Sudhir Kumar is Varanasi based senior staff correspondent.He covers all developments, politics, education--primary, secondary and higher -- crime, offbeat, tribes and human angle stories
Articles by Sudhir Kumar
Meet Japanese Jacky Haircut Wali
A tourist from Japan on her ninth visit to the city of ghats has a great way to connect with locals, and seek peace along the banks of the Ganges
Published on Apr 11, 2024 10:47 PM IST
Amid tight police vigil, Mukhtar laid to rest
Supporters raise slogans, administration says possible violation of model code of conduct will be looked into, action will be taken if needed
Updated on Mar 31, 2024 06:10 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Mohammadabad (ghazipur)
Impact of mafia -politician Mukhtar Ansari who dominated Mau-Ghazipur likely to continue after death
Though he remained behind bars for the last 18 years, many parties vied for Mukhtar Ansari’s electoral support due to his influence on the Muslim community in the region.
Updated on Mar 29, 2024 06:18 PM IST
Mukhtar sentenced to life imprisonment in gun licence case
Mukhtar Ansari has been sentenced to another life term by the Varanasi MP/MLA court for obtaining a firearm using fake signatures of the DM and SP and slapped a penalty of ₹2.02 lakh. This is the eighth case in which Ansari has been sentenced, including two life terms, in the past 18 months.
Published on Mar 13, 2024 06:18 PM IST
In 400 seats push, PM Modi sets 80/80 target for UP
The most impressive Lok Sabha performance in UP has been by the Bharatiya Lok Dal in 1977, when it swept all the 85 seats in the state at the time
Updated on Feb 24, 2024 01:21 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Sant Ravidas belongs to all, govt taking his ideals forward: PM Modi in Varanasi
Even when I was not in politics, I used to take guidance from the teachings of Sant Ravidas, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi
Published on Feb 23, 2024 09:26 PM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
PM Modi says drum of development resonating in Kashi for last 10 years
New Kashi has emerged as an inspiration for new India, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi
Updated on Feb 24, 2024 08:56 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Rahul’s yatra enters U.P. without Priyanka
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Uttar Pradesh, criticizing the red carpet welcome to VVIPs at the Ram Lalla consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. The yatra aims to address injustice to the poor, farmers, laborers, and unemployed youths. Gandhi will stay overnight in Chandauli and offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi on Saturday.
Updated on Feb 17, 2024 06:32 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Gyanvapi panel asks Muslims to shut shops, businesses today
The Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee objected to the “misleading claim” that Hindu prayers were held in the southern cellar of the mosque complex until 1993
Published on Feb 02, 2024 11:29 AM IST
Hindu prayers offered at southern cellar of Gyanvapi Masjid 1st time in decades
District magistrate S Rajalingam held a two-hour-long meeting with police commissioner Ashok Mutha Jain and divisional commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma before the prayers
Updated on Feb 01, 2024 10:47 AM IST
Hindu prayers allowed in Gyanvapi basement
It is also a shot in the arm for other Hindu petitioners who argue that the mosque was built by Mughal emperors after demolishing a temple.
Updated on Feb 01, 2024 03:29 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Varanasi court permits Hindu side to offer prayers in Gyanvapi mosque cellar
The court asked the district administration to make the necessary arrangements for the prayers to be performed by the plaintiff and a priest nominated by Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust in the next seven days
Updated on Jan 31, 2024 05:30 PM IST
‘BJP’s 10K social media volunteers for Varanasi LS seat soon’
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to form a team of 10,000 volunteers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat to drive their campaign through social media. The volunteers will help in organising campaigns and will utilise WhatsApp groups to spread messages about government schemes. The BJP aims to increase the voting percentage in Varanasi and win the seat by a record number of votes.
Updated on Jan 28, 2024 05:26 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Muslim side says ASI’s report on Gyanvapi not final verdict
A survey by the ASI suggesting the existence of a Hindu temple before the Gyanvapi Masjid was built in Varanasi is only a report
Updated on Jan 27, 2024 08:52 AM IST
Temple existed at Gyanvapi: Hindu side cites ASI survey
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the 15th century mosque, said it was yet to go through the report
Updated on Jan 26, 2024 04:29 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Gyanvapi dispute: Hindu, Muslim sides to get copy of ASI report
The exercise, conducted by the ASI between August 4 and early November last year on orders by district court, could shape adjudication of raft of ongoing cases
Updated on Jan 25, 2024 02:53 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Kashi craftsman prepares Ram Temple replica in 108 days
A resident of Gai Ghat, Varanasi, Kunj Bihari claims that this is the first-ever replica of the Shri Ram Temple crafted using Gulabi Meenakari.
