K Sandeep Kumar is a Special Correspondent of Hindustan Times heading the Allahabad Bureau. He has spent over 16 years reporting extensively in Uttar Pradesh, especially Allahabad and Lucknow. He covers politics, science and technology, higher education, medical and health and defence matters. He also writes on development issues.
Articles by K Sandeep Kumar
Mahakumbh Paush Purnima Snan: Transgender high priest leads members of trans community to take holy dip
Swami Kaushaliyanand Giri aka Tina Ma, Maha Mandaleshwar (Uttar Pradesh) of Kinnar Akhada and member of Uttar Pradesh Kinnar Welfare Board, led a large group of her disciples and members of the trans community in a holy dip.
Updated on Jan 13, 2025 06:38 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Sea of pilgrims throng Sangam for holy dip as Maha Kumbh 2025 begins
The enthusiasm of the devotees on the first day indicates Maha Kumbh 2025 may see a bigger crowd of devotees than what the UP government anticipated.
Updated on Jan 13, 2025 12:32 PM IST
A celebration of spiritual grandeur
Spread across a 4,000-hectare area, the sanitation system includes 10 walk-behind sweeping machines, over 150,000 toilets, 25,000 dustbins, and 5,000 urinals.
Published on Jan 13, 2025 08:49 AM IST
Mahakumbh: Batuks from Varanasi getting hands-on training at Akhada camp
Over 450 Vedic and Sanskrit scholars staying among the seers to learn how to perform rituals and conduct themselves
Updated on Jan 12, 2025 07:24 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Ancient, painstaking recipe of Naga sadhus’ sacred ash
The method of preparation used is an ancient one, said Swami Hari Giri, the secretary of Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad (Hari Giri faction) and a patron of Shri Panch Dasnaam Juna Akhada
Updated on Jan 11, 2025 09:14 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene to camp at Sangam banks
Other prominent personalities expected to attend the mega event include Sudha Murthy, Savitri Jindal, Hema Malini, Vivek Oberoi, Naveen Jindal, Anup Jalota
Updated on Jan 10, 2025 05:26 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Tales of Hatha Yogis, embracing physical challenges as acts of extreme devotion
Many great ascetics and ‘Hatha Yogis’ have also arrived at the world’s largest fair, set to kick off on January 13
Updated on Jan 08, 2025 05:44 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mahakumbh: Seers embrace spiritual identity as Aadhaar cards reflect gurus, not parents!
At Mahakumbh-2025, sadhus and sanyasis use guru names on IDs instead of parents, reflecting their spiritual commitment and traditions.
Updated on Jan 06, 2025 08:36 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
‘One bag, One Thali’ initiative launched for plastic free Mahakumbh
Mahakumbh-2025 aims for zero waste with 'One Bag, One Thali' initiative, distributing steel plates and cloth bags to promote cleanliness and environmental care.
Updated on Jan 04, 2025 07:08 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj):
Aghori seer ‘Chhote Dadubut’ draws crowds at Mahakumbh
The world's largest spiritual fair at Sangam from January 13 features Swami Ganga Puri, a unique 3-foot-8-inch seer devoted to Aghor Sadhna.
Updated on Jan 04, 2025 05:34 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Tiles, bricks made from debris helping reshape Sangam city ahead of Mahakumbh
Prayagraj Municipal Corporation uses recycled construction waste for Mahakumbh-2025 projects, promoting eco-friendly materials and reducing waste.
Updated on Dec 29, 2024 06:04 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Kids in over 40k govt schools in U.P. to learn coding, programming
Uttar Pradesh students in classes 6-8 will learn Scratch and Python from 2024-25, but lack computers poses a challenge for practical teaching.
Updated on Dec 28, 2024 08:24 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mahakumbh: Russian-Ukrainian women seers unite to spread Sanatan Dharma amidst war
“We are united in our mission to spread the Sanatan dharma. Nothing else matters,” said Giri, the Maha Mandaleshwar (high priest) of the Juna Akhara, who is in Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh-2025.
