News / Author / Kenneth John

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

Lok Sabha election 2019: ‘Neither Rahul nor I interested in power,’ says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the upcoming polls were not just a plain election but a challenge for the electorate to get rid of a government which was not interested in addressing public woes.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in a public interaction on Monday during her Ganga Yatra .(HT PHOTO)

elections

Updated on Mar 19, 2019 09:15 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: On boat yatra, Priyanka Gandhi jabs PM Modi’s ‘Main bhi Chowkidar’ campaign

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Priyanka left Swaraj Bhawan for Sangam at around 9.30am as enthusiastic Congress workers and supporters carrying placards in her support waved at her on the way.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offered prayers before embarking on her three-day 140-km ‘Ganga Yatra’ from Prayagraj Varanasi at Mannaiya ghat on a steamer.(HT Photo)

elections

Updated on Apr 23, 2020 10:50 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John and K Sandeep Kumar

Lok Sabha Elections 2019| Hard work doesn’t pay in BJP: Party MP from Allahabad

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Gupta claimed the party leadership failed to recognise his loyalty even though he had a clean track record and had served the party and the public selflessly. Asked about rumours that he is considering to switch loyalties to the Congress, Gupta said it was too early to comment as he was still waiting for the BJP to finalise Lok Sabha tickets.

The BJP MP said children of several MPs were granted tickets but his son was denied the same for reasons better known to the party high command.(HT Photo)

elections

Published on Mar 16, 2019 11:42 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Congress mulling over fielding Pramod Tiwari from Pratapgarh

Party sources said Congress general secretary (east UP) Priyanka Gandhi and senior party leaders of Pratapgarh held discussions on the issue in the state capital recently.

elections

Published on Mar 12, 2019 02:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Lucknow | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Yogi announces a month’s salary as bonus for core team of Kumbh mela

The Kumbh Mela set an example not only in the country, but across the world for the successful organisation of an event of such magnitude, Adityanath said at a function held to mark the formal conclusion of the Mela.

Prayagraj: BJP President Amit Shah, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Dy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara Sri Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj, performs 'aarti' after taking a holy dip at Sangam during his visit to Kumbh Mela 2019(PTI)

cities

Published on Mar 06, 2019 09:07 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

UP Board exam results likely to be declared by April third week

Uttar Pradesh Board exam results will be declared by the second or third week of April, an official said. Last year the board had declared the results on April 29.

UP Board exam results 2019 will be declared by the third week of April(HT)

education

Updated on Mar 05, 2019 07:49 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Lucknow | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Kumbh Mela ends, 1.10 crore take dip

Officials said with this, 24.05 crore devotees, the highest number ever in the mela, have bathed during the mega religious gathering that began on January 15 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

The 49-day Kumbh Mela concluded on Monday with 1.10 crore pilgrims taking a dip in the Sangam on the sixth and last bathing day of Maha Shivratri.(PTI)

cities

Published on Mar 05, 2019 03:12 AM IST

Allahabad | ByKenneth John

Kumbh Mela ends with Mahashivratri dip on Monday, 60 lakh expected at Sangam

Sixty lakh pilgrims are expected to bathe in Sangam on Monday - Mahashivratri - the last day of the mega religious fair. ; the number of ritual bathers has crossed 22 crore since start of mega religious fair.

Devotees at Sangam, Prayagraj, during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, Sunday, March 3, 2019. The mega religious fair will end on Monday, March 5, with the last auspicious bathing day on Mahashivratri.(Anil Kumar Maurya / HT)

india news

Updated on Jun 17, 2020 08:55 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

UP Boards 2019: Over 6.45 lakh students skip exam midway

As many as 6.45 lakh students have left the UP Board’s high school and intermediate examinations midway, as on Thursday, this year.

education

Published on Feb 28, 2019 08:40 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John

UP Boards 2019: All exam answer sheets to be re- checked

Till last year, only 15 per cent of the answer sheets were randomly chosen and re-evaluated by the board.

education

Published on Feb 12, 2019 11:36 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Lucknow | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Over 3 crore take holy dip during last ‘shahi snan’ on Basant Panchmi at Kumbh

The fourth official bathing, which commenced as per the ‘Muhurat’ beginning 8.54 am on Saturday, witnessed devotees taking the holy dip all through Saturday also. The auspicious time lasted till 9.54 am on Sunday.

