Latest news with #Ujjwal
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
Two students drown in Kolar dam, bodies retrieved after 18-hour search
Bhopal: Two students drowned in Kolar Dam in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh during a Sunday picnic, while a third narrowly escaped. A video of the incident has surfaced, capturing the moment when the group got caught in deep water while bathing. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Police said all four students had gone to Kolar Dam for a weekend outing. While swimming, three of them ventured into deep water and began to struggle. One managed to swim back to the shore, but the other two were swept under. The bodies were retrieved by the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) on Monday morning, nearly 18 hours after the incident. The deceased have been identified as Prince Rajput (22) from Bihar and Ujjwal Tripathi (20) from Chhatarpur. According to police, both students were pursuing B Pharma at private colleges in Bhopal. Prince was living in a rented room in MP Nagar, and Ujjwal was staying in Ashoka Garden. The video footage shows the group bathing and playing in the water before three students drift into deeper waters. One of them is seen frantically paddling to safety, while the other two disappear beneath the surface. Police and SDERF teams were informed and began a search operation late Sunday evening, which continued into the night. The bodies were finally retrieved around 11:55 am on Monday and were sent for postmortem in Bilkisganj. Following the examination, Prince's body will be sent to Bihar and Ujjwal's to Chhatarpur. In a follow-up to Sunday's monsoon-related incidents, rescue teams in Sehore district have so far retrieved three bodies out of five people swept away in two separate incidents. Search operations resumed early Monday, with teams continuing efforts to locate two missing individuals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Three members of a family were washed away while bathing in a drain near Surai village in Rehti. The victims—Ata ur Rehman (40), his wife Rafat (45), and their 2.5-year-old son Oran—were caught in a sudden surge of water while bathing. On Monday, rescue teams retrieved the body of the child. The search for the parents is still underway. According to police, the drain feeds into the Kolar River, and divers are focusing their efforts in that stretch. In all five people in total were reported missing in water-related accidents triggered by heavy monsoon rains. Bhopal: Two students drowned in Kolar Dam in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh during a Sunday picnic, while a third narrowly escaped. A video of the incident has surfaced, capturing the moment when the group got caught in deep water while bathing. Police said all four students had gone to Kolar Dam for a weekend outing. While swimming, three of them ventured into deep water and began to struggle. One managed to swim back to the shore, but the other two were swept under. The bodies were retrieved by the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) on Monday morning, nearly 18 hours after the incident. The deceased have been identified as Prince Rajput (22) from Bihar and Ujjwal Tripathi (20) from Chhatarpur. According to police, both students were pursuing B Pharma at private colleges in Bhopal. Prince was living in a rented room in MP Nagar, and Ujjwal was staying in Ashoka Garden. The video footage shows the group bathing and playing in the water before three students drift into deeper waters. One of them is seen frantically paddling to safety, while the other two disappear beneath the surface. Police and SDERF teams were informed and began a search operation late Sunday evening, which continued into the night. The bodies were finally retrieved around 11:55 am on Monday and were sent for postmortem in Bilkisganj. Following the examination, Prince's body will be sent to Bihar and Ujjwal's to Chhatarpur. In a follow-up to Sunday's monsoon-related incidents, rescue teams in Sehore district have so far retrieved three bodies out of five people swept away in two separate incidents. Search operations resumed early Monday, with teams continuing efforts to locate two missing individuals. Three members of a family were washed away while bathing in a drain near Surai village in Rehti. The victims—Ata ur Rehman (40), his wife Rafat (45), and their 2.5-year-old son Oran—were caught in a sudden surge of water while bathing. On Monday, rescue teams retrieved the body of the child. The search for the parents is still underway. According to police, the drain feeds into the Kolar River, and divers are focusing their efforts in that stretch. In all five people in total were reported missing in water-related accidents triggered by heavy monsoon rains.