Published on Dec 21, 2024 10:15 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Hoardings with info-loaded QR codes to help visitors during Mahakumbh
QR codes of dist administration, emergency services, hotels and food outlets provided in govt advertisement hoardings installed in fair area
Updated on Dec 21, 2024 06:22 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj):
Mahakumbh-2025: Healthy flows the Ganga again as ‘three Gangas’ merged into one
The state irrigation department has merged three distinct streams of the Ganga at the Sangam to create a single stream of the ancient river
Published on Dec 18, 2024 09:13 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Free satvik meals for pilgrims at Sangam year-round via community kitchen
To maintain quality, modern cameras will be installed in the kitchen to monitor food preparation in real time.
Published on Dec 17, 2024 10:58 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mahakumbh: Vehicle passes with QR codes to be issued online for the first time
For Mahakumbh-2025, online vehicle passes with barcodes will be issued to enhance security, featuring color codes for access levels to the mela area.
Updated on Dec 04, 2024 07:46 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
U.P.: Sangam, surrounding areas declared ‘Mahakumbh Mela dist’
District magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar issued a notification on Sunday detailing the boundaries of the new district, which includes Sangam, four surrounding tehsils, and 67 designated areas.
Updated on Dec 02, 2024 05:16 AM IST
K Sandeep KumarK Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
PMC plans 200-bed super specialty hospital in Naini
Prayagraj Municipal Corporation plans a 200-bed super specialty hospital in Naini, estimated at ₹78 crore, set to begin construction within six months.
Updated on Nov 27, 2024 07:26 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Study through interesting videos for class 1-8 govt schools students in U.P.
For the first time, short educational videos will be prepared by experts using cartoons, songs and poems etc based on the prescribed syllabus books of these students
Published on Nov 09, 2024 10:25 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mahakumbh-2025 app, website attracting traffic from across globe
Most of the hits have come from countries like Brazil, United States, Australia and France, besides Uruguay, officials said.
Updated on Nov 02, 2024 10:26 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mahakumbh: Signages in foreign languages to help global tourists
Signages in multiple languages, including Chinese and Arabic, will guide tourists at Mahakumbh-2025, ensuring a smooth experience for all visitors.
Updated on Oct 29, 2024 09:28 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Limiting pvt colleges as centres: Complete utilisation of govt, aided schools for HS, Inter Exams to be ensured
These details will also be sent to the DIOSs so that there is pressure on them as well to allocate the maximum number of candidates to government-run and government-aided colleges being made exam centres
Published on Oct 24, 2024 04:21 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mahakumbh 2025: India’s cultural heritage to be highlighted with AR-enhanced ‘Sanskriti Gram’
The setup of Sanskriti Gram, or ‘Cultural Village,’ will allow pilgrims and tourists to experience authentic digital displays of Indian culture in their true form and context.
Updated on Oct 03, 2024 08:12 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
96 crumbling school buildings in Prayagraj to be demolished in major safety overhaul
Instructions have been given through the missive, a copy of which is with HT, to deposit the auction amount in the accounts of the respective school management committees.
Updated on Oct 02, 2024 07:12 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
UP Board Exam 2025: 54.38 lakh students to appear in HS, Inter exams
For the 2024 UP Board Exams, a total of 55,25,342 students including 2,947,335 in class 10 and 25,78,007 in class 12 were registered.
Published on Oct 01, 2024 07:20 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Prayagraj division tops U.P. in National Health Quality Certification
The Lucknow division, including districts such as Hardoi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Sitapur, and Unnao, secured the second position in the state with 30 certificates
Updated on Oct 01, 2024 09:40 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Government to begin millet procurement from today
Uttar Pradesh aims to double millet production area to 2.5 million hectares, with 27 purchase centres set for October 1 to support farmers.
Updated on Oct 01, 2024 08:36 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
PM SHRI schools: U.P. success stories to get space on social media
PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) schools of Uttar Pradish will now also shine on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and ‘X’ (formerly Twitter)
Updated on Sep 30, 2024 07:04 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mahakumbh: Akharas, arti, cruise and more on tourists’ itinerary!
Uttar Pradesh introduces 'Mahakumbh Walking Tours' for tourists, featuring guided visits to akhara camps, yoga, and Ganga Aarti during the festival.
Updated on Sep 28, 2024 09:44 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj