News / Author / Manoj Ahuja

Manoj Ahuja

Manoj Ahuja is a principal correspondent based in Indore. He writes on business, agriculture and aviation. His focus is on south-western Madhya Pradesh, particularly the tribal belt.

Articles by Manoj Ahuja

Malwa’s famous poha-sev to no longer be sold at rly stations

Passengers looking forward to arriving at Ujjain and Indore railway stations and tasting the famous ‘poha-sev’ of Malwa are in for a disappointment. Officials of the Western Railway headquarters last week ordered a ban on its sale at railway stations.

A man serving poha in Indore.(Arun Mondhe/HT photo)

cities

Updated on Apr 12, 2016 04:19 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Simhastha fair: Amenities may pose a challenge

The Madhya Pradesh government has spent over Rs 3,000 crore and worked overtime for Simhastha fair that begins on April 22 but complaints about basic amenities, including water supply and non-functional toilets, have begun to trickle in.

Peshwai of awahan akhara was taken out in Ujjain on Sunday.(HT photo)

cities

Updated on Apr 11, 2016 03:43 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Madhya Pradesh loses podium place in toilet race

Madhya Pradesh has fallen way short of its target of building toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission in the rural areas in 2015-16, slipping to the fourth spot from the third it held last year.

Low-cost toilets constructed at Nayagaon village, Simrol in Indore on Saturday.(Shankar Mourya/HT photo)

cities

Published on Apr 10, 2016 06:09 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Simhastha: ‘Environment Baba’ leads by example to preserve nature

Like most sadhus or holy men, he loves to sport saffron, but his heart beats for the green cause. From handing out saplings to visitors to holding yagna at specially-built structure made of bamboos and grass, Avdhoot Baba better known as ‘Environment Baba’, is doing his bit to conserve environment in the run-up to the month-long Simhastha in Ujjain.

Avdhoot Baba, who is also known as Environment Baba, is doing his bit to conserve environment in the run-up to Simhastha.(HT photo)

cities

Published on Apr 08, 2016 05:47 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja and Ritesh Mishra, Ujjain

Air passenger traffic shoots up in MP

Indore and Bhopal airports have seen an impressive growth in passenger traffic in the 2015-16 fiscal on back of falling airfares and rising income levels.

The tourist influx to Indore and Bhopal is rising. People travelling on business purposes prefer flights to save time.(HT file photo)

cities

Updated on Apr 06, 2016 06:12 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Spiritual film festival to mark Simhastha

The month-long Simhastha fair in Ujjain this year will be much more than a religious congregation with a number of activities, including an International Spiritual Film Festival, organisers said on Sunday.

Anugunj, a three-day cultural festival, began in Indore on Sunday as prelude to the month-long Simhastha fair that will start in Ujjain from April 22.(Shankar Mourya/HT photo)

cities

Published on Apr 04, 2016 03:33 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Ujjain

Ujjain: Yoga gurus from across the globe to meet at Simhastha

The month-long Simhastha fair in Ujjain will witness a grand congregation of Yoga instructors and enthusiasts from the country, USA and Europe during Yoga Kumbh, a series of seminars, conventions and workshops on the ancient Indian discipline nurturing the mind, body and soul.

Researchers and scholars from the field of yoga, Ayurveda, medical sciences, spirituality, alternative therapies and psychology will attend the event.(HT File Photo)

cities

Published on Apr 03, 2016 04:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP: Ozone gas to help purify water at Kshipra ghats during Simhastha

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and hermits taking a holy dip in Madhya Pradesh’s Kshipra river next month at a religious gathering will not have to worry about skin infections.

The administration will use ozone to purify water at the main ghats ahead of Simhastha 2016 that kicks off on April 22.(HT File Photo)

cities

Published on Mar 31, 2016 05:16 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Ujjain

Ujjain Simhastha: Quirky babas flock to month-long event

The Simhastha fair in Ujjain attracts sadhus from all corners of the country, with over 10 lakh expected to attend the month-long event from April 22. But even in this mammoth gathering, some are able to stand out with their quirks or colourful past.

The high-flying Goldenpuri Baba is always wearing gold jewellery worth crores.

cities

Published on Mar 27, 2016 06:00 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja and Vinit Koneru, Ujjain

MP: Kadaknath chicken gains popularity in South India

Kadaknath, a breed of black chicken found in Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Jhabua and Alirajpur, is slowly gaining popularity in South India.

