Author: Arijit Bose

NHRC Special Rapporteur Reviews Prisoners’ Rights and Welfare in Uttar Pradesh

Arijit Bose

Lucknow: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Special Rapporteur Upendra Singh Baghel held a meeting with Uttar Pradesh Director General of Prisons PC Meena to discuss the protection of prisoners’ human rights and measures to improve their welfare in the state’s prisons. During the meeting, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Pradeep Gupta delivered a presentation outlining arrangements for prisoners’ healthcare, mental health support, skill development, food and other basic amenities. He also highlighted initiatives aimed at improving inmates’ living conditions and supporting their rehabilitation. Special attention was given to facilities and…

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Centre May Reduce Stake in Four Public Sector Banks, Two Could Be Considered for Privatisation

Arijit Bose

New Delhi / Lucknow: The central government is reportedly considering reducing its stake in four public sector banks to 75 per cent to comply with minimum public shareholding norms, while also exploring another round of consolidation in the banking sector. According to a report by The Economic Times, the banks under consideration are Central Bank of India, UCO Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank and Indian Overseas Bank. The proposed reduction would increase public shareholding in these lenders, although the timing and method of the stake sale would depend on market…

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Northeastern Railway Observes Vigilance Awareness Week Under ‘Probity for Prosperity’ Theme

Arijit Bose

Lucknow: The Northeastern Railway Vigilance Organisation is observing Vigilance Awareness Week from October 26 to November 1, 2026, under the theme “Probity for Prosperity”, following the directions of the Central Vigilance Commission. The week-long campaign is being organised at the Northeastern Railway headquarters in Gorakhpur and across all its divisions. As part of the initiative, Lucknow Divisional Railway Manager Gaurav Agrawal administered the vigilance integrity pledge to railway officers and employees at the Divisional Railway Manager’s office at 11 am on Monday. Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Infrastructure) Bhuvanesh Singh, Additional…

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Uttar Pradesh on Alert as Cyclone ‘Arnab’ Threatens Rain and Strong Winds

Arijit Bose

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has stepped up preparedness for possible adverse weather conditions associated with Cyclone ‘Arnab’, with unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and strong winds forecast across parts of the state from October 28 to 31. The Relief Commissioner’s Office has issued an advisory urging residents, farmers and local administrations to take precautionary measures. According to the forecast cited in the advisory, wind speeds could reach 50 kmph in some areas, while daytime temperatures may drop by 5–8 degrees Celsius. A yellow alert has been issued for October 28 in…

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BJP Lucknow Stages Protest Over Kharge’s Remarks Against PM Modi, Demands Public Apology

Arijit Bose

Lucknow: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lucknow Metropolitan unit staged a protest on Monday against an allegedly objectionable remark made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a public apology. Led by BJP Lucknow Metropolitan president Anand Dwivedi, thousands of party workers and supporters participated in the demonstration. The protest began at the statue site of former Uttar Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon, popularly known as Babujee, and proceeded towards Hazratganj crossing. Protesters raised slogans against the Congress and condemned the reported remark. Addressing the gathering, Dwivedi…

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Former MLAs, Leaders from BJP, BSP and Other Parties Join Samajwadi Party

Arijit Bose

Lucknow: Several former legislators and prominent political leaders from the BJP, BSP and other parties joined the Samajwadi Party (SP), expressing confidence in the leadership of party president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and their faith in the party’s policies. The leaders joined the SP along with thousands of supporters at an event attended by senior party functionaries. The new entrants pledged to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and work towards making Akhilesh Yadav the chief minister. Among those who joined…

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Maharishi Valmiki’s Teachings Continue to Guide Society Towards Righteousness: AK Sharma

Arijit Bose

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Urban Development and Energy Minister AK Sharma said Maharishi Valmiki’s teachings and literary contributions had provided society with enduring values of morality, social harmony and righteous conduct. He made the remarks at a programme organised at the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies in Lucknow to mark Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti. Sharma paid floral tributes to Maharishi Valmiki’s portrait along with Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, Principal Secretary P Guru Prasad and Secretary and Director Anuj Kumar Jha. The minister also felicitated sanitation workers for their notable contributions to urban…

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Lucknow-Based Love Story ‘Laagi Chhoote Na’ to Release Nationwide on November 13

Arijit Bose

Lucknow: Celebrating the culture, language and traditional etiquette of Lucknow, Hindi feature film Laagi Chhoote Na is set for a nationwide theatrical release on November 13, 2026. The film brings the city’s distinctive atmosphere, local dialect and emotional relationships to the big screen through a love story rooted in Uttar Pradesh’s cultural and social landscape. Produced under the banner of Anand Motion Pictures, the film has been written and directed by Anand Kumar Tiwari. Ashutosh Kumar, Deepra Mishra and Shalu Singh play the lead roles in the story, which explores…

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Udaan Dandiya Utsav 2026 Celebrates Devotion and Dance in Lucknow

Arijit Bose

Lucknow: Women and young girls brought the festive spirit alive with vibrant dandiya and garba performances at Udaan Dandiya Utsav 2026, organised by the social and cultural organisation Udaan on the occasion of Dussehra at Raghuvar Marriage Lawn on Chandan Road, Indira Nagar, Lucknow. The programme, featuring devotional music, began with the worship of Gauri and Lord Ganesha. The event was inaugurated by chief guest Babita Singh Chauhan, chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Women, along with special guests and councillors Kalpana Verma and Pooja Jaswani, Rahul Gupta,…

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“Yelling at Actors for a Character They Portray Is Insane”: Craig Mazin on The Last of Us Backlash at IFP Season 16

Arijit Bose

Mumbai: IFP kicked off Day 1 of its sixteenth season on October 24 at Mehboob Studios, Mumbai, with a packed lineup of conversations spanning creativity, culture, and ideas that challenge conventional thinking. Among its key sessions, acclaimed screenwriter and The Last of Us co-creator Craig Mazin joined audiences virtually for a candid and insightful AMA. In a conversation with Patrick Graham, Craig addressed the intense online backlash surrounding The Last of Us Part II, reflecting on how leaks, misinformation, and toxic fan reactions created a storm around the game, and…

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