Latest news with #Abhinandan
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
UP RO/ARO exam paper leak: Medical store worker paid Rs 1 lakh for leaked paper, confesses after arrest
LUCKNOW: A year after the sensational leak of the UPPSC Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer (RO/ARO) Preliminary Examination 2023 paper, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) arrested a key accused on Friday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The accused confessed to paying Rs 1 lakh in hopes of securing a govt job. The accused, Kumar Abhinandan, a medical store worker from Lucknow, admitted during interrogation that he was lured into the racket by a doctor who promised him leaked papers for Rs 15 lakh. The RO/ARO Prelims, held on February 11, 2024, was cancelled after its question paper surfaced on social media hours before the exam. STF teams were tasked with investigating the leak, and Abhinandan, who was on the run since then, was finally caught near Manocha Bakery under Thakurganj police station limits on May 29. According to his confession, Abhinandan was helping run his father's medical store in Mal and operated a pharmaceutical distribution firm named Alaya Distributors in Vibhutikhand. During business interactions, he befriended Dr. Sharad Kumar Singh, a PGI-based medical professional, who claimed connections with a network capable of leaking competitive exam papers, said Additional SP, STF, Lal Pratap Singh. 'Sharad told me he could get me a leaked copy of the RO/ARO paper if I arranged Rs 15 lakh. He assured me that if the plan failed, my money would be returned,' Abhinandan told STF. Tempted by the offer, he paid Rs 1 lakh in cash and handed over sensitive personal documents, including his academic mark sheets and a blank cheque as 'security'. Abhinandan further revealed that he was instructed to travel to Bhopal on February 9, 2024. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now There, at Hotel Kamal Palace, he met co-accused Subhash Prakash and Vivek Upadhyay, who, along with several other aspirants, were given the leaked question paper and its solved answers. 'On exam day, the same questions appeared. I knew then the leak was real,' he admitted. But when news broke that Subhash and Vivek were arrested by STF, Abhinandan panicked. 'I deleted everything from my phone and went into hiding,' he confessed. His arrest adds to a growing list of accused in the scam, including Sharad, Subhash, Vivek, and several others now behind bars. Abhinandan was booked under multiple sections of the IPC, the Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, and the IT Act. The case is registered under FIR No. 74/2024 at Civil Lines Police Station, Prayagraj. According to STF officials, the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests may follow as the network behind the paper leak is further exposed.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
A good terrorist is a dead terrorist, no use going to UN, says defence advisor during Op Sindoor
Nagpur: Lt Gen (retd) Vinod Khandare, who was principal advisor to the ministry of defence during , told a select gathering in Nagpur on Friday that terrorists exploited the transition period when 3 Rashtriya Rifles was being pulled out for CRPF deployment and struck in Pahalgam. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "With 2.5 crore tourists visiting Kashmir, normalcy seemed to have returned, and this created a sense of complacency. Terrorists chose a remote area like Pahalgam to unleash mayhem as the majority of the security forces were stationed in high populated areas. The Army is wired to go, search and mark areas of threat, while CRPF enforces the 'naka-bandi' strategy. It's not their fault, that's how they are trained. It took just one bad day for the attack to happen, despite our round-the-clock surveillance," Lt Gen Khandare revealed during a conversation with Flight Lieutenant Shiwalee Deshpande organised by Prahar Samaj Jagruti Sanstha at Chitnavis Centre here. "Our strategy has always been to 'Go, Kill and Come Back'. We learnt this from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The first phase of Operation Sindoor was planned to blow up terror headquarters in . Not a single soldier crossed the border by land or air. Everything was done beyond the human visual range. We had six back-up plans in place. We wanted to avoid another Abhinandan incident, where the wing commander was taken hostage during the Balakot strikes," he said. The Lt General reiterated that neither has Operation Sindoor been called off nor has the Indus Water Treaty been restored. "This basically means that Pakistan has no idea what we might do next. We retain our element of surprise," he said. The defence apparatus wanted to adopt a different strategy from Uri and Balakot strikes, he said, adding "this time, we decided to attack Pakistan on such a mammoth scale that it won't know what hit them". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "And for the first time, a hi-tech war was fought. The exit plan was strategized first, and we followed a simple protocol of selecting the target and maintaining it till the end. We decimated their terror launch pads. Pakistan retaliated by killing our civilians in Poonch and Uri. This is when we decided to bomb their air defence systems. That's the difference between India and Pakistan. They attack our civilians, and we strike their military. It was the Pak DGMO that appealed for a ceasefire," said the Army veteran and former Commanding Officer of the 14th Battalion, Garhwal Rifles. "There is only one way to deal with . Going to the United Nations or appealing to the international community will never work. For us, a good terrorist is a dead terrorist. The record needs to be set straight with Pakistan," he said. He also appealed to the Indian diaspora and the nation's cyber warriors to beat the enemy in the game of cyber bullying. The former chief of the Defence Intelligence Agency also shared that while the SM-400 Russian air defence system gained a lot of popularity, our homemade air defence guns — the L70 and Zu-23 — created a massive impact of their own. "Initially written off as outdated technology, these systems were revitalised through focused development and strategic upgrades. We equipped them with hydraulic boosts, making them faster and more powerful than before," he said. Khande added that they integrated proximity fuses along with shrapnel-based munitions into the missiles, allowing each explosion to destroy multiple targets simultaneously. These enhancements transformed the legacy systems into formidable assets on the modern battlefield. He also said that India needs to be more that just a Viksit Bharat — it also must become a 'Surakshit Bharat'.
India.com
15-05-2025
- India.com
What happened to Wing Commander Abhinandan after returning from Pakistan? IAF banned him from flying fighter planes due to...
Wing Commander Abhinandan New Delhi: Following the ceasefire, the rising tensions between India and Pakistan have started to ease. On Wednesday, Pakistan released the Indian BSF (Border Security Force) soldier Purnam Kumar Sahu from its custody. To recall, BSF soldier Purnam Kumar Sahu mistakenly crossed into Pakistani territory when the tensions between the two countries were at its peak following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Pakistani Rangers detained him from the international border. Now, about 20 days later, on May 14, Pakistan has returned BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Sahu to India. It is important to note that India had also detained a Pakistani Rangers personnel near the Indian border in Rajasthan during the same period. India handed over the Pakistani Ranger in exchange for the return of the Indian BSF soldier. Prior to this, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman had also mistakenly crossed into Pakistan, and Pakistan eventually returned him to India. This latest incident has once again sparked conversations around Wing Commander Abhinandan, with people wanting to know what happened to him after his return from Pakistan. How Wing Commander Abhinandan Reached Pakistan Wing Commander Abhinandan joined the military in 2004. His father also served in the Air Force, and his brother is also part of the same force. After the Pulwama terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Abhinandan participated in the Balakot airstrike. When the Pakistani Air Force attempted to infiltrate Indian airspace, he shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet using his MiG-21 Bison aircraft. However, during intense aerial combat, his MiG-21 was also shot down, and he ended up in Pakistan-occupied territory. However, two days later, on March 1, 2019, Wing Commander Abhinandan was released. Pakistan returned him under the Geneva Convention, which mandates that prisoners of war must be repatriated to their home countries after the conflict ends. Here are some of the key details: Wing Commander Abhinandan was first taken by the Indian Air Force's medical team for a thorough check-up after returning from Pakistan This examination was conducted to ensure that he had not suffered any physical injuries, was not administered any drugs, and had not been subjected to mental or physical torture. Following this, Wing Commander Abhinandan was formally handed back to the Indian Air Force. However, after his return from Pakistan, he was temporarily barred from flying fighter jets. This was because he had sustained injuries while ejecting from his aircraft, and thus, he was grounded for some time. According to reports, he remained grounded for several months, but after about six months, he resumed flying fighter jets. A medical evaluation was conducted by an Air Force institute, and once he was cleared, Wing Commander Abhinandan was permitted to fly again.
Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Abrar Ul Haq brings out fervent patriotic anthem
Singer Abrar Ul Haq has released a stirring new anthem commemorating Pakistan's recent military success against India's Operation Sindoor. The song, launched on Tuesday, serves as a tribute to the strategic brilliance and courage of the Pakistani Armed Forces following India's airstrike and Pakistan's strong retaliation with Operation Bunyan un Marsoos. In the track, Abrar narrates how Pakistan's military countered India's offensive, praising the defenders' bravery and unity. Staying true to his style, the lyrics blend nationalism with religious fervour, highlighting the spiritual conviction of Muslim soldiers. The singer also makes a pointed cultural reference: "chai pilai gayi" (tea was served), echoing the viral catchphrase from the 2019 Abhinandan episode, which has now become a symbol of pride and defiance. Musically, the song is punchy and direct. With marching drum beats, orchestral flourishes, and Abrar's signature vocal energy, it's a full-blown rallying cry. While some might find the religious undertones overly didactic, the track does exactly what it's meant to: ignite patriotic emotion. Its lack of a music video hasn't dimmed its momentum. In fact, fans say the audio alone gave them "goosebumps." Beyond its celebratory tone, the song serves as a cultural timestamp, capturing the public mood in the immediate aftermath of Pakistan's military response. Abrar Ul Haq's choice to emphasise both faith and force reflects a long-standing tradition in Pakistani patriotic music, where spirituality and nationalism often intersect. The anthem also revives the historic rivalry with India in lyrical form, evoking pride without slipping into aggression. While some critics may question the glorification of conflict, many fans view the song as a morale booster and a reminder of national unity. Social media platforms have been flooded with praise. "The Pakistan forces truly deserve such a tribute after a remarkable victory," wrote one user. Another said, "Abrar Ul Haq has captured the nation's sentiment perfectly. This is patriotism through art." Others called the track "timely," "needed," and "deeply emotional." The anthem has quickly become the unofficial soundtrack of national pride, with supporters playing it at gatherings, in vehicles, and across celebratory reels online. Abrar's anthem joins a rich tradition of Pakistani patriotic songs like Dil Dil Pakistan by Vital Signs, Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan, and Ae Watan Kay Sajeelay Jawano. These songs have historically uplifted national morale during wars, crises, and independence days, blending music with national memory and emotional resilience across generations.
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Abhinandan Lodha-led Lodha Ventures rebrands to Abhinandan Ventures.
Abhinandan-Lodha-led Lodha Ventures has rebranded itself as Abhinandan Ventures while retaining ownership of the Lodha Ventures brand, the company said on May 13. A spokesperson of the company clarified that the rebranding is unrelated to the recent trademark dispute between Abhinandan and his elder brother, Abhishek Lodha. The new identity, Abhinandan Ventures, represents a confident step forward in distinguishing the group's independent vision and its innovative and transformative approach across sectors, the company's statement said. 'Over the years, our group has become synonymous with innovation, and we now would like to capitalize on that equity with a name that truly reflects our identity and evolution. This shift is intended to further reflect the strength and depth of our presence across sectors—from private equity to branded land and differentiated real estate development among others,' said Abhinandan Lodha, chairman, Abhinandan Ventures. 'While we continue to own the brand 'Lodha Ventures', with all our businesses being new age, tech driven consumer-centric businesses, the new branding allows us to clearly communicate our innovation-first philosophy and ambitious plans for the future,' he said. With Abhinandan Ventures, the group now moves forward with a distinct identity that better represents its values and forward momentum. The next chapter promises accelerated growth across its portfolio and a continued commitment to building future-facing businesses, the statement said. Founded in 2015, Lodha Ventures began as a platform to incubate and accelerate high-growth, consumer-centric businesses. Over the years, the group has expanded with ventures spanning across real estate, private equity, education, and emerging consumer opportunities. All the businesses within the Abhinandan Ventures group are new-age and tech driven which allow them to scale up faster than any conventional business, it said. The group's portfolio includes ventures such as The House of Abhinandan Lodha, Tomorrow Capital, BeyondSkool, and Sheetal Lodha Foundation.
