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Kenneth John

Kenneth John is a Principal Correspondent based in Allahabad. He writes on wide ranging issues including education, women and child welfare, infrastructure development, environment, human rights, poverty and rural development.

Articles by Kenneth John

Spiritually fulfilled, KaIpvasis return home as month of austerity ends

Given the enormous crowd, vehicles were permitted to exit only after the Mela ground began to clear up. Tractors and other small vehicles designated for Kalpvasis were stationed in parking areas outside the Mela zone

Kalpvasis in Sector 7 of the sprawling tent city after completion of their month-long stay on the Sangam banks on Wednesday. (HT)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 13, 2025 08:12 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar

Amid elaborate crowd management, 2 crore take dip of faith: Govt

Yogi keeps close watch, Mela administration and a team of senior officials ensures smooth movement of devotees and the easy exit of nearly a million kalpvasis from the Mahakumbh area

An aerial view of Triveni Sangam as devotees take 'Amrit Snan' on the occasion of 'Magh Purnima' on Wednesday (ANI)

India News

Published on Feb 13, 2025 05:36 AM IST

ByK Sandeep Kumar, Kenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj):

Mahakumbh: Devotee count crosses 45-cr mark

Devotees at Prayagraj's Mahakumbh crossed 45 crore, with 55 crore expected by event's end. Security measures are heightened for the upcoming Maghi Purnima.

Some 1.23 crore people had taken a dip at Sangam by 6 pm on Tuesday--a day ahead of Maghi Purnima bathing. (Sourced)

Lucknow

Updated on Feb 11, 2025 10:53 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Mahakumbh: Fervour peaks in second half of Mela, chokes routes

Mahakumbh-2025 sees rising devotee numbers, causing severe traffic jams in Prayagraj. Over 43 crore have bathed since January 13, with more expected.

Rush of devotees at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj on Monday. (PTI PHOTO)

Lucknow

Updated on Feb 10, 2025 10:35 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar

Three foreign devotees take Brahmacharya Deeksha at Mahakumbh

Three foreign disciples of Jagadguru Sai Maa Lakshmi Devi took Brahmacharya Deeksha in Mahakumbh Nagar, dedicating their lives to spreading Sanatan Dharma.

(From left): David Patrick O Grady, John David Miller, Reiko Hyodo taking Brahmacharya Deeksha in the camp of Shakti Dhaam in sector 17 of Mahakumbh Nagar on Sunday. (HT Photo)

Other Cities

Updated on Feb 09, 2025 09:49 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

66k Hindus saved from conversion in 6 months last year: VHP report

The report presented at VHP’s Central Board of Trustees meeting at Mahakumbh also claimed ‘Ghar Wapsi’ of 19,000 Hindus during the said period

VHP’s Central Board of Trustees meeting underway in Parishad’s camp in Sector 18 of Mahakumbh Nagar on Feb 8. (Sourced)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 09, 2025 05:02 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Hindu youths should marry latest by age of 25: VHP adopts resolution

Population imbalance, drug addiction and live-in relationships also figure in Parishad’s Central Board of Trustees meeting that began at Mahakumbh on Feb 7

VHP’s Central Board of Trustees meeting underway in Parishad’s camp in Sector 18 of Mahakumbh Nagar on Feb 7. (Sourced)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 07, 2025 10:37 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Swords, knives ‘on sale’ at Kumbh; cops shut stall running sans permission

The pamphlet of the outfit distributed in the Mela portrayed Dev Sena as a national level organisation aimed at making Bharat a ‘Sanatan Rashtra’

Camp of Dev Sena at Mukti Marg crossing in Sector 19 of Mahakumbh Mela area, where weapons were allegedly being sold. (HT Photo)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 06, 2025 07:42 AM IST

ByKenneth John

Mahakumbh: Stage set for Basant Panchami Snan

One-way movement, additional parking lots, route diversion in place for third and last Amrit Snan of the mega event

A major crowd management plan has been implemented to keep the pilgrims moving. (HT photo)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 02, 2025 09:13 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Panel members begin probe into Kumbh stampede

Topography of the area and circumstances leading to the incident are being studied. CCTV footage and other evidence will be analysed in depth as part of the probe, says panel head Harsh Kumar

Judicial commission team reaches Mahakumbh Mela area on Friday to investigate the stampede, which occurred on January 29, in Prayagraj. . (ANI Photo)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 01, 2025 08:28 AM IST

ByKenneth John

Panel members begin probe into Kumbh stampede

A judicial commission is investigating the Maha Kumbh stampede that killed at least 30, while authorities probe other possible incidents at the festival.

