Uttar Pradesh

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...

Lucknow: The issue of government officials allegedly ignoring calls from MLAs and other public representatives has sparked major political debate in Uttar Pradesh. The matter was recently raised strongly in the State Assembly by Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, and even several BJP legislators echoed similar concerns, highlighting what they termed as growing disrespect towards elected representatives. In response to the controversy, Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana has taken a strict stand and directed government officers to ensure full respect and timely communication with public representatives. The state government is now preparing to introduce a new monitoring mechanism to address the problem. Officials Must Respond or Call Back Within 10 Minutes As per the...

Noida: With the arrival of spring, Noida is set to witness a vibrant celebration of nature as a grand Flower Show begins today at Shivalik Park in Sector-33. The floral exhibition will continue till 22 February, and the best part is that entry for visitors is completely free. The official inauguration ceremony will be held today at 2:00 PM, which will be attended by the local Member of Parliament along with other dignitaries. The park has been beautifully decorated with colourful flowers, ornamental plants, artistic floral designs, and attractive lighting arrangements, making it a major attraction for residents and visitors alike. According to the Noida Authority, this year’s flower show promises greater creativity and diversity compared to previous editions. Theme-based floral struc...

Prayagraj: The Supreme Court of India has overturned a controversial decision of the Allahabad High Court, holding that grabbing a girl’s private parts and attempting to remove her clothing constitutes an offence of attempt to rape. The apex court ruled that such acts cannot be treated merely as “preparation” for rape, as earlier stated by the High Court, but clearly fall under the definition of an attempt to commit rape under criminal law. Bench Headed by Justice Surya Kant The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice N.V. Anjaria. While delivering its judgment on Wednesday, the bench observed that the Allahabad High Court had wrongly interpreted established principles of criminal law. The Supreme Court stated that the Hig...

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh): A detailed research study conducted by IIT Kanpur has raised serious concerns about earthquake preparedness in Uttar Pradesh. According to the study, if an earthquake of magnitude 6.5 or above strikes the Gangetic plains, the cities of Kanpur and Prayagraj could suffer massive destruction due to a dangerous phenomenon known as soil liquefaction. The warning comes years after the devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake, whose tremors were strongly felt across Uttar Pradesh. Despite that experience, experts believe that the state has still not developed adequate preparedness to handle a major seismic disaster. Liquefaction Identified as the Biggest Threat Explaining the findings, Professor Nihar Ranjan Patra from the Civil Engineering Department of IIT Kanpur said ...