The Maha Kumbh-2025 in Prayagraj, India, has become the largest human congregation ever recorded, with over 650 million devotees from 73 nations participating in the sacred event. The festival, which takes place once every 144 years, saw nearly 50% of India's population and over 60% of the country's Sanatani devotees taking a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati. The event also provided a massive economic boost, contributing over Rs 3 lakh crore to Uttar Pradesh's economy.
As one of India's most populated and important cities, Delhi is facing a major threat in the form of earthquakes. Located in Seismic Zone IV, multiple local fault lines, and its proximity to the Himalayas make the city especially vulnerable. With many new high-rise buildings and non-earthquake resistant structures, areas like Gurugram and Yamuna flood plains are at high risk. In just six months of 2020, 135 tremors were recorded, indicating increasing seismic stress. Experts warn that given Delhi's alluvial soil composition, a large quake is not a matter of "if" but "when," making preparedness crucial for the safety of its residents.
Sources have revealed that BJP leader Parvesh Verma is set to be the next chief minister of Delhi, with the party and RSS agreeing on his name. He emerged victorious in the New Delhi constituency, defeating former CM Arvind Kejriwal. Verma, son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, had made several promises in his campaign, including making Yamuna a riverfront and providing infrastructure for slum dwellers. He thanked the people for choosing "truth over lies, governance over gimmicks, and development over deception" and alleged that Kejriwal did not work for the national capital in the past 11 years.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has accused former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of forcing people in Delhi to drink contaminated water for the past decade. Presenting water samples from both Haryana and Delhi to the media, Saini highlighted the significant difference in water quality, blaming the Delhi government for polluting the Yamuna. He also criticized Kejriwal for attempting to shift the blame onto Haryana instead of focusing on developing Delhi. Saini asserted that the people of Delhi have recognized Kejriwal's deceit and character, and will reject him in the upcoming elections.
The Election Commission of India has demanded that former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal provide factual evidence for his allegation that Yamuna water has been poisoned. The Commission has given a deadline for Kejriwal to submit the evidence, and warned that if he fails to do so, appropriate action will be taken. Kejriwal has accused the Commission of being biased and has refused to comply with their demands.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has strongly denied former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's claims that the Haryana government deliberately released "poison" into the raw water supply to the national capital. The DJB clarified that the increase in ammonia levels in the Yamuna River during winter is a natural phenomenon and the Board has measures in place to treat and manage it. In a letter to the Election Commission of India, Kejriwal had referred to the situation as "water terrorism," but DJB has deemed his allegations as "factually incorrect, without any basis and misleading."
Amid the upcoming assembly elections, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused the BJP-led Haryana government of releasing toxic water through river Yamuna which is being supplied to the national capital. He alleged that the BJP is indulging in such sinister acts to blame the AAP government in case of any harm to the people of Delhi. Kejriwal also expressed gratitude to the engineers of Delhi Jal Board for preventing the toxic water from mixing with the water supplied to Delhi, potentially saving many lives.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced his plans to file a defamation suit against former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who recently accused the state government of polluting Yamuna water. Meanwhile, the BJP is also taking action and filing a complaint against Kejriwal with the Election Commission of India. This comes as tension between the two parties continues to escalate ahead of upcoming elections.
In a public rally, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath challenges Delhi CM Kejriwal and his ministers to take a bath in the highly polluted Yamuna river, highlighting the poor condition of the river. Adityanath and his ministers have taken a holy dip in the clean waters of Triveni Sangam at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Adityanath also takes a dig at Kejriwal's unfulfilled promise to clean the river, criticizing Delhi's poor infrastructure and presence of Bangladeshi infiltrators in the city. In a quick response, Kejriwal suggests Adityanath to focus on improving education in UP instead of taking a dip in Yamuna.
On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti in 2025, thousands of devotees across India braved the cold weather to gather at various holy sites on the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna. From Kolkata's Babughat to Varanasi's Ganga ghats and Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri, devotees took holy dips and offered prayers, while in Prayagraj, the first Amrit Snan of Maha Kumbh 2025 commenced. This festival, marking the Sun's transition into Capricorn, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and faith in God, inspiring people to face the cold weather for a chance at spiritual merit.