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
How young Delhiites are fighting plastic, bagging the right habit
Whether it's getting food delivered at your doorstep or carrying home groceries from the local market, plastic bags are a convenience that have continued to stay even after several attempts to make our lives plastic free. On International Plastic Bag Free Day, today, beating plastic pollution one bag at a time are some youngsters from Delhi-NCR. Overcoming challenges of growing plastic footprint on the environmental while coming up with sustainable options, here's how they are making continuous efforts to keep eco-friendly initiatives strong. Some environmentally-conscious residents of Delhi-NCR are stepping up to tackle the plastic problem at hand. From college campuses to community corners, a growing number of environmentally conscious souls are stepping up to tackle the plastic problem, not just through awareness drives but through real, hands-on action. At Delhi University(DU)'s Sri Venkateswara College, the Enactus team is targeting one of the most plastic-heavy industries: food. 'Through Project Fankaari, we're working to eliminate plastic bags used in food packaging and delivery,' shares Ujjwal Jain, a member, adding, 'We've teamed up with traditional potters to design food-grade terracotta packaging that's not only biodegradable but preserves food quality. These alternatives are about 95% recyclable. Apart from bags, eco-friendly salad and dip bowls, their product line is growing and so is their impact. As students, we believe we have the energy and creativity to imagine new ideas and innovative solutions,' says Ujjwal. 'And being part of the Enactus, we also feel a responsibility to lead by example and push our friends and other students on campus toward more conscious consumption.' Students of Sri Venkateswara College are working towards recycling plastic bags, used in food packaging, with the help of local potters. The sense of purpose is echoed by young volunteers who are busy making Eco Brick on educational campuses across NCR. 'Over the years, people have tried many ways to cut down on plastic bag use — charging for them, encouraging cloth bags — but most of those efforts fade quickly,' says Madhuri Varshney from a Dwarka-based NGO, Rise Foundation, adding, 'What we've realised is that real change happens when you make the solution interactive and fun. So we conduct drives at several colleges across Delhi University as well as schools. After each awareness session, the youngsters are given a task to collect plastic waste from their surroundings and tightly stuff plastic bottles with plastic bags and other often discarded plastics. These bottles are then used to make Eco Bricks. It's an activity that transforms waste into something useful. More importantly, it makes students more mindful of the plastic they use every day. When they submit these eco bricks to us, we use these to build benches and stools for communities, parks, schools, etc.' The Eco Bricks made out of plastic waste are being used to build benches and stools for community spaces. Meanwhile, Recycle Mela has been regularly popping up at College of Vocational Studies (CVS) and the Faculty of Law in DU. 'We also offer a chance to the city locals at various community centres to drop off plastic bags and single-use plastic items in exchange for eco-friendly products,' informs Ruby Makhija, from Why Waste Wednesday Foundation, which organises this mela to make plastic recycling more accessible and rewarding. She adds, 'Plastic bags are a big threat, not just because they clog landfills, but because animals chew on them and marine life ingests them. Through Recycle Mela, we make disposal easy and rewarding. We visit campuses where students hand in their plastic waste, and in return, we give them notebooks made from recycled paper, reusable cloth bags, even copier paper and more. Such a reward-based exchange not only motivates participation but also shows the hidden value of what one usually throw away. Our drive has now expanded to schools, corporate offices, and local communities, with support from MCD and NDMC. We want to make recycling feel accessible and cool, especially for the youth. Plus we update about upcoming mela on our social media, so anyone can find us and join in the initiative.' For more, follow @
India.com
06-06-2025
- Science
- India.com
Meet JEE Advanced topper Ujjwal Kesari but will not take admission in IIT due to...., his marks were...
The Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Kanpur has announced the JEE Advanced Result 2025 on June 2, 2025. This year's exam, held on May 18 in a computer-based test (CBT) format, involved two papers carrying 180 marks each. The final rank list was based on the combined scores in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, with subject-wise and overall qualifying marks determining eligibility for the Common Rank List (CRL). Seventeen-year-old Ujjwal Kesari secured the All India Rank(AIR) 5 in the highly competitive examinations and scored a remarkable 324 out of a total of 360 marks. Candidates who appeared for the JEE Advanced 2025 can now access their scorecards and final answer keys at Meet JEE Advanced topper Ujjwal Kesari but will not take admission in IIT due to…., his marks were… With outstanding scores, Ujjwal can get admission easily into prestigious courses such as Computer Science at IIT Bombay or IIT Delhi. Yet, to everyone's surprise, he announced that he would not be enrolling in any IIT. Despite his remarkable achievements, Ujjwal's choice to skip IIT has left many people amazed. Rather, Ujjwal has shown his inclination to study at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. According to the News 18 Hindi report, he shared in an interview that his interest is in research work, especially quantum physics, and he finds IISc Bangalore to be the ideal institution to nurture that interest. He mentioned that though IITs provide great opportunities to get employment with good packages, his aim is not to look for a job but to go ahead with research. Ujjwal's path to success started back in 8th grade when he chose to pursue science in 11th standard, fueled by his passion for Physics and Mathematics. His steady focus and hard work have truly paid off, earning him a spot among the top performers in the nation's most challenging entrance exam.