Entrepreneur K Georgekutty at his Kadaknath poultry centre in Kochi on Tuesday.(HT photo)

cities

Updated on Mar 23, 2016 03:28 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja

Bonanza time for farmers during Simhastha fair

The month-long Simhastha fair in Ujjain will come as a boon for farmers and milk producers in the region as consumption of vegetables, fruits and milk will multiply.

Farmers are growing crops of early ripening varieties.(HT photo)

cities

Updated on Mar 13, 2016 07:19 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Ujjain

Gambhir link: Parched Pithampur industry’s good luck

Industry in Pithampur, which faces acute water crisis every summer, will be a lucky beneficiary of the state government’s new plan to link Narmada with River Gambhir.

The project will involve developing infrastructure for the water supply system in Pithampur industrial area.(HT file)

cities

Published on Mar 11, 2016 07:46 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

You will be treated like a family member: MP CM tells Japanese investors

The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday rolled out a red carpet for Japanese investors with chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announcing a special incentive package and promising world-class infrastructure in the upcoming Japanese industrial township.

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan greets Japanese ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatsu, at the investment promotion seminar for Japanese industrial township, in Indore on Wednesday.(HT photo)

cities

Published on Mar 10, 2016 06:49 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP: State woos Japanese investors with tax sops, new township

The Madhya Pradesh government has earmarked Rs 500 crore for building a “country-specific industrial township” on 1,200-acre land in Pithampur, a chunk of which has been reserved for Japanese investors, a senior official said.

The location of proposed 'country specific industrial township' in Pithampur that will house Japanese enclave.(Shankar Mourya/ Hindustan Times)

cities

Published on Mar 09, 2016 07:00 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP: Once she couldn’t pay school fee, now her daughter studies in US

Kavita was 16 years old when she first learnt the importance of money in life.

Kavita at the balcony of her penthouse in Indore.

cities

Published on Mar 08, 2016 01:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

ndore: Once she couldn’t pay Rs 10 school fee, now her daughter studies in US

Kavita was 16 years old when she first learnt the importance of money in life. In Class 11 then, she couldn’t pay Rs 10 school fee. That day she vowed to work hard and ensure such a situation didn’t recur in her life.

cities

Updated on Mar 08, 2016 01:21 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP: Three DMIC ‘early bird’ projects move at tardy pace

The so-called “early bird projects” being implemented in the Pithampur investment region of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) are moving at a snail’s pace.

The proposed economic corridor between Indore airport and Pithampur industrial area is facing delays due to hurdles in land acquisition as many farmers have moved court.(HT file)

cities

Published on Mar 07, 2016 07:22 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Vintners put village in Madhya Pradesh on global wine map

Wine was taboo in Titari village in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district, until a group of farmers planted wine-quality grapes and set up their own winery.

American wine experts at a grape farm of Patel winery in Titari village.(HT photo)

cities

Published on Feb 29, 2016 04:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Malaiya’s second budget fails to impress industry

In his second budget, MP finance minister Jayant Malaiya tried to do a balancing act between the need to boost revenue and pep up the economy, but fell short of industry expectations.

Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya’s wife Sudha Malaiya applies tilak on the minister's forehead before he left for presenting the state budget, in Bhopal on Friday, February 26, 2016.(Praveen Bajpai/ HT photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 26, 2016 08:19 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Slew of new railway projects for western MP

Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday announced a slew of projects for western Madhya Pradesh in his budget.

Though Prabhu did not announce any new trains for the state or increase the frequency of existing trains, he sanctioned two new railway lines.(Mujeeb Faruqui/ HT photo)

cities

Published on Feb 25, 2016 09:37 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Indore: Young, educated and financially secure cab drivers

Energy to burn but no money — the wait between college and employment can be tough. However, some young men in Indore have tied up with cab service providers Uber and Ola to remain financially independent while they wait for other jobs.

Gopal Parmar joined Uber as he did not want to depend on his parents for his monthly expenses.(Shankar Mourya / HT photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 25, 2016 06:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP: Kadaknath chickens hatch success stories for rural women in Dewas

Kadaknath, a breed of black chicken found in Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Jhabua and Alirajpur, is now spreading its wings to other regions in the state, changing the lives of rural women who are breeding the bird.

