Latest news with #Manish
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Art therapy: Kaushambi jail inmates find solace in colours & brushstrokes
Prayagraj: At the crack of dawn, 26-year-old Manish Kumar , one of the 800 inmates at Kaushambi district jail, unleashes his creativity. Armed with colours of hope and brush, he brings his imagination to life, conceptualising sketches and designs that leave a lasting mark on the jail's walls. Manish finds solace in working with colours. Notably, Manish shares his knowledge with fellow inmates, who typically engage in various activities such as farming, computer learning, crafting, agriculture and sewing to productively pass their time in jail. The undertrial has introduced his fellow inmates to diverse art forms, highlighting the effectiveness of wall slogans. He encourages them to try sketching, painting, and mastering techniques like colour combinations and shading. T hrough their collaborative efforts, the prison walls are being transformed into lively and dynamic works of art like vibrant murals and hard-hitting slogans like 'stree ki unnati par hi rashtra ki unnati nirbhar hai' (The progress of a nation depends on the progress of women) and 'vyakti apne vicharon ke siwa kutch nahi hai, vo jo sochta hai ban jata hai' (A man is nothing but his thoughts; he becomes what he thinks). Ajitesh Mishra, superintendent of Kaushambi district jail, told TOI, "Manish, a resident of Charwa, was lodged in Kaushambi district jail three months ago under Posco charges. About a fortnight ago, Manish approached the jail authorities with a unique request — to allow him to transform the prison walls into vibrant and lively spaces. He also requested art supplies, including paint and brushes." "Inmates are showcasing their creativity by working on various murals and artworks to transform the prison's interiors... The prison walls are being decorated with vibrant graffiti, featuring sketches of freedom fighters, forest scenes and wildlife. The inmates have also created artwork to beautify the walls, bringing them to life with their creative expressions," Mishra added. Considering it as a way of expression, Manish is spending five to six hours daily painting the graffiti, a jail official said. Manish feels painting serves as a great way to disconnect from the outside world, requiring intense focus and effort. He also appreciates the productive nature of this creative outlet. "They should feel motivated and become better people after their release," said a senior jail official, adding, "They have seen a drastic change in their personality and their approach after they took up art". "We think most of them need a platform to channelise their energies in the right direction," said a senior jail authority, adding, "Once these prisoners learn skills in different artwork, they could be able to transform their lives and become self-reliant after release."
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Year after acid attack, conflicting accounts and a Jharkhand family still waiting for justice, reconstructive surgery
In April 2024, Hasina Bibi, 37, a single mother of three, was sleeping on the roof of their family-run eatery in the Rajmahal subdivision of Jharkhand's Sahebganj district when, at around midnight, a man allegedly climbed up from a neighbouring building and threw acid on her. Her 13-year-old daughter, elderly mother, and brother were also attacked. Hasina and her daughter suffered over 50% burns, leaving them permanently disabled. Over a year later, living in a rented house, Hasina says they still receive threats from the accused. Initially treated at Dhanbad Government Hospital and Ranchi's RIMS for six months, the family was moved to Rajmahal Hospital in October 2024 for contracture treatment and skin grafts. In April 2025, they were referred back to RIMS, but surgery is still pending. Doctors now recommend they be moved to AIIMS Delhi for better treatment. They are yet to be moved. The daughter, once the winner of a school dance competition, lost an eye and hearing in one ear. Her dreams of becoming a makeup artist are on hold. 'No one from school calls me anymore,' she says. A writ petition filed in March this year at the Jharkhand High Court by a team of advocates alleged that Hasina's neighbours had set fire to her home in February 2024, following which they had to move to the roof of their eatery. It also said that after the acid attack accused, identified as Manish Kumar, attacked them on the roof, the victims were moved to the dengue ward at the Rajmahal sub-divisional hospital instead of the burns ward. They now live in rented accommodations. Hasina claims that when Manish attacked them with acid, two others — her neighbours — were standing outside and that it was them who had 'orchestrated the attack'. The police, however, deny this. The petition at the High Court seeks increased compensation, rehabilitation and suitable shelter. Meanwhile, a case has been ongoing at a lower court since July 8, last year — based on an FIR filed by Hasina's brother Alam, who was also a victim of the acid attack, in April 2024 under IPC sections 341, 450, 326(a), 504, and 34. Now, Alam has been missing for