Category Archives: Travel

One on top of the other: Agra Christians decide to bury their dead in a single grave

The centuries-old graves in Agra are still preserved by the cemetery committees for the European descendants who may want to visit the grave of their ancestors. However, this also means that Agra is now short of space in the cemeteries for Christians to bury their dead. In a bid to resolve this problem, the Agra Cemeteries Committee has taken a controversial decision which is not sitting well with most Christians living in the city.

Father Lazarus Moon, the chairman of the Agra Cemeteries Committee, said the committee passed a unanimous decision in which it was ruled that graves will be dug very deep in the cemeteries of Agra. (Photo: Krishanveer Singh Rawat)

Being one of the oldest cities of India where the Catholic Christian community established its roots in the early ages of European exploration of the Indian subcontinent, Agra has some of the oldest cemeteries in the country.

The centuries-old graves in Agra are still preserved by the cemetery committees for the European descendants who may want to visit the grave of their ancestors.

However, this also means that Agra is now short of space in the cemeteries for Christians to bury their dead. In a bid to resolve this problem, the Agra Cemeteries Committee has taken a controversial decision which is not sitting well with most Christians living in the city.

Father Lazarus Moon, the chairman of the Agra Cemeteries Committee, told India Today that the committee passed a unanimous decision in which it was ruled that graves will be dug very deep in the cemeteries of Agra.

Moon said that the coffins will be placed in tiers inside the graves, burying one dead of the family on top of another, thereby, conserving valuable space for other graves. This way, he said, the family will stay together even in death with their bodies separated by stone slabs.

Father Lazarus Moon said that this decision was taken to conserve and salvage space in the already congested cemeteries of Agra and it will give a respectful send off to the departed family members.

The committee has also decided to open the graves that have not seen any relatives visiting them in decades and that the space will also be used to bury new dead.

However, the committee will preserve the details of the grave that is being opened. This move will recover a lot of space in the cemeteries for the future generations of Christians.

Father Moon said that this decision will be announced in the Sunday prayer meetings in all churches of Agra so that the people understand the reasoning behind this decision.

Criticising this move, cleric Mufti Mudassar Khan Qadri said that this is desecration of ancestral graves.

Mufti Mudassar Khan Qadri said that Christians and Muslims are often referred to as the ‘Followers of the Book’, which meant that there was no need for changing religion for a Muslim to marry a Christian woman or vice-versa. However, this decision by the Christians to pile up the graves of their ancestors with dead bodies from the rest of the family is something that is hard to fathom.

source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> India / by Siraj Qureshi , Agra / July 26th, 2019

Software Developed By IIT Kanpur Scientists To Guide Chandrayaan-2’S Pragyan Rover On Lunar Surface

Software Developed By IIT Kanpur Scientists To Guide Chandrayaan-2’s Pragyan Rover On Lunar Surface
Pragyan rover (ISRO official website)

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology – Kanpur developed a motion planning and mapping generation software for the Chandrayaan-2 mission which is now on its intended path towards the moon.

This software will help the rover Pragyan in its landing and movement on the lunar surface, reports  New Indian Express.

The IIT Kanpur team comprised of Prof Ashish Datta of the Mechanical Engineering Department and Prof KS Venkatesh of Electrical Engineering wing. The 27 kg rover runs on 50 W of solar power and can travel up to 500 m at a speed of 1 cm per second and communicates directly with the lander.

The made in India software would help the rover in drilling the lunar surface, to explore for traces of water and minerals before beaming back its findings for further research and examination.

The rover is expected to soft-land on the lunar surface in the first week of September.

source: http://www.swarajyamag.com / Swarajya Magazine / Home / by Swarajya Staff / July 24th, 2019

Nine Lucknow cyclists take Paris endurance test today

TOUGH NUT The 1,230-km route includes cold, windy and tough terrain that poses health and mechanical challenges.

Cyclist Manish Mishra (Sourced)

On Sunday evening 335 Indian endurance cyclists, including nine from Lucknow and one from Prayagraj, will participate in the Randonnée Paris-Brest-Paris-2019, an International endurance cycling event, where around 7,000 cyclists from all over the world will ride on a 1,230 km route in cold, windy, tough terrain that poses health and mechanical challenges.

The event, considered as one of the toughest endurance cycling events in the world, is being conducted since 1891. It is not a race.

Held every four years, Indians began participating in it in 2011 and this is the first time cyclists from Lucknow are in participating in it.

