Dalit scholar’s struggles expose flaws in faculty hiring in Telugu states
Dr Swaroop, a PhD holder from University of Hyderabad, has been taken for a ride by private universities in both the Telugu states. Hyderabad: The working class in the country has celebrated May 1, Labour Day, with discontent, hoping for a better tomorrow. While the political parties and left organisations held high-pitched meetings on how the rights of the workers have been violated by successive governments, the story of a Dalit assistant professor sheds light on the plight of PhD holders being reduced to ‘adda coolies’ (workers picked up from labour addas on roads) in the two Telugu states. Dr Swaroop, 40, a native of Vijayawada, had earned his doctorate in political science from the University of Hyderabad in 2022. After a year-long stint as a guest faculty, he applied for the position of an assistant professor in Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, in its school of liberal arts, which turned out to be physically non-existent after he joined the service. There were quite a few assistant professors (economics, anthropology, sociology and political science) including an associate dean in the school of liberal arts in October 2022 who were recruited along with him. Swaroop and the new recruits were shocked after joining their duties, when they found that there was neither that department, nor any infrastructure created to run that school in the university. “To show the University Grants Commission that arts courses were also being offered to gain university status, faculty was recruited. But in reality these social sciences programs were not being offered. As per the National Education Policy of 2020, individual social sciences programs need to be established, and a multi-disciplinary approach should be cultivated across various disciplines. Hence, social sciences faculty could be utilised to also teach the science students. But this was not done,” claims Swaroop, speaking with Siasat.com. In the absence of a full-fledged setup, these assistant professors were allegedly used by the university administration to escort the students and their parents into the campus, to provide counseling to them and to run office chores. This was nothing related to teaching respective subjects to the students, who were also non-existent in these streams. A few months later, all the recruits resigned and left, except Swaroop, who worked there for a year and a half. “After 6 months, the university administration told us that there was no work load, and they made us sit in the security office at the main gate of the campus,” recalls Swaroop. In the absence of any recruitment of teaching faculty in the universities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for the past 11 years or so, Swaroop continued to work at Mohan Babu University, even as others who were recruited along with him started resigning one by one. “Initially I was offered Rs 55,000 per month on a consolidated basis. However, to seek recognition from UGC as a state private university, it was submitted by the administration that all the faculty members were being offered central government seventh pay commission pay-scales. As per the norms, an assistant professor needs to be paid in the pay band ranging between Rs 57,500 to Rs 92,500,” Swaroop notes. He was paid Rs 55,000 for 16 months, and in the last 2 months his salary was cut-short by 50 percent, and was paid only Rs 27,500. Pay-slips were also generated for that amount, making it difficult for him to secure a job in a good pay-scale in any other institutions. In February 2024, he was allegedly made to resign by the university administration. While the university claimed various reasons for its decision, Swaroop alleges discrimination, manipulation of facts and malpractice. Swaroop approached the National Commission of Scheduled Castes, Andhra Pradesh Higher Education Regulatory and Monitoring Commission, and has submitted representations also to the chief minister of AP, minister of education, deputy superintendent of police (Tirupati west), superintendent of police (Tirupati), AP director general of police, the president of India, UGC, the Union minister of education and others, alleging injustice meted out to him. Almost a year has passed, but there has been no relief or justice served to him. Meanwhile, he received a call from GITAM Deemed University, Rudraram campus in Sangareddy district recently, offering him an assistant professor of political science post in the school of education. As he has a bachelors in education, combined with a PhD, his profile was shortlisted, and he cleared the interview of the selection committee of GITAM. Along with the details of other faculty recruited, his details were also uploaded on the university’s website as a recruited faculty member. “An affidavit was taken from me, assuring that I wouldn’t work for any other institution on a regular basis, until another regular faculty is recruited for that post,” Swaroop says. Just couple of days ago, he received a call from the GITAM human resources department, informing him that he was not selected for that position due to low grades in his BEd. Now Swaroop is at the cross-roads of his life, with a disturbed start in his professional career, with no recruitments in public universities of AP or Telangana in sight, and having lost trust in the private universities. Interestingly, in Telangana the private universities are having a free hand in the absence of a regulatory mechanism to put a check on such manipulations. As per sources, the private and deemed universities in Telangana don’t come under the purview of the Telangana Council of Higher Education. The Council has already placed a proposal before chief minister A Revanth Reddy to bring these private universities under its purview, the decision of which is pending before the chief minister, who also holds the education portfolio. At an age where people like him are married and enjoying with their families, Swaroop remains single, despite exceptional educational credentials, though coming from an under-privileged Madiga community which has been facing discrimination since ages. Neither SC categorisation, nor tall-talk of those in power about the empowerment of Dalits can assuage the situation which deserving
