Latest news with #Lucknowites
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Singing contestkicks off on amelodious note
Lucknow: The much-anticipated LCWW Singing Contest 2025 commenced on Sunday with an impressive online inaugural session, marking the beginning of the fourth consecutive annual singing extravaganza organized by Lucknow Connection Worldwide (LCWW). The contest, which follows a hybrid model, will be conducted weekly in the online format, culminating in a grand offline finale in Lucknow in Nov. Over 60 talented contestants, including Lucknowites from across India and abroad, are competing in what promises to be a memorable musical journey. The inaugural episode was anchored by Rahul Pandey and Aiman Javed Farooqui. Singers Rashi Srivastava, Aman Azam, Neetu Srivastava, and Kumar Gaurav performed on the occasion. "Music connects hearts across borders, and this contest is our way of keeping the soul of Lucknow alive in every corner of the world where our members reside," founder of LCWW Sunil Misra said. Senior administrator Shoaib Quraishi said, "This platform not only celebrates musical talent but also strengthens the emotional bond that unites Lucknowites globally." Winners of the contest will be awarded cash prizes of over Rs 50,000.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
A visual tribute to the residency
(L-R) Anil Risal Singh, Brajesh Pathak & Rakesh Kumar Maurya (BCCL/ Vishnu Jaiswal) Lucknowites got to witness the city's historical landmark, The Residency, in a creative solo photographic exhibition titled The Residency – A Thousand Stories Within, through the lens of an eminent photographer Anil Risal Singh, organised at a city hotel. Inaugurated by Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh, and bureaucrat Neelabhja Chaudhary, the event saw a gathering of notable guests, including Dr Anil Rastogi , Prof Jay Krishna Agrawal, Vipul Goel, Jyotina Arun, Rakesh Kumar Maurya and others. (L) Dr Angad Verma & Rahul Rai (R) Gaurav Prakash Dr Anil Rastogi and Sudha Rastogi (L) Geetika Shukla (R) Jyotsna Arun 'Photography is a means of expression, just like art but with a camera, it requires you to capture it through your creative angles,' shared Brajesh Pathak. (L) Mausam Das (R) Nilabja Choudhury (L) Sarvesh Goel (R) Purnima Varman Speaking of the idea behind his photographs, Anil said, 'The monument witnessed massive destruction during the 1857 revolt and further deteriorated over time due to various factors. But those factors enhanced its beauty in unexpected ways. I've taken thousands of pictures of the Residency, it's the place where my creative expression flows and where my camera has captured its maximum shots.' — Amina Ashraf Rajiv Saurastri Rashmi & Anushka Risal Singh
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
German painter captures Lucknow's charm on canvas
Marcel Wissing (BCCL/ Painting courtesy - Marcel Wissing) Cycling across India with a sketchbook and canvas roll tucked into his bike bag, German artist, Marcel Wissing is painting his way through the country's cities, one canvas at a time. As a part of his Painting and Cycling Around India series, Marcel arrived in Lucknow this week and found himself captivated by the city's stunning architectural marvels. 'I started my journey by bicycle from Hyderabad six months ago, travelling along the eastern coast to Sikkim and onwards to Kathmandu. I've explored Visakhapatnam and Kolkata on this painting journey as well. Then I stopped in Lucknow for two days, but the city's architectural grandeur made me stay a few days longer,' says Marcel. BCCL 'The city has a warmth and a rich culture' Marcel calls his experience of painting in Lucknow warm and cultural. 'There is palpable warmth in Lucknow. I come from Barcelona, where people are used to seeing artists on the streets. But the response in India is different, especially in Lucknow, people stopped to see me paint. They're curious and welcoming, they stay, ask questions and like to engage with art. It is through the paintings that I take these experiences back home,' he said, adding that locals even made Instagram reels of his painting sessions. Marcel Wissing 'Lucknow's architecture has become my muse' Caught standing near the iconic Rumi Gate with a canvas stand and paint brushes, where curious Lucknowites gathered to watch him bring the monument to life on a canvas, Marcel shares how his journey to Lucknow became all about discovering the city's architecture. 'Being based in Barcelona, Spain, I have always been surrounded by the finest architecture that I thought couldn't be matched. But to my surprise, Lucknow's architecture has taken me aback. It became my muse since I arrived in the city,' says the artist. With over 65k followers on Instagram (@wibo_arte), Marcel's visit also brought together local artists who joined him on this artistic voyage. Urban sketcher Srishti Ved Singh joined him for a painting session at Rumi Darwaza. 'I was mesmerised by how he paints while connecting with locals in every city, which I saw on Instagram. Painting alongside him was like living my dream. We painted the majestic Rumi Gate together,' she shared. After his artistic experience in Lucknow, Marcel is set to continue his painting journey on the bicycle to Agra, Delhi, Chandigarh, Manali and Ladakh. -Amina Ashraf
New Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
20 Lucknowites return to India from Iran; 200 more still stranded in war-hit nation
LUCKNOW: While 20 Lucknowites, mostly women and children, have returned to India from Iran, over 200 more are still stranded in the conflict-ridden country. Iran is engaged in an ongoing conflict with Israel and the US. Though the Government of India has begun phased evacuations, families are still separated and pleading for swift reunions. Kaniz Sogra, a resident of Lucknow, returned to India on Monday morning with her 14-year-old son, but her husband Muzabir Hussain, 44, remains stranded in Iran. 'My husband is diabetic. He cannot live alone as often he gets the bouts of anxiety. He will soon tun short of medicines. I request the government to bring him home urgently,' says Kaniz Sogra worried for her husband. She claims that she along with her husband, son and mother-in-law had gone to Iran with a travel group of 96 people on a pilgrimage. As per the government protocol, women and children were evacuated on priority; Muzabir could not return with them.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Lucknow immerses itself in yoga fervour