The event will begin on August 18 (Sunday) at 5.30 pm (Paris, France time) and end on August 22, 2019. The starting point is the majestic park of Rambouillet’s castle, near Paris, where cyclists will get a flag-off in batches of 300. Those who complete the route within the stipulated time will get a medal.

There are three different time categories — 80 hours, 84 hours and 90 hours.

Seven Lucknow riders have opted for the 90-hour category while the other two decided for the tougher 84-hour one. One Prayagraj rider too chose the 90-hour category.

Rajesh Kumar Verma, 54, a teacher and Dhairya Ahuja, 25, are in the 84-hour slot while Vivek Ranjan, 32, a manager at a private firm, Rakesh Kumar Pawan, 46, a businessman, Prabhat Ranjan, 40, a manager at a private firm, his wife Amrita Ranjan, 35, an assistant professor at a college, Yashesh Vyas, 51, an architect, Vaibhav Rastogi, 44, a businessman, and Abhinav Kumar Singh, 36, a businessman and mountaineer are doing the 90-hour category.

The Prayagraj rider Manish Mishra, 42, a senior auditor at the office of the Accountant General, UP, Prayagraj is also doing in the 90-hour Category. There are about 50 riders from the National Capital Region (NCR).

The event is held under the guidance of Adaux Club Parisien (ACP), France. “To participate in the event an aspirant must finish 200 km (13.30 hours), 300 km (20 hours), 400 km (27 hours), and 600 km (40 hour) BRM (endurance cycling event against time) in one calendar year under Audax India,” said Abhinav Kumar over the phone, in between his practice sessions, from Paris.

Amrita Ranjan, after her last practice and acclimatisation ride ahead of the event, said: “I know it’s tough, I am practising. The terrain is not like Uttar Pradesh routes. It’s a rolling path (that is a route with steep climbs and descents). And unlike India, where we ride on the left of the roads, we have to get used to riding on the right side.”

Yashesh Vyas said: “No ride is easy. Even a 100 km ride is not easy. Ultimately, it’s a mind game.”

In cycling parlance, it is called self-sustained ride, that is, there is no backup support from the organisers and all breakdowns and emergencies are to be handled solely by the participants. “Even relatives or friends are not allowed to help the participants during the ride,” said Prabhat Ranjan, the husband of Amrita. Amrita and Prabhat are the first couple ever from India that is attempting the PBP.

“If you like going fast, there usually is a group who try to see how quickly they can complete the course. But the results are listed alphabetically, and everybody gets the same medal, so it is not a race. The long rides are challenging for anybody, but every finisher is a winner,” said Manish Mishra.

Most riders have bought new ‘road category’ bikes for the event and most of these bikes cost over Rs 1 lakh. One ends up spending a minimum Rs 2.5 lakh for the event, which includes the cost of the bike, air tickets, food and lodging.

*Brevets De Randonneur Mondiaux (BRMs) are rides of fixed distances that are to be completed within specified time limits, having successfully passed through pre-determined time controls.

*BRMs worldwide are approved and governed by Audax Club Parisien (ACP).

*A randonneuring event is called a randonée or brevet (pronounced breh-VAY), and a rider who has completed a 200 km event is called a randonneur. The most common type of event is a brevet, referring to the certificate or card (called brevet in French) the participant receives, signifying completion of a particular distance.

*Randonneur events are 200 km, 300 km, 400 km, 600 km, 1000 km, and 1200 km. During longer events, sleep breaks are planned at intermediate points. In the end, you get officially homologated and have an option to request a medal if you complete the course within the time limit.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> India> Cities> Lucknow / by Pankaj Jaiswal & K Sandeep Kumar, Hindustan Times, Lucknow/Prayagraj / August 18th, 2019

Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express set to be first train to be run by private operators

The train, one of the most-awaited trains on the route, is currently parked at the Anandnagar railway station in Uttar Pradesh (PTI)
  • The Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express was announced in 2016 but was introduced in the new time table released recently
  • The train, one of the most-awaited trains on the route, is currently parked at the Annandnagar railway station in Uttar Pradesh.

New Delhi :

The Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express is set to be the first train to be operated by private players, sources said Monday, indicating that the Railways is going ahead with its 100-day agenda of handing over operations of two of its trains to the private sector, despite protests from its unions.

The Railway Board is deliberating on a second such route, which too would be within the 500-km distance range.

The Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express was announced in 2016 but was introduced in the new time table released recently.