Rajiv Gandhi had opposed in Parliament
Rajiv Gandhi’s speech and the Congress’s stance damaged the party’s popularity among OBC communities. As a result, the Congress’ political base in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar weakened, and the party never again got an absolute majority at the Centre. Rajiv Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha that the government had decided to implement the Mandal Commission report at a time when the country already had a lot of serious problems. He said, ‘The problems of Kashmir have been solved by the government. The situation has never been this bad since independence. The situation in Punjab is also very bad. Assam is also on the same path. Tamil Nadu is also close to it. The Prime Minister himself had said that the country should be prepared for war… Apart from this, tension is increasing between the North and the South over language…” He said that there are many similarities between that time and today. There was peace in Kashmir for some time, but now tension has increased again. The government is having a dispute with the southern states over language. The government has not ‘prepared the ground’ for this big decision. He said, ‘The proof of this is that people are being killed, buses are being burnt, trains are being burnt and buildings are being demolished.’ He said that on one hand the Prime Minister is asking the country to be ready for war, and on the other hand he is dividing our society. Then Congress gave reservation After 16 years, the Congress UPA government took another step to implement the Mandal Commission report. They reserved 27% seats for OBCs in colleges like AIIMS, IIT and IIM. This decision was also opposed a lot. Upper caste people said that the government is eliminating merit and is doing this only for votes. What was BJP’s stand? At that time BJP was in the opposition. BJP supported reservation, but said that the benefit of reservation should also be given to poor people, irrespective of their caste. BJP also said that creamy layer i.e. rich people of backward classes should not get reservation. What is the connection with Jammu and Kashmir? After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Modi cabinet has taken a big decision on caste census. 26 people were killed in this attack. The tension between India and Pakistan has increased a lot. Common people Want a response to this attack. In 1990, when the Mandal Commission recommendations were implemented, there was a similar atmosphere. Actually, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was bad in those days too. Terrorism had increased a lot. Many Hindus were targeted and killed. Lakhs of Hindu families were forced to migrate from Kashmir. VP Singh was under a lot of pressure regarding the situation in Kashmir. About the author Anubhav Shakya After studying journalism from IIMC in 2021, he entered journalism with Zee News. Born in Etah, UP but studied in Aligarh. After writing national and international news there for about one and a half years, he is now working in the news team at Navbharat Times. Courtesy : Anubhav Shakya, NBT, Hindi News
Dalit labourer found hanging from tree in UP’s Saharanpur, family alleges murder
Rajesh, a 35-year-old father of three, was found dead in the fields he worked in; police launch probe after family rejects suicide theory The body of a 35-year-old Dalit labourer was found hanging from a tree in a field here, police said Thursday, adding that his family has alleged that he had been murdered. Speaking to PTI, Superintendent of Police (Rural) Sagar Jain said the deceased, identified as Rajesh, a resident of Jarauda Jat village, worked as a daily wage labourer for a local farmer. “According to preliminary information, Rajesh had gone around 2 am to operate a tubewell in the fields where he was working,” Jain said. “Later in the morning, villagers heading to their fields spotted his body hanging from a tree and immediately informed the police,” Jain added. Police teams, along with a forensic unit and the deceased’s family, reached the spot shortly after receiving the call, he said. The body was taken into custody and sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death, he said. “The family members have alleged that Rajesh was murdered and his body was hanged to make it appear as a suicide,” Jain said. “We have registered the case and further investigation is underway.” Rajesh is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter, according to the police. Courtesy: Telegraph India Note: This news is originally published on https://www.telegraphindia.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘If you wanted caste-based census so badly, you should have done earlier’: Chirag Paswan slams Congress
