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Kenneth John

Kenneth John is a Principal Correspondent based in Allahabad. He writes on wide ranging issues including education, women and child welfare, infrastructure development, environment, human rights, poverty and rural development.

Articles by Kenneth John

Simple sacrifices to save house sparrow

Prof NB Singh, a retired botany professor, has dedicated his life to saving house sparrows, distributing 1.5 lakh wooden houses and promoting environmental awareness.

Prof NB Singh distributing sparrow houses to people in Prayagraj (HT Photo)

Other Cities

Updated on Mar 24, 2025 09:04 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Chakia generates max waste, Jayantipur least

Prayagraj generates 540 tonnes of waste daily, with only 384.57 tonnes collected, leaving 160 tonnes unattended. Efforts are ongoing to improve collection coverage.

Garbage left unattended at Karbala crossing in the city. (HT Photo)

Other Cities

Published on Mar 18, 2025 06:06 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

UP Board Exams 2025: High-tech vigil in place to evaluate answer sheets

The answer sheets evaluated by each examiner will be randomly checked by experts from the Board Headquarters to ensure quality evaluation has been maintained.

Board Exams

Updated on Mar 16, 2025 03:05 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Straw burning at Sangam raises pollution alarm in Prayagraj

Roughly, with 48 bathing ghats spread across a stretch of 12 kilometres in the mela area, over a quintal of straw was used to cover sand at each bathing ghat

Sanitation workers burning straw dumps in Sector 21 of the mela on Saturday. (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)

Other Cities

Published on Mar 09, 2025 06:48 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Post-Mahakumbh mega cleanup: 600 tons of waste collected daily, 1.5L toilets cleared so far

A significant 600 metric tonnes of waste is being collected daily and transported to the Baswar waste processing plant on the city’s outskirts.

Workers clearing the garbages from the Mela area (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)

Other Cities

Published on Mar 05, 2025 05:32 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Sangam to remain in welcoming mode till Ardh Kumbh 2031

PMA will enhance facilities for devotees at Sangam until 2031, offering 24/7 services like water, security, and access to temples post-Mahakumbh 2025.

Devotees bathing at Triveni Sangam on Monday. (HT Photo)

Other Cities

Published on Mar 04, 2025 07:18 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Even after Mahakumbh, devotees flock to Sangam: ‘The holy dip never stops’

Tens of thousands of devotees continue to gather at the Sangam each day, even after the official conclusion of the 45-day Mahakumbh celebrations.

Devotees continue to gather at the Sangam to take dip even after the official conclusion of the 45-day Mahakumbh (HT Photo)

Other Cities

Published on Mar 02, 2025 10:22 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Mahakumbh infra to stay up and running till Ardh Kumbh

Facade lighting, water laser show at Kaali Ghat to continue, riverfront area around Boat Club to be developed till 2031

Facade lighting at the New Yamuna Bridge, near Sangam, in Prayagraj. (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)

Other Cities

Published on Mar 01, 2025 09:14 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Mela over, Sangam city residents return to favourite haunts, routine

With the mega fair over, Ravi Pandey on Friday morning took a break from his advertising business, brushed clean his Golden Brown Wagon-R in his garage and left his two-storey house at Nai Basti in Kydganj locality of Prayagraj to drive around his beloved hometown

Locals enjoying at Sangam banks in Prayagraj (HT)

Other Cities

Published on Feb 28, 2025 10:03 PM IST

ByK Sandeep Kumar, Kenneth John, Prayagraj:

Post Mahakumbh, it’s time for big dismantling exercise

The infrastructure to be dismantled includes around 3 lakh tents, 1306 km underground drinking water pipelines, 1582 km overhead power cables, over 500 km checkered plates and 30 pontoon bridges.