The train, one of the most-awaited trains on the route, is currently parked at the Annandnagar railway station in Uttar Pradesh and will be handed over to private players after an open bidding process for operationalisation.

However, the custody of the trains will be transferred to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) , which will pay for it, including their lease charges, to the financing arm, IRFC.

“These two trains will be given on an experimental basis and we hope that within the next 100 days, we will be able to run at least one of them. The idea was to identify routes which have low congestion and connect important tourists spots. The second tain too will be identified soon,” a senior official said.

The Delhi-Lucknow route is currently served by 53 trains but does not have a Rajdhani. The Swarn Shatabdi has the highest demand on this route and takes around 6:30 hours.

The IRCTC, which will be given the two trains to run initially, has been asked to finalise a proposal by July 10 and submit it to the Railway Board after a meeting of the Member, Traffic, with officials of the Railways’ tourism and catering arm on July 4.

The proposal of the Railway Board in its 100-day plan was to offer two trains to operators who would be willing to be part of the bidding process for rights to run private passenger day/overnight train sets connecting important cities. The Railways also said that it would float a Request for Proposal (RFP) and a Request for Quote (RFQ) in the next 100 days.

The proposal, however, has come under severe criticism from the railway unions, who have threatened large scale protests over the issue.

source: http://www.livemint.com / Live Mint / Home> Explore / by PTI / July 09th, 2019

Allahabad Museum to soon exhibit letters, documents of freedom fighters

The Allahabad Museum is requesting individuals and organisations to donate to it the letters, documents written by freedom fighters.


The Allahabad Museum (HT Photo)

Soon people will be able to get an insight into the lives of nation’s great freedom fighters through their own hand written accounts, letters and documents narrating their struggle and life during India’s freedom movement.

“Allahabad Museum is in the process of getting these documents from individuals, organisations and institutes from different parts of the country. The museum took the initiative after an appeal made by UP governor that people who possess some valuable documents, letters etc related to India’s freedom movement and freedom fighters should come forward to donate them to the Allahabad Museum,” said director of the museum Sunil Gupta.

“Following it, we received a well-preserved letter of freedom fighter Vishnu Sharan Dublish from KD Sharma, a resident of Meerut. He contacted us for proving the letter,” added Gupta.

Gupta claimed that Dublish wrote this letter on November 1, 1937 after he was released from the Andaman jail.

In the letter, Dublish had made an appeal to people to also treat Aman Singh Atre as a freedom fighter while highlighting his role in the freedom movement.

“We are also in discussion with Pune-based Tilak Foundation for providing hand written letter of another great freedom fighter Rajguru. A few days back, an artist donated us around 150 pictures of freedom fighters. Likewise, we have also made an appeal to some organisations and institutes to provide us some original documents on temporary basis,” he added.

The officials also informed that they were also in discussion with Savarkar Trust in Kalyan, Maharashtra for getting some letters of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.

“We are still in the process of getting these valuable documents and letters related to India’s freedom movement. Once we get sufficient documents, they will be displayed in the new gallery being constructed at the cost of around Rs eight crore. The dates of displaying these items and other related decisions will be taken in the next meeting of Allahabad Museum,” said Gupta.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> India / by Smriti Malaviya , Hindustan Tiems, Prayagraj / April 01st, 2019

International Women’s Day: The driving force of Lucknow Metro

Jyoti Shukla and Neetu Gupta have been drilled in the do’s and don’ts of Metro operations at the Delhi Centre and now work as train operators for Lucknow Metro. The women are more than proud to be a part of the dream project of Lucknow from its inception. On International Women’s Day, 2019, the two will operate the Metro.

When you board the Lucknow Metro which is all set to be launched, don’t be surprised to find a female train operator in the operator’s cabin.

Jyoti Shukla and Neetu Gupta have been drilled in the do’s and don’ts of Metro operations at the Delhi Centre and now work as train operators for Lucknow Metro. The women are more than proud to be a part of the dream project of Lucknow from its inception. On International Women’s Day, 2019, the two will operate the Metro. When home minister Rajnath Singh will be seated for the first ride of the second phase of the 23-kilometre stretch, Neetu will pilot the train with a male pilot companion, Sushant Sarvare. Jyoti, along with a male pilot companion, Pankaj K Singh will pilot the second train.