NEW DELHI: Union minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday directed his attack on the Congress party, accusing it of using the caste census as a “political weapon to incite people’s sentiments.” He questioned the party’s intent, saying that if Congress was genuinely committed to a caste-based census, it should have implemented it during its long tenure in power. “Today, Rahul Gandhi wants to take credit for this, saying that this happened under my pressure. Your party’s government remained in the centre for a long time. Leave the party aside, there have been three Prime Ministers from your family. If you wanted a caste-based census in the country so badly, then you should have got it done earlier. But you used it as a political weapon and only worked to incite people’s sentiments,” Paswan told reporters. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking decisive action, saying, “Today, our government has fulfilled this demand. My Prime Minister is known for taking the right decisions at the right time. The opposition is saying that we have taken this decision in view of the Bihar elections, but if this decision had to be taken from the point of view of elections, then we would have taken this decision before the Lok Sabha elections…” Paswan further highlighted ongoing national priorities, assuring that the government remains focused on critical issues, including national security concerns, which is at the centre of discussion after terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam. “We have taken this decision, and there is still more work to be done. There are many important issues related to national security on which we have to work…my Prime Minister will definitely take every decision which is related to the sentiments of the country,” he said. The Cabinet Committee on political affairs, headed by PM Modi, recently approved a caste census to be conducted alongside the national census. However, no official date for the exercise has been announced yet. This announcement comes just months before the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Bihar, notably, was the first state to initiate and conduct a caste-based survey in 2022. According to Article 246 of the Constitution, the census is a Union subject and is listed at number 69 in the Union List under the Seventh Schedule. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Congress dismisses caste census announcement as ‘diversionary tactic’ of government
NEW DELHI: Congress Thursday said PM Narendra Modi had last year dubbed Rahul Gandhi’s demand for a caste census an “urban naxal mindset”, poking fun at BJP functionaries for taking credit for the govt decision to count caste in the much-awaited decennial census. It said the central govt has not clarified the timeline for the census, which is overdue for five years, saying the Prime Minister has given “headline without deadline” which is a “diversionary tactic”, reports Subodh Ghildiyal. The CWC will meet on Friday to discuss the govt decision on caste enumeration, and may pile further pressure on the govt over its demands linked to the issue, besides amplifying the point that the BJP regime buckled under Rahul’s pressure. The CWC will also discuss the Pahalgam attack. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said RSS and Jan Sangh have been opposed to reservations from the start, and they have no right to criticize Congress, as he rebuffed the BJP’s attacks on the opposition party over caste census. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Dalit Journalist Beaten at PVR for Reviewing ‘Phule’ Film — Entire Attack Caught on Camera!
Dalit journalist Sanjay Ambedkar alleges assault by PVR staff while interviewing audience members about Phule film; FIR filed, video sparks outrage online. Prayagraj, UP (formerly Allahabad)— A Dalit journalist, Sanjay Ambedkar, was allegedly assaulted by PVR staff while attempting to take audience reviews of the film Phule in Prayagraj. The incident, captured on video, has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage and demands for strict action against those involved. Ambedkar, who runs a YouTube channel called Bheemraj Dastak, had visited PVR Cinemas to talk to viewers exiting the theatre after watching Phule. Despite the film being screened, he noted there were no posters or promotional materials for it inside the premises. When he tried to speak to moviegoers, PVR employees and bouncers allegedly confronted and attacked him. Recounting the incident to The Mooknayak, Sanjay said, “I came to take reviews of the film Phule. While I was speaking with some viewers, I was suddenly stopped. I continued my work, but soon the situation escalated, and they began assaulting us.” Sanjay explained that he and his colleague, Ravi Kumar, were both present. “They caught hold of Ravi first, and when I intervened and asked them to stop, they started beating me too. We were dragged to the third floor, mistreated, and assaulted. Somehow, I managed to escape and informed the authorities. Ravi was held hostage inside and was released after half an hour.” He also claimed the entire incident was recorded on camera, identifying the attackers as PVR staff and bouncers. “We’ve filed an official complaint, and an FIR has been registered. The investigation is underway,” he said. Expressing his concern, Sanjay added, “Journalists across the country are being targeted. In Fatehpur, journalist Dilip Saini was stabbed to death, Mukesh Chandrakar was killed, and Raghvendra Bajpai was shot dead in Sitapur. Journalists are not safe under the Yogi government. Is taking a movie review now a crime?” In response to the viral video, the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of DCP Prayagraj City confirmed: “Based on the complaint received, an FIR has been registered at Civil Lines Police Station under relevant sections. Legal proceedings are underway.” Police have registered the case based on a complaint filed by Ravi Kumar. The FIR names unknown PVR employees and includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 Sections 115(2), 352, 351(2), 351(3), 309(4), and under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (Amendment 2015), Sections 3(2)(v), 3(1)(d), and 3(1)(dh). It’s worth noting that the Phule film has already been surrounded by controversy, with several Brahmin groups calling for a boycott and opposing its screening. The backlash led to certain edits and modifications in the film. Courtesy: The Mooknayak Note: This news is originally published on https://en.themooknayak.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Tripura transgender community protests Pahalgam attack, vows to defend nation.
