Lucknow, the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is one of the most populous city of India. Lucknow has always been a multicultural city that flourished as a North Indian cultural and artistic hub, and the seat of power of Nawabs in the 18th and 19th centuries. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 123 metres (404 ft) above sea level. Lucknow city has an area of 402 sq km.
Historically, Lucknow was the capital of the Awadh region, controlled by the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire. It was transferred to the Nawabs of Awadh. In 1856, the British East India Company abolished local rule and took complete control of the city along with the rest of Awadh and, in 1857, transferred it to the British Raj. The history of Lucknow can be traced back to the ancient times of the Suryavanshi Dynasty. It is said that Lakshmana, who was the brother of Lord Rama, laid the foundation of the ancient city. This was near the Gomti River on an elevated piece of land. It was then called Lakshmanpur.
Lucknow was considered one of the great centres of Muslim culture. The classical Indian dance form Kathak originated from Lucknow. It is known for embroidery works including chikankari, zari, zardozi, kamdani and gota making.
Lucknow is also known for its chaats, street food, kulfi, paan and sweets. Nahari, a dish prepared using mutton, is popular among non-vegetarians. Sheermal is a type of sweet bread (paratha) prepared in Lucknow. Makkhan-malai is another sweet delicacy of Lucknow made and sold only during winters. Lucknow has a total of only 5.66 percent of forest cover, which is much less than the state average of around 7 percent. Lucknow is also among the top cities of India by GDP.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Preeti Choudhry anchors the live coverage of India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations from Kartavya Path. The bulletin highlights the historic decoration of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a key member of the Gaganyaan mission, marking a significant milestone for India’s space-faring ambitions. Preeti Choudhry notes, 'It basically tells us where we want to be, where India wants to be in the committee of space-faring nations.' The programme also discusses the announcement of 131 Padma Awards for 2026, including a posthumous honour for actor Dharmendra. Joining the conversation, Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarni reflects on the pride and rigorous selection process for regiments marching in the parade. The discussion underscores the evolution of India’s military technology and the symbolic importance of gallantry award winners leading the contingents, showcasing the nation's 'brains and brawn' on the global stage.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Ashish Srivastava investigates a conversion racket operating in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur. The reporter highlights the seizure of luxury XUVs, including a black and blue vehicle and another with the registration UP638W334, which were allegedly used by the accused to lure women. Ashish Srivastava notes, 'They are using these cars, these XUVs cars for trapping the girls which are coming to gym and they are joining a gym.' The report details how the gang members lived a 'royal life' while operating between Mirzapur and Lucknow, using black-filmed windows and scarves to conceal their identities. According to the police investigation, six individuals have been arrested so far, while two others remain at large. The reporter explains that the gang specifically targeted women at local gyms, using the high-end vehicles as part of their 'Jim Jihad' operation. The investigation into the eight-member gang continues as authorities track the remaining suspects involved in this long-running racket.
On this Special Report, correspondent Amit Bhardwaj details the significant fallout of the IndiGo crisis following a Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) curtailment order. Amit Bhardwaj notes that '10% of the curtailment will now translate into 717 slots of IndiGo being freed' between January and March. This regulatory action follows the 'December mayhem' at airports, leading to financial implications and the redistribution of flight operations to other carriers like Air India, Akasa, and SpiceJet. The report highlights that 59 slots in Delhi, 12 in Mumbai, and 51 in Kolkata are among those affected. While IndiGo currently operates approximately 2,200 flights, the ministry is ensuring that destinations where IndiGo is the sole operator remain unaffected to maintain connectivity. The redistribution process to private airline operators has already commenced according to top sources in the ministry.
