Author: Arijit Bose

Lucknow: The CPI (ML) Red Star has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Kasturirangan report, arguing that measures aimed at protecting the Western Ghats should not come at the cost of the land, livelihoods and traditional rights of local communities. The party said protecting the Western Ghats’ forests, water sources, environment and biodiversity was essential, but maintained that farmers, agricultural labourers, tribal communities and rural workers who have lived in the region for generations should not bear the burden of environmental protection. According to the party, environmental degradation is primarily…

Lucknow: A delegation of traders met Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar to seek the opening of sealed commercial buildings in Aliganj whose owners have already deposited the prescribed fee under the authority’s settlement scheme. The delegation, led by All India Industry Trade Board national president Sandeep Bansal, raised concerns over goods lying inside the sealed premises. Traders said medicines, FMCG products and other stock could deteriorate, expire or become unusable if the shops remained sealed for a prolonged period. During the meeting, the delegation requested that the premises…

Lucknow: Devotees at the ongoing Ganeshotsav of “Manautiyon Ke Raja” gathered for the traditional worship of Lord Ganesha’s revered weapon, Pashankush, at Jhulelal Vatika near Hanuman Setu on Wednesday. The puja was conducted according to traditional rituals by priests from Ayodhya and Varanasi, who performed the ceremonies with Vedic chants. Committee patron Bharat Bhushan Gupta, president Ghanshyam Agrawal, councillor Ranjit Singh, Jai Karan Singh, Akhilesh Bansal, Sanjay Singh Gandhi, Gopal Agrawal and Sudhanshu Batham, along with several women members and a large number of devotees, participated in the worship. Bharat…

Lucknow: A National Valmiki Conference will be organised in Lucknow on September 27 at the Vishweshvaraiya Auditorium in the PWD building, organisers said. Chandan Lal Valmiki, national working president of the All India Confederation of Deprived and Exploited Social Organisations, and Akash Pushkar, chairman of the organising committee, held a meeting with senior members from Lucknow to discuss preparations for the conference. Arrangements for accommodation, transportation and food for delegates arriving from different states were also reviewed. According to Chandan Lal Valmiki, the conference will be inaugurated by Jagatguru Shri…

Lucknow: A grand Maha Abhishek of Lord Ganesha was performed with Vedic chants on Thursday at Jhulelal Vatika as part of the ongoing Ganesh festival organised by the Shri Ganesh Prakatya Committee. The ritual abhishek was performed with milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, Gangajal and juice prepared from five fruits while devotees chanted the 1,008 names of Lord Ganesha. Office-bearers, members and volunteers of the committee participated with their families, while members of the public were also given an opportunity to perform the ritual. Hundreds of devotees offered prayers and…

Lucknow: The immersion procession of Shivaji Marg’s Raja Ganpati was taken out with great enthusiasm on Thursday as part of the Shri Shri Ganesh Mahotsav organised under the Oscar Yog Sai Kripa Seva Sansthan. Accompanied by traditional drums, musical beats and a DJ, devotees proceeded towards the immersion venue at Jhulelal Park. The procession was marked by singing, dancing and the festive spirit, with devotees applying abir and gulal to one another along the route. Before the immersion ceremony, devotees participated in the morning rituals at the festival venue. The…