Manish Chandra Pandey is a Lucknow-based Senior Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times’ political bureau in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Along with political reporting, he loves to write offbeat/human interest stories that people connect with. Manish also covers departments. He feels he has a lot to learn not just from veterans, but also from newcomers who make him realise that there is so much to unlearn.
Articles by Manish Chandra Pandey
Uttar Pradesh lawmakers’ Ayodhya darshan laced with faith, fervour and politics
This was the first such joint visit by lawmakers to the temple town, brimming with pilgrims since the January 22 inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya
Updated on Feb 12, 2024 07:12 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Ayodhya
BJP-RLD deal almost done, parties rework west Uttar Pradesh arithmetic
It was in west U.P. where the Congress, along with the SP and the RLD, was planning to forge a formidable chemistry by fielding common candidates.
Updated on Feb 11, 2024 05:46 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
RLD, BJP maintain suspense amid buzz, denials and studied silence
“BJP respects all and all are welcome. As for alliance, these decisions will be made by top leadership”
Updated on Feb 09, 2024 06:40 AM IST
Need stronger law to check statements hurting religious sentiments, says BJP Rajya Sabha member Ashok Bajpai
I am not saying “don’t insult Hindu faith only”. I am saying don’t insult anyone’s religious belief, feeling and if you do, then be prepared to face stern action, says Ashok Bajpai
Updated on Feb 09, 2024 06:36 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh budget: With Modi ‘GYAN’ in arsenal, Yogi 2.0 govt targets 2024 bullseye
Yogi Adityanath, whose government is the first to present eight consecutive budgets under the same chief minister in U.P, mentioned that care has been taken to ensure that the common man hasn’t been burdened with additional taxes.
Updated on Feb 06, 2024 08:38 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Advani’s Rath Yatra reshaped country’s politics
The announcement of conferring Bharat Ratna to LK Advani is expected to keep the temple sentiments in focus ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Updated on Feb 04, 2024 05:20 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
BJP to roll out ‘Ram Darshan Yatra’ plan today
First batch of party facilitated pilgrims to Ayodhya arriving by buses from today; this process would continue almost till March with the party making plans to facilitate visits even till Ram Navami on April 17
Updated on Feb 02, 2024 05:56 AM IST
With Nitish away, coordination among Oppn groups won’t be easy: JD(U) leader
The Nitish Kumar factor will help consolidate Uttar Pradesh’s Kurmi voters in NDA’s favour, says JD(U) general secretary KC Tyagi
Updated on Jan 29, 2024 04:07 AM IST
Odisha leader Baijayant Panda named BJP’s U.P. incharge for polls
The BJP has appointed Baijayant Jay Panda as the party's election in-charge for Uttar Pradesh, while Vijay Pal Singh Tomer will handle Odisha.
Updated on Jan 28, 2024 07:08 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
To regulate pilgrim flow, Astha special trains to Ayodhya deferred till February
From February 5, too, all Astha special trains will leave within 24 hours of their arrival and the state’s transport department will facilitate the movement of the pilgrims to and from the railway station
Updated on Jan 26, 2024 09:10 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Ayodhya
Ayodhya: Better crowd management smoothens Ram Lalla’s darshan
How a reworked strategy, courteous police personnel and scanners worked on Day 2 in Ayodhya to make darshan of deity easier
Updated on Jan 25, 2024 08:28 AM IST
Degrees of devotion in the journey of faith in Ayodhya as Ram Temple inaugurated
Apart from many free kitchens being run across Ayodhya, residents held bhandaras near the Ram Mandir to ensure that none of the devotees go back hungry
Updated on Jan 24, 2024 04:17 AM IST
Ram Lalla rises: PM Modi inaugurates Ram Temple in Ayodhya
New temple dedicated to Lord Ram as a child was consecrated in a grand ceremony marked by faith, politics and fervour, in the presence of dignitaries and guests
Updated on Jan 23, 2024 02:10 AM IST
Ayodhya basking in Treta Yuga glory: Yogi Adityanath as Ram temple inaugurated
Adityanath said that the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation may have been the first time a majority struggled for so many years to ensure a befitting abode to the lord.
Updated on Jan 23, 2024 04:24 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Ayodhya
Ayodhya’s grand tryst with faith, history today
'Historic moment’ will take development journey to new heights: PM Modi; President says it’s start of a fresh cycle in country’s resurgence.
