State

Lucknow: Preparations for Haj 2026 are in full swing, with applications already submitted by pilgrims. This year, the Haj Committee of India has introduced a technologically advanced system to enhance the safety and convenience of Indian pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia. As part of the new arrangement, every pilgrim will be provided a special smart band, which must be worn throughout the journey. The band will cost ₹5,000 per pilgrim and is designed to ensure safety, health monitoring, and real-time assistance during the pilgrimage. Advanced Features of the Smart BandThe smart band comes equipped with multiple state-of-the-art functionalities: Calling facility and SOS emergency button Real-time location tracking Qibla compass for accurate prayer direction Alerts for Na...

Lucknow: Political debate has erupted over the recently released Samajwadi Party (SP) PDA Calendar-2026. The calendar, launched by SP national president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, highlights the birth and death anniversaries of prominent figures from the PDA community, along with national and historical observances. However, the launch did not go without controversy. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari launched a scathing attack on the calendar, calling it a “Pakistani calendar”. Tiwari criticized the SP calendar for allegedly removing the date of the Ram Temple, calling it not just an affront to Lord Ram but also a disrespect to Indian culture. “The public will not accept such omissions,” he said. The calendar was printed under the supervision of SP leader and state sec...

Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: A grand Rudrabhishek ceremony was held at Bhagwat Mandiram on the parikrama path in Vrindavan under the aegis of Dharm Raksha Sangh, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of the first invasion of Somnath Temple by Mahmud of Ghazni (January 1026–January 2026). The sacred ritual was conducted under the guidance of Acharya Badrish Maharaj, with participation from saints, office bearers, and students performing the worship of Lord Shiva with proper Vedic rites. Sanatan Dharma’s Resilience HighlightedOn the occasion, National President of Dharm Raksha Sangh, Saurabh Gaur, emphasized that Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasion aimed not merely at looting, but at erasing India’s great Sanatan symbols. “The invader thought he could destroy faith, but his attempts to obliterate Sanat...

Meerut, Uttar Pradesh: Construction is progressing rapidly on the Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Salawa village, Meerut. Once completed, it will rank among India’s largest and most modern sports universities, spreading over approximately 700 acres. The ambitious project, backed by the Uttar Pradesh government, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022 and aims to become a premier destination for sports education, training, and research. Strategic Location and ConnectivityThe university is being developed across Salawa and Kaily villages along Sardhana Road in Meerut. Its excellent connectivity to Delhi-NCR, along with proximity to national highways, railway networks, and a proposed expressway, will make it easily accessible for athletes, coaches, and students natio...

Meerut: In a bizarre turn of events, the Meerut police have solved a high-value theft worth ₹25 lakh involving gold and silver jewelry, with the victim’s own nephew emerging as the mastermind. The incident occurred in Baniyapara, under the jurisdiction of Kotwali Police Station, when the victim Khurram Manjar had stepped out with his family for a private event. The house was completely locked and empty. During this time, some young men from the neighborhood were flying kites on a nearby terrace. In an unusual twist, a shoe worn by one of the kite-flyers accidentally landed on the roof of Khurram’s house. Seizing the opportunity, the youth climbed down to retrieve the shoe, noticed the house was unattended, and let greed take over. They broke into the home and looted valuables, includ...