A view of the semi-dismantled area of the Mahakumbh tent city on Sangam banks in Prayagraj (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)

Other Cities

Published on Feb 28, 2025 05:48 AM IST

ByK Sandeep Kumar, Kenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj):

45 days, 66.30 cr pilgrims: Mahakumbh ends on high note

IAF jets perform flypast over Sangam sky, pilgrims greeted with multiple rounds of rose petal showers as 1.53 crore take holy dip on final day, CM keeps close vigil on proceedings on Mahashivaratri from control room in Gorakhpur

A helicopter showers flower petals on devotees gathered at Triveni Sangam to take a dip on the occasion of the Maha Shivratri during the ongoing 'MahaKumbh Mela 2025' in Prayagraj on Wednesday. (ANI)

Other Cities

Published on Feb 27, 2025 06:36 AM IST

ByK Sandeep Kumar, Kenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj):

As mega fair nears end, Sangam prepares for final bathing festival

Total count of devotees likely to easily surpass the revised official estimate of 66 crore before the mega fair, which began on January 13, ends.

The Sangam area illuminated on the eve of 'Mahashivratri (PTI)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 26, 2025 06:36 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar

Mahakumbh 2025: Grand finale all set to witness massive crowds

All preparations complete for Mahashivratri, over 2.5 cr pilgrims likely to bathe at Sangam on Wednesday

Rush of crowd at Mahakumbh on February 24. (HT photo)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 25, 2025 05:02 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Prayagraj murder: Delhi man inspired by crime thrillers, planned to kill wife for months, say police

Ashok, who arrived with his wife Meenakshi in Prayagraj on pretext of a holy dip at the Sangam, did not take her to a hotel as the staff there would have mandatorily asked for identity details of the couple

After the murder, Ashok went to Jhunsi police station and lodged a missing complaint. (For Representation)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 24, 2025 06:08 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

UP Board 2025 exams set to start amid tight security

54.37 lakh students to write Class 10, 12 papers from Feb 24, first paper in Prayagraj rescheduled due to Mahakumbh

Control room at UP Board headquarters to receive live feed from all 75 districts. (HT photo)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 24, 2025 05:00 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

UP Board exams start tomorrow; centres under watch of 10k CCTV cameras, control rooms

The hi-tech surveillance include the state control room receiving feeds from all 75 districts, cameras outside strong rooms at all 8,041 examination centers

Lucknow

Published on Feb 23, 2025 06:58 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

MAHAKUMBH 2025: Devotee count crosses 60 crore as final bath nears

Despite the 45-day religious gathering nearing its end on February 28, the rate of pilgrim arrivals showed no signs of slowing down. Officials estimated the total count could surpass 65 crore by the end of the event.

By 8 PM on Saturday, the total count of devotees who had taken a holy dip in the Sangam waters since the beginning of the mela on January 13 crossed 60.74 crore. (Sourced)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 23, 2025 06:34 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Mahakumbh rush: Special corridors for over 5.47 lakh UP Board examinees in 6 districts

UP government sets up special corridors for Class 10 and 12 students amid Mahakumbh rush in six districts, ensuring timely exam attendance.

The UP Board 2025 exams are scheduled to start on February 24. (For Representation)

Lucknow

Updated on Feb 20, 2025 08:52 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

‘Water from Knp Ganga barrage released into Sangam regularly’

From February 10 onwards, the quantity of water being released daily from Kanpur is being increased gradually to ensure adequate quantity of water at Sangam.

A woman performs evening rituals after taking a dip at Samgam during the Mahakumbh on Wednesday. (AP)

Other Cities

Published on Feb 20, 2025 08:44 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar

Respiratory & skin infections, cardiac distress reported most at Mahakumbh hospital

“Nearly 10 devotees arrive every day with fractures. The excessive crowd has led to injuries, largely among women and the elderly,” Dr Manoj

Other Cities

Published on Feb 20, 2025 08:06 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar

How residents in Prayagraj are coping with the Kumbh surge: A day in life

Prayagraj's Maha Kumbh has disrupted local life, with traffic snarls and overcrowding impacting daily routines, leading some residents to relocate temporarily.

India News

Published on Feb 19, 2025 05:54 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Mahakumbh: Bathers’ count touches 52.96 cr @ over 1 crore per day, claims govt

Over 52.96 crore devotees have bathed in the Triveni Sangam during the Mahakumbh, surpassing estimates and averaging over 1 crore daily.

