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Sudhir Kumar

Sudhir Kumar is Varanasi based senior staff correspondent.He covers all developments, politics, education--primary, secondary and higher -- crime, offbeat, tribes and human angle stories

Articles by Sudhir Kumar

Sadhus of Kashi play Holi with funeral ash

An office-bearer of the Samiti, Pawan Chaudhary said hundreds of saints and devotees participated in this year’s procession

Naga and Aghori sadhus and others take part in Masan Holi celebrations at Harishchandra Ghat in Varanasi. (Rajesh Kumar)

Lucknow

Published on Mar 11, 2025 08:38 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

All that ash: From pyre to ire, row erupts over Kashi’s Masan Holi

Kashi Vidwat Parishad says playing Holi with ashes from funeral pyres is against the tradition of Kashi while manager of Baba Mahashmashan Nath Seva Samiti asserts the practice is centuries-old but Samiti president states ashes not needed and prefers offering of ‘abir-gulal’ to deity

According to believers, Masan Holi follows Rangbhari Ekadashi, which will be celebrated on March 10 this year. (Rajesh Kumar/ HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Mar 08, 2025 11:26 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi:

Drone Didis of Varanasi: Empowering women, harbingers of agri tech to region

For now, it seems like a win-win situation: trained women spray fertiliser/pesticides with the help of drones, get the work done in fraction of the time, earn money and self confidence. Next stop: a green revolution?

Neetu Singh operates the drone n Mehandi Ganj area recently (HT Photo)

Other Cities

Published on Mar 07, 2025 08:20 PM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

For foreign guests, bustling Kashi no less than a spiritual experience

Marcella and Rishikesh enjoyed a spiritual experience in crowded Varanasi, while officials extended vehicle bans due to the influx of pilgrims.

Lali Gallucci with fellow Argentinian Carolina Judith at Mata Anandmayi Ghat (HT)

Lucknow

Updated on Feb 10, 2025 09:56 PM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

Trapped in war: Eight Indians forced to fight for Russian Army

Two Delhi-based immigration agents, who are currently in Russia but untraceable, allegedly duped these men into signing agreements in Russian, later discovered to be contracts committing them to fight for the Russian Army. After months of forced labour building bunkers, they were sent to the war zone

Arvind Kumar, from Azamgarh, was enticed by promises of a <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>2 lakh monthly salary for a security guard job in Russia (Sourced)

Lucknow

Published on Jan 02, 2025 06:47 PM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

‘Naam hi kafi hai’, how Ramakant Yadav’s clout grew over the years in Azamgarh

Lodged in jail since July 2022 in connection with a spurious liquor case, Ramakant faces a fresh challenge as the police have listed him and his 15 accomplices as members of the IR 42 gang.

Samajwadi Party MLA Ramakant Yadav. (FILE PHOTO)

Lucknow

Published on Dec 02, 2024 10:08 PM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

BJP goes out all to win Majhawan, Yogi rally today

In election after election, caste equations dominate every other issue in the constituency which has a sizeable number of Dalit, OBC and Brahmin voters

Other Cities

Updated on Nov 10, 2024 06:24 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

IIT-BHU develops paper microchip for quick kidney disease detection

Creatinine is measured via a smartphone-based imaging system, while albumin levels are assessed with an indigenously developed 3D-printed cascade, according to a press statement from IIT-BHU.

Left to Right: Prof Pranjal Chandra, Divya, PhD Scholar, and IIT-BHU Director Prof Amit Patra with the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Award. (HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Nov 09, 2024 05:54 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

Proposal for student elections under consideration: BHU V-C

BHU plans to hold student union elections per Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, while addressing council formation, recruitment, and improvement efforts.

Lucknow

Updated on Nov 05, 2024 08:02 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar

Varanasi court rejects plea for additional ASI survey at Gyanvapi complex

Hindu side's plea for more ASI surveys at Gyanvapi complex rejected by Varanasi court.

