Haridwar, Jan 31- The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela is providing ample opportunities to unemployed youth here to make quick bucks.

While some unemployed youth have devised ingenious ways to earn money themselves during what is perhaps the largest religious gathering in the world, others have been hired by "established shopkeepers" to cater to the rush of customers from around the globe.

Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Jan 14 : Devotees have gathered in large numbers for the Maha Kumbh Mela that began in Haridwar on Thursday morning on the auspicious occasion of ''Makar Sakranti''.

Despite severe cold and fog, over 25 lakh people are expected to gather at Har-ki-Pouri for a holy dip.

Officials claimed that around eight lakh people have already reached Haridwar.

The Deputy Fair Officer of the Maha Kumbh Mela, Harvinder Singh said the people of different religions are here to witness the Maha Kumbh.

Haridwar, Jan 9 : Preparations are in full swing in Haridwar for the Kumbha Mela, the largest religious gathering of Hindus in the world.

Over 10 million people are expected to arrive in the city to participate in the event, starting January 14.

Officials claimed that all preparations are done and the city is ready to welcome pilgrims from all cross the globe.

Vardhan, a special fair officer, said that the renovation of roads is done and adequate measures are taken to ensure smooth supply of drinking water and electricity.

Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Nov 20 : Security has been beefed up at Har Ki Pauri, a sacred ghat on the banks of river Ganges, ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela.

During the ''Maha Kumbh Mela, Har Ki Pauri will be one of the main sites where pilgrims will converge to take dip in the holy river Ganges to wash away their sins.

Slated for January 2010, the festival is celebrated once in every 12 years and some 10 million people are expected to converge at Haridwar.

Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Nov 18 : The ''Maha Kumbh Mela'' or the Great pitcher festival, celebrated once in every 12 years, here is expected to attract 10 million people.

Satpal Brahmachari, former chairman of the city board, says that the authorities are not utilizing the funds given by the government for the preparations of the festival properly.

Can you persuade tourists to shell out Rs 6,000 per night for a room in a hotel that does not serve non-vegetarian food and liquor?

It may be difficult to imagine, but many willingly part with such sums in the holy town of Haridwar during the Kumbh mela.

Kumbh Mela starts on January 14 and ends on April 28. Three months in advance, all the rooms are booked, at Haveli Hari Ganga, a Heritage hotel located on Ram Ghat in one of Haridwar’s congested lanes.

Haridwar, Aug 31: Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said that BJP leaders LK Advani and Rajnath Singh will decide on their role within the party.

Talking to reporters here, Bhagwat said, "Rajnathji, Advaniji and others will decide on their role in the party. Everything will be fine in the BJP in future."

"There are people with moral standing like Advani and under their guidance, they will solve all problems. We have nothing to do with this," he added

World number one bearings maker SKF plans to invest Rs 150 crore in a new ball bearings manufacturing plant at Haridwar, located in the northern state of Uttarakhand.

The proposed plant at Haridwar would be company's fifth unit in the country, which will supply products to companies like Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra & Mahindra.

In addition, the facility will also supply ball-bearings to Tata Motors for its Pantnagar plant and Bajaj Auto for its Rudrapur facility at a later stage.

Haridwar, Apr 14: Despite having voting rights, millions of voters in Uttarakhand are facing an uncertain future over the domicile issue.

The Election Commission (EC) has given nearly four million voters voting rights, but people are still unclear about their domicile rights.

Swami Chimianand, the coordinator of Jan Manch (a Non-governmental organization), said the domicile issue would lead to problems in day-to-day life.

Haridwar, Apr 2 : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama lauded the principle of non-violence, propagated by Mahatma Gandhi, terming it as essential in today''s world.

"The concept of non-violence is relevant in today''s world. Today''s world, where there is lot of division, lot of hatred, including terrorism, in such a world, we really need the concept of non-violence. It is very essential," he said in an address to a gathering of religious leaders here.

Haridwar, Dec 18 : Mauritian President Anerood Jugnauth, who is currently on a visit to India, has condemned terrorism and terror activities terming it as a barbaric act, which should be fought.

Speaking to mediapersons on Wednesday at Haridwar where he had gone to offer prayers, Jugnauth said that terrorism is a barbaric act which indiscriminately kills the innocents.

"Who will like terrorism, nobody except the terrorists? We condemn it, it is barbarous, it is horrible, taking away lives of innocent people. I think the world should unite to fight this heinous crime and get rid of terrorism once for all," he added.

Accompanied by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Jugnauth also met yoga guru Baba Ramdev.

SKF India, the largest supplier of automotive bearings, has announced the postponement of its new manufacturing facility at Haridwar, which was to be set up at a cost of Rs 150 crore. 

Rakesh Makhija, Managing Director, SKF India stated “We have decided to postpone work at the Haridwar plant due to a slowdown in market demand. However, there is not much impact on the demand for industrial products and our Rs 300-crore investment in the other plant at Ahmedabad, which will make equipment for the industrial sector, is on track. The plant will be operational next year.”

Haridwar, July 18 : Security has been beefed up in Haridwar ahead of the ''Monsoon Festival'' during which thousands of pilgrims set out to carry water from the river Ganges to offer it to temples of the God Shiva. 

Security personnel have been deployed and armed men with sniffer dog’s are doing rounds ahead of the festival.

According to the district administration, a large number of pilgrims are coming here from all parts of the country.

Promoters of Amara Raja Batteries (ARBL) has decided to frame up a holding company, which represents six companies comprising Amara Raja Infra, in an offer to sell equity stake to foreign investors.

Johnson Controls, which has a 26% stake in ARBL, the only listed company in the group.

Jayadev Galla, managing director, Amara Raja Batteries, said that the holding company would be the initial step in promoting the group towards international investors, though no instant plans have been prepared in this regard.

Haridwar, May 5 : Millions of Hindus took a holy dip in the River Ganges here on Monday, on the occasion of "Somvati Amavasya", an important Hindu festival.

Worshippers began converging along the banks of the Ganges at Sunday midnight.

"People get rid of their sins by taking a dip on Somvati Amavasya day. This dip ensures that our ancestors rest in peace," claimed Shyamlal Mishra, a priest.

Though "Amavasya" occurs every month, Hindus believe it to be the most auspicious when it falls on a Monday.

The country's top motorcycle-maker Hero Honda Motors Limited has unveiled its plan to invest an additional Rs 150 crore by the end of the year in its new facility in Haridwar to raise capacity.

The Haridwar plant, company’s third in the country, spread over 275 acres, will have an initial installed capacity of 5 lakh units and will be scaled up to 10 lakh units by the end of the year. Earlier, the company has invested Rs 450 crore in the plant.