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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Initiative appointed as Media Agency on Record for Sensodent
Initiative has been appointed as the media agency on record for Sensodent , a specialised oral care brand from Indoco Remedies , a Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company. As Sensodent gears up to strengthen its leadership in the oral sensitivity segment, Initiative will lead the brand's media strategy, planning, and deployment across platforms—focusing on driving awareness, trials, and brand relevance at scale. The media mandate was awarded following a multi-agency pitch process . Commenting on this development, Aditi Panandikar, managing director, Indoco Remedies said, 'Our brand Sensodent is the first to go OTC and over the year has evolved into the next orbit. We are thrilled to work together with Initiative and are looking forward to see our brand soaring newer heights.' Dhirendra Singh, executive vice president and head – Mumbai, Initiative, said, "Sensodent K is a high-potential brand in a growing yet underpenetrated category. We're excited to partner with Indoco Remedies to architect a media approach that drives performance, builds cultural relevance, and connects meaningfully with consumers across India." Speaking on the partnership, Vaishali Verma, chief executive officer, Initiative India, said, "We welcome Sensodent into the Initiative family. We look forward to a strong partnership focused on driving brand success and creating meaningful work."
News18
24-05-2025
- News18
UP's 'Mindhunter' Gets Second Life Sentence: Serial Killer Ate Brains To 'Steal Intelligence'
Last Updated: UP police officials said Ram Niranjan was known for beheading his victims, preserving the skulls, and consuming the brains in the belief that it would enhance his own intellect He didn't just want a piece of your mind but the whole thing. A serial killer from Uttar Pradesh who ate human brains to 'steal intelligence" has been sentenced to life a second time. Officially classified as a 'rarest of rare" case and counted among India's most heinous crimes, the chilling saga of Ram Niranjan, alias Raja Kolander, resurfaced on Friday as a Lucknow court sentenced him to life in a 25-year-old double murder case. UP police officials who handled the 25-year-old case said Niranjan was known for beheading his victims, preserving human skulls, and allegedly consuming the brains in the belief that it would enhance his own power and intellect. 'Most horrifying crime in UP's criminal history' The Additional District and Sessions Court also sentenced Kolander's brother-in-law, Vakshraj, to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh on each. Both were found guilty earlier this week for the abduction and brutal murder of 22-year-old Manoj Kumar Singh of Raebareli and his driver, Ravi Srivastava, in January 2000. Kolander, already serving a life term in another murder case, had first come under the national spotlight in 2000 after the beheaded body of journalist Dhirendra Singh was found in Prayagraj. The probe into that murder would later unearth a macabre trail of killings, cannibalism, and mutilation—crimes that investigators and courts alike described as some of the most cold-blooded and horrifying ever recorded in Uttar Pradesh's criminal history. The murders from 2000 that triggered a dark legacy The latest verdict relates to the kidnapping and murder of Manoj Singh and Ravi Srivastava, who were last seen on January 24, 2000, after leaving Lucknow for Rewa in a hired Tata Sumo. They were believed to have picked up Kolander's wife, Phoolan Devi, as a passenger from Charbagh railway station. When they failed to return, Singh's family filed a missing persons report at Naka Hindola police station. Several days later, their naked, dismembered bodies were found in the forests near Shankargarh in Prayagraj district. Though the chargesheet was filed in 2001, the case languished for years, and the trial did not begin until 2013. Investigators only found significant leads when probing the murder of journalist Dhirendra Singh months later—an entirely different case that ultimately blew the lid off Kolander's horrific crimes. Murder of journalist unravels serial killer Dhirendra Singh's decapitated body was found in December 2000 in a village bordering Madhya Pradesh. Singh's brother, a police officer, suspected foul play and pointed the investigation towards Kolander. During a raid at Kolander's farmhouse in Pipri, police unearthed a nightmarish scene: human skulls preserved in containers, a diary documenting at least 14 murders, and personal belongings of the missing victims—including Manoj Singh's coat and the Tata Sumo he had driven. The vehicle had since been repainted and carried a sticker that read 'Phoolan Devi". Kolander confessed to using his wife to lure Manoj Singh under the pretext of a medical emergency, offering Rs 1,500 for the ride. They were taken to his Shankargarh farmhouse, where they were allegedly shot, stripped, mutilated, and buried in the forest. A mind twisted by delusion and rituals Kolander, a former Central Ordnance Depot employee, projected himself as a feudal king. He named his children 'Adalat" (court), 'Jamanat" (bail), and 'Andolan" (protest), and used his influence in local politics through his wife, who served as a district panchayat member. But behind the facade lay a man consumed by bloodlust and dark beliefs. He admitted to murdering a colleague, Kali Prasad Srivastava, and consuming his brain, believing that Kayasthas had sharp minds and he could absorb their intellect by eating their brains. When interrogated, he spoke in detail of how he shot victims beside a bonfire, dismembered their bodies, and disposed of remains in different locations. His diary reportedly listed names of other victims: Ashok Kumar, Moin, and Santosh—all of whom went missing over the years. First conviction in 2012 In 2012, the Allahabad High Court convicted Kolander and Vakshraj in the Dhirendra Singh case. The court ruled it as a 'rarest of the rare" crime due to its premeditation, grotesque execution, and the psychological terror it invoked. Singh was murdered to prevent his brother from pursuing a police complaint against Kolander. In court, Kolander often claimed he was innocent and a victim of a political vendetta. However, the weight of forensic evidence, including skulls recovered in the presence of police and local villagers, destroyed any vestiges of his defence. In the recent case, the court found the evidence, including the recovery of the Tata Sumo, Singh's clothing, and forensic links to the murders, overwhelming. Judge Rohit Singh sentenced Kolander and Vakshraj to life imprisonment, bringing some closure to the victims' families after a 25-year-long wait. Both convicts are currently lodged at Unnao District Jail and will continue to serve their terms concurrently. Story that shocked the nation top videos View all Kolander's story shocked not only India but also people across the globe. His crimes became the subject of Netflix's 'Indian Predator: The Diary of a Serial Killer", which examined the psychological depths of his violence and the ritualistic horror behind his murders. As the Lucknow court's verdict reverberates across the state, it reopens chilling memories of a case that combined superstition, power, blood, and madness. Twenty-five years may have passed, but observers say justice—though delayed—has not been denied. First Published: May 24, 2025, 07:00 IST
