by pilgrims from India and abroad.For Varanasi residents, the immediate reaction is naturally one of pride. Sarnath has always carried global importance; the inscription formally places that importance within UNESCO’s international conservation framework. The harder work begins after the celebration. Visitor pressure, traffic, roadside commercial growth, waste management and construction around the buffer zone will now require even more careful handling.The designation does not automatically rebuild footpaths, fix every approach road or create unlimited funding. Nor does it remove the role of Indian authorities in managing the site. What it does is raise the standard by which planning decisions will be judged. Any intervention near the protected landscape must respect the qualities for which Sarnath was inscribed, including its archaeological evidence and continuing spiritual association.That means local agencies will need a joined-up plan rather than isolated beautification. The Archaeological Survey of India, district administration, tourism department, development bodies and civic teams have different responsibilities, but visitors experience Sarnath as one place. Signage, parking, pedestrian movement, drainage, street-vendor organisation and accessibility should work together without turning the archaeological zone into an over-designed theme park.The listing can also create new opportunities for local guides, artisans, small hotels and responsible cultural tourism. Those gains will be stronger if interpretation improves and visitors are encouraged to stay longer, understand the site and explore it respectfully instead of treating the stupa as a quick photo stop. Training for guides and clear multilingual information would help connect the archaeology with the living traditions around it.Sarnath’s new status is a global recognition of a place Banaras has long understood as exceptional. The real measure of the moment will be visible a decade from now: whether the ruins are better protected, whether the neighbourhood develops sensitively and whether pilgrims, scholars and local families can still encounter the quiet historical depth that made the site worthy of the World Heritage List.