Gupta has train-operating experience of 45,000 kilometres. Talking about her initial days she said, “I belong to a small district, Ballia, where life is still very sluggish and laid back. But for me, I always dreamt of achieving something big in my life. Studies took most of my time and Math was my favourite subject. So, the inclination towards technology was evident since childhood. How keenly we follow our dream that’s the key to success. My interests were spotted by my parents at very early age. Being the eldest, I too felt that I should behave like a responsible daughter.”

Shukla, who hails from Mirzapur, feels that there is no end to dreams for any girl, “Yes, a woman has full right to dream and also to fulfil them because at the end of the day, passion matters. I have moved around with my parents to many cities, as my father a retired serviceman now, kept getting transferred. I shifted many places and schools but the dream to be an officer in uniform was always on my mind.”

Gupta feels that only gender equality in every sector will help the nation become a developed country in the truest sense. “When we can have equal work rights in LMRC here, why can’t it be everywhere? Why is it still so difficult for girls from small towns and villages to be given equal opportunity and rights? Many small villages don’t even let girls study, let alone allow them to dream big. Girls are just considered a helping hand to run a household. Only education can change the scenario. The trainees at our centres are so positive and we feel proud training them, irrespective of gender.”

Shukla considers herself lucky that her family, especially her parents, support her and let her take decisions regarding her job and studies.

On being asked where they see themselves five years from now, Gupta was quick to respond, “Definitely not operating a train, because I believe I must have become something big, sitting in some cabin, (laughing). But I am sure that I will see more success in coming days.”

Shukla enjoys training the new batch. “I am happy with whatever little I have achieved but I know this is just the beginning.”

MEN ON THE MAIDEN RUN

The two men who will be operating the metro on the first day along with their female counterparts are Pankaj K Singh and Sushant Sarvare. Both are more than happy to be part of the venture from initial days.

Singh who has train-operating experience of 28,000 kilometres, feels that in today’s times, no girl is behind in any field, “I come from Agra and have seen women from my city going places. My parents are the reason that I see every woman as an equal and also a competition as in reality they lack nothing. At LMRC, we are friends, but at the same time, we competitors. So, this is the new India all of us youngsters want.”

Singh said that he is blessed to have made a name for himself and his family, “Yes, I am proud that today I have reached a place in my life and my choice of career is bringing in good results. My family is proud of me and my achievements. For me, it was my father and elder sister who were the driving force. My father not only supported me but also let my sister opt for her choice of education and career. She is a headmistress today and we all are so proud and happy for her.”

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Lucknow / by S. Farah Rizvi, Hindustan Times, Lucknow / March 08th, 2019

Over 7,000 Participants Set A New Guinness World Record At Kumbh

At Kumbh Mela 2019, a new Guinness World Record has been set for “most contribution to a handprint painting in 8 hours” by Prayagraj Mela Authority.

Over 7,000 Participants Set A New Guinness World Record At Kumbh

Indian has a new Guiness World Record – “for most contribution to a handprint painting in 8 hours”.

Prayagraj :

Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh is making news for the right reasons. After breaking the Guinness World Record for the ” largest parade of buses” on Thursday, it has now added another world record to its fold. The new Guinness World Record has been set for “most contribution to a handprint painting in 8 hours” by Prayagraj Mela Authority on Friday.

The handprint community engagement activity, a part of “Paint My City” initiative, saw participation from 7,664 people, breaking a record previously held by South Korea.

“In Seoul, around 4,675 people had participated in handprinting activity. We broke that record in the first few hours itself,” said one of the participants.1

From saints to securitymen, children to adults, people from all walks of life took part in the record-breaking event. The 60 feet canvas saw hand impressions in all sizes.

Today, another world record is being attempted at Kumbh Mela area for  – “Most People Sweeping the Floor (Multiple Venues).  “It is not a milestone to be accomplished but also a benchmark for all to celebrate cleanliness,” an organiser said.

On Thursday, a fleet of over over 500 buses were rolled out to set a new record for “longest parade of buses”. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses covered a distance of over 3.2 km. The parade of the saffron-coloured buses was held at NH-19, between Sahson toll and Nawabganj toll plaza.

source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> Section> All India / by Richa Taneja / March 02nd, 2019

At Kumbh Mela, UP Eyes Guinness Record For “Largest Parade Of Buses”

According to an official, the parade of 500 buses would be the longest anywhere in the world ad will make new Guinness World Record.

