Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, Jan 29, 2026: Amid the rising tide of modern music and digital sounds, the traditional musical instruments of India’s tribal communities are gradually fading into obscurity. Recognizing this cultural loss, Uttar Pradesh’s Folk and Tribal Culture Institute has taken significant steps to preserve these endangered treasures. The institute is currently safeguarding over 200 traditional instruments, ensuring that future generations remain connected to their rich cultural roots. Once resonating across forests, hills, and riversides, instruments like the dholak, nagada, daf, dhafli, and been are now on the brink of extinction. Following directives from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the institute is not only preserving these instruments but also showcasing them through exhibitions an...

Ghaziabad, Jan 29, 2026: Electricity consumers in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, are facing growing difficulties as erroneous electricity bills continue to arrive. From incorrect meter readings to inflated load calculations, over 2,000 wrong bills are being issued every month, forcing residents to repeatedly visit power department offices for corrections. In the past four months alone, more than 9,000 incorrect bills have been reported. With around 2.5 lakh electricity consumers in the city, bills are generally issued between the 7th and 22nd of each month. Residents allege that meter readers frequently enter incorrect readings, sometimes higher than actual consumption, leading to inflated bills. Complaints lodged with the electricity department are often delayed or ignored, leaving frustrat...

Siddharthnagar, Jan 29, 2026: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated projects worth over ₹1,000 crore in Siddharthnagar on Wednesday, highlighting the district’s cultural and economic significance. While the region is renowned as the spiritual land of Lord Buddha, it is increasingly gaining attention for its historic and unique agricultural product—Black Salt Rice. Known locally for centuries, Black Salt Rice has now become a symbol of both tradition and modern economic growth, thanks to the state government’s One District-One Product (ODOP) initiative. The crop is helping local farmers increase income and strengthening the district’s economy. A 2600-Year-Old LegacyThe cultivation of Black Salt Rice in Piprahwa, Siddharthnagar, dates back over 2,600 years, around 60...

Ghaziabad, Jan 29, 2026: In Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, centers set up for responding to notices under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process were overwhelmed on Wednesday as large crowds gathered, leading to chaos and unrest. The situation escalated when citizens were asked to provide proof from the 2003 voter list, creating confusion and frustration among residents. The administration had established 14 centers across various assembly constituencies to facilitate verification of documents. However, many visitors faced difficulties as booth level officers (BLOs) were absent, leaving people unsure about where to submit or verify the required documents. Several residents expressed their anger over the sudden demand for documents that are over 20 years old. “We were asked to provid...

Sambhal, Jan 29, 2026: A heart-wrenching incident occurred in Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh, where a 9-year-old boy drowned in a deep, water-filled pit near a brick kiln. The pit, dug recently with a JCB machine, had collected rainwater, and the tragedy has sparked outrage among locals demanding strict action against the kiln owner. According to reports, the incident took place near Gauri Brick Kiln in Barbari Madhiya village, under Hayatnagar police jurisdiction. The child, Priyansh, son of laborer Rohtas from Saijna village, was playing near the kiln when he accidentally slipped into the pit, approximately 9 feet deep, filled with water. Upon realizing his son was missing, Rohtas rushed to search for him. Seeing Priyansh struggling in the water, he jumped into the pit to rescue h...

Saharanpur, Jan 29, 2026: In a disturbing incident in a village in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a young couple was brutally beaten by a mob in front of the village council (panchayat) for engaging in a romantic relationship. The victims reportedly begged for mercy, folding their hands in prayer, but their pleas went unheard. Authorities say no formal complaint has yet been filed with the police. According to local reports, the incident occurred around ten days ago. A young man had gone to meet his girlfriend when villagers learned of their meeting and apprehended both. Without involving law enforcement, the couple was brought to the house of the village head, where a panchayat session was held. During the session, not only were their personal relations questioned, but the couple was also ...

Agra, Jan 29, 2026: Agra police have uncovered an illegal factory producing counterfeit English liquor in Akola, under Kagarol police jurisdiction. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the operation, and a large consignment of fake liquor, chemicals, and branded wrappers was seized. According to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), during a routine night check on Tuesday, Kagarol police stopped a black Scorpio near Lalaoo Pul in Akola. Three men – Naresh, Ummed, and Prashant – were apprehended, along with 74 cases of liquor in their possession. Following interrogation, the accused led the police to a warehouse at Satyaprakash’s residence, situated near the fields of Akola. They revealed that they mixed chemicals with spirits to produce counterfeit liquor...

Pune: Recent developments within Maharashtra politics had suggested the possibility of reconciliation within the Pawar family and a reunification of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). However, the sudden demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has cast uncertainty over these prospects. Political analysts note that Ajit Pawar was central to the entire process, and without him, reaching a consensus between the two NCP factions is expected to be far more challenging. Ajit Pawar had publicly stated that his primary political aim was to bring the two NCP factions together on a single platform. He also emphasized that this effort could only proceed with the guidance and blessing of Sharad Pawar, whom he credited for nurturing his political career and shaping his leadership style. Mai...

Residents of Uttar Pradesh will face a 10% increase in electricity bills for February, following an order from the State Power Corporation to recover additional charges under the fuel surcharge. This move is expected to place an extra financial burden on consumers. Reason Behind the HikeThe increase is aimed at covering extra power purchase costs incurred in November 2025. The Power Corporation claims that electricity was procured at ₹5.79 per unit, while the tariff approved by the Electricity Regulatory Commission was ₹4.94 per unit. Based on this difference, the fuel surcharge was applied to February bills. Consumer Council Raises ConcernsThe State Electricity Consumer Council has raised objections, questioning the methodology. Chairman Avadhesh Kumar Verma stated that such high el...

The land acquisition process for the proposed Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway in Uttar Pradesh has accelerated, with the registration of 69.57 hectares of land across 13 villages in Tehsil Sadar now officially halted. Preventing Unauthorized TransfersA special land acquisition officer of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Himanshu Verma, issued instructions to the first and second sub-registrars of Tehsil Sadar to immediately suspend land registrations in areas affected by the expressway. The move ensures that no transfers or sales take place until the acquisition process is complete. Farmers and landowners in the affected areas will receive fair compensation as per regulations once the process concludes. Scope and Alignment of the ExpresswayThe expressway’s new alignment...