On this India Today special report, the focus is on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's latest remarks regarding 'love jihad'. The Chief Minister has claimed there is a deliberate conspiracy to change the state's demography by targeting young women. During his address, Adityanath stated, 'The demography in the name of love jihad, which is being played with our daughters, will be stopped.' He further emphasized the importance of making families 'cultured' to contribute to the development of a sustainable nation. The report highlights that this is not the first time the Chief Minister has raised concerns over this issue, noting that the Uttar Pradesh administration and police have previously taken strict actions in such matters. The Chief Minister's statement underscores his government's hardline stance on demographic shifts and the protection of women, framing the issue as a significant challenge to national development and social stability.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Ashish Srivastava provides details on a massive religious conversion racket allegedly operating within medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh. According to the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), several doctors are under investigation for acting as a 'conversion mafia' targeting students. Ashish Srivastava notes, 'This is a massive level conversion going on in the state of Uttar Pradesh, not only Lucknow, but Kanpur, Basti, Gorakhpur and other districts.' The report highlights that the National Medical Organisation (NMO) has submitted a list of suspects and evidence, including WhatsApp chats, to the STF. The investigation suggests a modus operandi involving social media and private gatherings to radicalise and convert Hindu girls studying in these institutions. The probe follows the arrest of Rameez Malik and mentions links to previous cases in Agra and Faridabad. The STF is currently investigating potential international links and the extent of this white-collar radicalisation network across the state.
On this India Today special report, reporter Anmol Bali provides a ground update on the 'triple trouble' currently affecting the National Capital Region. Delhi and its adjoining areas of Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad are grappling with a combination of extremely dense fog, a biting cold wave, and hazardous pollution levels. Anmol Bali notes that 'today in the morning, visibility over the Safdarjung was recorded around zero,' significantly impacting commuters. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has breached the 400 mark, slipping into the severe category and prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management to reimpose Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These restrictions include a ban on non-essential diesel trucks and all construction activities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and red alerts for various parts of the capital as temperatures dip to a minimum of 6 degrees Celsius. The programme explores the logistical challenges and health risks posed by this deteriorating weather and environmental situation.
Amidst escalating tension, Iran has now threatened to hit US bases in the region if Washington strikes Tehran.
Former Indian envoy Talmiz Ahmad analyzes escalating Iran-US tensions, providing a perspective on the ground reality in Tehran following a high-level call between Iranian and Indian foreign ministers. Ahmad notes there is 'no evidence of a pullback' from American military rhetoric and attributes widespread Iranian protests to 'extreme economic privation,' while suggesting they lack the leadership for regime change. He also critiques India's 'low-key approach' to the crisis. Domestically, the focus shifts to electoral practices, with a significant 'cash for votes' controversy in Maharashtra ahead of the BMC elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Jayesh Vani alleges widespread corruption and failure of police to act. The report also examines the broader culture of election freebies, highlighting the 'Gift Raj' in Tamil Nadu and an incident in Madhya Pradesh where gifted silver coins were found to be fake. Additionally, the bulletin covers a political storm at Lucknow's KGMU following 'love jihad' allegations and vandalism.
This ground report focuses on the escalating tensions at King George Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow following the arrest of a junior resident doctor, Rameezuddin Nayak. The doctor was arrested after a colleague accused him of sexual exploitation and 'love jihad', leading to an in-house committee recommending his dismissal. The situation intensified when a mob, allegedly led by a local political leader, vandalised university property and disrupted work at the Vice-Chancellor's office. The speaker notes that 'The damage to university property and disruption of work, no FIR has been lodged so far', which has triggered significant anger among the medical staff. While a planned strike was temporarily called off after the Vice-Chancellor met with the Chief Minister, the campus remains in a state of high tension. Medical professionals are demanding action against the politicisation of the institution and the lack of legal consequences for the vandalism, highlighting a breakdown in administrative order at one of India's respected medical institutions.
This edition of India First provides an in-depth analysis of the escalating crisis in Iran, where nationwide protests originating from economic grievances have intensified into a direct challenge against the regime.
A special report on an investigation in Lucknow and Delhi has revealed a potential link between a religious conversion case at King George Medical University (KGMU) and the Delhi Red Fort blast case. An arrested resident doctor from KGMU was allegedly in contact with an accused in the blast case. The doctor was arrested for allegedly trapping a female colleague in a conversion racket, described by police as a 'Love Jihad factory'. According to the report, a KGMU fact-finding committee expressed doubts 'that there can be some doctors in connection' with the main accused. This has led the committee to recommend that the UP Special Task Force (STF) be involved to probe what could be a 'bigger racket' of illegal conversions.