three months, while Hasina's elder daughter is trying to run the eatery. The first hearing in the lower court's case was held on August 17 last year, with the next hearing scheduled for June 19, 2025. The FIR names the two neighbours also as accused. There are conflicting accounts of why the attack happened. Hasina says the motive was a land dispute: 'They wanted my land. When I refused, they tried to kill me.' She says that her son had eloped with a woman from a different community in 2022, and that the neighbours tried to use the outrage around this to pressure her into leaving her land. She alleges that they roped in Manish to mount further pressure on her. Police said Manish, 28, who is from Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh and worked at a factory, told them he was romantically involved with Hasina, became jealous, and attacked her after suspecting infidelity. He allegedly admitted to stealing acid from the factory where he worked. He also sustained burns on his face and hands during the attack and was later arrested. Hasina denies any relationship and alleges that the factory Manish worked in was owned by her neighbour's brother. She says he harassed her and once took her and her daughters to Panipat under false pretences. She also questioned how acid was accessible at the factory. She also alleged that despite the neighbours being named in the FIR, police are only pursuing Manish. Vimlesh Tripathi, the Deputy Superintendent of Police and investigating officer, acknowledged the complaint but said their investigations had shown no connection between the neighbours and Manish. Tripathi says Hasina had an affair with Manish and that he acted out of jealousy — a claim Hasina strongly denies. She says she warned the neighbours about Manish's behaviour just a day before the attack. When brought back to RIMS on April 4, Hasina and her daughter were admitted to general surgery. 'We just eat, sleep, and wait,' Hasina said. 'Why is no one helping us? This is a question for the entire system.' RIMS Superintendent Dr Hitendra Birua said Hasina and her daughter had been referred to AIIMS, Delhi, and that the Jharkhand government would cover all treatment costs. Compensation of Rs 1 lakh was initially given to each family member, and Hasina and her daughter later received Rs 3 lakh more each. Officer Tripathi said this aligns with state government norms of Rs 2-7 lakh per victim based on severity. However, the petition filed by lawyers in the High Court says this is insufficient and demands at least Rs 25 lakh per victim. 'Even going by the IO's version, they haven't received the full amount. Even the amount set by NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) isn't adequate,' one of the lawyers said. photo: Inside the family's old house, which was destroyed in a fire. Express Shubham Tigga hails from Chhattisgarh and studied journalism at the Asian College of Journalism. He previously reported in Chhattisgarh on Indigenous issues and is deeply interested in covering socio-political, human rights, and environmental issues in mainland and NE India. Presently based in Pune, he reports on civil aviation, other transport sectors, urban mobility, the gig economy, commercial matters, and workers' unions. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Salesman slapped by excise inspector for charging 10 extra for a beer bottle
Noida: A liquor salesman in Greater Noida was allegedly slapped and pelted with a belt by an excise inspector for overcharging customers. The district excise officer has initiated a departmental inquiry. Manish Kumar (29) of Dadri, who works as a salesperson at a model shop in Jagat Farm, claimed he sustained severe injuries on his limbs and chest after he was brutally assaulted by excise inspector Chandra Shekhar. His family staged a protest outside the DM's office on Saturday after cops refused to register a complaint. The victim claimed Shekhar and a constable came to the model shop around 8.30 pm on Friday and accused him of overcharging customers. "When I told the officer that I did not overcharge, the inspector slapped me multiple times. He removed the CCTV camera's DVR and then put me into his vehicle and took me to the excise office in Greater Noida's Sector Delta 3. Once in the office, he assaulted me with a belt and left me there in a severely bruised state," Manish claimed. The salesman claimed he was left in the excise office for hours before his brother, Rohit, who also works at the model shop, got to know about the assault later that night and came to pick him up around midnight. The family subsequently tried to submit a formal complaint on the emergency helpline, Dial 112, and then at several police posts, but in vain. On Saturday, they gathered outside DM's office in Greater Noida. The district excise officer, Subodh Kumar, told TOI their team had received a complaint against the salesman for charging customers Rs 10 more than MRP for beer bottles on Friday. "Excise inspector Chandra Shekhar and a constable were sent to the shop for an inspection. In his initial statement, the inspector said that when he reached the shop, the salesperson was drunk and misbehaved with them. The two officials took the salesperson to their car to impose a challan, but the latter fled from the spot," the DEO said, adding that it was possible that Manish may have hurt himself later. "A departmental inquiry has been initiated. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry," the DEO said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No mention of Manish in PM's speech: It's hurtful, say kin