Scientific data show that the iron content in kadaknath chicken is nearly 10 times that of ordinary chicken.(HT photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 22, 2016 07:53 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRitesh Mishra and Manoj Ahuja, Dewas/jhabua

WhatsApp friends are MP’s model farmers

At a time when the agriculture sector is in distress and farmer suicides have become common, a group of farmers from Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone are making use of social media network to practice modern farming, ensure best prices for their produce, and also prevent crop failure.

Five farmers who keep in touch on WhatsApp, at a tomato farm in the Bagda village.(HT photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 21, 2016 08:32 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Khargone (mp)

Pakistan’s appetite for tomato boosts its cultivation in MP

Farmers in remote villages of Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone are reaping the benefits of an export boom as tomatoes grown in the district are in great demand in Pakistan and other neighbouring countries.

cities

Updated on Feb 21, 2016 08:59 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Khargone

MP: Govt looks at global investors’ summit with renewed hopes

The Madhya Pradesh government will hold its flagship event ‘Global Investors’ Summit’ (GIS) in October this year, but it will have to improve its ability to convert offers into real investment to make the most of such summits, sources said on Thursday.

Official figures show that out of total agreements worth Rs 5.89 lakh crore received during GIS 2014, projects worth about Rs 1.96 lakh crore are in various stages of implementation.(HT file)

cities

Published on Feb 19, 2016 06:15 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

High demand behind jump in pasta-making wheat’s acreage in MP

Buoyed by the rising demand from private sector companies, farmers in Madhya Pradesh are increasingly taking to cultivation of durum wheat, also known as Malwi wheat.

According to Indian Agricultural Research Institute, the area under cultivation of durum wheat in MP has increased nearly seven-fold in five years.(Shankar Mourya/ HT photo)

cities

Published on Feb 08, 2016 06:42 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP: Earn Rs 10 lakh a yr? You can store 100 liquor bottles at home soon

Come April 1 and bibulous people in Madhya Pradesh with an annual income of Rs 10 lakh or more will be able to stockpile up to 100 liquor bottles at home, under a new excise policy to boost revenue.

MP’s liquor revenue grew by 16% in 2013-14, but the year-on-year growth fell to 13% in 2014-15.(HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Feb 05, 2016 09:21 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Bhopal

Indore airport’s runway revamp may be postponed due to Simhastha

The runway revamp work at Indore airport, which is scheduled to start from February 15, may either be postponed or carried out during the night as airlines are asking the Airports Authority of India to allow flights to operate the whole day in view of the one-month long Simhastha fair.

The re-carpeting work of 9,000 feet runway is scheduled to start from February 15 and end by mid-June.(Arun Mondhe/ HT file)

cities

Published on Feb 01, 2016 08:41 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Riders wrack brain to break no helmet, no petrol rule in Indore

Day one of ‘no helmet, no petrol’ rule implemented by the district administration in Indore played out like a Tom and Jerry show —with abundant slyness, arguments and clever escapes.

Petrol pump owners have been directed not to give petrol to helmetless two-wheeler riders from Saturday.(Shankar Mourya/ HT photo)

cities

Published on Jan 31, 2016 06:47 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Madhya Pradesh, Indore, Bhopal, | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP to form experts panel soon to woo investors

The state government is pulling out all the stops to speed up investment flow and attract investors, both domestic and foreign, to Madhya Pradesh.

The government has drawn up a blueprint to upgrade infrastructure in operational hubs and also build new industrial hubs.(HT file)

cities

Published on Jan 29, 2016 06:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

Manoj Ahuja

Manoj Ahuja is a principal correspondent based in Indore. He writes on business, agriculture and aviation. His focus is on south-western Madhya Pradesh, particularly the tribal belt.

Passengers looking forward to arriving at Ujjain and Indore railway stations and tasting the famous ‘poha-sev’ of Malwa are in for a disappointment. Officials of the Western Railway headquarters last week ordered a ban on its sale at railway stations.

The Madhya Pradesh government has spent over Rs 3,000 crore and worked overtime for Simhastha fair that begins on April 22 but complaints about basic amenities, including water supply and non-functional toilets, have begun to trickle in.