A security personnel makes announcements to manage the rush of devotees during the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Saturday.(PTI)

Other Cities

Published on Feb 17, 2025 04:00 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Faith keeps devotees going as rush continues at Mahakumbh

Although various akharas and Kalpvasis have already left the tent city, visitors in huge numbers are taking the holy dip at Sangam every day

Rush of pilgrims at bathing ghats near Sangam in Prayagraj on February 16. (HT photo)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 16, 2025 10:31 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Babies born in mela: Parents choose Mahakumbh timing, venue to welcome their child

At Mahakumbh-2025, the Central Hospital welcomed its 15th baby, Amrita, with parents naming children after Hindu myths, believing in auspicious births.

Radha born at the Central Hospital in Mahakumbh Mela. (HT)

Other Cities

Published on Feb 15, 2025 06:28 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj):

Spiritually fulfilled, KaIpvasis return home as month of austerity ends

Given the enormous crowd, vehicles were permitted to exit only after the Mela ground began to clear up. Tractors and other small vehicles designated for Kalpvasis were stationed in parking areas outside the Mela zone

Kalpvasis in Sector 7 of the sprawling tent city after completion of their month-long stay on the Sangam banks on Wednesday. (HT)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 13, 2025 08:12 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar

Amid elaborate crowd management, 2 crore take dip of faith: Govt

Yogi keeps close watch, Mela administration and a team of senior officials ensures smooth movement of devotees and the easy exit of nearly a million kalpvasis from the Mahakumbh area

An aerial view of Triveni Sangam as devotees take 'Amrit Snan' on the occasion of 'Magh Purnima' on Wednesday (ANI)

India News

Published on Feb 13, 2025 05:36 AM IST

ByK Sandeep Kumar, Kenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj):

Mahakumbh: Devotee count crosses 45-cr mark

Devotees at Prayagraj's Mahakumbh crossed 45 crore, with 55 crore expected by event's end. Security measures are heightened for the upcoming Maghi Purnima.

Some 1.23 crore people had taken a dip at Sangam by 6 pm on Tuesday--a day ahead of Maghi Purnima bathing. (Sourced)

Lucknow

Updated on Feb 11, 2025 10:53 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Mahakumbh: Fervour peaks in second half of Mela, chokes routes

Mahakumbh-2025 sees rising devotee numbers, causing severe traffic jams in Prayagraj. Over 43 crore have bathed since January 13, with more expected.

Rush of devotees at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj on Monday. (PTI PHOTO)

Lucknow

Updated on Feb 10, 2025 10:35 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar

Three foreign devotees take Brahmacharya Deeksha at Mahakumbh

Three foreign disciples of Jagadguru Sai Maa Lakshmi Devi took Brahmacharya Deeksha in Mahakumbh Nagar, dedicating their lives to spreading Sanatan Dharma.

(From left): David Patrick O Grady, John David Miller, Reiko Hyodo taking Brahmacharya Deeksha in the camp of Shakti Dhaam in sector 17 of Mahakumbh Nagar on Sunday. (HT Photo)

Other Cities

Updated on Feb 09, 2025 09:49 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

66k Hindus saved from conversion in 6 months last year: VHP report

The report presented at VHP’s Central Board of Trustees meeting at Mahakumbh also claimed ‘Ghar Wapsi’ of 19,000 Hindus during the said period

VHP’s Central Board of Trustees meeting underway in Parishad’s camp in Sector 18 of Mahakumbh Nagar on Feb 8. (Sourced)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 09, 2025 05:02 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

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Kenneth John

Kenneth John is a Principal Correspondent based in Allahabad. He writes on wide ranging issues including education, women and child welfare, infrastructure development, environment, human rights, poverty and rural development.

Prof NB Singh, a retired botany professor, has dedicated his life to saving house sparrows, distributing 1.5 lakh wooden houses and promoting environmental awareness.

Prayagraj generates 540 tonnes of waste daily, with only 384.57 tonnes collected, leaving 160 tonnes unattended. Efforts are ongoing to improve collection coverage.

The answer sheets evaluated by each examiner will be randomly checked by experts from the Board Headquarters to ensure quality evaluation has been maintained.