Updated on Jan 16, 2024 10:26 PM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Chandauli police sponsor beautician course for 100 EWS girls
The initiative is the brainchild of Chandauli superintendent of police Anil Kumar. During a visit to Naugarh area for a meeting to enhance community policing in remote villages, he planned a two-month beautician training for the girls from EWS families. They are also learning sewing and embroidery.
Updated on Jan 11, 2024 07:10 AM IST
‘Divine art’ in high demand ahead of Ram temple opening
In the last 37 months, around 75,000 wooden replicas of the Ram temple have been sent to temple town Ayodhya, says master craftsman Rameshwar Singh
Updated on Dec 28, 2023 09:10 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
‘Will seek legal advice to save WFI if talks with govt don’t work’: Sanjay Singh
Sanjay Singh said it was not correct to refer to him as the suspended president of WFI. “I have been elected and I am still the WFI president,” he said
Published on Dec 27, 2023 12:54 PM IST
Modi calls for reconstruction of cultural symbols hit by ‘tyrants’
Modi said that structures like the Swarved temple, located just outside Varanasi, would help the city emerge a major tourism centre.
Updated on Dec 19, 2023 04:48 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
ASI’s Gyanvapi report filed in a sealed cover
Akhlaque Ahmad, who appeared for the mosque committee, said the court had agreed to next hear the matter on December 21.
Updated on Dec 19, 2023 12:45 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
ASI submits Gyanvapi scientific survey report in sealed cover to Varanasi court
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee asked the court not to give the ASI report to any party without a personal undertaking that its contents won’t be leaked
Updated on Dec 18, 2023 04:39 PM IST
Swarveda Mahamandir in Varanasi: Marvel in marble, mega meditation centre awaits premier visitor
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Swarved Mahamandir temple in Varanasi, a seven-floor temple with a 20,000-seating capacity, on December 18. The temple is dedicated to spiritual text Swarved and is the world's largest meditation centre.
Updated on Dec 16, 2023 05:28 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
SSU strives to take Sanskrit to US, Lankan shores
Varsity gets in-principle approval from Missouri State University; Buddhist and Pali University, Sri Lanka, shows interest
Updated on Dec 14, 2023 08:43 PM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Nitish to hold rally in Modi’s Varanasi on December 24
Bihar minister and Janata Dal (United) secretary (organisation) Shravan Kumar confirmed the move in a brief interaction with reporters in Varanasi on Saturday.
Published on Dec 09, 2023 08:53 PM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
21 pundits from Kashi to be part of Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya
Additionally, the team will incorporate five members from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust who are eager to witness the Ayodhya ceremony, according to Malviya.
Published on Dec 04, 2023 07:58 PM IST
Foreign guests, envoys to attend Dev Deepawali in Varanasi
S Rajalingam, district magistrate, Varanasi, confirmed it and added that the delegation will watch Ganga Arti on board a cruise ship
Published on Nov 24, 2023 08:28 PM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Varanasi company to launch mini-cruise service in Saryu
Two solar-powered ‘mini-cruise’ ships will operate in the Saryu River in Ayodhya before the inauguration of the Ram Temple in January. The vessels will offer a tour of Ayodhya's ghats and aim to spread knowledge of Lord Ram's life. The ships will be fully air-conditioned and operated by solar power. The cruise service is expected to boost tourism in Ayodhya and create job opportunities.
Updated on Nov 16, 2023 06:44 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi
Purvanchal’s marigold makes its mark in international market; first batch exported to UAE
The Purvanchal region has seen a surge in demand for its perishable products, leading to a 248% increase in agricultural product exports in Q1 2022-23 compared to the same period last year.
Updated on Nov 16, 2023 05:08 AM IST
Sudhir Kumar, Varanasi