Madhya Pradesh

Shahdol, MP: A tragic road accident occurred late last night near Madari Dhaba in Ghunghuti, Shahdol district, on National Highway 43. The official Bolero vehicle of the District Forest Officer (DFO) collided with a stationary truck, resulting in the deaths of two people and serious injuries to five women. According to police reports, the incident took place between 1:00 and 2:00 AM under Pali Police Station jurisdiction. The Bolero, carrying the DFO’s family members from Shahdol, was traveling from Narsarha Depot towards Bandhavgarh after a private family meal. The vehicle collided with a truck parked on the roadside. The driver of the Bolero, Izhar Khan (32) from Medhki, died on the spot, while Bhagwati Marskole succumbed to her injuries while being transported to Jabalpur. Five wo...

Bhopal: Drinking habits in Madhya Pradesh are witnessing a significant shift, with chilled beer now emerging as the most preferred alcoholic beverage among consumers. Beer sales have surged past both local spirits and IMFL (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor), marking a notable change over the past five years. According to official statistics, beer sales are now three times higher than IMFL, while local liquor remains second, with sales twice that of IMFL but still lower than beer. Beer Becomes the Top ChoiceOver the last five years, preferences in MP have shifted dramatically. Until 2021–22, local liquor dominated sales in the state. However, beer consumption has consistently increased each year, claiming the top spot for the last three years. Local liquor continues to rank second. In 20...

Sagar, MP: Residents of Sanodha village in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh, are living in fear as several Indian Rock Pythons have been spotted near local farmlands. Farmers report that these massive snakes, measuring 8 to 10 feet long, have repeatedly taken shelter in haystacks, creating panic in the area. The snakes’ sudden appearance has left locals anxious and sleepless, as the reptiles are often seen near livestock and storage areas. Over the past week, three pythons have been rescued from haystacks with the help of wildlife experts, yet new sightings continue to alarm residents. Rescues by Snake Catcher Snake catcher Aqeel Baba, who has been actively involved in these rescues, said that he received a call from the Forest Department about another large python hiding in a hayst...

Bhopal: Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the state government, accusing it of acting against Hindu temples while projecting itself as a protector of Sanatan traditions. He alleged that the government is attempting to auction temple lands, directly violating constitutional provisions as well as Supreme Court and High Court rulings. Addressing a press conference, Singh said that under a government order dated April 22, 2023, instructions have been issued to auction muafi (endowment) lands measuring more than 10 acres. Based on this order, notices are allegedly being served to priests across the state, creating panic among temple communities. Notice Issued to Temple Priest Singh cited a specific case from K...

Bhopal: Nearly three years after Islam Nagar was officially renamed Jagdishpur, visitors to the historic fort near Bhopal continue to receive entry tickets bearing the old name. The anomaly has once again highlighted the slow pace of administrative updates and the gap between policy decisions and ground-level implementation. Officials from the Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums have acknowledged that the ticket vending machines installed at the site still carry the earlier name, Islam Nagar. These machines were set up several years ago and have not yet been updated to reflect the fort’s new identity as Jagdishpur Fort. A Fort of Mughal–Rajput Heritage The fort, known for its unique blend of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles, stands as an important...

Bhopal: The road widening project in the Awadhpuri area of Bhopal has once again run into trouble, leaving residents frustrated and raising questions about planning and execution. The ₹3-crore project, aimed at easing traffic congestion on the 1.8-kilometer stretch from Awadhpuri to the SOS square, is facing delays and controversies due to improper work sequencing and oversight. Electric Poles Still in Place One of the major issues is that electric poles along the roadside have not been relocated. These poles, now awkwardly positioned along the newly constructed road edges, pose serious risks to commuters and local residents, especially at night. Ideally, the poles should have been removed before construction began. Mistakes in Planning and Execution The project encountered fur...

In a startling case from Indore, police have recovered jewelry worth over ₹16 lakh stolen from a local shop. The culprits, an 18-year-old graphic designer and his companion, allegedly carried out the theft inspired by the Bollywood film ‘Bunty Aur Babli’. Details of the HeistThe theft occurred on 22 December at a jewelry store in the Rau area, where gold, silver, and diamond ornaments worth ₹16.17 lakh were stolen. Police have successfully apprehended the young couple. According to DCP Shri Krishna Lalchandani, both suspects are 18 years old. The boy works as a graphic designer, while the girl is preparing for NEET exams. The two have known each other since childhood. Job Loss Due to AI Triggered CrimeDuring interrogation, the boy revealed that he had been employed part-time with an ...

Ujjain: A massive crowd of devotees thronged the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain this Thursday. With winter holidays in full swing, the number of visitors crossed 2 lakh, compared to an average of 1.25 lakh on regular days. The temple administration had made special arrangements to manage the influx of devotees. Numbers Surge by EveningPratham Kaushik, Administrator of the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee, said that typically, 1.25 to 1.5 lakh devotees visit the temple daily. On the first day of the holidays, the number surpassed 1.5 lakh by afternoon, reaching nearly 2 lakh by evening. Several administrative changes have been implemented, which will remain in effect until 5 January. Four Entrances Open for DevoteesCurrently, devotees are allowed entry through the Neelka...

Indore has added another feather to its cap with the arrival of Madhya Pradesh’s first Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, an ultra-luxury SUV priced at over ₹15 crore. The iconic British luxury vehicle, owned by a prominent industrial family of the city, has become the talk of the town since its delivery. The bespoke Cullinan Series II has been acquired by the family of well-known Indore-based industrialist K.K. Singh. His sons, Manik Singh and Ankit Singh, placed a special order for the luxury SUV, which was handcrafted in the United Kingdom and delivered after nearly one year of meticulous customization. Following its arrival in Delhi by air, the vehicle was transported by road to Indore. According to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, this is the first Cullinan Series II delivered in Madhya Pra...