More than 2.5 million devotees took part in the holy dip at Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence of Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and ‘mystical’ Saraswati on Thursday evening, the fourth day of Maha Kumbh.
According to the data released, by 5 pm on Thursday, over 2.5 million people visited the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj and took a holy dip at the Sangam, with more than 1 million Kalpvasis and 1.5 million additional pilgrims.
Over 60 million devotees have participated in the world’s biggest religious congregation; over 35 million on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on January 14.
Given the massive influx of pilgrims, the Prayagraj administration established an AI-based computerised lost and found centre.
Sharing details, Additional Mela Adhikari Vivek Chaturvedi told ANI, “An AI-based lost and found centre has been set up. Arrangements are made there for accommodation, clothes and food for the people who are lost. There has not been a single case in which we have not been able to reunite children or lost people with their relatives. We have received a good response from the computerised lost and found centre. If there is a case in which we have not been able to reunite a person with his relatives, then the administration takes them to their home at its own expense.”
On Wednesday, a 21-member delegation from 10 countries arrived at Arail Tent City in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj to take a holy dip at Triveni Sangam.
The delegation, invited by the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, will take a sacred dip at Triveni Sangam on Thursday.
Speaking to ANI, Denesh Persaud from Guyana, expressed his joy and fulfilment after taking a holy dip in the River Ganges.
“It’s a dream come true. I always wanted to come here and take a holy dip in the River Ganges. I have fulfilled that wish,” Persaud said.
Sally El Azab from United Arab Emirates, is among the many international pilgrims who have travelled to Prayagraj, to experience the Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world.
The visiting group included representatives from Fiji, Finland, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This showcases the global interest in this spiritual event.
The statement noted that the Mahakumbh, organised under the leadership of the Yogi government, has drawn global attention this year. Their accommodations were arranged at the Tent City in Arail, an initiative by the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation.
Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). (ANI)
Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani and other prominent legal experts have strongly criticised Hindenburg Research’s decision to disband, branding it a ‘run for cover’ in light of alleged connections to financier George Soros.
The move has sparked accusations of economic terrorism, with experts arguing that it is part of a broader scheme to destabilise markets.
On Hindenburg Research’s disbanding, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani said, ” Either he has already been sounded out by investigating authorities in the US or he fears that he will be investigated for his role in the attempt to shake India’s economy by bare hammering of Adani shares.”
“He was being used probably by the democratic deep-state controlled by George Soros. He has now made a run for cover. When you try to destabilise an economy, it is economic terrorism. Given the fact that it was George Soros who was behind this attempted economic devastation of India, the signal seems to be that we can control you by controlling your economy,” he said.
Advocate PR Ramesh, a prominent lawyer, (expert in SEBI matter) provided his expert opinion on the Hindenburg issue, particularly focusing on SEBI regulations and the ongoing investigation.
He stated, “The show-cause notice issued by SEBI and the ongoing investigations could have played a role in the shutdown of Hindenburg Research. It is crucial for authorities to thoroughly investigate whether there was any conspiracy to deliberately destabilise Indian markets.”
He further emphasized the importance of the Indian Supreme Court’s intervention, adding, “Fortunately, the Indian Supreme Court took the correct stand, which ultimately helped protect the stability of Indian markets from further damage.”
Prominent Criminal lawyer Ashish Dixit has expressed concerns over the actions of Hindenburg Research, calling their behaviour “intriguing” and stressing the need for a thorough investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Dixit believes that Hindenburg’s actions reflect a coordinated effort to destabilise the Indian market and economy. He urged authorities to probe the role of individuals and organisations that may have been involved in perpetuating such practices, emphasising the importance of uncovering the full extent of the manipulation.
Dixit further called for international cooperation in the investigation, stating that law enforcement agencies, with the assistance of global crime investigation bodies, should examine the situation closely.
If these actions are found to be coordinated or orchestrated by forces seeking to destabilise India’s economy and stock market, Dixit believes that prosecution must follow to ensure accountability and safeguard India’s financial integrity. (ANI)
The grand Maha Kumbh organised by the Uttar Pradesh government is now capturing global attention. As part of this, a 21-member delegation comprising representatives from 10 different countries visited the Sangam in Prayagraj on Thursday.
