134 arrested at Simhastha posing as sadhus
Ujjain: As the 'Simhastha Kumbh Mahaparv' one of the four Kumbh Melas celebrated as one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world draws to a close, the police have arrested 134 people posing as sadhus and indulging in criminal activities, Additional Director General of Police V Madhukumar has said. The authorities have initiated proceedings against these people as per law, Madhukumar said on Monday. The ADGP said there have been incidents of theft, vandalism and even a murder attempt at the site of Simhastha Kumbh. Some of the incidents were targeted against sadhus religious renunciates belonging to various 'akharas' an order of such renunciates which get a pride of place in sacred bath rituals of a Kumbh pilgrimage. Madhukumar said the third and last 'Shahi Snan' (royal bath) of Kumbh on May 21 would be a big challenge for the police on account of large crowds of devotees that are expected. The Simhastha Kumbh, that began on April 22, will conclude with the Shahi Snan on May 21.
2 held for attacking Shiv Sena leader
Khargone: Two people have been arrested on the charge of firing gunshot at a local Shiv Sena leader and injuring him in Khargone district, police said. District Shiv Sena vice president Vinod Raghuvanshi, who was shot at and injured by the accused on May 11 over a dispute related to money-related dealing, is undergoing treatment in Indore. A bullet has been removed from his throat following surgery. Saurabh Yadav (25) and Rajendra Yadav (58) were arrested yesterday. Both were presented before the court from where they were sent to police remand. Both were wanted in connection with other cases of murder and other cases. Meanwhile, one person, Akeel, has been arrested in connection with the attack on Town Shiv Sena President Vijay Dandir with a rod on May 14.
3 killed, 24 hurt as bus overturns
Chhatarpur: Three people were killed and 24 sustained injuries, six of them critically, when a passenger bus overturned about 10 km from this district headquarters on Sunday, police said. The bus was en route Chhatarpur from Sarwai when it hit a speed breaker and overturned this morning. Cleaner Prahlad Chourasiya died on the spot.The injured were admitted to District Hospital where two succumbed to their injuries.
6 cr devotees took holy dip at Simhastha so far
Ujjain: Around 5.5 crore devotees have so far taken holy dip in the Kshipra river, where the Simhastha Kumbh mela started late last month in Ujjain. Talking to reporters, State Transport Minister and Simhastha-Kumbh Mela in-charge Bhupendra Singh gave this information. The mega festival, which commenced on April 22, will go on till May 21. More than 3,600 crore rupees have been spent on making preparations for the gigantic religious event. Ujjain Simhastha has been dedicated to women's empowerment and Pandals have been set up by female saints and seers. One Pandal near Bhairugarh on the banks Kshipra is solely dedicated to women. Here, Yoganandanam Nari Shaktipeeth, Ujjain is apprising women of works undertaken in women's empowerment sector. Shaktipeeth's Head Sunita Bagre said that only women are given entry in the Pandal. During Yoga Shivir, information about government's efforts for women's upliftment is also being provided. About 500 women are being imparted training of Priest-hood daily in the Pandal of Shaktipeeth. They are being trained in purity of Sanskrit language and Dharmacharya Mantras. According to Bagre, is an effort to remove shortage of female Pandits in the country.
Student kills self over poor result
Bhopal: Upset about having failed in high school (class X) examinations, a student has committed suicide by consuming poison at Sohaya village near the Madhya Pradesh capital, police said. Town Inspector (Berasia) HC ladiya said Rajesh Pal (18) committed after the results were announced yesterday. Earlier, about half-a-dozen students had taken extreme steps across the state after the results of higher secondary (class XII) were announced recently.
International Museum Day programmes
Bhopal: The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya and other museums of the city under the banner Forum of Museums is organizing various programmes and activities to mark the International Museum Day on 18 May. Marking the day, Sangrahalaya is organising a colloquium on the theme ‘Museum and Cultural landscapes’ at Rock Art Conference Hall of IGRMS at 11.00 pm. In the Museum Popular lecture Professor of Asian Architecture, Cardiff University, UK, Prof. Adam Hardy, will speak on ‘Temples, Templates, Texts : From Ashapuri to Bhojpur’ from 5pm at Avritti Bhawan. On May 20, a quiz on ‘Cultural heritages of Bhopal’ will be organised from 3.30 pm at Avritti Bhawan, IGRMS.
PR Min sends off pilgrims from Rewa for Mahakumbh
Bhopal: Public Relations, Energy, New and Renewable Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Rajendra Shukla flagged off a bus carrying pilgrims from Rewa for Ujjain Simhastha from his residence here today. Welcoming the devotees, Shukla said that there are manifold benefits for devotees by participating in Simhastha. These devotees had come by a special bus to Bhopal this morning on way to Ujjain. Women and children are also among devotees. Shukla said that lord Mahakal resides in Ujjain as Jyotirlinga. Ujjain is not a commercial, but uniquely spiritual city. It is also called Saraswat city. The Minister wished the devotees safe and pleasant journey.
Engineer killed, 11 injured in blast at power plant
Anuppur: An engineer was killed and 11 workers sustained burn injuries in a blast in the boiler plant of a private power company in Anuppur, an official said on Tuesday. The blast occurred during routine inspection of boilers at unit-2 of the power plant in Anuppur district's Jaithari sub-division at around 7.50 PM on Monday, he said. The company's senior engineer, identified as Prafulla Kumar Jha (49), sustained critical burn injuries. He succumbed to his injuries enroute to district hospital, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) RV Dwivedi said on Tuesday. Among the 11 injured, the condition of three is serious. All of them have been admitted to a private hospital in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district, he said. Anuppur Collector NS Parmar and Superintendent of Police Anurag Sharma visited the spot this morning to take stock of the situation and ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. Further probe is on in the matter, Dwivedi added.
PR Minister releases souvenir ‘Sindhu Gaurav’
Bhopal: Public Relations, Energy, New and Renewable Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Rajendra Shukla released souvenir 'Sindhu Gaurav' published by Sindhu Jagriti Samaj, Ujjain at his residence here on Tuesday. Shukla said that the souvenir will be inspiring for the community. The Minister said that Sindhi Samaj is hardworking, dedicated, religious and sincere. It has its own glorious history. He hoped that publication of the souvenir would help in development of Sindhi community. Those present on the occasion included Patron of Sindhu Jagriti Samaj, Shiva Kotwani, Pushpa Kotwani, President of Mahila Sindhi Sabha Meena Wadhwani, President of Sindhi Yuva Narendra Keswani, Mohan Manwani and other representatives.