Varanasi Brief: City Wins National Innovation Award Amidst Crime Crackdowns and Cultural Festivities

A Dynamic Weekend in Varanasi

As of Monday December 8 2025 Varanasi is buzzing with a potent mix of progress and challenges. The city has secured a prestigious national award for technological innovation which marks a major milestone in its modernizing journey. This comes after a weekend filled with decisive police actions cultural exchanges and intense academic activities. Together these developments paint a vivid picture of a historic city balancing urban growth law enforcement and cultural preservation.

Innovation and Recognition Varanasi Awarded for Digital Vision

For a heritage city like Varanasi recognition in technology holds strategic importance. The recent Smart City Innovation Award and the start of the Smart India Hackathon Grand Finale show how the city is blending tradition with forward looking digital solutions.

Varanasi’s digital strength was highlighted at the 19th Digital Transformation Conclave in Bhubaneswar where it received the Smart City Innovation Award 2025 for its groundbreaking 3D Urban Spatial Digital Twin project. This ambitious initiative created a 360 degree 3D model of 160 square kilometers. Former Municipal Commissioner Akshat Verma Smart City Chief Manager Amarendra Tiwari and Project Head Santosh Tripathi accepted the honor.

Adding to the city’s rising tech credentials the Smart India Hackathon 2025 Hardware Grand Finale began today at Banaras Hindu University. Organized under the Atal Incubation Centre and IMS BHU the event will see 142 participants work on challenges related to marine resources water supply and rural sanitation.

Even as technology and intellect drive the city ahead its police force remains focused on maintaining public safety.

Law and Order Police Crackdown Across the District

Throughout the weekend police teams across Varanasi carried out several operations aimed at reducing criminal activity. These actions ranged from busting financial fraud to dismantling illegal liquor networks. Many key interventions took place in the Chaubepur area indicating special focus from law enforcement.

Embezzlement Arrest

In a significant breakthrough police arrested Aryan Jaiswal a wanted suspect in a multi crore embezzlement case linked to the Swarved Mahamandir Trust in Chaubepur. He allegedly used forged bank slips to siphon funds. He was caught near the temple where he had gone to meet a Baba out of fear of being arrested. Sub Inspector Vikas Maurya Head Constable Abhishek Singh and Constable Ashok Yadav made the arrest.

Illegal Liquor Raid

A joint team of police and the excise department raided an illegal liquor setup in Kanjad Basti Chaubepur. Two individuals Mithun Karwal and Vishwajeet Basak were arrested. Officials seized twenty liters of illegal liquor and manufacturing equipment.

Political Rally Halted

Police stopped a planned Congress awareness rally in Chaubepur. Congress District Vice President Ashok Kumar Singh Advocate was placed under house arrest. He called it an attempt to silence the opposition and undermine democratic values.

Assault Case Filed

In Dharsauna village of Cholaipur an assault case was registered after Aanchal Rai son of Teju Rajbhar alleged that Usha Devi Pinki and Rinki attacked him following disagreements over a settlement. Sub Inspector Chandan Kumar is investigating the case.

Cultural and Spiritual Convergence The Kashi Tamil Sangamam

The Kashi Tamil Sangamam continues to strengthen ancient cultural scholarly and spiritual ties between northern and southern India. With Varanasi as its focal point the event fosters meaningful dialogue and cultural understanding.

On Sunday the fourth delegation of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam visited the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple. They were welcomed with flower petals and Vedic chants before touring the newly built corridor. Their visit ended with prasad distribution at the Annakshetra.

Meanwhile the third academic session of the Sangamam was held at BHU. The session focused on the long standing relationship between Kashi and Tamil Nadu. Speakers included Amitabh Bhattacharya Professor Sadanand Shahi Professor Sishir Basu Professor A Gangadharan and Dr Thulsiraman.

Transport and City Life Navigating Fog and Festivities

The winter season in Varanasi often brings heavy fog which affects travel plans even as tourist activity picks up.

Flight Diversion

An Akasa Air flight QP 1546 traveling from Mumbai to Prayagraj with 186 passengers was diverted to Varanasi due to heavy fog in Prayagraj. The flight landed safely at 4.27 PM refueled and departed for Prayagraj around 6 PM once visibility improved.

Flight Operations Normalizing

Passengers at Varanasi airport experienced relief as IndiGo’s operations began returning to normal. Pune flight 6E497 and Mumbai flight 6E5123 both arrived and departed on schedule.

Special Trains

To handle the increased passenger load Indian Railways is operating two special trains on Monday. Train 04205 will run from New Delhi to Varanasi and train 08761 will run from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Durg.

At Pahadiya market the arrival of the Apple Ber a large juicy variety of jujube created buzz among shoppers. The fruit weighs between fifty to one hundred grams and is five times larger than the native variety.

Community Health and Rural Concerns

Community health and agriculture play an essential role in Varanasi’s overall development. Recent updates highlight both proactive measures and emerging worries.

A CPR training workshop was held at BHU’s Integrated Rural Development Center where Professor Kuldeep Kumar Pandey taught rural women and students life saving techniques through hands on practice.

In the Chiraiyagaon block an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in cattle has caused concern. Veterinary Officer Dr R A Chaudhary confirmed infections in animals brought from outside areas. Farmers have been advised to sanitize sheds with potassium permanganate solution and isolate affected animals.

Academia in Focus BHU and Kashi Vidyapith Updates

Varanasi’s universities continue to thrive as hubs of academic discussion and global engagement.

Professor Amit Nandandhar Dwivedi Head of Radiology at IMS BHU was honored with an invitation to lecture at the Radiological Society of North America conference in Chicago where he presented his research on Trigeminal Neuralgia.

At BHU’s Malaviya Bhavan Professor Subroto Bhattacharya delivered a lecture explaining the concept of divine sight divya drishti as described in the Gita.

BHU is preparing to host an international conference on natural product research from December 9 to 11. Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith will host the 68th national convention of the Association for English Studies of India from January 10 to 12.

Examination schedules have been announced at Kashi Vidyapith. MA Economics third semester exams will be held from December 15 to 22 and MAJMC third semester exams began on December 5.

In Memoriam Sub Inspector Naval Singh

The Varanasi police department is mourning the loss of Sub Inspector Naval Singh who passed away on Sunday during treatment at a private hospital in Lucknow. He was fifty five years old and a resident of Prayagraj district. He had been serving at Kapsethi police station since 2023. His passing has brought deep sorrow to the police force.