Judicial commission team reaches Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra to investigate the stampede which occurred on January 29, in Prayagraj on Friday. (ANI)

India News

Published on Feb 01, 2025 05:18 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Mahakumbh a no-vehicle zone till February 4, VIP passes cancelled

Additionally, the government has made it clear that any VVIP movement must be informed at least a week in advance, an official statement said

Devotees arrive to take a dip at Sangam during the ongoing Mahakumbh, in Prayagraj, Thursday. (PTI Photo)

Lucknow

Published on Jan 31, 2025 09:18 AM IST

ByPawan Dixit, Kenneth John

‘Came to Mela to seek salvation, leaving with body of loved one’

Family members of the deceased alleged that neither Mahakumbh officials nor authorities at MLNMC and its associated SRNH were responding to their queries on the number of bodies brought to the hospitals for post-mortem examination

People searching for their missing loved ones pasting their photographs on the walls of the MLN Medical College morgue in Prayagraj on Thursday. (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT Photo)

Lucknow

Published on Jan 31, 2025 08:40 AM IST

ByKenneth John

Maha Kumbh stampede: A second crush 3km away claimed 7 lives

The crush led to seven devotees, including three women and a three-year-old child, losing their lives, while over a dozen pilgrims were critically injured.

A stampede-like situation occurred at Jhusi, along the ghat about three kilometres away from the Sangam nose.(Deepak Gupta/ HT)

India News

Updated on Jan 31, 2025 08:31 AM IST

ByKenneth John

UP brings new measures after stampede deaths rock Mahakumbh mela

Uttar Pradesh tightens crowd control at Maha Kumbh after stampede kills 30, banning vehicles and revoking VIP passes to ensure safety for millions.

A devotee breaks down during a stampede before the 'Amrit Snan' on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya during the Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj on Wednesday.(ANI)

India News

Updated on Jan 31, 2025 05:11 AM IST

ByPawan Dixit, Kenneth John, Prayagraj

Faith supersedes fear, pilgrims continue with holy dip at Mahakumbh

Till 10 am, 3.61 crore faithful bathed in Triveni Sangam; the number rose to 4.24 crore by 12 noon, 5.04 crore by 2pm and 7.64 crore by evening, as per official records

Devotees arrive to take a holy dip at Sangam on Mauni Amavasya during the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela, in Prayagraj, Wednesday. (PTI Photo)

Lucknow

Published on Jan 30, 2025 08:50 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Pawan Dixit

Stampede tragedy hits Kumbh: Toll at least 30

A stampede during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj killed at least 30 and injured 60 as crowds surged towards the riverbank, prompting calls for an inquiry.

An ambulance seen parked near a medical facility following a stampede at the Sangam area on 'Mauni Amavasya', during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. At least 30 people were killed and 60 others suffered injuries after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in the early hours of Wednesday. (PTI)

India News

Published on Jan 30, 2025 06:02 AM IST

ByPawan Dixit, Rajeev Mullick, Kenneth John, Prayagraj

Unprecedented surge of faith in Sangam City, 10 cr pilgrims expected at Mauni Amavasya Amrit snan today

Nearly 2,700 AI-backed CCTV cameras keeping surveillance for any overcrowding or undue assemblage in any sector, say officials

Sea of humanity at Mahakumbh ahead of the second Amrit Snan of Mauni Amavasya in Prayagraj on Tuesday. (Photo: UP Information Dept)

Lucknow

Published on Jan 29, 2025 09:38 AM IST

ByKenneth John

Planes, trains and roads: Crowds swell in season of Kumbh

Authorities at Maha Kumbh struggle to manage a massive surge of devotees in Prayagraj, urging delays in visits to Ayodhya as crowds overwhelm transport.