Sadhus bathe at the Sangam on 'Basant Panchami' at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on February 10, 2019.(AFP)

india news

Updated on Feb 11, 2019 10:45 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

UP board exams 2019 begin tomorrow amid tight security, more than 58 lakh students have registered

UP Board exams 2019 : The high school and intermediate examinations of the UP Board are set to begin from Thursday. In a first, the examination schedule will be completed in 16 working days.

education

Updated on Feb 14, 2019 07:25 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj/Lucknow | ByKenneth John/Rajeev Mullick

7.49 crore people have bathed in Sangam during Kumbh Mela till now: UP government

An average of five to seven lakh devotees took the dip into the cold water of the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati every day between January 21 and 30, the report said. And on January 31, 25 lakh devotees bathed on the occasion of Ekadashi.

At least 7.49 crore devotees have taken the dip in the holy waters of Sangam in Prayagraj till Sunday since the beginning of the 49-day Kumbh Mela from January 15, the Uttar Pradesh government has said.(PTI Photo)

india news

Updated on Feb 04, 2019 01:33 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John

At Kumbh Mela, crores gather for ‘shahi snan’ of Mauni Amavasya

According to reports made available by the district information office, about 1 crore devotees had taken a dip in Sangam till February 2 while the count till 5 pm on February 3 had touched 91 lakh.

At least 3 crore devotees are expected to take a holy dip in the third official bathing and second ‘shahi snan’ of Mauni Amavasya during the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Monday, officials said.(UP govt)

india news

Updated on Feb 04, 2019 10:08 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Ram temple will come up in Ayodhya, government doing everything it can: RSS chief Bhagwat

A proposal for the temple was approved at the meet where saints called upon people to give another term to the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said a magnificent Ram temple would come up in Ayodhya .(PTI)

india news

Published on Feb 01, 2019 11:07 PM IST

Allahabad | ByPawan Dixit/Kenneth John

Sabarimala, Ram temple in focus at VHP’s Dharam Sansad

Rashtriya Swayamsevak chief Mohan Bhagwat equated the Sabarimala temple issue in Kerala with the Ram temple issue in Ayodhya and termed the agitation a movement of the Hindus.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Baba Ramdev (left) attend Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 'Dharm Sansad' at the Kumbh Mela 2019 in Prayagraj on Thursday.(PTI)

india news

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 10:35 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByPawan Dixit, Kenneth John and K Sandeep Kumar

Hindus should be ready to face bullets: Shankaracharya on Ram temple issue

He made the appeal at the three-day ‘Param Dharam Sansad’ where he also announced that February 21 had been set as the final date for proceeding to Ayodhya for laying the foundation of Ram temple there.

Swami Avimukhteshwaranand reading out the ‘Param Dharmadesh’ before the Shankaracharya on the concluding day of the ‘Param Dharam Sansad’ on Wednesday.(HT)

cities

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 01:35 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Ram temple resolution could be adopted at Kumbh Mela Dharam Sansad

A two-day Hindu religious assembly that will start at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on Thursday is expected to adopt a resolution pledging its commitment to the construction of a Ram temple at a disputed site in Ayodhya, senior VHP leaders said on Wednesday.

VHP leaders gave the indication after Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati of Jyotishpeeth said he would lead Hindu religious figures in performing the foundation-laying ceremony of a grand shrine to the warrior-god in Ayodhya on February 21.(PTI)

india news

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 07:56 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Allahabad | ByKenneth John

Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet meet at Kumbh, then a holy dip and a Uri movie show

State government spokesperson and cabinet minister Sidharth Nath Singh said the Hindi film, ‘Uri-The Surgical Strike’, would be screened for the cabinet in a mobile theatre after the ministers attend the meeting and bathe in the Sangam.

A priest performs Ganga Aarti, at the bank of river Ganga, during the ongoing Kumbh Mela-2019, in Allahabad, Monday.(AP)

cities

Updated on Jan 28, 2019 08:41 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John

36 political parties, many countries to attend Param Dharam Sansad in Kumbh Mela

The mega religious event would also witness participation of representatives of 36 political parties and all 543 parliamentary constituencies.