In a powerful demonstration of patriotism, members of the Kinnar Samaj in Gomati District’s Udaipur staged a protest condemning the recent terrorist attack on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Outraged by the brutal violence, the protestors burned Pakistan’s national flag, holding it responsible for repeated acts of terror on Indian soil. Chanting slogans like “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and holding placards denouncing terrorism, they called for decisive action against Pakistan-sponsored militancy. Speaking to the media, the transgender activists made their position clear: “We have been protesting against Pakistan for years. They are disturbing peace and attacking innocent people. We must unite and fight back.” Declaring their unwavering commitment to the nation, one protester said: “We, from Kinnar Samaj, are ready to face bullets if needed. We will stand at the frontlines to protect our Bharat Mata.” They condemned the attacks on women and civilians in Kashmir and called upon all Indians to stand united against external threats. The protest by the transgender community has drawn attention for its bold stand and heartfelt patriotism, signalling that every section of Indian society is ready to defend the nation against terror. Courtesy: India Todayne Note: This news is originally published on https://www.indiatodayne.in and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Caste slurs and media trials: Kerala rapper Vedan faces vilification after drug case arrest
Hirandas Murali, popularly known as rapper Vedan, a 30-year-old Dalit artist from Thrissur, Kerala, has found himself at the center of a storm following his arrests by the Kerala Police and the Forest Department. On April 28, 2025, Vedan and eight others were detained by the Excise Department in Kochi for possessing approximately 6 grams of hybrid cannabis. A day later, on April 29, forest officials arrested him for wearing a tiger tooth pendant, confirmed as genuine through a lab test in Hyderabad. The pendant, which Vedan claims was a gift from a fan, has led to charges under wildlife protection laws, potentially carrying a seven-year sentence. He was remanded to the custody of the Forest Department for two days and shifted to the Malayatoor Divisional Forest Office for questioning. The arrests have sparked widespread controversy, with many media outlets and social media platforms accused of demonising Vedan, focusing not on the legal issues but on his identity as a Dalit artist whose music challenges caste oppression and systemic inequality. Vedan, who rose to prominence with his 2020 track “Voice of the Voiceless,” uses his rap to address subaltern politics, caste discrimination, Islamophobia, and social justice, themes that resonate with marginalised communities but unsettle Kerala’s mainstream cultural elite. Critics argue that the intense scrutiny and character assassination he faces stem from his caste identity and the disruptive nature of his art, which has penetrated a Malayali cultural sphere historically inaccessible to lower castes. Media and public backlash: a casteist vendetta? Following the arrests, several media outlets and social media handles launched what activists describe as a coordinated campaign to vilify Vedan. Social media posts and news reports emphasised his alleged criminality, often sidelining the broader context of his artistic contributions. A post on X by @junjunjitweets highlighted Vedan’s prior legal troubles, including a 2022 cannabis possession case and 2021 MeToo allegations, framing him as a habitual offender and questioning claims of caste-based victimisation. Such narratives, activists argue, obscure the systemic biases at play. Dalit thinker K.K. Baburaj condemned the response as reflective of deep-seated caste prejudice. He posed a provocative question: “If the marginalised don’t use alcohol and marijuana, will the public conscience not hunt them down?” Baburaj pointed to the hypocrisy in Kerala’s social fabric, noting that marginalised groups face relentless scrutiny regardless of their actions. He highlighted the broader pattern of discrimination: “Pentecostals are among the most devout Christians, often abstaining from drugs and even television. Yet, they face persistent ridicule and criticism from both elite Christians and the broader public. Similarly, the Muslim community, which exhibits the lowest rates of drug use, endures daily accusations, including baseless claims like ‘narcotic jihad.’ Many sincere individuals believe that society accepts Muslims living devout, drug-free lives.” Baburaj argued that Vedan’s persecution reflects the elite’s discomfort with marginalised communities achieving progress: “The issue lies in the marginalised perpetuating the anxieties and fears of the elite. Any progress they achieve often provokes a sense of retribution among the elite.” He further criticised those who use cultural purity to justify targeting Vedan, warning, “He alone can choose whether to surrender to addiction and perish. However, those who champion cultural purity in his name conceal the truth that Hitlerism itself embodied cultural purity.” In a Facebook post, Baburah expressed hope for Vedan’s resilience: “Vedan declared, ‘May this chaos and commotion soon subside.’ Even if detained by Kerala’s ethnic police or the criminal forest department, he will undoubtedly rise to sing and speak once more. The vibrant culture ignited by Vedan and Khalid Rahman should continue to thrive in this spirit of resilience.” Supporters rally: highlighting double standards Veteran Dalit leader K. Ambujakshan also came to Vedan’s defense, emphasising the disparity in how legal violations are treated based on caste and class. In a Facebook post, he contrasted Vedan’s situation with that of prominent Malayalam film industry figures who faced minimal repercussions for possessing prohibited items like tiger skins or elephant tusks. Ambujakshan wrote: “Vedan holds no elephant’s tusk in his hand, no intermediaries shield the corporate wealth that burdens the nation, no affluent Western followers arrive with materials through privileged channels to offset a spiritual journey. The crowds drawn to his music are the nation’s ordinary people, especially its youth. If negligence has caused shortcomings, they can be addressed through compassionate action, but it is unjust to silence an artist who inspires hope. Vedan’s lyrics dismantle the walls of inequality, envisioning a world of fairness. I stand with those who cherish Vedan’s rap, igniting minds and hearts. With Vedan.” Geevarghese Mar Koorilos, former Metropolitan of the Jacobite Church Niranam Diocese, added a religious perspective, praising Vedan’s art as a rebellion against systemic oppression. In a post featuring Vedan’s image, he stated: “In a society where caste divides not only humans but also animals and their remains, I stand with the Vedan’s ‘black’ politics and his artistic revolt against ‘white gods.’ Let this revolution persist. However, I unequivocally oppose drug addiction.” Mar Koorilos’s support underscores the intersection of caste and cultural resistance in Vedan’s work, while distancing himself from drug use. Sanskrit scholar and professor T.S. Syam Kumar exposed the hypocrisy of Kerala’s upper-caste elite, who historically celebrated intoxicants in cultural and literary contexts but now condemn marginalised artists like Vedan. He noted: “In Vedic traditions, Indra, the deity of rituals who consumes Soma and Sura, is central to the sacrificial practices of Aryan Brahmanism. In Valmiki’s Ramayana, Sita prays to Ganga for a thousand jugs of liquor upon her return from exile. While some Malayalis recite these verses in the evening to combat intoxication, the elite historically viewed intoxicants as essential for literary and cultural creation.” Kumar argued that the same elites who once glorified intoxication now marginalise Dalit artists, restricting their access to mainstream platforms. Tribal activist Gomathi echoed this sentiment on Facebook, redirecting attention to Vedan’s art: “With Vedan, as the focus shifts from cannabis to tiger teeth, the true essence emerges. The heart of the matter lies in Vedan’s song—its
Minor Dalit girl gangraped: Kidnapped and raped in Kanpur, brutally beaten for protesting, one accused arrested
A sensational case of gangrape of a minor has come to light in Kaushambi district of UP. Police has registered a case under serious sections of gangrape, POCSO, SC-ST on the complaint of the father of the victim girl in this case. Kaushambi (Kuldeep Dwivedi): A sensational case of gangrape of a minor has come to light in Kaushambi district of UP. Police has registered a case under serious sections of gangrape, POCSO, SC-ST on the complaint of the father of the victim girl in this case. The main accused of the incident has been arrested by the police team. The remaining two persons are being searched. If he is guilty, he will also be sent to jail. Police had registered a case on the complaint of