A Hindu devotee stands on top of a police check-post waving as he looks for his family members after taking a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers with the mythical, invisible Saraswati river, during the Maha Kumbh. (REUTERS)

India News

Published on Jan 29, 2025 08:00 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Neha LM Tripathi, Prayagraj/new Delhi

Sangam set to see highest single-day turnout on Mauni Amavasya

Prayagraj bursting at the seams ahead of Mauni Amavasya; around 4 crore pilgrims jostling for space in tent city as admin expects 8 to 10 crore crowd on January 29

Sea of devotees in Sangam city ahead of Mauni Amavasya. (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT Photo)

Lucknow

Updated on Jan 28, 2025 08:16 AM IST

ByKenneth John

Religious leaders call for Sanatan Board

Hindu leaders at Mahakumbh call for a Sanatan Board, propose abolition of Waqf Board, and demand independent temple management and facilities.

Katha Vachak Devki Nandan Thakur with BJP MP Hema Malini at the Dharam Sansad on Monday. (Anil Kumar Maurya/ HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Jan 28, 2025 05:38 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

‘Astrological rarity’ draws millions to Mahakumbh’s sacred waters

Official records revealed on Sunday itself by 4pm (16 hours), a whopping 1.17 crore devotees took the holy dip in Sangam bringing the hourly average to 6.25 lakh

Heavy pilgrim influx at Mahakumbh Nagar ahead of the Mauni Amavasya snan. (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)

Other Cities

Published on Jan 26, 2025 08:37 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Mahakumbh a symbol of faith, not politics: Akhilesh

Akhilesh Yadav, after a holy dip at Sangam, emphasized Mahakumbh's message of peace and urged BJP to focus on goodwill, not politics.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav bathing at Sangam on Sunday (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Jan 26, 2025 07:58 PM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

For free India’s 1st Kumbh, Rlys printed ‘cow’, ‘fish’ on tickets

A total of seven enclosures were set up at the railway junction, and three each at Naini and Vindhyachal stations.

A grab of an official document from 1954 describing symbols for designated enclosures at Allahabad-Sangam station.

Other Cities

Updated on Jan 26, 2025 08:12 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar

When Sanatan is safe, wishes like Ayodhya come true: Yogi

CM Yogi Adityanath calls Mahakumbh a symbol of unity, urging people to resist division, while highlighting the significance of Sanatan Dharma and upcoming Ayodhya developments.

Other Cities

Updated on Jan 26, 2025 05:24 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj):

VHP Margdarshak mandal meeting at Mahakumbh: Sadhus ask Hindus to have at least 2-3 kids per family

Immediate action sought in ensuring the return of places of worship in Kashi and Mathura; abolition of Waqf Board demanded

Mahamandaleshwars and dharmacharyas on the first day of Margdarshak Mandal meeting. (Anik Kumar Maurya/ HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 05:36 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Amid ‘watertight’ measures, Mahakumbh crosses 10-cr milestone for holy dip at Sangam

Zero casualties during the first 11 days of mega fair a testimony to the ‘watertight’ security arrangements in place for averting any drowning incident

Devotees gather at the Sangam for a holy dip on Thursday. (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT Photo)

Lucknow

Updated on Jan 24, 2025 08:22 AM IST

ByKenneth John

Yogi cabinet meets at Mahakumbh, gives infra push, CM, ministers take holy dip

Several important decisions taken for infrastructure development in Prayagraj as well as other parts of the state

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak during a Cabinet meeting at the Mahakumbh premises,on Wednesday (PTI)

Other Cities

Updated on Jan 23, 2025 06:14 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

HT Investigation: A day after Mahakumbh fire,rogue suppliers on prowl, pilgrims fall prey to illegal cylinder risks

Authorities say special teams formed to detect, check sale of “non-ISI mark” cylinders near Mela, FIR will be lodged against anyone caught supplying them

Chief fire officer, Mahakumbh, Pramod Sharma said special teams have been formed to detect and check sale of the risky “non-ISI mark” cylinders near the Mela area. (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Jan 21, 2025 06:26 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Mahakumbh: The evolving legacy of pilgrim taxes from Mughal tax to modern day fee

The investment made by teerth purohits comes in the form of taxes paid for the land allotted to them since the Mughal period.

A receipt or ‘Chavni Raseed’ of tax deposited by a teerth purohit in the office of Prayagraj Mela Authority. (HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Jan 20, 2025 06:30 AM IST

ByKenneth John, Mahakumbh Nagar

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Kenneth John

Kenneth John is a Principal Correspondent based in Allahabad. He writes on wide ranging issues including education, women and child welfare, infrastructure development, environment, human rights, poverty and rural development.