The camp of Ganga Sewa Abhiyanam where the Param Dharam Sansad will be held.(HT)

cities

Published on Jan 28, 2019 08:19 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Classes in open for Prayagraj village students as stray cattle locked up in school

Principal Kamlesh Singh said that when he reached at 9am, he found over 100 stray cattle locked inside the premises of the school in Shankergarh development block and farmers, armed with sticks, sitting outside the gate.

Students of a primary school in Bhadivar village of UP’s Prayagraj district study in the chill outside as farmers lock up stray cattle in the school premises(HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Jan 07, 2019 09:44 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John

Interview: UP jail minister reveals strategy to check gang heads operating behind the bars

Role of jail staff in Deoria jail case cannot be denied and the government immediately initiated stern action against the jail superintendent, the warden and other staff. The message is clear: Such incidents would not be tolerated.

UP minister of state for jail and public service management Jai Kumar Singh Jaiki(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jan 07, 2019 08:05 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Lucknow | ByKenneth John

Better infrastructure, connectivity to make Kumbha grand affair: PM

The PM said the government’s was making efforts to modernise and provide better infrastructure to Prayagraj with projects worth Rs 4,500 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayer perform ritual

cities

Updated on Dec 17, 2018 08:58 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

In a global push, 72 ambassadors set to get the feel of Kumbh

The high profile visit will be provided security cover by team of National Security Guard (NSG) and UP police Special Task Force (STF) from Bamrauli Airport to Sangam and back.

The tent city coming up on the banks of Sangam. It will be home to lakhs of Kalpvasis and pilgrims during their stay at the 49-day long Kumbh Mela beginning January 15.(Anil Kumar Maurya/ HT photo)

cities

Published on Dec 14, 2018 10:18 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Lucknow | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

BJP MP questions need for UP Investors Summit

Till the state government actually provided 24x7 power supply, instead of merely making promises, no industrial house would set up new units in UP, he said.

BJP-MP-Shyama-Charan-Gupta(HT File Photo)

cities

Updated on Dec 10, 2018 10:05 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Lucknow | ByKenneth John, Prayagraj

Next year’s Kumbh Mela set to wear different hues with political overtones

In general election year, next year’s Kumbh Mela promises to be religion, politics, business, tourism and global branding rolled into one, say analysts.

Devotees take a dip in the Godavari river during the Kumbh Mela in Nashik ahead of ahead of 'shahi snan' (holy bath). (Arijit Sen/HT photo)

india news

Updated on Oct 25, 2018 07:33 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Allahabad | ByKenneth John

To prevent cheating, UP board to install voice recorders in examination halls

With this move, the UP Board, considered one of the largest examination bodies in the world, has earned the distinction of being the only such body in the country to make CCTV cameras with DVRs mandatory to curb the use of unfair means.

The UP Board has now made installation of digital voice recorders mandatory in every examination hall of all government-aided and self-financed schools.(HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Oct 19, 2018 04:08 PM IST

Allahabad, Hindustan Times | ByKenneth John

UPTET 2018: Record 22.77 lakh register for exam on November 4

A record 22.77 lakh aspiring teachers have registered for the Uttar Pradesh Teachers Eligibility Test (UPTET 2018) to be organised by Examination Regulatory Authority (ERA).

UPTET 2018: The exam will be held on November 4 and result will be declared on November 20.(Satish Bate/HT Photo)

education

Updated on Oct 08, 2018 07:53 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Allahabad | ByKenneth John

Construction of Ram temple to begin before 2019 polls, says former BJP MP

Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (RJN) president Ram Vilas Vedanti also said a mosque will also be constructed in Ayodhya but not in the name of any terrorist or dacoit.

A procession organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on the anniversary of Babri masjid demolition.(AFP File Photo)

india news

Updated on Sep 16, 2018 11:41 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Lucknow | ByKenneth John

UP Board Exams: 2019 to be held in 16 days, schedule expected soon

The UP Board High School (class 10) and Intermediate (class 12) examinations will be held in 16 days from February 7, 2019 onwards, the board’s deputy secretary Shiv Lal said.

The examination schedule was expected to be announced by September 14.(HT Photo)

cities

Published on Sep 13, 2018 11:45 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Allahabad | ByKenneth John, Allahabad

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

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.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the upcoming polls were not just a plain election but a challenge for the electorate to get rid of a government which was not interested in addressing public woes.

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Priyanka left Swaraj Bhawan for Sangam at around 9.30am as enthusiastic Congress workers and supporters carrying placards in her support waved at her on the way.