: Soon after sunrise, the state capital was a picture of serenity as Lucknowites participated enthusiastically in International Yoga Day events on Saturday, performing yoga poses with mindfulness as various organisations, institutions and cultural groups conducted programmes to mark the occasion. People participate in a yoga session on the 11th "International Yoga Day" at Ambedkar Park, Gomti Nagar in Lucknow on Saturday (Deepak Gupta/ HT) Lucknow University: Events held on main, second campuses Over 1800 people participated in the Yoga Day celebrations on the Lucknow University main campus and about 700 individuals took part in the proceedings on the second campus. Actor Anil Rastogi and former hockey Olympian Sujit Kumar (both alumni of Lucknow University) were the chief guests. The yoga poses were performed after the broadcast of the prime minister's address, delivered from Visakhapatnam. BBAU holds Yoga Sangam The event 'Yoga Sangam 2025' was organized at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University by the yoga department and the Yoga Wellness Centre of the university in collaboration with the National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit, National Cadet Corps (NCC), and the Central Bureau of Communication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Vice chancellor Prof Raj Kumar Mittal presided over the event. Surendra Chaudhary, sabhapati, Sansadiya Adyaksh Samiti, UP, was the chief guest. A magic show and puppet show were held on the occasion, conveying messages on yoga, cleanliness, patriotism, environmental protection and women's education. A quiz competition was also organised. Bal Yogis trained under the 100-day Yoga Workshop conducted by the university. Surya Namaskar at AKTU Teachers, officers, employees and students of more than 750 institutions affiliated with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University did Surya Namaskar. Yoga instructor Anshu Srivastava gave Surya Namaskar tips to the participants on the Atal Bihari Vajpayee multipurpose auditorium on the campus. Pranayam, meditation sessions at KMCLU The event Aalukya was organised at the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University where yoga postures, pranayama and meditation sessions were conducted. Yoga fest at Central Sanskrit University The grand finale of the two-day 'International Yoga Festival-2025: Women Empowerment through Yoga' was organized by Central Sanskrit University. Yoga practice and cultural events were organised as part of the programme. Training programme at Khun Khunji Girls Degree Colleg e Kalayanam, the Cultural Club of Khun Khunji Girls' Degree College, and NSS and NCC, jointly organised a yoga training programme. The event began with broadcast of the prime minister's address followed by the performance of yoga protocol and surya namaskar. A poster competition was also organised in the college on behalf of UP Non Olympic Association, in which Sonam Gautam, BA third year got the first place, Rama Gupta, BA first year, stood second and Neha Lodhi, BA second year, was third. Pledge to keep body healthy, mind happy at JNPG Students from all streams, NCC, NSS and Rovers Rangers volunteers participated in yoga at Jai Narain Mishra PG College. Everyone took a pledge to keep their body healthy and mind happy. Pool-side yoga at DPS Gomtinagar A comprehensive yoga session was organised by Delhi Public School, Gomtinagar in the swimming pool area. A gentle warm-was followed by a series of classical yoga asanas, breathing exercises, and a guided meditation. Yoga and meditation camp at IBRI A 'yoga and meditation camp' was organised by International Buddhist Research Institute at Eco Garden, in which 350 people, including members of the institute, monks Sheel Ratan and Devanand Vardhan, Tarunesh Buddhist, Ven Julampitiye Punyasar Mahasthavir from Sri Lanka and the institute director Rakesh Singh were present. Yoga practice, painting demonstration at RLKA A yoga practice and painting demonstration was organised at Regional Lalit Kala Akademi. Yoga instructor Anil Prakash conducted yoga practice in the centre gallery, which was followed by a painting demonstration by artist Amit Kumar. Special session at CSIR-NBRI A special yoga session was organised for the staff and researchers on the premises of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (National Botanical Research Institute). The event concluded with a pledge to integrate the spirit of yoga into daily routines. Tuning into yoga at UPSNA The UP Sangeet Natak Akademi (UPSNA) organised a yoga sammelan in which staff members of the akademi and Kathak Kendra, trainers of workshops, trainees and members of Bharatiya Adarsh Yoga Sansthan were present. It was followed by rendition of bhajans by Ustad Gulshan Bharti, Kamla Kant, Rahul Awasthi and Vibha Singh. Musical yoga day City Montessori School, Rajajipuram Campus I organised musical yoga day celebrations in which Lucknow mayor Sushma Kharkwal was present. The yoga was led by instructor Ashok Kewlani from Shiv Shanti Sant Asudaram Ashram. Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. The yoga protocol followed by Surya Namaskar was held at Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. Former All India Radio director Meenu Khare, was the chief guest on the occasion. Cultural programmes were presented by the Alumni Association of Bhatkhande University during the programme. Staff members of the State Museum also performed yoga at the university. Urdu Akademi A two-day yoga training camp concluded under the supervision of UP Urdu Akademi secretary Shaukat Ali. The yoga training was imparted by Seema Modi.