Given the enormous crowd, vehicles were permitted to exit only after the Mela ground began to clear up. Tractors and other small vehicles designated for Kalpvasis were stationed in parking areas outside the Mela zone

Yogi keeps close watch, Mela administration and a team of senior officials ensures smooth movement of devotees and the easy exit of nearly a million kalpvasis from the Mahakumbh area

Devotees at Prayagraj's Mahakumbh crossed 45 crore, with 55 crore expected by event's end. Security measures are heightened for the upcoming Maghi Purnima.

Mahakumbh-2025 sees rising devotee numbers, causing severe traffic jams in Prayagraj. Over 43 crore have bathed since January 13, with more expected.

Three foreign disciples of Jagadguru Sai Maa Lakshmi Devi took Brahmacharya Deeksha in Mahakumbh Nagar, dedicating their lives to spreading Sanatan Dharma.

The report presented at VHP’s Central Board of Trustees meeting at Mahakumbh also claimed ‘Ghar Wapsi’ of 19,000 Hindus during the said period

Population imbalance, drug addiction and live-in relationships also figure in Parishad’s Central Board of Trustees meeting that began at Mahakumbh on Feb 7

The pamphlet of the outfit distributed in the Mela portrayed Dev Sena as a national level organisation aimed at making Bharat a ‘Sanatan Rashtra’

One-way movement, additional parking lots, route diversion in place for third and last Amrit Snan of the mega event

Topography of the area and circumstances leading to the incident are being studied. CCTV footage and other evidence will be analysed in depth as part of the probe, says panel head Harsh Kumar

A judicial commission is investigating the Maha Kumbh stampede that killed at least 30, while authorities probe other possible incidents at the festival.

Additionally, the government has made it clear that any VVIP movement must be informed at least a week in advance, an official statement said

Family members of the deceased alleged that neither Mahakumbh officials nor authorities at MLNMC and its associated SRNH were responding to their queries on the number of bodies brought to the hospitals for post-mortem examination

The crush led to seven devotees, including three women and a three-year-old child, losing their lives, while over a dozen pilgrims were critically injured.

Uttar Pradesh tightens crowd control at Maha Kumbh after stampede kills 30, banning vehicles and revoking VIP passes to ensure safety for millions.

Till 10 am, 3.61 crore faithful bathed in Triveni Sangam; the number rose to 4.24 crore by 12 noon, 5.04 crore by 2pm and 7.64 crore by evening, as per official records

A stampede during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj killed at least 30 and injured 60 as crowds surged towards the riverbank, prompting calls for an inquiry.

Nearly 2,700 AI-backed CCTV cameras keeping surveillance for any overcrowding or undue assemblage in any sector, say officials

Authorities at Maha Kumbh struggle to manage a massive surge of devotees in Prayagraj, urging delays in visits to Ayodhya as crowds overwhelm transport.

Prayagraj bursting at the seams ahead of Mauni Amavasya; around 4 crore pilgrims jostling for space in tent city as admin expects 8 to 10 crore crowd on January 29

Hindu leaders at Mahakumbh call for a Sanatan Board, propose abolition of Waqf Board, and demand independent temple management and facilities.

Official records revealed on Sunday itself by 4pm (16 hours), a whopping 1.17 crore devotees took the holy dip in Sangam bringing the hourly average to 6.25 lakh

Akhilesh Yadav, after a holy dip at Sangam, emphasized Mahakumbh's message of peace and urged BJP to focus on goodwill, not politics.

A total of seven enclosures were set up at the railway junction, and three each at Naini and Vindhyachal stations.

CM Yogi Adityanath calls Mahakumbh a symbol of unity, urging people to resist division, while highlighting the significance of Sanatan Dharma and upcoming Ayodhya developments.

Immediate action sought in ensuring the return of places of worship in Kashi and Mathura; abolition of Waqf Board demanded

Zero casualties during the first 11 days of mega fair a testimony to the ‘watertight’ security arrangements in place for averting any drowning incident

Several important decisions taken for infrastructure development in Prayagraj as well as other parts of the state

Authorities say special teams formed to detect, check sale of “non-ISI mark” cylinders near Mela, FIR will be lodged against anyone caught supplying them

The investment made by teerth purohits comes in the form of taxes paid for the land allotted to them since the Mughal period.

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