Speaking to ANI, Denesh Persaud from Guyana, expressed his joy and fulfilment after taking a holy dip in the River Ganges
“It’s a dream come true,” Persaud said. “I always wanted to come here and take a holy dip in the River Ganges. I have fulfilled that wish.”
Persaud encouraged others to participate in the event and experience the significance of the holy dip. “I encourage those who are here to come to this event and take a dip in the holy River Ganges,” he added.
Sally El Azab from United Arab Emirates, is among the many international pilgrims who have travelled to Prayagraj, to experience the Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world.
“I am coming from the Middle East to India…It is a wonderful event,” El Azab said, praising the organisation of the event. “It is the largest religious gathering in the world…Here, everything is well organised to another level. The police are there for safety. The government has arranged it all very well,” he added.
The delegation, invited by the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, arrived on Wednesday. Arrangements for the delegation’s stay have been made at the Tent City in Arail, developed by the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation.
The international delegation includes representatives from Fiji, Finland, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Thousands of devotees took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam here on Thursday morning, the fourth day of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh.
Over 6 crore devotees have participated in the world’s biggest religious congregation; over 3.5 crore on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on January 14. Meanwhile, given the massive influx of pilgrims, the Prayagraj administration has established an AI-based computerized lost and found centre.
Sharing details about the centre, Additional Mela Adhikari Vivek Chaturvedi told ANI, “An AI-based lost and found centre has been set up. Arrangements are made there for accommodation, clothes and food for the people who are lost… There has not been a single case in which we have not been able to reunite children or lost people with their relatives. We have received a good response from the computerised lost and found centre… If there is a case in which we have not been able to reunite a person with his relatives, then the administration takes them to their home at its own expense.”
Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). (ANI)
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY) is expected to create a massive Rs 1.2 trillion opportunity in India’s solar power sector, according to a report by SBI Capital Markets.
The report noted that this scheme, which focuses on promoting residential rooftop solar installations, aims to achieve an ambitious target of 30 GW capacity. It offers a substantial capital cost subsidy, significantly reducing payback periods by 4-5 years and encouraging greater adoption of solar energy.
It said “The scheme possesses the potential to catalyze a Rs. 1.2 trn ecosystem, with manufacturers of essential components, including modules, inverters, mounting equipment, and electrical components, anticipated to be primary beneficiaries alongside project developers and EPC players”.
It also added that the ecosystem driven by this scheme is set to benefit key players, including manufacturers of essential components such as solar modules, inverters, mounting structures, and electrical components.
Of the Rs 1.2 trillion opportunity, solar modules account for the largest share at Rs 480 billion, followed by inverters at Rs 275 billion, electrical components at Rs 200 billion, and mounting structures at Rs 90 billion.
The scheme is also advantageous for project developers and EPC players, who are leveraging the capex model, where customers finance and own the installations, to take advantage of subsidies.
The report also added that residential rooftop installations are expected to outpace other segments due to strong policy support, particularly in states with high residential electricity tariffs and favourable net metering policies. Non-utility solar segments, including residential and commercial and industrial (C&I), are also gaining momentum, driven by declining costs of modules and EPC services.
With cheaper solar cells expanding off-grid opportunities, the annual addition of non-utility solar installations is projected to reach around 20 GW by FY27.
Currently, five states account for 70 per cent of India’s solar rooftop capacity. Gujarat leads with 4,822 MW, followed by Maharashtra (2,847 MW), Rajasthan (1,415 MW), Kerala (966 MW), and Tamil Nadu (876 MW).
The growth of solar adoption is linked to factors such as industrialization, tariff differences, state-level incentives, and metering policies.
As residential installations rise, the report highlighted that PM-SGMBY is poised to play an important role in democratizing green energy and boosting India’s renewable energy goals. (ANI)
So what is happening in Gaza right now? Is there optimism in the air? Is that woman on the street smiling? Or, is it a half-smile, hiding a deeper reality? Will this sudden, infectious joy spread across the vast graveyards of solitude?
