Latest news with #Ravidas
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Mentally unstable man dies by suicide after killing wife in Nalanda
Patna: A mentally unstable man killed his 35-year-old wife and then died by suicide after locking himself in his room at Madarchak village under Hilsa police station area in Nalanda district on Saturday morning. According to police, Chhathu Ravidas (40) first attacked his wife, Lachhu Devi, with a stone grinder (silwat) following an argument over a domestic dispute, and then pushed her off the roof of their house. Their children, who witnessed the violent altercation between their parents, fled the house and informed neighbours about the incident. Hilsa SDPO, Ranjan Kumar, said, "Upon receiving information about the incident, the local police arrived at the spot. They broke open the room and found Ravidas unconscious. He was rushed to the sub-divisional hospital, where doctors declared him dead." The SDPO further said that the initial investigation revealed that Ravidas was undergoing treatment for mental illness in a Ranchi hospital about two years ago. At the time of the incident, his parents were in Patna, where his mother was receiving medical treatment. The couple is survived by five children, he said. "While local residents suspect that Ravidas might have consumed poison to kill himself, no evidence of toxic substances was found in the room, nor were there any visible signs such as froth at his mouth. The exact cause of Ravidas's death will be known after the postmortem. The bodies have been sent to Bihar Sharif Model Hospital for the autopsy. Police have launched a thorough investigation into the case," the SDPO added. According to police sources, Ravidas was showing signs of mental disturbance for the past few days leading up to the incident. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
News18
6 days ago
- Business
- News18
Why A Mega Dalit Outreach Is Part Of BJP's Plan For Poll-Bound Bihar From June 20
Last Updated: Caste arithmetic and an unfavourable result in the elections last year have prompted the party to take steps to win the poll battle The BJP has decided to go all out to woo Dalits of poll-bound Bihar, even before seat-sharing talks have begun among the NDA constituents for the upcoming election. Starting June 20, the party will target the Ravidas community by organising the Sant Shiromani Ravidas Sammelan-cum-honour ceremony in Bihar. Sant Ravidas, a 15th-century Bhakti saint, is a significant figure in the Dalit community and is widely recognised as a Dalit icon. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated Ravidas' 647th birth anniversary in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi. Now, with Bihar election around the corner, BJP has decided to hold such conclaves in different districts and created a schedule for that. News18 has learnt that BJP has fixed conclave dates for Begusarai on June 20, Samastipur on June 22, Madhubani on June 25, Bagaha and Bhagalpur on June 29, Saharsa on June 30, Muzaffarpur and Siwan on July 6, Darbhanga on July 7, Gaya on July 13, Banka on July 16, Arwal on July 18, Khagaria and Sitamarhi on July 20 and Gopalganj on July 31, which will be the season finale. There will also be a special conclave through which Dalit outreach efforts will be made in Bihar's capital Patna though the date for it is not yet finalised. The party wants the Patna conclave to be a show-stopper with big names in attendance, and hence, the date will depend on their availability, say BJP sources. But why the focus on Dalits? Sources in the know suggest there are two reasons behind it. One is pure caste arithmetic. Though the Ravidas community constitutes just 5 per cent of Bihar's voters, if the total Dalit pie in Bihar is taken into consideration, the number jumps to 19 per cent. While BJP is confident about upper castes and OBC support of a few, JDU too brings OBC strengths. Even NDA's smaller allies like Rashtriya Lok Morcha leader Upendra Kushwaha can influence OBC votes. Only former Bihar CM Jitin Ram Majhi's Hindustan Awam Morcha-Secular(HAM-S) and LJP (RV) Chirag Paswan have limited sway over those known as the backwards. The second reason stems from an unfavourable experience in last year's Lok Sabha election when the BJP-led NDA lost nine Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, NDA won 39 seats while in 2024, it managed to win 30. In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, the situation was even more grim. The BJP-led NDA lost a whopping 28 seats. Later, BJP went on record to accept that Congress managed to twist BJP's '400 paar' campaign slogan as fear mongering among Dalit voters, suggesting their reservation rights are on the line. This worked against the BJP in the two Hindi heartland states. Since June 4 last year, when the results were declared, BJP has taken corrective measures to win the narrative war. However, the party feels that with no big alliance partner that has a solid grip among the Dalit community, the outreach is the best way forward. Sources in the BJP say the plan to carpet-bomb the Ravidas Sammelans was conceived in mid-May when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Bihar Police stopped him on his way to Ambedkar hostel in Darbhanga, adding that 'they could not stop me because your power (minority community) is watching over me". Back then, Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal had hit out at Gandhi, saying: 'He should use his mind. If he had to use a government building or hostel, he should have sent an official itinerary. He is the Leader of Opposition and a state president of a party has to teach this?" However, it is learnt that this visit may have worked as a catalyst for the state BJP to pre-emptively launch a mega Dalit outreach, having learnt its lessons last year. First Published: June 04, 2025, 10:29 IST
India.com
22-05-2025
- India.com
Top 6 Sunset And Sunrise Points Around Varanasi
