In the spiritually charged atmosphere of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, a towering figure draped in saffron robes and adorned with a rudraksha mala is drawing the eyes of many. Known affectionately as “Muscular Baba,” Atma Prem Giri Maharaj, a seven-foot-tall monk from Russia, has become one of the focal points of this massive gathering.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, a grand spiritual assembly on the banks of the Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers—hosts millions of pilgrims from all over the world. Among them, Atma Prem Giri Maharaj stands out not only for his height but also for his impressive physique, reminiscent of Lord Parshuram, a warrior avatar of Lord Vishnu known for his strength.

Originally from Russia, Giri embraced Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma three decades ago. Formerly a teacher, he now dedicates his life to the promotion of Hindu teachings, residing in Nepal and participating in religious communities like the Juna Akhara, a prominent Hindu monastic order.

A recent photo of him posted on Instagram showing his robust form has captured the public’s imagination, garnering much attention and praise, epitomized by chants of “Har Har Mahadev” in the comments.

The Maha Kumbh also features other notable ascetics such as Abhey Singh, an ex-aerospace engineer from Haryana, now known as “IIT Baba,” who swapped his scientific pursuits for a spiritual path. Additionally, Mahant Rajpuri Ji Maharaj, affectionately called “Kabootar Wale Baba” (the Pigeon Saint), is another figure attracting attention with his unique companion, a pigeon named Hari Puri, symbolizing his commitment to peace and kindness.

As the Maha Kumbh continues, these diverse stories of faith and dedication enrich the tapestry of this ancient festival, illustrating the universal appeal and transformative power of spiritual life.

Also read: Ramesh Kumar Manjhi aka Kaante Wale Baba draws crowds at Maha Kumbh

As the political temperature in Delhi heats up with the upcoming elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has affirmed its commitment to continue the welfare schemes initiated by the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This announcement was part of BJP’s recently unveiled manifesto, which was immediately met with skepticism by AAP’s chief, Arvind Kejriwal.

During the release of BJP’s three-part ‘Sankalp Patra’, which focuses on women’s welfare, Union Minister JP Nadda outlined plans that include financial support for women, young mothers, and senior citizens, along with subsidies for cooking gas cylinders. However, Kejriwal seized on these promises to question the BJP’s rationale for asking for votes if their plan only mirrors existing schemes.

Kejriwal’s response was sharp, especially on social media where he pointed out that even BJP members’ families benefit from the welfare policies his government implemented. He provocatively asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved of the BJP’s promise of continuing ‘free revdi’—a term Modi used pejoratively to describe AAP’s freebie culture. Kejriwal demanded Modi to acknowledge that these initiatives were beneficial rather than detrimental.

Moreover, the AAP leader criticized the BJP for lacking a substantive plan for Delhi, particularly in addressing the law-and-order situation, which he referred to amid discussions of ongoing gang conflicts in the region. He dismissed the BJP’s manifesto as a mere replication of AAP’s policies without original vision.

The BJP, through Delhi chief Virendra Sachdeva, retorted by accusing Kejriwal of misunderstanding the difference between mere handouts and actual empowerment. Sachdeva emphasized that BJP’s vision encompasses comprehensive development and empowerment, contrasting it with AAP’s approach.

Nadda, during the manifesto release, also targeted the AAP for alleged corruption, especially criticizing the Mohalla Clinics as corrupt institutions, promising investigations if BJP is elected.

As the electoral battle in Delhi intensifies, both parties continue to spar over the implications of their policies, each trying to sway the electorate with promises of better governance and accusations of inadequate leadership.

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh is preparing to marry Priya Saroj, a Member of Parliament representing the Samajwadi Party. Several reports indicated that the couple recently got engaged and are projected to marry soon, although the specific date has not been disclosed.

Rinku has a close relationship with Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders. In a lighthearted conversation, Rinku mentioned that Khan playfully inquired about his marriage plans, even promising to attend and dance at his wedding.

There has been no official announcement from either the cricketer or the Member of Parliament regarding their engagement. However, a viral post on X has circulated claims about the engagement, stating, “Rinku Singh gets engaged to Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj. Many congratulations to them!”

Priya Saroj, who serves as an MP from Machhali Shahar, is the daughter of Tufani Saroj, a three-time MP and current MLA. Before launching her political career, Priya was a practising lawyer.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, she achieved a significant victory over BJP candidate BP Saroj, winning by a margin of 35,850 votes. This accomplishment made her the second-youngest elected member of the lower house of Parliament. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delhi and a Bachelor of Laws from Amity University in Noida.

Rinku Singh was included as a travelling reserve in India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad. Despite not being a regular player for the national team, he has been selected for the upcoming T20I series against England, which kicks off on January 22.

Although he had a modest IPL season, scoring 168 runs at an average of 18.67, his team triumphed in securing their third title. Overall, Rinku has played 30 T20Is for India, accumulating 507 runs, along with 2 ODIs where he has scored 55 runs. Renowned for his ability to perform under pressure, Rinku has frequently impressed with his explosive batting capabilities.