It’s ceasefire now after 13 months of Genocide in Gaza. A totally discredited Joe Biden (after pumping $23 billion worth of deadly weapons, bombs and arms to Israel since it all started), still wants to take credit. Earlier, Donald Trump had threatened that “all hell will break lose in the Middle East” if Hamas does not release the captured Israeli hostages before he enters the White House.
There is a wave of ‘great expectations’ floating in the dilapidated refugee camps and open-air shelters in Gaza, where the war-smoked air is heavy with dying and death, hunger and epidemics, mourning, and mass psychological trauma.
The bombing has been relentless, while the talks were on. Yesterday, 60-plus dead, or more. How many today? Reports say that 15 children were killed every day in the recent past.
Most of them innocent civilians, of course. Because Hamas fighters are underground, in the tunnels. So, as usual, they choose to kill ordinary folks, disarmed, helpless, out in the open.
It is well-known that Israel targets women and children especially, often through surveillance, and kills them, because they don’t want either women or children to resurrect the ‘tree of life’ in Palestine. The orthodox hardliners have always wanted what was the original Nazi project: ‘The Final Solution!’
That is, total elimination of the Palestinian people and total occupation of their ancient homeland. So that the fraudulent and mythical Jewish ‘holy land’ can be finally achieved. Mass slaughter thereby becomes a ‘sacred act’. A divine project.
Yesterday, I saw an Al Jazeera video report — ‘on the spot’ — from inside Gaza. In a context whereby almost 200 journalists have been killed, often as targeted assassinations by snipers, drones and bombing of marked buildings, this is good news for the people out there. And journalists desperate to enter Gaza and report from the ground.
Talking to the reporter, a mother with her little one, say that there is an “atmosphere of hope, of optimism” in the air. She says that it will be good if the non-stop bombing stops once and for all. “If the ceasefire happens, my first question to my friends and family would be ‘what are your plans, your dreams’?”
Well, the resilience of the people of Gaza has always been beyond the impossible, and history is replete with such stories of their guts and bravery — and the desire to live and start anew. Undoubtedly, no ‘Final Solution’ can ever succeed in the face of such infinite courage. If Maxim Gorky’s great novel, Mother could be written again in our times, it should be on the ‘Great Mothers of Gaza’, dead and alive.
And those who will live to tell the tale.
According to Al Jazeera, an old man, in a tent, said, crying, “I love my homeland. I love the soil I live in. As many as 45 people survive on one kilo of flour.”
A woman said, on the street, “My main aim is to seek eye-treatment. I want to see. I want to see the world!” With no medical treatment available, her retina had become worse during this one-sided war. Now she wants to see again.
Others want to go home. Meet their families, friends, neighbours and relatives. Perhaps, mourn for the dead, collectively, so that the wounds can be healed.
The video shows that people are walking on the ravaged streets, others are out in the open, some cars are on the road, and kids — those who have survived the bombs — are laughing and playing around.
Another video shot by unknown people has gone viral on social media. A young man in a refugee camp is smiling. Yes, smiling. Almost happy! And he is holding a big hammer. Why, for God’s sake?
He says, the smile refusing to leave his haggard, bearded face, that he has been keeping the hammer below his pillow, hoping against hope that finally there will be peace in the morning; and then, he will dismantle his tent with the hammer.
And, perhaps, yet again, start a new life — with hammer, sickle, iron in the soul, wearing shoes and socks, in a shirt and trouser, warm clothes, planting a seed of an Olive tree which they love so much, water it with his blood and sweat, and, then, grow an utopian orchard of Olive trees on the rubble.
Bisan is an intrepid young Palestinian woman reporter, who has been reporting from Gaza (or somewhere unknown). She has posted, “Two million Palestinians in Gaza and millions outside, are waiting for the ceasefire right now, tired, hungry, grieving and helpless. God don’t break our hearts.”
Early this week, Hind Khoudary, another brave woman journalist, was seen hugging her colleague, in a nameless location. They seem to be strong, optimistic. Yes, almost happy!