India Gazette
12-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Kangra Airport reopens as tensions with Pakistan ease amid understanding
Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 12 (ANI): The Kangra Airport has been reopened to resume civilian flights as tensions with Pakistan ease after the cessation of hostilities. Kangra Airport Director Dhirendra Singh spoke to ANI and said, 'The Kangra Aiport, which had earlier been closed for all civilian flights until May 15, has reopened from 10.30 am on May 12.' 'We have assessed the requirements for all facilities. Therefore, the airport is for all civilian flights. It is a big relief for all the passengers, including tourists. 800-1000 passengers arrive at Kangra airport every day. It is a relief for all, including the tourism industry and the hotel industry.' The Centre had earlier ordered the closure of airspace along the northern and western borders until May 15 amid the four-day conflict with Pakistan. Amid tensions between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, the Kangra Airport announced that it would remain closed for all civilian flights until May 15. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities issued a series of notices to Airmen (NOTAMS) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across Northern and Western India for all civil flight operations. The list of 32 airports include Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai. India reopened the 32 airports on Monday and restarted commercial air services. The cancellations were made on instructions from the Indian Air Force (IAF). This marks a resumption of regular aviation activity across all previously restricted areas. The move is expected to ease air traffic congestion and benefit both domestic and international carriers. Earlier in the day, Army DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti and Director General Naval Operations, Vice Admiral AN Pramod, held a joint press conference and narrated how India's air defence preparedness has been firm and impregnable in the face of Pakistan's aggression. Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month in which 26 people were killed. (ANI)
India Gazette
10-05-2025
- India Gazette
Kangra Airport closed for all civilian activities until May 15
Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 10 (ANI): Amid the rising tensions between India-Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, the Kangra Airport officials on Saturday announced that the airport will remain closed for all civilian flights until May 15 (5:29 AM). According to the airport authorities, the airport, however, will be available for 'any military activities'. 'Security at the airport has been increased, and the airport is available for any military activities,' airport director Dhirendra Singh told ANI, adding, 'It is closed for all civilian activities till May 15.' Earlier on Friday, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities issued a series of notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across Northern and Western India for all civil flight operations. The NOTAM is effective from May 9, 2025, to May 14, 2025(which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025), due to operational reasons. The list of 32 airports include Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai. A senior Ministry of Civil Aviation official informed that all civil flight activities at these airports will remain suspended during this period. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has also extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs) due to operational reasons. As per NOTAM G0555/25 (which replaces G0525/25), the 25 route segments will remain unavailable from ground level to unlimited altitude until 2359 UTC on 14th May 2025 (which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025). Airlines and flight operators are advised to plan alternate routings as per current air traffic advisories. The temporary closure is being managed in coordination with relevant ATC units to ensure safety and minimise disruption, said MoCA in a statement. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Kangra airport shut, uncertainty looms over IPL ties
May 08, 2025 08:32 AM IST As the Kangra airport was shut for 72 hours in the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor' by India, the civilian flights were cancelled on Wednesday. Airport authorities said 16 flight movements were scheduled at the airport on Wednesday and almost the same number on Thursday. (HT File) With this, an air of uncertainty looms over the two upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) ties at the Himachal Pradesh cricket stadium in Dharamshala, Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals on Thursday (May 8) and PBKS vs Mumbai Indians on May 11. Airport director Dhirendra Singh said civilian flights are not allowed, and they issued a notice about the closure. 'We beefed up security and the staff and security personnel are on alert,' he said. Airport authorities said 16 flight movements were scheduled at the airport on Wednesday and almost the same number on Thursday. 'In view of evolving airspace restrictions, all civilian flights to and from Kangra airport stand cancelled. Passengers are advised to check flight schedules with concerned airlines before heading to the airport,' the airport authorities said in a post on microblogging platform X. Officials said the DC team has arrived for its match on May 8. The Kangra airport, located at Gaggal. around 10km from Dharamsala, is used by all teams coming here. This has cast doubts over MI's travel plans. Officials say they are yet to get directions about the matches. HPCA director Sanjay Sharma said, 'BCCI will take call regarding these matches. We have not received any directive from the government or BCCI yet. We will comply with the directive issued from the government and BCCI.'