King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has issued public notices across its premises regarding an alleged religious conversion case involving accused Rameez Malik. Speaking on the matter, senior professor Dr KK Singh stated, ‘any female employee or any employee of the university, worker, student, if they have any information regarding conversion... they may give their information in a sealed envelope.’ The administration has granted a three-day window for individuals to come forward with information while promising to keep their identities concealed. A committee is currently recording statements and reviewing representations from various organisations to gather evidence. Dr Singh emphasised that while the investigation is ongoing, conclusive evidence is yet to be established. He noted that the university is taking proactive steps to ensure a thorough probe without compromising the sanctity of the investigation. The KGMU administration remains vigilant as police continue their search for the accused, Malik, who has reportedly been removed from the institution following the allegations.
The draft electoral roll for Uttar Pradesh was published on Tuesday after a special intensive revision (SIR) exercise, with 2.89 crore names having been deleted, the total voter count has come down from 15 crore to 12 crore.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in Delhi today for an hour-long discussion. During the meeting, the UP CM gifted a miniature of the Somnath Temple to the Prime Minister. India Today's Aishwarya Paliwal reports that the leaders discussed the strategy for the UP assembly elections scheduled for early 2027, aiming for a 'repeat of what we have seen happening in the state of Bihar' where the NDA secured a majority. The agenda also included a potential reshuffle of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet. Additionally, Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting with the newly appointed BJP National Working President Nitin Naveen.
On this special India Today Reality Check, the focus is on the lethal water contamination crisis gripping the nation. Following the breaking news from Indore, where 10 people have died due to poisoned water in Bhagirathpura, the report investigates similar systemic failures in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In Lucknow's Jai Prakash Nagar, residents living just one kilometre from the Chief Minister's residence describe the water as 'visibly dirty, yellow in colour and foul-smelling.' The investigation also travels to Munger's Doodhpania village, where high fluoride levels have caused skeletal deformities and claimed six lives in a year. The programme exposes broken pipelines, defunct treatment plants, and administrative apathy.
The top focus of this episode of To the Point is on Indore's contaminated water tragedy that has left 10 people dead and over 200 hospitalised.
In this report, India Today's Principal Correspondent, Ashish Srivastava details how the Uttar Pradesh government restored the home of Anjana, the daughter of a late Indian Army Major, within 24 hours. Ashish explains that Anjana, who suffers from schizophrenia, met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to complain about land mafia grabbing her Indira Nagar house using forged documents. Following the CM's directive, police arrested the accused, Balwant Kumar Yadav and Manoj Kumar Yadav. Anjana expressed her gratitude, saying, 'Thank you, Yogi uncle, and God bless you.'
In a swift act of justice, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ensured the return of an ancestral home to Anjana, the daughter of late Major Bipin Chandra Bhatt, within 24 hours. Anjana met the CM at his 5KD residence to report that land mafia Balwant Yadav had illegally occupied her Indira Nagar house (A-418) using forged documents. Following the CM's intervention, Lucknow Police arrested the accused and restored possession to Anjana. Overwhelmed, she expressed her gratitude, saying, 'Uncle, wish you a happy long life.' Reporter Ashish Srivastava provides details on the crackdown.
On this Special Report, an India Today reporter details the massive police checking drive in Lucknow's Charbagh area on the first day of the New Year. The police force is conducting thorough checks in hotels and public spaces following inputs received by the DCP West zone. The report highlights that the exercise aims to ensure safety and verify if 'everything is okay' as the new year begins. All DCPs from various zones are present to monitor the situation and gather information from all sources.
In this special report from Lucknow, an India Today reporter covers the New Year celebrations at the ancient Hanuman Setu temple. Devotees have gathered in large numbers early in the morning to start 2026 with darshan and prayers. The report highlights the festive atmosphere as people arrive from different parts of the city to seek blessings for the year ahead. The reporter speaks to devotees who express their hope for a good year and well-being for everyone. One devotee mentions, 'It will be very good and we want everything to be good in our coming year.' The visual coverage shows the crowds entering the temple to celebrate the first day of the year. The broadcast concludes with a sign-off from the temple premises, capturing the spirit of the occasion.