She said in an interview: “When people ask me, why did you stay in Gaza? My answer is simple. I am in love with Gaza.”
Yesterday, there wee signs of hope in Gaza, after a long, long time. Today there is great joy, deep inside, certainly, mixed with infinite pain. Perhaps, a sense of relief.
Now, once journalists, writers, filmmakers and story-tellers enter Gaza, there will be so many stories to be discovered, inside the rubble and outside, on their skin smeared with faded, clotted blood, in their simmering wounds; there will be stories in the half-burnt pictures of loved ones which have still managed to survive in a half-burnt kitchen wall of a half-burnt home.
There will be a bunch of wild purple flowers, swaying with the winter wind, which have grown through the crevices of that destroyed building, defying the bombs, promising eternal life.
Rusted with fire, old steel trunks will be dug out from the remains of their lost, shattered memories, bangles, keffiyehs, letters, photo albums; sweaters stitched so meticulously, with the nimble fingers of a grandmother, like an artist; love stories and stories of separation; messages, which never managed to reach their destination.
The clock had stopped!
Hand-written letters, un-posted, un-stamped, un-addressed, scattered like ruins of a sublime relationship. A sister who could not see her brother for years because she was in Gaza, and he was in West Bank; because the check-points did not allow it; the brother, who reached out, because her mobile messages simply stopped coming one day.
He soon discovered that she, a dedicated doctor, who lived in a bombed out building and slept on a broken chair, was murdered while travelling to her hospital. Like so many doctors and nurses.
There will be not ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’, like that epic novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. There will be no magic realism here. There will be a million years of solitude and sadness stalking the sudden, solitary, serenity of this silence.
And feverish eyes will hide many more stories. They will run away from other eyes. Fingers will ache to hold the fingers of those who are no more — that warm touch. Oh!
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan sustained a major injury to the thoracic spinal cord due to a lodged knife in the spine and surgery was performed to remove a 2.5-inch-long knife from the actor’s spine and repair his ‘leaking spinal fluid’, said a doctor of the Lilavati Hospital.
Explaining the actor’s current health condition, Dr Nitin Dange of the hospital said that the actor is completely stable and out of danger now.
Actor Saif Ali Khan had sustained at least 6 injuries after an intruder attacked him at his residence in the early hours of Thursday.
The doctors also performed plastic surgeries on Saif’s hand and neck, where he was stabbed, added Dr Dange.
The Bollywood actor was admitted to the hospital at around 2 am on Thursday, the doctor said.
” Saif Ali Khan was admitted to the hospital at 2 am with alleged history of assault by some unknown person. He sustained a major injury to the thoracic spinal cord due to a lodged knife in the spine. A surgery was performed to remove the knife and repair leaking spinal fluid. Two other deep wounds on his left hand and one other on his neck were repaired by the plastic surgery team. He is completely stable now. He is recovering well and out of danger now,” Dr Dange told reporters.
Dr Niraj Uttamani, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Lilavati Hospital said that Saif Ali Khan has been shifted to an ICU ward and will be kept under observation for one day, adding that he will recover 100 per cent as per their initial understanding.
Dr Uttamani said that Saif had sustained two deep wounds, two intermediate and two abrasions.
“Saif Ali Khan’s operation has been successful. His neurosurgery and plastic surgery are completed. He has been shifted to the ICU from the Operation Theatre for one-day observation. After that, we will decide tomorrow. Right now, he is looking absolutely fine. He is on a recovery path. The recovery should be 100 per cent as per our initial understanding. There are two deep wounds, two intermediate and two abrasions. We have removed a 2.5-inch long knife piece from his spine,” he said.
Dixit Gedam, DCP Zone 9 of Mumbai Police, who is part of the team investigating an attack on Actor Saif Ali Khan said that the incident was a “robbery attempt” and the accused used a fire escape staircase to enter Saif Ali Khan’s house.
Gedam said, “Last night, “The accused used a fire escape staircase to enter Saif Ali Khan’s house. It appears to be a robbery attempt. We working to arrest the accused. 10 Detection teams are working on the case. An offence has been registered in Bandra Police Station.”