India's spiritual capital Varanasi stands as more than a normal city because it offers a complete experience. Varanasi stands out as a city of ancient river ghats and spiritual activities because visitors can witness beautiful sunrise and sunset views. When the sun touches the Ganges River it produces a special light that everyone finds hard to ignore. No matter where you stand as a citizen or visitor, Varanasi's special moments should stay with you. Here are the seven best spots around Varanasi to witness the most stunning sunrises and sunsets: 1. Dashashwamedh Ghat Varanasi residents and visitors consider Dashashwamedh Ghat their most famous river access point. When the sun rises its rays shine across the Ganges at Dashashwamedh Ghat where priests conduct spiritual ceremonies and worshipers take their sacred baths. The Ganga Aarti at sunset against the sun's descent leaves visitors spellbound. Why Visit Witness the blend of spirituality and nature. This spot brings out the best in photographers who document religious ceremonies and beautiful lighting. Participate in the famed Ganga Aarti. Quick Facts Located near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Best time to visit: Visit the ghat at 5:30 AM when the sun rises and again at 6:00 PM when it sets. Easily accessible via rickshaws and boats. 2. Assi Ghat The southernmost end of Varanasi offers Assi Ghat as a peaceful location to watch both sunrise and sunset. Every morning at Assi Ghat people practice yoga and listen to classic music before they join the river activities. Why Visit Less crowded compared to other ghats. Perfect for meditation and yoga enthusiasts. Enjoy cultural programs in the evenings. Quick Facts People know this place because it links to the Shiva myth. Early yogis practice under music's live performance at dawn. Cafes nearby offer a relaxing post-sunrise meal. 3. Manikarnika Ghat The sacred Manikarnika Ghat serves both spiritual needs and lets visitors see the sunrise and sunset over the River Ganges. Even though rituals continue at the ghat all day it becomes peaceful when you see the sun rise or set over the holy river. Why Visit Capture the juxtaposition of life and spirituality. Understand how people performed cremation ceremonies in ancient times at this location. Quick Facts People see Varanasi's Ravidas Ghat as one of its most sacred locations. Seeing the ghat from a boat lets you see it without visual barriers. Photography here requires sensitivity and permission. 4. Ravidas Ghat Ravidas Ghat lies beyond Assi Ghat as a serene alternative to watch the sun shine in the southern part of Varanasi. People looking for peace will find comfort in the spacious steps and serene environment at this ghat. Why Visit Perfect for solitude and quiet reflection. People can find a different angle to see the city at this undiscovered ghat. Quick Facts Named after the saint-poet Ravidas. Locals use Ravidas Ghat for both early morning and late evening strolls. Clean and well-maintained compared to other ghats. 5. Malviya Bridge You can discover amazing sunrise and sunset views from Malviya Bridge. The road and rail bridge stands as a double-deck structure that lets users see the flowing Ganges River below. You'll have a one-of-a-kind feeling while watching the sunrise or sunset from this spot. Why Visit View the river and city from above at this location. A unique vantage point for photographers. Quick Facts Located near Rajghat. Getting there is easier when you book a taxi or auto rickshaw service. Popular for both sunrise and sunset views. 6. Chunar Fort You can see the historic Chunar Fort from its location 30 kilometers north of Varanasi while enjoying sunrise and sunset views. From this fort's position you can see the Ganges River below. Why Visit Combines history with natural beauty. Ideal for a day trip from Varanasi. Quick Facts Built during the 11th century this site provides visitors a complete view of their surroundings. Entry fee applies for visitors. Best visited early morning or late afternoon. Final Thoughts Sunrise and sunset viewing spots in Varanasi let you experience the city's religious and traditional background. Each boat tour spot lets you see the Ganges River differently so your trip will feel truly magical.
Scroll.in
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Readers' comments: As inheritors of the sanatan dharma, how can we foster a questioning people?
Will the Brahmins, steeped in the Manusmriti and the Upanishads, find spiritual outpourings in the verses of poets of the Bhakti movement like Ravidas, Bhagat Namdev, Guru Nanak, Kabir and others (' Counterview: India's past deserves more than apologia or amnesia ')? How will they accept the critique of the caste system in its entirety by the poet-saints of the Bhakti movement? Is Bhakti movement poetry a continuity of Vedic poetry? It is a criticism at the social and spiritual level. Bhakti poetry is inclusive. Manusmriti and the other Brahmanical texts are exclusive – they exclude on the basis of the caste system. – Onkar Singh *** This is more angst at imaginary wrongs than a scholarly deliberation. Anyone who reads NCERT history books will get the feeling that India has cultural unity and continuity. What the author refers to as 'Hindu metaphysics, logic, grammar, and aesthetics' are not necessarily Hindu alone. Those ideas have evolved in a crucible of competing philosophies and practices of Budhhism, Jainism, Islam and not to forget the pre-Aryan beliefs and practices. – Srinivas. *** The very point of a pluralist ethos is that you are free to see in the Constitution roots in pre-Islamic ethics and the like. Another person may see in it a modern, freedom struggle-oriented genesis. No view needs to be imposed, though you can invite others to look at your perspective and comment. – Velamur Anand *** In an age where espouse a polarised and biased discourse while directly and indirectly forcing every institution, other politicians and even the armed forces (subtly) to adopt their way of thinking, then we will become a nation of zombies who forget to think independently. We have to ask if future generations will be nurtured, knowingly or through blinkered intelligence, by the rewriting, republishing of all literature. As proud inheritors of the 'sanatan dharma' how can we hope to foster a questioning, analysing and creative people? –