Updated on Jan 22, 2024 02:07 AM IST
Hot spots that narrate the journey of Ram temple movement
The Bada Sthan (on way from Hanuman Garhi to the then makeshift Ram temple), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Karsevakpuram, Karyashala (workshop), the Maniram Chhavni and the Digambar Akhara are some such spots besides the Ram Janmabhoomi area that are reminiscent of the temple movement
Updated on Jan 22, 2024 08:46 AM IST
No one goes hungry in Ram’s city
Even as community feasts offer hot meals to devotees in every corner of Ayodhya, the RSS is set to to hold free kitchens also in nearby areas of east UP.
Updated on Jan 22, 2024 05:00 AM IST
Laddoos, love and progress, Ayodhya’s triumph unfurls
There are as many as 178 Ayodhya projects worth ₹30,508.11 crore – all running against different deadlines.
Updated on Jan 21, 2024 07:24 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Ayodhya
Love, legends and Ayodhya’s Jagmag dharamshala
Amidst the whispers of Amaniganj, the Jagmag ‘dharmshala’ emerges as a living testament to a love story that transcends the shackles of pre-independence times.
Published on Jan 19, 2024 08:55 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Ayodhya
Five-yr-old Ram Lalla, made in Karnataka, picked for temple in Ayodhya
A 51-inch-tall stone idol of Hindu god Ram, depicting him as a five-year-old child, has been selected to be installed in the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Updated on Jan 16, 2024 12:45 AM IST
Ram temple to be open for devotees from January 23
Entry of cadres of VHP, RSS and other members of like-minded organisations will start from January 26, says Champat Rai
Updated on Jan 16, 2024 01:29 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Ayodhya
After turning down consecration invite, Cong leaders take holy dip in Ayodhya’s Saryu river
They also visited the temple of Ram Lalla (Lord Ram is worshipped as a baby here), and soon after, the religious visit gave way to politics with Rai’s sharp take that “no one has a copyright on Lord Ram.”
Published on Jan 15, 2024 08:39 PM IST
Journey through Ayodhya: From slumber to stirring, a moment in time
The once serene temple town, which slumbered in history, has undergone a metamorphosis since the Supreme Court set the stage for the construction of Ram Temple.
Updated on Jan 16, 2024 05:08 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Ayodhya
BJP to roll out ‘gaon chalo’ campaign in U.P. from Feb
BJP’s national general secretary Vinod Tawde gave details of the party’s ‘village connect’ drive at the Lucknow meeting in which both deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also present.
Updated on Jan 12, 2024 07:48 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
After Ram temple in Ayodhya, Sufi Circuit plan on cards? What ex-AMU VC said
PM Narendra Modi has evinced interest in a plan mooted by a Muslim delegation to develop a ‘Sufi Circuit’ across the country.
Updated on Jan 12, 2024 04:08 AM IST
Ahead of polls, BJP ramps up ‘biggest’ doorstep delivery of welfare schemes
“Nearly two dozen stalls of different departments with government officials are there at the place where the yatras arrive.”
Published on Jan 10, 2024 04:53 PM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Two Ayodhyas: Ancient aura, modern marvel
An array of transformation unfolds, with 37 government departments orchestrating 178 projects, totaling ₹30,508.11 crore.
Updated on Jan 08, 2024 08:45 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Ayodhya
Ahead of Ram temple opening, symbolism, subtle messaging from Ayodhya palpable
Such symbolism is likely to get a further boost after the temple launch as Modi could travel to Prayagraj to unveil the statue of Lord Ram hugging Nishadraj.
Updated on Jan 08, 2024 04:45 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
Pilgrim travel, booklet & community feasts: BJP lines up activities in Ayodhya
Tapping temple appeal, the party plans 10,000 pilgrim visits from each Lok Sabha constituency to Ayodhya
Updated on Jan 04, 2024 08:58 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow
After JD (U) rider, Cong-BSP pact buzz appears to fizzle out in Uttar Pradesh
Reacting to UP Congress chief Ajay Rai’s appeal to BSP chief Mayawati to join the Congress-led opposition alliance and its subsequent endorsement by a BSP lawmaker, JD (U) veteran KC Tyagi said no deal was possible without Congress taking Samajwadi Party into confidence
Updated on Jan 03, 2024 09:30 AM IST
Manish Chandra Pandey, Lucknow