News18
04-06-2025
- General
- News18
JEE Advanced 2025: Won't Go To IIT, Says Student Who Scored 324/360
Last Updated: Ujjwal Kesari's success journey began in Class 8, when his love for Physics and Maths led him to choose Science in Class 11, setting the foundation for his JEE achievement The results of JEE Advanced 2025 have been announced, and an extraordinary feat has come to light. Seventeen-year-old Ujjwal Kesari from South Delhi has secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 5 with a score of 324 out of 360. With such stellar marks, Ujjwal could have easily secured admission to coveted programs like Computer Science at IIT Bombay or IIT Delhi. However, he surprised everyone by declaring that he would not be joining any IIT. Despite his exceptional performance, Ujjwal's decision to opt out of IIT has left many astonished. Why Choose IISc Bangalore? Instead, Ujjwal has expressed his desire to join the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore. He revealed in an interview that his passion lies in research, particularly in the field of quantum physics, and he believes that IISc Bangalore is the right place for him to pursue this interest. He stated that while IITs offer excellent job opportunities with lucrative packages, his goal is not to seek employment but to advance in research. JEE Main Exam Preparation Ujjwal's journey to success began in the 8th standard when he decided to take science in the 11th standard, driven by his love for Physics and Mathematics. His consistent planning and dedication have paid off, placing him among the top candidates in the country's toughest entrance exam. The key to Ujjwal's preparation was his consistency. He ensured equal time was devoted to all subjects, regardless of whether they were his strengths or weaknesses. He minimised breaks and maintained a steady flow in his studies, a strategy that proved successful. Support From Family Family support played a crucial role in Ujjwal's journey. As the youngest in his family, with his elder sister in the arts stream, he received unwavering encouragement from his father, who works in a private job, and his mother, a homemaker. This support was instrumental in helping him achieve his dreams. Stay Away From Phone Ujjwal has a valuable tip for fellow JEE aspirants: stay away from phones. He emphasised that screen time is a significant distraction and reducing it is essential for success. By strictly following this rule, Ujjwal found the secret to his achievement. Inspiration For Students Ujjwal's story serves as an inspiration to all JEE students. He not only secured a top rank but also followed his heart in choosing the path he believed was right. For those preparing for JEE, Ujjwal's journey offers lessons in focus, consistency, and the importance of following one's dreams, whether it leads to IIT or IISc. First Published: June 04, 2025, 19:15 IST
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
A silent reading group takes it to the next level
How did your love for reading develop? I've been an avid reader all my life. A teacher once told me that everyone is a reader – they just haven't found that one book that gets them hooked yet. For me, it was Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne. I remember picking it up randomly from our home library and finishing it during our train ride to Delhi. I must have been in the fifth or sixth grade. My parents wanted both their children to be readers, so we were fortunate to have access to many comics, children's books, and encyclopaedias. That's where my love for books began. How was 'Versova Reads' founded? The community was founded in February 2024. My brother, Ujjwal, helped out during the initial two months, but I've taken sole charge since then. I had just returned from Bangalore with a knee injury that severely restricted my movement and didn't have many like-minded friends around. One random Saturday, I limped my way to the park, and ended up reading there for hours. It was a wonderful experience – being lost in a book in a park, surrounded by the tranquillity of nature with the cool early morning February breeze. I remember excitedly telling my brother about the experience and asking if he knew of any community that did this. He suggested that I start one myself. Initially, I was very nervous and wondered if anyone would show up, but we're about 60 editions in now, and every edition, many have turned up. What do you like to read? What are you reading now and what do you wish to read next? I've realised that I enjoy dystopian science fiction as it challenges me to imagine a world that never existed, giving me space to get creative and get lost in these alternate realities. I'm currently reading Wool by Hugh Howey, the first book in the Silo Series (a three-part series). It's post-apocalyptic science fiction about a community living in a giant underground silo. It's fascinating to imagine a world 144 stories beneath the surface! I was previously reading The Giver by Lois Lowry, another favourite that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre. I have several books on my to-read list after I finish this series, including classics like The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, 1984 by George Orwell, and Japanese books translated into English like Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Tell us