Latest news with #Chaurasia
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Delhi Police crackdown against Chinese ‘manjha' ahead of Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan
In the lead-up to Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan, when kite flying traditionally surges in Delhi, police have intensified efforts to stamp out the illegal sale of Chinese manjha — a dangerous, glass-coated nylon string that has been banned in the capital since 2017. However, even as the police seized over 1,100 rolls of the banned string in recent raids, the hazardous thread claimed a life on Friday. On Friday evening, 22-year-old Yash Goswami, a resident of Karawal Nagar in northeast Delhi, died after his throat was slit by a strand of Chinese manjha while riding his scooter near the Rani Jhansi flyover in North Delhi. According to police, the incident occurred close to Bara Hindu Rao Hospital, where Goswami was declared dead on arrival. 'Goswami suffered a deep cut on his neck, causing him to collapse on the spot. He was rushed to the hospital by passersby,' a police officer said. A case under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to causing death by negligence, was registered against unknown persons. 'The crime scene was inspected by the forensics team, and strands of Chinese manjha were recovered from the body as well as from the scooter,' an officer said. The incident came hours after raids were carried out by the Delhi Police Crime Branch in a crackdown against the sale and distribution of Chinese manjha. According to officials, the enforcement drive was launched to prevent such tragedies during the festive season. In the first operation on Thursday, officers raided a godown in Jeewan Park, Uttam Nagar, where they seized 922 rolls of the banned kite string and arrested Raju Chaurasia, 51. Chaurasia, a former shopkeeper, had allegedly turned to selling Chinese manjha both offline through local vendors and online via social media platforms like Facebook. Police said the suspect had two prior cases registered against him in 2022 for similar violations. The police said Chaurasia was lured back into the illegal trade by the high profit margins. He has been booked under Section 223B of BNS — for disobedience to a public servant's order — and Sections 5 and 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The next day, in a separate raid, police apprehended 22-year-old Areeb Khan near Ramleela Ground in Kamla Market. Khan, a former clothing shop worker from Lal Kaun in Daryaganj, was found transporting 248 rolls of Chinese manjha in four large cartons. During questioning, he allegedly admitted to joining the trade due to its lucrative returns.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘I don't play to teach, I play to share joy': Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia on six-decade journey with the flute
For over six decades, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia has carried the soul of Indian classical music through the delicate breath of the bansuri, the bamboo flute. A recipient of the Padma Bhushan (1992) and Padma Vibhushan (2000), Chaurasia has not only not only redefined the soundscape of Indian classical music but also taken the humble flute to global concert halls and film studios alike. His story begins in Allahabad, where a young Chaurasia trained as a wrestler to please his father while secretly pursuing music. That secret blossomed into a lifelong devotion, leading to sharing the stage with legends at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and the Kremlin. His journey is as extraordinary as his music. Though I come from a classical background, I'm thankful to have worked in films and collaborated with legends like Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar, as well as explored fusion music with artists such as George Harrison from The Beatles, said Chaurasia. Chaurasia's melodies have become part of Hindi cinema's most enduring soundtracks – Silsila (1981), Chandni (1989), and Lamhe (1991) – while his global collaborations with artists like John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain have brought Indian ragas into conversation with jazz and world music. In this exclusive conversation with the maestro reflects on his unorthodox path, the spiritual essence of the flute, and the importance of surrendering to one's calling. Q. Your father wanted you to become a wrestler, but you chose the flute. Was that a rebellion, a calling, or fate? Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: It was all God's plan. I never aimed to become a musician. I trained as a wrestler to make my father happy, but deep inside, I was drawn to music. I quietly followed that path and eventually gave myself completely to the flute. Maybe the strength I built through wrestling helps me play even today. Now I travel with my flute and let it speak. People may not always know my name, just like they remember Lord Krishna's flute more than his name, but for me, it's about giving voice to the flute. Q. How do you connect with people through your music, and what do you try to express? Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: I don't perform to teach or preach. I play to share joy and emotion. I observe people, learn from them, and try to spread happiness through music. I'm not promoting myself, just trying to share the beauty of music with others. Q. Your children have chosen different paths. Do you hope your musical legacy continues through your grandchildren? Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: It all depends on God's blessing. Talent and interest must come naturally. If they are meant to carry it forward, I would be happy. But it should come from within, it can't be forced. Q. What's your daily routine like? How do you keep your music sharp with age? Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: As we get older, we need to put in more effort. I still practise every day and stay in touch with other musicians to keep learning. My day begins and ends with music. Even if I don't have the flute in my hands, I'm thinking about it. The flute is my best friend, I just try to spend time with her every day. Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: It's a very special experience. An artist's life has many emotions and stories. It feels good to share that journey with people through music. Q. You've composed for many films. Is there a recording session that stands out to you? Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: Though I come from a classical background, I'm thankful to have worked in films and with legends like Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. I've also done fusion and worked with artists like George Harrison from The Beatles. Every session has been meaningful, but I feel most connected to devotional and spiritual compositions – they stay in my heart. Q. Have you worked with Pakistani artists? Are there any musicians today you'd like to collaborate with? Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: I've visited Pakistan three times. People there deeply love music. I've met and shared recordings with many artists. Even if we don't meet often, we stay in touch and keep learning from each other. Q. What does success mean to you, and what advice would you give young people who want to follow your path? Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: To me, success is being connected with God. When young people play music with sincerity and focus, they connect with their breath and their soul. That brings peace. Success comes from dedication, love for your art, and surrender. If one truly enjoys what they do and gives their heart to it, everything else will follow. Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager - Content at The Indian Express. She is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, uncovering the latest news and developments, and driving engaging content based on data and trends to boost website traffic and audience engagement. One can connect with her on LinkedIn or by mail at ... Read More
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Time of India
Plea against Chauhan's release rejected
Vadodara: The revision application filed by police in connection with the release of accident case co-accused Pranshu Chauhan by the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) was rejected by the sessions court on Tuesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The sessions court rejected the revision application filed by police," said Hitesh Gupta, who represents Chauhan. Chauhan was in the passenger's seat when Rakshit Chaurasia drove the car into several vehicles, killing one person and injuring eight, on March 13. Police filed the revision application in April and argued that Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita invoked against Chauhan carries a punishment of 10 years or life imprisonment. Police had arrested Chauhan on April 5, after his name was added to the original FIR as a co-accused along with that of Chaurasia, who was driving the car. Police booked Chaurasia and Chauhan for culpable homicide. Chauhan's advocate, Hitesh Gupta, argued that the same offence cannot be registered against Chauhan, who was merely sitting next to Chaurasia in the car. Gupta argued that Chauhan was arrested by Karelibaug police, but they didn't inform his family in writing about the reasons for his arrest. Gupta also said that the section of the NDPS Act applied against Chauhan in the FIR of the drugs case was wrong. The JMFC ordered the release of Chauhan on April 6, terming his arrest illegal after Gupta argued how police flouted the rules during his arrest.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
32 private companies participate in job fair
1 2 Patna: A one-day employment fair, 'Niyojan Mela', was held on Tuesday at Miller High School grounds by the Regional Employment Exchange under the department of labour resources. According to an official release, 32 private companies participated, including HDFC Life, SBI Life, Shiv Shakti Agriculture Ltd., SIS Securities, Leader Autosales Pvt. Ltd., Urmila International Service Pvt. Ltd., Taj City Centre (Patna), Swiggy (Patna) and Flipkart. This was the first job fair of the 2025-26 financial year with the next tentatively scheduled in two months. Companies conducted both on-the-spot selections and follow-up interviews. Several candidates received appointment letters at the venue while 605 were shortlisted for further interviews. In total, 1,946 CVs were submitted. Running from 10am to 4pm, the fair saw around 3,248 job seekers engage with various employers. Four govt helpdesks were also set up where 798 unemployed youth received career guidance. MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia distributed certificates among 12 beneficiaries of the Kushal Yuva Programme (KYP). The selected candidates from this event will be placed in the private sector. The fair was inaugurated by Chaurasia along with employment officers and staff from the Regional Employment Exchange.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Ex-BJP office-bearer held on sex racket charges, expelled from party
Jabalpur: A hotel owner in Jabalpur has been arrested for allegedly running a prostitution ring in Jabalpur's Gadha Bazar. The accused, Atul Chaurasia, is a former BJP division president. Local police station in charge Prasanna Sharma said that the complaint was filed by a 25-year-old Assamese woman. She told police that she came to Jabalpur three years ago and came in contact with Chaurasia and a woman, both of whom allegedly pushed her into the flesh trade. On Sunday night, Gadha police filed an FIR against Chaurasia and his alleged accomplice. A police team raided the hotel and arrested Chaurasia, who was remanded in police custody for a day. Police are looking for the other accused. On the instructions of BJP state president VD Sharma, Jabalpur district president Ratnesh Sonkar expelled Chaurasia from primary membership of BJP. Sonkar released a letter stating that the involvement of former division president Atul Chaurasia in criminal activities and the registration of a criminal case have tarnished the party's image, hence the organisation has expelled him from the party.
