Kumbh pilgrim dies as bus catches fire in UP's Firozabad
Firozabad (UP) (PTI): A 33-yea-old man from Rajasthan returning from Maha Kumbh died after a bus he was travelling in caught fire on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway here Firozabad district in the early hours of Saturday, police said.
According to the police, other passengers are safe.
Superintendent of Police (City) Ravi Shankar Prasad said the passengers had gone to attend the Maha Kumbh. After taking a dip at the Sangam, they went to Ayodhya for darshan and were returning from there.
Pawan Sharma, from Rajasthan's Nagaur, was among the 52 passengers on board the ill-fated bus, the police said.
On Friday night, the bus left for Nagaur from Ayodhya. On the Lucknow-Agra Expressway at around 4 am, the vehicle caught fire, he said.
All the other passengers immediately got off the bus. However, Sharma who was sleeping when the incident happened, got stuck inside and died.
The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, the police said, adding that all the passengers were sent to their respective destinations by another bus.
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Passing out parade held at IMA Dehradun, 491 young officers join Indian Army
Dehradun(PTI): After undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, 491 cadets participated in a grand Passing Out Parade on Saturday and will now be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army.
The spectacular parade, held at the historic Drill Square in front of the academy's Chatwood Building, was reviewed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who served as the reviewing officer.
Along with 491 Indian cadets, 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly countries also participated in the Autumn Term 2025 Passing Out Parade.
A total of 525 officer cadets from the 157th Regular Course, 46th Technical Entry Scheme, 140th Technical Graduate Course, 55th Special Commissioned Officers Course, and Territorial Army Online Entrance Exam 2023 Course participated in the Passing Out Parade.
The 'Sword of Honour' and gold medal for securing first place during training was awarded to ACA Nishkal Dwivedi, the silver medal to BUO Badal Yadav for second place, and the bronze medal to SUO Kamaljeet Singh for third place.
The silver medal for securing first place in the 'Technical Graduate Course' was awarded to Officer Cadet Jadhav Sujit Sampat, and the silver medal for first place in the 'Technical Entry Scheme-46' was awarded to WCC Abhinav Mehrotra.
The silver medal for the 'Special Commission Officer Course' was given to Officer Cadet Sunil Kumar Chhetri.
Among the foreign cadets, the first place in merit was secured by JUO Mohammad Safin Ashraf from Bangladesh. The Army Chief's Banner for overall best performance in the Autumn Term was awarded to Imphal Company.
As the parade concluded, helicopters showered flowers on the newly commissioned officers from the sky.
On this occasion, General Dwivedi congratulated the new officers in his address for successfully completing their training. He praised the young officers for their high level of discipline, leadership qualities, and endurance, and urged them to uphold the glorious traditions of the Indian Army and serve the nation with loyalty, commitment, and honour.
General Dwivedi said that joining the army marks the beginning of a lifelong duty and selfless service.
The parents and guardians of the newly commissioned officers were also present during the passing out parade.