An Aerial view shows Gyanvapi mosque, left, and Kashiviswanath temple on the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi (AP File)

India News

Published on Oct 25, 2024 06:43 PM IST

BySudhir Kumar

Kashi Ghats silt cleanup: Race against time for Dev Deepawali

The silt is a result of the floodwaters that rise every year during the monsoon, carrying sediment which settles on the ghats.

Ganga Mahal Ghat in Varanasi (Rajesh Kumar/HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Oct 24, 2024 07:14 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

Newly launched RCCC boosts rural development, employee accountability in Varanasi

A dedicated team at the RCCC strictly monitors the employees working in rural areas, especially in villages, and tracks their attendance

Rural Command and Control Center office in Varanasi (HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Oct 14, 2024 06:40 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

PM-adopted villages to be developed as model

These villages will be equipped with basic facilities like roads, sanitation, sewage network, streetlights and a wellness centre among others

PM has adopted these villages in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi.. (HT file)

Lucknow

Updated on Sep 24, 2024 06:44 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

Journey of Salkhan Fossils: From oblivion to limelight

Buried for billions of years in the vicinity of a small village Salkhan, the world’s oldest fossils are in the focus of the UP government, getting the hilly stretch where they lie buried.

The Salkhan Fossil Park, is spread over 25 hectares of hilly land. (HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Aug 27, 2024 08:02 PM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

“Adopt a Child” drive helps Varanasi govt school kids turn quick learners

In Varanasi, 30,000 primary school children have become quick learners through the 'Adopt a Child' campaign, improving their reading and math skills.

Children at a government primary school in Jamapur in Varanasi. (HT photo)

Lucknow

Updated on Jun 21, 2024 06:24 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

Robertsganj: Apna Dal (S) faces uphill battle in difficult poll terrain

The poll chat in remote villages is focussed on caste calculus, unemployment and inflation. While many praise PM Narendra Modi, anti-incumbency sentiments against the sitting MP are palpable

This parliamentary constituency, which votes in the final phase on June 1, shares its borders with four states: Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. (HT Photo)

Other Cities

Published on May 30, 2024 04:40 PM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Sonbhadra

Lok Sabha elections 2024: BJP bigwigs camp in Kashi before Phase-7

Modi is seeking a third consecutive term in Varanasi and is up against the INDIA bloc’s candidate Ajay Rai who lost to Modi from the same seat in 2014 and 2019.

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal campaigning in Varanasi. (Sourced)

Lucknow

Updated on May 29, 2024 07:08 AM IST

ByShishir Gupta, Sudhir Kumar

Can the BJP rebel on SP ticket upstage the caste calculus against Anupriya Patel in Mirzapur?

In the eastern U.P. town of Mirzapur, famous for the Maa Vindhyavasini shrine, Union minister Anupriya Patel, leader of the BJP ally Apna Dal (S), is caught in a tough battle. The SP has fielded sitting BJP MP from Bhadohi Ramesh Bind as its candidate. The Opposition’s move is aimed at disturbing the Kurmi-dominated OBC caste dynamics in the constituency. This dynamics has worked well since 2014 both for Apna Dal (S) and the BJP-led NDA.

Union minister and Apna Dal (Sonelal) chief Anupriya Patel at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh. (ANI FILE PHOTO)

Lucknow

Updated on May 28, 2024 08:26 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

2024 Lok Sabha polls: BJP banks on Modi charisma to cement hold in caste-defined east U.P.

In the heartland of Purvanchal, which goes to polls in the seventh and final phase on June 1, the BJP won nine out of 13 seats, including Varanasi, in the 2019 battle and two were bagged by its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath during a road show in Varanasi on May 13. (AFP File Photo)

Lucknow

Updated on May 28, 2024 08:24 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

Will Bhadohi roll out the red carpet for BJP amid triangular fight with BSP, TMC?

Famous for weaving world-class hand made carpets, Bhadohi is the lone seat, which the TMC is contesting in alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

The carpet artisans and other associated with this industry feel that their issues hardly find poll resonance (HT Photo)

Other Cities

Updated on May 22, 2024 06:20 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

Four seats in Azamgarh division:Caste calculus in triangular fight keeps everyone guessing

The BJP has won the Azamgarh and Ballia seats twice and Ghosi and Lalganj (SC) once each in the Lok Sabha elections.