Party sources said Congress general secretary (east UP) Priyanka Gandhi and senior party leaders of Pratapgarh held discussions on the issue in the state capital recently.

The Kumbh Mela set an example not only in the country, but across the world for the successful organisation of an event of such magnitude, Adityanath said at a function held to mark the formal conclusion of the Mela.

Uttar Pradesh Board exam results will be declared by the second or third week of April, an official said. Last year the board had declared the results on April 29.

Officials said with this, 24.05 crore devotees, the highest number ever in the mela, have bathed during the mega religious gathering that began on January 15 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Sixty lakh pilgrims are expected to bathe in Sangam on Monday - Mahashivratri - the last day of the mega religious fair. ; the number of ritual bathers has crossed 22 crore since start of mega religious fair.

As many as 6.45 lakh students have left the UP Board’s high school and intermediate examinations midway, as on Thursday, this year.

Till last year, only 15 per cent of the answer sheets were randomly chosen and re-evaluated by the board.

The fourth official bathing, which commenced as per the ‘Muhurat’ beginning 8.54 am on Saturday, witnessed devotees taking the holy dip all through Saturday also. The auspicious time lasted till 9.54 am on Sunday.

UP Board exams 2019 : The high school and intermediate examinations of the UP Board are set to begin from Thursday. In a first, the examination schedule will be completed in 16 working days.

An average of five to seven lakh devotees took the dip into the cold water of the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati every day between January 21 and 30, the report said. And on January 31, 25 lakh devotees bathed on the occasion of Ekadashi.

According to reports made available by the district information office, about 1 crore devotees had taken a dip in Sangam till February 2 while the count till 5 pm on February 3 had touched 91 lakh.

A proposal for the temple was approved at the meet where saints called upon people to give another term to the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak chief Mohan Bhagwat equated the Sabarimala temple issue in Kerala with the Ram temple issue in Ayodhya and termed the agitation a movement of the Hindus.

He made the appeal at the three-day ‘Param Dharam Sansad’ where he also announced that February 21 had been set as the final date for proceeding to Ayodhya for laying the foundation of Ram temple there.

A two-day Hindu religious assembly that will start at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on Thursday is expected to adopt a resolution pledging its commitment to the construction of a Ram temple at a disputed site in Ayodhya, senior VHP leaders said on Wednesday.

State government spokesperson and cabinet minister Sidharth Nath Singh said the Hindi film, ‘Uri-The Surgical Strike’, would be screened for the cabinet in a mobile theatre after the ministers attend the meeting and bathe in the Sangam.

The mega religious event would also witness participation of representatives of 36 political parties and all 543 parliamentary constituencies.

Principal Kamlesh Singh said that when he reached at 9am, he found over 100 stray cattle locked inside the premises of the school in Shankergarh development block and farmers, armed with sticks, sitting outside the gate.

Role of jail staff in Deoria jail case cannot be denied and the government immediately initiated stern action against the jail superintendent, the warden and other staff. The message is clear: Such incidents would not be tolerated.

The PM said the government’s was making efforts to modernise and provide better infrastructure to Prayagraj with projects worth Rs 4,500 crore.

The high profile visit will be provided security cover by team of National Security Guard (NSG) and UP police Special Task Force (STF) from Bamrauli Airport to Sangam and back.

Till the state government actually provided 24x7 power supply, instead of merely making promises, no industrial house would set up new units in UP, he said.

In general election year, next year’s Kumbh Mela promises to be religion, politics, business, tourism and global branding rolled into one, say analysts.

With this move, the UP Board, considered one of the largest examination bodies in the world, has earned the distinction of being the only such body in the country to make CCTV cameras with DVRs mandatory to curb the use of unfair means.

A record 22.77 lakh aspiring teachers have registered for the Uttar Pradesh Teachers Eligibility Test (UPTET 2018) to be organised by Examination Regulatory Authority (ERA).

Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (RJN) president Ram Vilas Vedanti also said a mosque will also be constructed in Ayodhya but not in the name of any terrorist or dacoit.

The UP Board High School (class 10) and Intermediate (class 12) examinations will be held in 16 days from February 7, 2019 onwards, the board’s deputy secretary Shiv Lal said.

Join Hindustan Times

Create free account and unlock exciting features like