Pragyaraj :

By rolling out a fleet of 500 buses at the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the Uttar Pradesh government is eyeing to break existing Guinness World Record. The record of largest parade of buses is currently held by Abu Dhabi of 390 buses. A 5.8 km-long convoy of 390 buses had travelled a stretch of 4 km on the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Highway in Abu Dhabi. The record attempt was to celebrate UAE 39th national day.

According to an official, the parade of 500 buses would be the longest anywhere in the world.

The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses will cover a distance of over 3.2 km. The parade of the saffron-coloured buses will be held at NH-19, between Sahson toll and Nawabganj toll plaza.

“The parade is also to demonstrate the traffic plan which worked very well during the ongoing Kumbh Mela where 1,300 hectare of land was used for parking of vehicles”, Additional Chief Secretary (Information and Tourism) Avaneesh Kumar Awasthi told news agency IANS.

Over 20,000 police personnel were deployed for security and safety of the Kumbh Nagar where millions visit every year, he added.

The UPSRTC had issued directions to all the 18 regions of the state to send the buses along with manpower in the city by February 27.

A couple of observers from the Guinness Book of World Records will witness the record-making attempt on the route on which buses will run.

(With Inputs From ANI, IANS)

source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> All India / by Richa Taneja (with input from Agencies) / February 28th, 2019

‘Ancient city’ Varanasi ready to roll out red carpet for NRI guests

District magistrate Surendra Singh and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Suresh Rao Anand Kulkarni will lead the Banarsis in hosting the NRIs at at their homes.


Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. (File | PTI)

Lucknow : 

The essence of “Atithi Devo Bhava (Guest is God)” will be there for all to see as Varanasi, the world’s most ancient city, lays out the proverbial red carpet to the Indian diaspora during the high-profile Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, commencing on Monday, January 21. 

The biennial event will be different in many ways this time. The most striking difference will be the warmth that the people of Kashi are likely to shower on NRIs thronging the city in their thousands. Government arrangements apart, around 200 families of Varanasi will host the guests at their homes, during the event. 

Preparations are on in full swing. While some are renovating their dwellings, others are busy putting the minutest things in place to ensure maximum comfort blended with original Banarasi heritage, in all its glory, to the guests. 

District magistrate Surendra Singh and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Suresh Rao Anand Kulkarni will lead the Banarsis in hosting the NRIs at their homes.

“Me and my wife Garima are ready to host Dr Rajpal Singh and his wife Vijay. They are coming  from London and we have made all arrangements to make their stay a memorable one,” the DM said, adding that he will ensure that his guests get a taste of the Banarasi flavour and charm  during their stay in the ancient city.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Nation / by Namita Bajpai / Express News Service / January 20th, 2019

UP: Chattar Manzil to have a ‘treasure trove’ of history

The UP State Archaeological Department is going to establish a museum at iconic Chattar Manzil, which would house artifacts unearthed at archaeological sites across Uttar Pradesh.

The UP State Archaeological Department (UPSAD) is going to establish a museum at iconic Chattar Manzil, which would house artifacts unearthed at archaeological sites across the state.

The museum would come up after the ongoing beautification and strengthening work is over at the Chattar Manzil.

“We have big plans for Chattar Manzil, which has high potential for being a tourist hub. Construction of a dedicated museum is one of the many plans in store for this nawabi era structure,” said AK Singh, director, museum, who also holds charge of UPSAD.

UPSAD officials said the museum would house artifacts including furnaces, arrow heads and cultural components dated BCE (before the Common Era) 1800 and 1000, unearthed during various excavation works at various historical sites in the state.

Stone and bone artifacts, terracotta beads and other important cultural components too will be placed in the museum, said officials.

“It will be a chance for the people to peep into the world of our ancestors and forefathers,” added officials.

As per plan, the museum would have different chambers displaying artifacts from separate excavation sites. One of these is Dadupur (between Gomti and Sai River) — one of the biggest excavation sites in UP.

In Dadupur excavation, the department had recovered iron artifacts including arrow heads.

Similarly, artifacts from the famous Jajmau mound in Kanpur would also be an attraction at the museum. These would include evidences of pre-Mauryan and Kushan period. Copper coins, seals, terracotta beads, granaries, burnt bricks would also be displayed, he added.

Besides, artifacts unearthed from sites like Hulaskhera, Soni, Raja Nal ka Tila, Malhar, Naidih, Rajdhani Tila and others too will find place in the museum.

source: http://www.hindutantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Lucknow / by Rajeev Mullick, Hindustan Times, Lucknow / February 05th, 2019