Roughly, with 48 bathing ghats spread across a stretch of 12 kilometres in the mela area, over a quintal of straw was used to cover sand at each bathing ghat

A significant 600 metric tonnes of waste is being collected daily and transported to the Baswar waste processing plant on the city’s outskirts.

PMA will enhance facilities for devotees at Sangam until 2031, offering 24/7 services like water, security, and access to temples post-Mahakumbh 2025.

Tens of thousands of devotees continue to gather at the Sangam each day, even after the official conclusion of the 45-day Mahakumbh celebrations.

Facade lighting, water laser show at Kaali Ghat to continue, riverfront area around Boat Club to be developed till 2031

With the mega fair over, Ravi Pandey on Friday morning took a break from his advertising business, brushed clean his Golden Brown Wagon-R in his garage and left his two-storey house at Nai Basti in Kydganj locality of Prayagraj to drive around his beloved hometown

The infrastructure to be dismantled includes around 3 lakh tents, 1306 km underground drinking water pipelines, 1582 km overhead power cables, over 500 km checkered plates and 30 pontoon bridges.

IAF jets perform flypast over Sangam sky, pilgrims greeted with multiple rounds of rose petal showers as 1.53 crore take holy dip on final day, CM keeps close vigil on proceedings on Mahashivaratri from control room in Gorakhpur

Total count of devotees likely to easily surpass the revised official estimate of 66 crore before the mega fair, which began on January 13, ends.

All preparations complete for Mahashivratri, over 2.5 cr pilgrims likely to bathe at Sangam on Wednesday

Ashok, who arrived with his wife Meenakshi in Prayagraj on pretext of a holy dip at the Sangam, did not take her to a hotel as the staff there would have mandatorily asked for identity details of the couple

54.37 lakh students to write Class 10, 12 papers from Feb 24, first paper in Prayagraj rescheduled due to Mahakumbh

The hi-tech surveillance include the state control room receiving feeds from all 75 districts, cameras outside strong rooms at all 8,041 examination centers

Despite the 45-day religious gathering nearing its end on February 28, the rate of pilgrim arrivals showed no signs of slowing down. Officials estimated the total count could surpass 65 crore by the end of the event.

UP government sets up special corridors for Class 10 and 12 students amid Mahakumbh rush in six districts, ensuring timely exam attendance.

From February 10 onwards, the quantity of water being released daily from Kanpur is being increased gradually to ensure adequate quantity of water at Sangam.

“Nearly 10 devotees arrive every day with fractures. The excessive crowd has led to injuries, largely among women and the elderly,” Dr Manoj

Prayagraj's Maha Kumbh has disrupted local life, with traffic snarls and overcrowding impacting daily routines, leading some residents to relocate temporarily.

Over 52.96 crore devotees have bathed in the Triveni Sangam during the Mahakumbh, surpassing estimates and averaging over 1 crore daily.

Although various akharas and Kalpvasis have already left the tent city, visitors in huge numbers are taking the holy dip at Sangam every day

At Mahakumbh-2025, the Central Hospital welcomed its 15th baby, Amrita, with parents naming children after Hindu myths, believing in auspicious births.

Given the enormous crowd, vehicles were permitted to exit only after the Mela ground began to clear up. Tractors and other small vehicles designated for Kalpvasis were stationed in parking areas outside the Mela zone

Yogi keeps close watch, Mela administration and a team of senior officials ensures smooth movement of devotees and the easy exit of nearly a million kalpvasis from the Mahakumbh area

Devotees at Prayagraj's Mahakumbh crossed 45 crore, with 55 crore expected by event's end. Security measures are heightened for the upcoming Maghi Purnima.

Mahakumbh-2025 sees rising devotee numbers, causing severe traffic jams in Prayagraj. Over 43 crore have bathed since January 13, with more expected.

Three foreign disciples of Jagadguru Sai Maa Lakshmi Devi took Brahmacharya Deeksha in Mahakumbh Nagar, dedicating their lives to spreading Sanatan Dharma.

The report presented at VHP’s Central Board of Trustees meeting at Mahakumbh also claimed ‘Ghar Wapsi’ of 19,000 Hindus during the said period

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