The shocking incident unfolded at Saif Ali Khan’s residence in the ‘Satguru Sharan’ building in Bandra after an intruder allegedly confronted Khan’s maid. When Saif attempted to intervene and de-escalate the situation, the confrontation turned physical. The actor sustained injuries during the scuffle and was rushed to Lilavati Hospital for treatment. (ANI)
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday that the prime minister has approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission for central government employees.
The decision was shared by the minister during a press briefing to announce cabinet decisions in Delhi.
The minister highlighted that since India’s independence in 1947, there have been seven pay commissions formed to revise the salaries and benefits of central government employees.
He said “For your awareness, our Prime Minister has approved the establishment of the 8th Central Pay Commission for all central government employees”.
He also emphasized the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain a regular schedule for the establishment of pay commissions. The last such commission, the 7th Central Pay Commission, was initiated in 2016 and is set to complete its term in 2026.
He added “Following the commitment made by the Prime Minister to establish pay commissions in a regular rhythm, the 7th Pay Commission started in 2016, and its term will be completed in 2026”.
Vaishnaw stated that setting up the 8th Central Pay Commission well before 2025 will ensure sufficient time to review and finalize its recommendations. This proactive approach will enable the government to implement the proposed changes effectively before the 7th Pay Commission’s tenure ends.
The pay commission plays a crucial role in determining salary structures, allowances, and other benefits for government employees, and its recommendations significantly impact millions of workers and pensioners across the country.
The announcement of the 8th Pay Commission highlights that the government is committed to address the financial and professional needs of its workforce.
This announcement brings hope to central government employees who rely on pay commissions to ensure fair and timely revisions to their compensation.
With the 8th Pay Commission set to begin its work soon, employees can expect a thorough review of their pay scales and benefits in line with evolving economic conditions and government priorities. (ANI)
Anushree Goyal, a data science professional and a mother of two, emphasises the need for humane work practices, highlighting that true productivity lies in working smarter, not longer, and nurturing both careers and relationships. Her views:
Recently, a senior leader from a global corporation shared his view that deeply troubled me. He proposed that employees should work 90 hours a week, even calling us into the office on Sundays. As someone who’s both a professional and a working mother, this idea seems not only unrealistic but inhumane.
Before I am an employee, I am a human being. I am a mother, a daughter, a wife, and a person who has needs beyond work. My growing children depend on me, my elderly parents need my care, and my life needs balance. I cannot be confined to the office for endless hours at the expense of everything else that makes life meaningful. As working professionals, many of us are already pushed to the limit. Between long commutes, late-night work, and the constant demand to coordinate with international teams (especially across time zones like the US), we are barely holding on.
The thought of losing weekends, the only time to recharge and connect with loved ones, seems unbearable. It’s not just about working hours. It’s about life. If we spend all our time working, who will raise the next generation? Who will teach our children values, support them emotionally, and prepare them for their future? Can money truly replace the warmth of a family dinner, the joy of playing with our kids, or the peaceful moments spent with our aging parents?
The leader’s comment, “For how much time can you stare at your wife?” was particularly unsettling. Why should there be a problem with nurturing and caring for your loved ones? We need our partners’ time, attention, and affection just as much as we need to dedicate ourselves to our careers. The idea that relationships are disposable or secondary to work is damaging and short-sighted.
Goyal talks about the warmth of a family dinner, joys of playing with children
Money, no matter how much, cannot replace memories. It cannot replace the bond we build with those we love. If we work 90 hours a week until we retire, what will we have to show for it? When we retire, will we have relationships left to cherish, or will we be alone because we chose work over everything else? And when the time comes, will the organization that demands these hours truly care for us or our families in our old age?
I believe true productivity isn’t about working longer hours; it’s about working smarter. We should be able to accomplish our tasks efficiently within 7-8 hours, leaving the rest of the day to nurture our minds, bodies, and relationships. Work is important, but it should not come at the expense of our mental health, family bonds, or life experiences. We need to advocate for a work-life balance that allows us to be the best versions of ourselves both professionally and personally.
