Faith trumps fear: Undeterred by Pahalgam attack, 1.3 lakh pilgrims embark on Amarnath yatra in first week
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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
Amaal Mallik was 15 when his ‘defeated' father told him to start earning for family: ‘Iske aage gaadi nahi chalegi meri'
Music composer Amaal Mallik is known for his unfiltered opinions on the way the music industry works today. He's had beef with the likes of T-Series top honcho Bhushan Kumar. But his father, Daboo Malik, also a composer, feels Amaal's forthright streak stems from the fact that he's a self-made man who has also been the family's sole breadwinner for the longest time. 'He's the first elder son to whom the father comes and says, 'Beta, main haar gaya (Son, I've lost)'. Which father does that to his 15-year-old innocent child? Daboo Malik comes home, hugs Amaal, and says, 'Iske aage gaadi chalegi nahi meri. Tu kuchh karega kya? (I can't work beyond this. Will you do something)?' revealed Daboo. In the interview with Vickey Lalwani, he continued, 'He's seen his father fall and lose from when he was 10 to 15 years old. There was a strong emotional upheaval. But nobody sees that. Everybody sees his outburst and critical ways, but that's his character now. He's taken that decision.' Amaal started working at the age of 16, immediately after completing his class 10. 'It's miraculous how Amaal did 2,000 to 3,000 jingles, worked with such big people as a programmer and arranger, he saw exponential technical growth. Armaan (Malik, singer and Amaal's younger brother) was just 10 then,' said Daboo, adding that Amaal helped drastically improve the deteriorating financial situation at home. 'A son like that, who feels he's earned everything with his blood and sweat, suddenly realizes he's getting sidelined and isn't the hero of this household anymore. That his younger brother was becoming the hero instead would have a mental impact on Amaal every day. I think that's a small mistake on part of the parents. But no one was doing it intentionally. We've to be very careful parents,' added Daboo. Amaal started learning music at the age of eight. He learnt piano at the Trinity College of Music, London, specializing in Western Classical, Jazz & Rock. He also learnt Indian classical music informally from his grandfather Sardar Malik. He began working as an assistant composer and background scorer in the Hindi film industry and the advertisement industry. He made his debut as the lead composer in Sohail Khan's 2014 action film Jai Ho. Also Read — Sexual assault allegations against Anu Malik 'shattered our family', says brother Daboo: 'We saw to it that he got back to work' Amaal's younger brother Armaan Malik started singing at the age of four. He started singing in films in 2006 with songs like Bum Bum Bhole from Aamir Khan's 2007 directorial debut Taare Zameen Par. He broke through in 2014, the same year as his brother did, with the song Naina in Shashanka Ghosh's 2014 romantic comedy Khoobsurat, which was composed by Amaal. Meanwhile, their father Daboo Malik, the younger brother of composer Anu Malik, started as an actor in 1988. He switched to composing music in 2000s, but hung up his boots by 2014, when his sons gained recognition for their work. The Malik family has been in the news lately for differences with each other. Armaan distanced himself from his family, while Amaal lent him support.