about your relationship with reading. As a young adult, I enjoyed reading series like The Hunger Games, Divergent Trilogy, and tons of novels on Wattpad (it was just a phase!). In college, I focused on business books and biographies, particularly those about women in corporate – I aspired to be like them. After that, though, I lost touch with reading, 'Versova Reads' has helped me fall in love with books again. I'm proud to say I finished 12 books last year thanks to our consistent Sunday morning reading sessions. It's been a lovely and refreshing achievement compared to the hours of doom-scrolling I totalled in before. How has the reading group nourished you as a person? My experience is slightly more nuanced than being just a reader. Being the curator requires you to put yourself out there to interact with different people, and the biggest task, in my opinion, is making everyone feel welcomed. Though, looking at myself simply as a reader, being in a reading group has helped me stay extremely consistent throughout the year. It has given me space to make memories, laugh and cry while reading. It has allowed me to have thoughtful and introspective discussions and brought me closer to reading. It has helped me overcome my inhibitions about speaking publicly and helped me form clearer thoughts. How has the group informed your reading choices? After reading every Sunday, we stack our books and discuss what we've read. While this activity is voluntary, it helps everyone learn about different authors, genres, and books that exist beyond our knowledge. I've also read a few books that fellow readers have suggested. We've had organic book exchanges among readers, which has been a delightful experience. One reader in the group would only read poetry, and he motivated me to explore more poetry myself. Do you notice any trends in what's being read at present in the group? Conversations have revealed a trend toward reading books promoted on Instagram by book influencers (if that's the appropriate term). Apart from that, I've noticed a lot of Japanese fiction being picked up by readers of all age groups. How many meetings have you had so far? How many members does the group have? We've had 61 meetings so far, every Sunday morning at 9:30. I feel the need to mention that particular time because I truly believe getting up early on a Sunday morning is a commitment that must be acknowledged and appreciated. On average, we see about 10-12 readers on a given Sunday. However, for our 60th meeting, we had a large group of 21 readers, with a mix of regular readers and new faces. On Instagram, we have a small and growing community of 1050+ followers. Have the group's activities extended beyond silent reading? Yes, we have started playing board games after our reading sessions. Someone who was reading Just Play! by Vinita Siddhartha spoke about how the author believes in the importance of play and how deeply ingrained traditional games were in our culture. He mentioned how games serve as tools for community bonding and intergenerational interaction. That's when we decided to have at least one round of a game after reading. Setting up a library is rare among reading groups. How did it happen at 'Versova Reads'? One of our readers, Ram Parsani, had a very dear friend who was also an avid reader. After his sudden demise, the family was at a loss about what to do with his collection of books. Mr. Ram took these books under his care and tried to promote reading in his building society to keep his friend's memory alive. Unfortunately, it didn't take off as he had hoped. After attending a few sessions at 'Versova Reads', he spoke to me about this collection. That's when I thought of incorporating it as part of 'Versova Reads', giving our readers access to this lovely collection of books. Which genres appear in the library, and how many books are kept currently? The broad genre categories include a mix of classic literature, thriller/crime, romance, historical fiction, science fiction, biography/autobiography, self-help, and contemporary books. We currently have about 120 books in total. Where is the library housed at present, who can access it and what are the charges? The library is currently housed in a small cupboard in Rajdoot Society at Versova. It can be accessed after our reading sessions at the park from 11:30 AM to 11:45 AM every Sunday morning. The library is open to the entire community. We charge a nominal fee of ₹20 while issuing a book, which goes to the society manager for maintaining the space and keeping it clean. How did you get space for the library? When Mr Ram acquired the books from his friend's family, he wanted them to be accessible to everyone in his society. He spoke to the society secretary, who enjoys reading herself, and she was happy to allow a small cabinet near the society office to house the books. What are your wishes or aspirations for the collection? While, at the moment, there are many books and many people willing to donate, I hope that the 'Versova Reads' library becomes a fully functioning side project of the community where readers actively borrow books. There is a plethora of untold stories in that cupboard, and I wish more people would read and share these books in our discussions after reading. Suhit Bombaywala's factual and fictive writing appears in India and abroad. He tweets @suhitbombaywala.