Let us not forget, we are not just workers; we are people with dreams, relationships, and a desire to live a fulfilling life. If we truly value our employees, we must support them in achieving this balance. After all, a happy, healthy, and fulfilled employee is far more productive and loyal than one who is burnt out and exhausted.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted that the Prayagraj region, where the Maha Kumbh is taking place, is to have a partly cloudy sky with light rain and dense to very dense fog on Thursday, January 16.
“Weather forecast and warning/advice of Prayagraj region issued by India Meteorological Department for January 16, 2025.
“The region is likely to have a partly cloudy sky with light rain and dense to very dense fog (00-200 m) at some places during late night/morning,” IMD posted on X.
Meanwhile, thousands of devotees took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and ‘mystical’ Saraswati, here on Thursday morning, the fourth day of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh.
Over 6 crore devotees have participated in the world’s biggest religious congregation; over 3.5 crore on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on January 14.
Given the massive influx of pilgrims, the Prayagraj administration has established an AI-based computerized lost and found centre.
Sharing details about the centre, Additional Mela Adhikari Vivek Chaturvedi told ANI, “An AI-based lost and found centre has been set up. Arrangements are made there for accommodation, clothes and food for the people who are lost… There has not been a single case in which we have not been able to reunite children or lost people with their relatives. We have received a good response from the computerised lost and found centre… If there is a case in which we have not been able to reunite a person with his relatives, then the administration takes them to their home at its own expense.”
On Wednesday, a 21-member delegation from 10 countries arrived at Arail Tent City in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. The delegation is scheduled to take a holy dip at Triveni Sangam.
The delegation, invited by the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, will take a sacred dip at Triveni Sangam on Thursday.
The visiting group includes representatives from Fiji, Finland, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This showcases the global interest in this spiritual event, which is a symbol of India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
During their visit, the delegation will participate in a heritage walk to explore the rich cultural and historical legacy of Prayagraj. They will also enjoy an aerial view of the Mahakumbh area during a helicopter ride. Dinner and rest arrangements have also been made at the tent city for their convenience.
The statement noted that the Mahakumbh, organised under the leadership of the Yogi government, has drawn global attention this year. Their accommodations have been arranged at the Tent City in Arail, an initiative by the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation.
Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). (ANI)
Piyush Anand, Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Thursday highlighted the extensive preparedness efforts in place for the Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj.
Speaking to ANI, Anand emphasized that with 20 NDRF teams deployed and rigorous training conducted for various agencies, including Uttar Pradesh Police, Railways, and DRDO, authorities are fully equipped to handle potential emergencies.
“Our 20 teams are deployed at the Maha Kumbh, and they have undergone extensive training. This is such a large event that no single agency can handle it on its own. We have gone there and conducted training exercises for people, including the UP police and Railways. We are also receiving support from the state government, Railways, and DRDO. With all these agencies working together, we are fully prepared,” he said.
He also mentioned that more people are expected on ‘Shahi Snan’ on Mauni Amavasya than it was on Makar Sankranti.
“According to reports, nearly three crore people took a dip on Makar Sankranti, and it is expected that more people will come during Mauni Amavasya. For this, we have organized mock exercises along with training, where all the agencies have worked together to prepare for possible scenarios,” Anand said.
The NDRF Chief also highlighted that wherever there is a water body, the likelihood of water disasters is very high.
“The personnel there, the ‘Naviks,’ are excellent swimmers, but we have analyzed that being a good swimmer alone is not enough to save lives without proper training. We have trained 1,300 boat operators to ensure they can respond effectively in any situation. This time, we have purchased 40 horsepower boats with the aim of reaching the scene quickly and reacting swiftly,” Piyush Anand said.
“Another threat is the possibility of Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear (CBN) threats. We have deployed 4 CPRN teams for this purpose,” he added.
Thousands of devotees took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam here on Thursday morning, the fourth day of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh.
Over 6 crore devotees have participated in the world’s biggest religious congregation; over 3.5 crore on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on January 14.
Meanwhile, given the massive influx of pilgrims, the Prayagraj administration has established an AI-based computerized lost and found centre.
Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). (ANI)
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