For Representation Only: Polling officials prepare a polling booth for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections, at Vaishali in Ghaziabad (PTI)

Other Cities

Updated on May 22, 2024 06:06 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Azamgarh

Riding on Modi show of strength in Kashi, BJP seeks consolidation in Purvanchal

The party expects voters to go its way in Varanasi and nearby seats of Bhadohi, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Ballia, Robertsganj, Allahabad, Lalganj, Ghosi, Salempur, Machlishahr and Mirzapur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union home minister Amit Shah, UP CM Yogi Adityanath and BJP national president JP Nadda leaves after filing his nomination for Lok Sabha elections, in Varanasi, Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Lucknow

Published on May 14, 2024 09:52 PM IST

ByPankaj Jaiswal, Sudhir Kumar

Kashi soaked in festivity as PM holds mega road show

The road show highlighted the achievements of the central government over the past decade; Modi’s arrival was marked by the echo of conches, shehnai tunes, rhythmic beats of the drums and the chanting of mantras

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with UP CM Yogi Adityanath during a road show in Varanasi on Monday. (HT Photo)

Lucknow

Updated on May 14, 2024 07:06 AM IST

ByPankaj Jaiswal, Sudhir Kumar

Modi to file nomination today, holds roadshow

PM Modi held a six-km roadshow in Varanasi before filing his nomination papers, highlighting his development work and receiving support from BJP leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Varanasi on Monday. (PTI)

India News

Updated on May 14, 2024 06:14 AM IST

ByPankaj Jaiswal, Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi

Jaunpur voters will bless me once again, says BSP candidate Shyam Singh Yadav

Yadav who has served in different capacities in government departments, says he is confident about his victory from Jaunpur on the BSP symbol.

Shyam Singh Yadav filed his nomination from Jaunpur Lok Sabha constituency on May 6. (HT)

Other Cities

Updated on May 08, 2024 07:36 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Jaunpur

Srikala’s ouster changes pol scenario in Jaunpur

From NDA, the BJP has fielded Kripa Shankar Singh, from INDIA bloc SP’s Babu Singh Kushwaha is in fray, whereas the BSP has fielded Shyam Singh Yadav.

Srikala Singh, wife of Dhananjay Singh (Sourced)

Lucknow

Published on May 06, 2024 10:49 PM IST

BySudhir Kumar

Govt primary and upper primary schools: Varanasi arms all 1,143 schools with smart classrooms, tops U.P.

The programme to arm all government schools with smart classrooms began around two years ago and was completed over a month ago

Other Cities

Published on Apr 20, 2024 08:28 PM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Varanasi

Meet Japanese Jacky Haircut Wali

A tourist from Japan on her ninth visit to the city of ghats has a great way to connect with locals, and seek peace along the banks of the Ganges

Japanese Jacky giving free haircut to a Banarasi at a Ghat, Varanasi-(HT photos by Rajesh Kumar )

India News

Published on Apr 11, 2024 10:47 PM IST

BySudhir Kumar

Amid tight police vigil, Mukhtar laid to rest

Supporters raise slogans, administration says possible violation of model code of conduct will be looked into, action will be taken if needed

Funeral procession of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari at Mohammadabad in Ghazipur on Saturday. (ANI)

Other Cities

Updated on Mar 31, 2024 06:10 AM IST

BySudhir Kumar, Mohammadabad (ghazipur)

Impact of mafia -politician Mukhtar Ansari who dominated Mau-Ghazipur likely to continue after death

Though he remained behind bars for the last 18 years, many parties vied for Mukhtar Ansari’s electoral support due to his influence on the Muslim community in the region.

