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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 3:50:26 am

Kolhapur cop sets new standard for investigations

Yogesh Kumar Gupta Kolhapur: When a police officer takes genuine interest in securing justice for citizens duped in financial fraud, investigations can move swiftly enough to lift the crushing burden off affected families. Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Yogesh Kumar Gupta has demonstrated precisely that. His firm and sensitive handling of a cheating case ensured relief for Akshay Deepak Dhale, a young entrepreneur from Kolhapur who had fallen prey to a Rajkot-based company that allegedly...

Kolhapur cop sets new standard for investigations

Yogesh Kumar Gupta Kolhapur: When a police officer takes genuine interest in securing justice for citizens duped in financial fraud, investigations can move swiftly enough to lift the crushing burden off affected families. Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Yogesh Kumar Gupta has demonstrated precisely that. His firm and sensitive handling of a cheating case ensured relief for Akshay Deepak Dhale, a young entrepreneur from Kolhapur who had fallen prey to a Rajkot-based company that allegedly promised to secure large government loans for business expansion. Gupta’s intervention compelled company representatives to travel to Kolhapur and assure repayment of the money collected, effectively forcing them onto the back foot. Dhale, a resident of Sadar Bazaar, had dreamt of expanding his late father’s small printing business after losing him during the Covid-19 pandemic. Lured by promises of securing a multi-crore loan under a Central government scheme, he transferred ₹69 lakh — raised from nearly 15 friends and relatives — to the company’s account. The loan, however, never materialised. When Dhale began making inquiries, he was met with evasive responses. The financial shock left the family devastated. Initial attempts to seek police help reportedly went nowhere, with the matter labelled as “non-criminal” and dismissed at the preliminary stage. Acting on advice, the family approached the district police chief directly. Gupta’s decisive stand altered the course of the case, leading to concrete assurances of refund from the company. However, a far larger challenge now looms before the Kolhapur police chief. Across Kolhapur — and reportedly other parts of Maharashtra — several Marathi youths claim to have been duped by a Morbi-based businessman who allegedly promises to set up “innovative” enterprises for aspiring entrepreneurs. The scale of the alleged fraud runs into crores of rupees. The businessman, said to be linked to a major tile industry in Morbi, is accused of luring youngsters through social media promotions and advertorials in prominent English dailies. Contracts are structured to appear transparent and legitimate. Prospective entrepreneurs are promised exclusive access to novel business models, often involving products sourced from Chinese markets, complete with projected marketing strategies and attractive feature lists. According to victims, payments are collected upfront, but the products eventually supplied lack the promised specifications and hold negligible market value. Several youths across Maharashtra are believed to have suffered losses. Those who have confronted the accused allege they were threatened with defamation suits and warned that a team of “expert lawyers” would ensure their financial and reputational ruin if complaints were filed. While some victims have resigned themselves to debt and despair, others who attempted to pursue police complaints claim they were turned away. For many of these young entrepreneurs, SP Yogesh Kumar Gupta represents a ray of hope. If he chooses to take up the matter with the same resolve demonstrated earlier, it could not only restore faith among affected youths but also send a strong deterrent message to fraudsters operating under the guise of innovation-driven enterprise.

Embracing a Healthier Life with Yoga

Health is our first wealth—without it, material success feels hollow. Yoga is the key to balance, strength, and true well-being in today’s chaotic world.

International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21st, an initiative started by our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The reserved theme this year is 'Yoga for one Earth, one health'. The word 'yoga' comes from the Sanskrit 'yuj', meaning 'to join' or 'to unite'. "Maharshi Patanjali, known as the Father of Yoga, was the first to outline its core teachings and true purpose. Ancient texts also refer to Lord Shiva as Adi Yogi, the first yogi.


We often hear the phrase ‘Health is Wealth’, but are we doing enough to convert our health into ultimate wealth? Here are a few handy tips to achieve a healthy body and mind.


Scientific studies have shown that practicing yoga offers numerous physical and mental benefits, including stress relief, better sleep, pain reduction, increased stamina, and overall well-being.


A healthy body and mind are as valuable as money. True luxury and happiness lie in having a healthy life, not in accumulating wealth or materialistic possessions. Both go hand in hand; one without the other seems completely incomplete. Material success appears to be hollow without good health. You can only make good use of wealth when you are physically and mentally fit, as health is undoubtedly our greatest asset.


In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining good health calls for conscious effort and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Challenges like hectic schedules, stress, and constant distractions are real and cannot be ignored. But it’s essential to address them by making time for regular exercise, balanced eating, quality sleep, and effective stress management. Prioritising these habits greatly enhances overall well-being.


To make yoga part of your daily routine, start with small, manageable steps. Consistency is key—simple poses and breathing techniques can make a lasting difference.


Key tips to begin yoga

Set a regular time and place: Choose a time and place that suits you best and stick to the schedule without distraction and disruption.


Take small steps, but be consistent: Even a few minutes of yoga are beneficial. Consistency is more important than duration. Progress gradually helps build up the duration and complexity slowly as you become more confident and tenacious. Setting overly ambitious goals at the start may lead to setbacks.


Learn basic pose: To begin with, learn basic poses rather than going for complex ones, as they demand enormous flexibility, which would be possible only after a certain time. Choose poses that resonate with you and that you enjoy doing.


Breathing techniques: Incorporating breathing techniques like pranayama is highly beneficial.


Make it a habit: As part of your daily habit, include yoga to energise your body and mind.


Embrace mindfulness: Practice self-awareness and meditation for your overall well-being. Meditation is a form of mental exercise. End your day with a few minutes of meditation before sleep.


Importance of Yoga: To truly reap its benefits, it is essential to adopt and practice yoga daily. In today’s stressful world, it is highly recommended for people of all ages to maintain physical, mental, and emotional well-being. A key aspect of yoga is its ability to train the mind, helping individuals harness their full potential and manage emotional imbalances effectively.


Benefits of Yoga

Over the years, life has become more stressful and chaotic because of economic pressures, societal expectations, constant social media, negativity, changing family dynamics, poor work-life balance, and technology overuse.


Yoga offers a holistic approach with clear physical benefits—better flexibility, balance, strength, stamina, energy, improved breathing, and support for pain and weight management.


Emotionally, it eases stress and anxiety, improves sleep, sharpens focus, and boosts self-awareness, memory, and overall mental health.


Its power and benefits are vast, cutting across all age groups. Yoga is a timeless gift for well-being—a tool to live fully and freely.


Health is our greatest asset, often appreciated only after it’s lost. So this International Yoga Day, make an unbreakable commitment to adopt, practice, and prioritise your health.


Stay healthy and well.


Happy International Yoga Day!


(The writer is an educator based in Thane.)

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