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Azamgarh, UP: Nizamabad, a town in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, is renowned worldwide for its black pottery, a craft dating back to the Mughal era. The art is unique because it uses deep black clay to create pots, figurines, jewelry, and decorative items entirely by hand, without any paint. The craft was introduced by four to five artisans who migrated from Kutch, Gujarat, and collaborated with local craftsmen to develop this distinctive style. Today, nearly 1,500 families in Nizamabad rely on black pottery for their livelihood, with products exported both within India and abroad. Distinctive Features and Crafting ProcessThe charm of Nizamabad black pottery lies in its natural black color and glossy finish. The process begins with selecting fine-quality black clay, which is kn...

Agra: In a landmark ruling, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Agra has directed a saree showroom owner to refund ₹2.5 lakh along with 6% annual interest and an additional ₹15,000 as compensation for mental distress within 45 days, after a bridal lehenga was delivered in the wrong color. The CaseRitul Jain, a resident of Belanganj, Agra, filed a complaint with the commission stating that she had purchased a pink-purple lehenga worth ₹2.5 lakh for her daughter’s wedding on November 4, 2023. The showroom owner, Anushri Jain, proprietor of Tubhyam Saree Showroom, Kolkata, had promised delivery by January 5, 2024. However, the lehenga arrived via parcel on January 31, 2024, in champagne golden brown instead of the specified pink-purple shade. After returning the lehen...

Saharanpur: The administration in Saharanpur has ordered the attachment of 56 properties belonging to former MLC Haji Iqbal under the Gangster Act. The total market value of these properties is estimated at approximately ₹2.76 billion. The District Magistrate, Manish Bansal, issued the orders for this action. Following the DM’s directive, the Behat Tehsildar has been appointed as the administrator to manage the attached properties. The process of taking government possession of these assets has already commenced. Allegations of Organized Illegal GainsAccording to the DM’s order, Haji Iqbal, also known as Bala, along with his sons, relatives, and associates, allegedly formed an organized gang. This gang is accused of serious offenses, including illegal timber theft in Khair, unlawful ...

Noida: A media professional in Noida has been taken into police custody for allegedly threatening a fellow journalist over news coverage related to gangster Ravi Kana. The accused reportedly warned the colleague not to air any reports against Kana and his associates, using calls and messages from foreign numbers. Joint Police Operation The Sector-20 police, in coordination with a central investigative agency, detained the journalist from Sector-93, Noida on Tuesday night. Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused had contacts with Ravi Kana and his gang members. Authorities seized the suspect’s electronic devices and conducted extended interrogation overnight. Death Threats From Overseas Numbers According to the victim, on the evening of 12 February, a call from a UK ...

Noida: Around a dozen schools in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, received bomb threats via email, triggering widespread concern among parents and students as CBSE examinations are currently underway. The emails warned of potential explosions, prompting immediate action from authorities. Police and Bomb Squad Swiftly Respond Upon receiving the threat, Noida police teams rushed to the affected schools. The Bomb Disposal Squad and dog squad units conducted thorough inspections of all premises. As a precautionary measure, school campuses were temporarily evacuated, and students were gathered under teacher supervision in open grounds while the investigation was carried out. The administration remains on high alert to ensure the safety of all students. Meanwhile, cybercrime units have launched ef...