Madhya Pradesh has fallen way short of its target of building toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission in the rural areas in 2015-16, slipping to the fourth spot from the third it held last year.

Indore and Bhopal airports have seen an impressive growth in passenger traffic in the 2015-16 fiscal on back of falling airfares and rising income levels.

The month-long Simhastha fair in Ujjain this year will be much more than a religious congregation with a number of activities, including an International Spiritual Film Festival, organisers said on Sunday.

The month-long Simhastha fair in Ujjain will witness a grand congregation of Yoga instructors and enthusiasts from the country, USA and Europe during Yoga Kumbh, a series of seminars, conventions and workshops on the ancient Indian discipline nurturing the mind, body and soul.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and hermits taking a holy dip in Madhya Pradesh’s Kshipra river next month at a religious gathering will not have to worry about skin infections.

The Simhastha fair in Ujjain attracts sadhus from all corners of the country, with over 10 lakh expected to attend the month-long event from April 22. But even in this mammoth gathering, some are able to stand out with their quirks or colourful past.

Kadaknath, a breed of black chicken found in Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Jhabua and Alirajpur, is slowly gaining popularity in South India.

The month-long Simhastha fair in Ujjain will come as a boon for farmers and milk producers in the region as consumption of vegetables, fruits and milk will multiply.

Industry in Pithampur, which faces acute water crisis every summer, will be a lucky beneficiary of the state government’s new plan to link Narmada with River Gambhir.

The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday rolled out a red carpet for Japanese investors with chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announcing a special incentive package and promising world-class infrastructure in the upcoming Japanese industrial township.

The Madhya Pradesh government has earmarked Rs 500 crore for building a “country-specific industrial township” on 1,200-acre land in Pithampur, a chunk of which has been reserved for Japanese investors, a senior official said.

Kavita was 16 years old when she first learnt the importance of money in life.

Kavita was 16 years old when she first learnt the importance of money in life. In Class 11 then, she couldn’t pay Rs 10 school fee. That day she vowed to work hard and ensure such a situation didn’t recur in her life.

The so-called “early bird projects” being implemented in the Pithampur investment region of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) are moving at a snail’s pace.

Wine was taboo in Titari village in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district, until a group of farmers planted wine-quality grapes and set up their own winery.

In his second budget, MP finance minister Jayant Malaiya tried to do a balancing act between the need to boost revenue and pep up the economy, but fell short of industry expectations.

Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday announced a slew of projects for western Madhya Pradesh in his budget.

Energy to burn but no money — the wait between college and employment can be tough. However, some young men in Indore have tied up with cab service providers Uber and Ola to remain financially independent while they wait for other jobs.

Kadaknath, a breed of black chicken found in Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Jhabua and Alirajpur, is now spreading its wings to other regions in the state, changing the lives of rural women who are breeding the bird.

At a time when the agriculture sector is in distress and farmer suicides have become common, a group of farmers from Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone are making use of social media network to practice modern farming, ensure best prices for their produce, and also prevent crop failure.

Farmers in remote villages of Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone are reaping the benefits of an export boom as tomatoes grown in the district are in great demand in Pakistan and other neighbouring countries.

The Madhya Pradesh government will hold its flagship event ‘Global Investors’ Summit’ (GIS) in October this year, but it will have to improve its ability to convert offers into real investment to make the most of such summits, sources said on Thursday.

Buoyed by the rising demand from private sector companies, farmers in Madhya Pradesh are increasingly taking to cultivation of durum wheat, also known as Malwi wheat.

Come April 1 and bibulous people in Madhya Pradesh with an annual income of Rs 10 lakh or more will be able to stockpile up to 100 liquor bottles at home, under a new excise policy to boost revenue.

The runway revamp work at Indore airport, which is scheduled to start from February 15, may either be postponed or carried out during the night as airlines are asking the Airports Authority of India to allow flights to operate the whole day in view of the one-month long Simhastha fair.

Day one of ‘no helmet, no petrol’ rule implemented by the district administration in Indore played out like a Tom and Jerry show —with abundant slyness, arguments and clever escapes.

The state government is pulling out all the stops to speed up investment flow and attract investors, both domestic and foreign, to Madhya Pradesh.

Join Hindustan Times

Create free account and unlock exciting features like