the victim’s father The incident is from Kokhraj police station area. According to the complaint given by the victim’s father in the police station, his minor daughter was lured and kidnapped by a neighbour Shailendra alias Zahid. When his daughter returned, she told that the accused took her to Kanpur and along with two other people raped her in a mango orchard one after the other. The police have arrested the main accused by registering a case on the complaint of the father. Statement of Additional SP In this case, Additional SP Rajesh Kumar Singh said that a person from Kokhraj police station area had brought his daughter. He told that our girl had gone somewhere. She has returned, we do not want any action on this. On which a case of trafficking was registered in Kokhraj police station area on 24 April 2025. After this, he came again on the 27th and told that there were three people with our girl. Who raped her one after the other. On which an FIR was immediately registered. The investigation proceedings were taken forward. Also, the main accused of the incident has been arrested. The remaining two persons, if found guilty, will also be sent to jail. Courtesy : Purnima Singh,, Hindi News
The hand pump became impure… Muslims stopped a Dalit from drinking water, then beat him up after making him fall! Police started investigation
Hamirpur News: Drinking water from a government hand pump proved costly for a Dalit youth who came from a neighboring district in Hamirpur district. When he touched the hand pump to quench his thirst, the village bullies pushed him to the ground. He was also humiliated by beating him in public. On the basis of the complaint of the incident, the police has started investigating the whole matter today. Case of beating a Dalit for touching a government hand pump The village bullies humiliated the youth by calling him untouchable The police has now started investigating the whole matter Pankaj Mishra, Hamirpur: In Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh, a thirsty Dalit was beaten up badly for touching a government hand pump. He was also humiliated by calling him untouchable. On the basis of the complaint of the incident, the police has started investigating the whole matter. Police has started investigating the matter. Amit son of Chhotelal Anurag, a resident of Subhash Nagar of Kabrai town of neighbouring Mahoba district, has his maternal home in Chhani village of Binwar police station area of Hamirpur district. He was going to his maternal uncle’s house in Chhani by motorcycle. Then he felt thirsty due to heat. To quench his thirst, he stopped the motorcycle on the way outside Bibhuni village. He started operating the government hand pump to drink water. Meanwhile, Jal Muhammad son of Sayyadin, Saddam, Aziz Hasan son of Hussain Muhammad and Mushtaq son of Basir Muhammad of the same village abused him and forbade him from drinking water from the hand pump. Ignoring the bullies, he started drinking water from the hand pump and the bullies got angry. The bullies said that this hand pump has now become impure. The bullies pushed him off the hand pump and beat him up. The villagers present there were also terrified when he was beaten mercilessly after being thrown on the ground. After this incident, the humiliated Amit reached Binwar police station and gave a written complaint about the matter. He told the police that he was beaten up for drinking water from a government handpump. He was insulted by calling him untouchable. Police investigating the incident Binwar police station in-charge Dharmendra Kumar told on Wednesday that Amit Kumar, a resident of Kabrai Mahoba, has filed a complaint in the police station and accused four people of village Vibhuni of treating him as untouchable and pushing him and beating him while drinking water from a government handpump. On the basis of the complaint, the incident is being investigated. He told that action will be taken in this matter after investigation. About the author Aishwarya Kumar Rai Aishwarya Kumar Rai works as Principal Digital Content Producer in Navbharat Times Online. Hometown Gorakhpur of eastern Uttar Pradesh, where he received education from birth to school. After graduation from Delhi University, he did PG-Diploma in Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). Professional journey started with the country’s only trilingual agency UNI-Varta. Then further journey with NBT. Delhi and Lucknow are our workplaces. Courtesy: Aishwarya Kumar Rai, NBT, Hindi News