1 2 Sasaram: After IB officer Manish Ranjan , a Rohtas native who was among the victims of Pahalgam terror attack last month, didn't find mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's 33-minute address at Bikramganj in the district on Friday, his family said they were shocked and felt particularly hurtful. They alleged discrimination when the news of the Prime Minister meeting the wife and other family members of another victim, Shubham Diwedi, at Kanpur airport emerged just two hours after his Bihar rally in Bikramganj — just 30km from Manish's native Aruhi village. Manish's younger brother, Rahul Ranjan, initially dismissed the omission from the PM's speech, saying they had no grievances when "he (PM) didn't name him during his half-hour speech." "But when we learned just two hours later that he met the wife and other family members of another victim at Kanpur airport, we were shocked. In Kanpur, the meeting was pre-planned, and they were called by the PMO." Manish's father-in-law Jai Shankar Mishra, a resident of Allahabad, about 100km from Kanpur, said his daughter (the IB officer's widow) is still in trauma and receiving treatment at a local hospital. During his Rohtas address, Prime Minister Modi focused on "Operation Sindoor" and the broader development agenda for Bihar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Manish's aunt, Sunita Devi, expressed her disappointment. "It feels our son's life is less valuable. The Prime Minister met another family affected by the same tragedy, but he did not acknowledge Manish or his sacrifice, here in Rohtas. This is clear discrimination," she said, her voice heavy with emotion. Manish's uncle Alok Priyadarshi echoed the family's plea for official recognition. "We want our son to be given the tag of a martyr. His death was for the nation, and he deserves the same respect and recognition as anyone else who lays down their life, he said.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Son Loses Rs 50000, Father Slams IPL Superstars For Promoting 'Betting Craze'
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) continues to captivate millions across the country, a concerning trend is growing in its shadow — the increasing influence of online betting and 'so-called fantasy platforms', often endorsed by some of the biggest names in cricket. Alarmed parents and fans are now raising serious concerns, accusing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of turning a blind eye to what many describe as a "silent epidemic." From bustling metros to small towns, teenagers and young adults are falling prey to fantasy gaming and betting apps, drawn in by the lure of easy money and glitzy celebrity endorsements. The fallout is visible: financial distress, academic decline, and growing mental health struggles. 'It's heartbreaking. Cricket used to be about inspiration and sportsmanship. Now it's pushing our youth into addiction,' says Manish, a 55-year-old father from Delhi. He recently deleted three such apps from his 16-year-old son's phone after discovering the teen had lost ₹50,000. 'Why are my heroes promoting something so dangerous?' he asks. Another parent voiced frustration: 'The BCCI is busy making money and doesn't seem to care about what's happening to our kids. Top cricketers are promoting these apps, and the board isn't stopping them. Some of these platforms are even sponsoring major tournaments. They're smart — they call it fantasy sports, but there's real money involved, and kids get addicted thinking it's a quick way to earn.' One family attending a recent match was shocked to see several spectators openly placing bets on their phones. 'We saw teenagers on calls, placing bets live from the stadium. And there were many of them,' said a parent. While law enforcement agencies have occasionally busted illegal betting networks, the more widespread threat now comes from mobile apps that operate openly under the guise of fantasy gaming — sidestepping regulation while encouraging risky behavior. Critics argue that the BCCI — the world's wealthiest and most influential cricketing body — must take moral responsibility. Yet, its silence has only deepened public concern, especially as prominent IPL players continue to feature in advertisements for these platforms. Public pressure is mounting. Fans and parents are demanding the BCCI take a firm stand: ban sponsorships and endorsements from these so-called gaming companies, and urge cricketers to reject such deals in favor of promoting responsible behavior. In a country where cricketers are revered like gods, supporters say it's time for accountability to match fame. For many, cricket must return to what it once was — a celebration of skill, spirit, and sportsmanship, not a gateway to gambling. Listen to the latest songs, only on