Lucknow

Updated on Mar 29, 2024 06:18 PM IST

ByRajesh Kumar Singh, Sudhir Kumar, Lucknow/varanasi

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Sudhir Kumar

Sudhir Kumar is Varanasi based senior staff correspondent.He covers all developments, politics, education--primary, secondary and higher -- crime, offbeat, tribes and human angle stories

An office-bearer of the Samiti, Pawan Chaudhary said hundreds of saints and devotees participated in this year’s procession

Kashi Vidwat Parishad says playing Holi with ashes from funeral pyres is against the tradition of Kashi while manager of Baba Mahashmashan Nath Seva Samiti asserts the practice is centuries-old but Samiti president states ashes not needed and prefers offering of ‘abir-gulal’ to deity

For now, it seems like a win-win situation: trained women spray fertiliser/pesticides with the help of drones, get the work done in fraction of the time, earn money and self confidence. Next stop: a green revolution?

Marcella and Rishikesh enjoyed a spiritual experience in crowded Varanasi, while officials extended vehicle bans due to the influx of pilgrims.

Lodged in jail since July 2022 in connection with a spurious liquor case, Ramakant faces a fresh challenge as the police have listed him and his 15 accomplices as members of the IR 42 gang.

In election after election, caste equations dominate every other issue in the constituency which has a sizeable number of Dalit, OBC and Brahmin voters

Creatinine is measured via a smartphone-based imaging system, while albumin levels are assessed with an indigenously developed 3D-printed cascade, according to a press statement from IIT-BHU.

BHU plans to hold student union elections per Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, while addressing council formation, recruitment, and improvement efforts.

Hindu side's plea for more ASI surveys at Gyanvapi complex rejected by Varanasi court.

The silt is a result of the floodwaters that rise every year during the monsoon, carrying sediment which settles on the ghats.

A dedicated team at the RCCC strictly monitors the employees working in rural areas, especially in villages, and tracks their attendance

These villages will be equipped with basic facilities like roads, sanitation, sewage network, streetlights and a wellness centre among others

Buried for billions of years in the vicinity of a small village Salkhan, the world’s oldest fossils are in the focus of the UP government, getting the hilly stretch where they lie buried.

In Varanasi, 30,000 primary school children have become quick learners through the 'Adopt a Child' campaign, improving their reading and math skills.

The poll chat in remote villages is focussed on caste calculus, unemployment and inflation. While many praise PM Narendra Modi, anti-incumbency sentiments against the sitting MP are palpable

Modi is seeking a third consecutive term in Varanasi and is up against the INDIA bloc’s candidate Ajay Rai who lost to Modi from the same seat in 2014 and 2019.

In the heartland of Purvanchal, which goes to polls in the seventh and final phase on June 1, the BJP won nine out of 13 seats, including Varanasi, in the 2019 battle and two were bagged by its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal)

Famous for weaving world-class hand made carpets, Bhadohi is the lone seat, which the TMC is contesting in alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

The BJP has won the Azamgarh and Ballia seats twice and Ghosi and Lalganj (SC) once each in the Lok Sabha elections.

The party expects voters to go its way in Varanasi and nearby seats of Bhadohi, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Ballia, Robertsganj, Allahabad, Lalganj, Ghosi, Salempur, Machlishahr and Mirzapur

The road show highlighted the achievements of the central government over the past decade; Modi’s arrival was marked by the echo of conches, shehnai tunes, rhythmic beats of the drums and the chanting of mantras

PM Modi held a six-km roadshow in Varanasi before filing his nomination papers, highlighting his development work and receiving support from BJP leaders.

Yadav who has served in different capacities in government departments, says he is confident about his victory from Jaunpur on the BSP symbol.

From NDA, the BJP has fielded Kripa Shankar Singh, from INDIA bloc SP’s Babu Singh Kushwaha is in fray, whereas the BSP has fielded Shyam Singh Yadav.

The programme to arm all government schools with smart classrooms began around two years ago and was completed over a month ago

A tourist from Japan on her ninth visit to the city of ghats has a great way to connect with locals, and seek peace along the banks of the Ganges

Supporters raise slogans, administration says possible violation of model code of conduct will be looked into, action will be taken if needed

Though he remained behind bars for the last 18 years, many parties vied for Mukhtar Ansari’s electoral support due to his influence on the Muslim community in the region.

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