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- The Hindu
26th batch of 1,635 pilgrims leave Jammu for Amarnath Yatra
Braving heavy rains, more than 1600 pilgrims left Jammu on Monday (July 28, 2025) for the twin base camps of the cave shrine of Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas amid tight security arrangements. The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high shrine, which commenced on July 3 from the valley, has recorded darshan of the ice lingam of Lord Shiva by more than 3.77 lakh pilgrims. Escorted by CRPF and police personnel, the 23rd batch of 1,635 pilgrims, which included 1,303 men, 286 women, four children, and 42 sadhus and sadhvis, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here in 59 vehicles for the twin base camps in Kashmir between 3:25 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., the officials said. The first convoy, carrying 374 pilgrims in 17 vehicles, left for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in the Ganderbal district, followed by the second convoy of 1,262 pilgrims in 62 vehicles, who are undertaking the yatra via the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district, they said. Chanting "Bum Bum Bhole" and ''Har Har Mahdev'' with enthusiasm, pilgrims braved heavy rains while leaving for the cave shrine. With this, a total of 14,12,95 pilgrims have departed from the Jammu base camp for the valley since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch. Last year, more than 5.10 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine, which houses a naturally formed ice lingam. The pilgrimage is scheduled to end on August 9, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Kanwar Yatra begins, routes turn into vibrant hubs of devotion
MEERUT The holy month of Sawan began on Friday, marking the start of Kanwar Yatra across Uttar Pradesh with Lord Shiva devotees (Kanwariyas) setting out to collect holy water from the Ganga from Haridwar and other holy sites to offer 'Jalabhishek' at Shiva temples. Meerut and Bareilly came alive with spiritual fervour, colourful processions and robust administrative arrangements. (HH Photo) Meerut and Bareilly came alive with spiritual fervour, colourful processions and robust administrative arrangements. The Meerut administration prepared eight designated routes to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. 'All these routes are equipped with electrical connections, sanitation facilities and medical camps to ensure devotees face no obstacles,' said divisional commissioner (Meerut) Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod. The 540-km Kanwar route in the Meerut range, spanning Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat and Hapur, features 119 security barriers, 184 rest points and 838 temporary camps. Additionally, 184 magistrates are overseeing 24 zones and 68 sectors, monitoring road cleanliness, food quality, and camp operations. 'We've ensured food outlets display rate lists to prevent overcharging and provide hygienic meals,' Yashod added. The UP Police, under DGP Rajiv Krishna, has deployed 587 gazetted officers, 2,040 inspectors, 13,520 sub-inspectors and over 39,965 constables, supported by 50 companies of the Central Police Force and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). 'Our priority is a peaceful pilgrimage while maintaining law and order,' said SP Kunwar Anupam Singh, emphasizing route inspections and coordination with local committees. In Bareilly, a special Kanwar cell operates 24/7 to monitor activities and assist devotees. DIG Ajay Kumar Sahani detailed the deployment of 6,000 police personnel across eight super zones, 26 zones, 78 sectors and 218 sub-sectors. 'We've deployed 26 PAC platoons, one RAF company, and a flood relief PAC platoon to prevent drowning incidents,' Sahani said. Special measures for women Kanwariyas include 'anti-Romeo squads' and women constables under Mission Shakti. 'We've ensured separate toilets and resting facilities for women,' Sahani noted, adding that DJ operators are instructed to avoid provocative music to prevent communal tensions. The Yatra's festive spirit transformed Meerut and Bareilly into vibrant hubs. Kanwariyas, chanting 'Bum Bum Bhole', were seen marching in processions, adorned with flowers, bells and tridents, amid devotional songs. Temporary stalls offered 'prasad', saffron flags and Shiva idols, while volunteers distributed water and food. 'This Yatra is my heart's joy. Singing bhajans with fellow devotees feels divine,' said Sunita Devi, a Bareilly-based Kanwariya. However, some pilgrims noted challenges. 'The arrangements are good, but overcrowding can be tough. We trust the police to manage,' said Ramesh Kumar from Meerut. Pawan Kumar, a pilgrim from Hapur, added: 'The roads are smoother and the food transparency is a big relief. It lets us focus on our devotion to Bhole.' However, despite the festive zeal, unlawful activities surfaced. In Muzaffarnagar, Kanwariyas reportedly assaulted a youth and damaged his motorcycle over a minor altercation. 'Such acts disrupt the Yatra's sanctity and create fear,' said a police officer. In Bareilly, past tensions from Sawan 2023, when Kanwariyas clashed with with some members of another community in Jogi Nawada, led to restricted procession permissions this year. 'We've intensified vigilance to prevent law and order issues,' said SSP (Bareilly) Anurag Arya.
