The eighth edition of Mahindra Kabira Festival, organised by Mahindra Group and Teamwork Arts, will take place in Varanasi from December 13-15. This year's lineup includes a diverse mix of artists, storytellers and scholars who will come together to celebrate the music and heritage of the holy city. The festival will feature a range of music genres, literature sessions, and heritage walks inspired by the teachings of the revered poet, Sant Kabir. With a focus on showcasing Kabir's ideas in different ways, the festival promises to be a unique and immersive experience for visitors.
The Supreme Court is set to announce its verdict on pleas challenging the Allahabad High Court's declaration of the Uttar Pradesh madrasa law as unconstitutional. The High Court had deemed the law violative of secular principles and ordered the state government to integrate madrasa students into the formal schooling system. While the CJI has expressed concerns about siloing minorities, the court is also considering the need for regulation and mainstreaming of madrasas for the national interest.
In a speech given in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of breaking away from nepotism in politics and announced plans to bring 1 lakh young people without any political connections into the field. He congratulated Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on the state's development and announced various projects worth 6,700 crore to further improve infrastructure and job opportunities in Varanasi. The PM also highlighted the advancements in healthcare in Varanasi, including the inauguration of the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital and the expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.
The installation of Sai Baba idols in temples in Varanasi has sparked a controversy, with Hindu organisations calling for their removal claiming that Sai Baba was a Muslim and had no connection with Sanatan Dharma. This has resulted in the removal of idols from 14 temples, with more to follow. While some argue that there is no objection to the worship of Sai Baba, there is opposition to his idols being installed in temples.
As Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's highly-anticipated wedding approaches, Nita Ambani gives a sneak peek into the lavish preparations with a special section of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre dedicated to the holy city of Varanasi. With performances by international artists like Rihanna, Diljit Dosanjh, Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber, this wedding is set to be a star-studded and culturally-rich affair.
A recent report by CBRE highlights the growth of retail and consumer brands in sacred cities like Amritsar, Varanasi, Mathura, Ayodhya, and Guruvayur, as pilgrims and spiritual seekers flock to these places. The surge in spiritual tourism has led to the strategic adaptation of retail offerings by various brands in both high-street and mall locations. The rise in online platforms providing easy access to faith-based products and services has also contributed to the growth. Improved infrastructure and development of accommodation options have further boosted this trend, according to the report.
A viral video showing the roof of the Vande Bharat Express train leaking during its journey from Delhi to Varanasi has sparked outrage online. The footage, shared by a passenger, captured the drenched seats and prompted warnings to avoid travelling on the train. However, officials from Northern Railway have since stated that the leak was caused by a temporary blockage of pipes and has been resolved.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited his constituency of Varanasi for the first time since the Lok Sabha polls and announced the release of Rs. 20,000 crore to 9.26 crore farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme. He also presented certificates to over 30,000 women from self help groups. In other news, IAS officer Ashwani Kumar has been appointed as the Commissioner of the MCD by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, while rescue operations are underway to relocate stranded tourists in Sikkim. In a surprise move, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has resigned from the Wayanad seat in Kerala and will now only represent Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.
UP Police has successfully saved the lives of 457 people, including both males and females, who posted about committing suicide on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The police have collaborated with Meta to receive immediate alerts when such posts are made, allowing them to locate and rescue the individuals with the help of their integrated server and control room. This initiative has inspired other states in the country to replicate the process and the UP Police have provided them with necessary assistance and guidance. Some instances where the police were able to intervene and save lives were in Bareilly, Meerut, and Varanasi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Varanasi and released the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, providing financial support to more than 9.26 crore farmers. This was PM Modi's first action after being sworn in for the third consecutive time, having authorized the release last week. The scheme, which is the world's largest Direct Benefit Transfer scheme, has so far disbursed over Rs 3.04 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmers. With this latest release, the total amount transferred since the scheme's inception will surpass Rs 3.24 lakh crore.