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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.

Varanasi: A Journey That Touches the Soul

A visit to culturally rich Varanasi brought discoveries—food, history, rituals—but beyond all of it, the city touched something deeper within us.

Varanasi had long been on my wish list—one of those places my heart wanted to revisit, this time with my family. When I mentioned it at home, my daughter’s eyes lit up, and soon the three of us decided on a winter trip. January is one of the best months to experience the city, so on the 15th, we set off, wrapped in crisp winter air and a calm, peaceful mood.


With nearly 25 years in the tourism industry, planning the trip felt effortless. We chose a comfortable 3-star hotel near the Ganga, complete with a warm in-house restaurant for hearty breakfasts. I contacted our trusted guide, Sanmegh, who readily agreed to join us. A good local guide is invaluable in a city as culturally rich as Varanasi, especially since my last visit was years ago—before the Kashi Vishwanath reconstruction and the post-COVID transformations. This time, I wanted to experience the city more deeply, and with Sanmegh’s insight, we rediscovered Varanasi in its full spiritual splendour.


Varanasi—also known as Banaras or Kashi—is one of the world’s oldest living cities. Resting on the sacred Ganga, its history spans thousands of years, with scriptures mentioning Kashi as early as the first millennium BCE. Nearby lies Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon, marked by Ashoka’s Lion Capital. The city’s spiritual identity deepened in the 8th century when Adi Shankaracharya formalised Shiva worship here. Over time, Varanasi grew into a centre of the Bhakti movement, home to saints like Kabir, Ravidas, and Tulsidas.


The ghats of Varanasi reveal life’s deepest truths. Dashashwamedh, Panchganga, Harishchandra, and above all Manikarnika—the eternal cremation ghat—reflect the fragile beauty of existence. It is believed that Lord Shiva blesses the departed here, granting them moksha, or liberation. Standing there, watching the rituals unfold, you become aware of life’s impermanence and the quiet truth that returning to nature is our final, peaceful chapter.


The city glows with countless temples—Kashi Vishwanath, Sankat Mochan, the Durga Temple, and many hidden gems tucked into narrow lanes. We visited the mysterious 40-foot-deep Pita Maheshwar Linga, the legendary Chandrakoop (the Well of Death), the powerful Vrieshwar Temple, the sacred Lolark Kund, and even saw the rare northward flow of the Ganga. Varanasi was also home to Maharshi Patanjali, the father of yoga and Ayurveda, making it a wellspring of ancient Indian knowledge. Even today, the 750-year-old Sapt Rishi Aarti continues—an unbroken chain of devotion.


Our five to six days in Varanasi were filled with discoveries—food, culture, history, rituals, stories—but beyond all of it, the city touched something deeper within us. Varanasi makes you meet yourself. Even amid thousands, there were moments when silence felt louder than the crowd. Walking past Manikarnika Ghat reminded us that life is both precious and temporary. At the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, we felt God’s presence—quiet yet powerful. Varanasi shows that whether rich or poor, everyone comes here seeking peace, meaning, and liberation.


Standing by the Ganga, watching her calm and dignified flow, we realised that life is beautiful—and that even its ending is just another gentle transition.


Banaras also delighted us with its flavours. The city’s mostly vegetarian street food is full of warmth—kachori with chana sabzi, golgappa, malai toast, palak patta chaat, samosa chaat, tamatar chaat, aloo tikki, chuda muttar, and every kind of paratha. Sweet lovers are spoilt with malaiyo, laal peda, jalebi-rabri, Banarasi lassi, thandai, kullad chai, and of course, the iconic Banarasi paan. We also indulged in shopping—pure Banarasi silk sarees, beautiful handicrafts, and metalwork from Thatheri Bazar and Dalmandi added to the experience.


Another unique tradition here is bhang, offered as prasad to Lord Shiva. Symbolising purity and surrender, bhang thandai is especially famous and deeply woven into the city’s spiritual culture.


Varanasi is where the past and present walk hand in hand. It teaches you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with life’s deeper purpose. This journey brought us closer to ourselves, to our beliefs, and to the truths that shape our lives.


One of my dreams was to take my daughter to Varanasi and show her the sacred places that form the foundation of our culture. I believe the next generation must understand their spiritual roots. This trip was my gift to her after her 12th standard. Watching her absorb the stories, rituals, and history filled my heart. She returned with a deeper connection to our heritage—something no classroom or textbook can teach.


And that is why Varanasi is not just a destination.


It is an experience—a blessing—that stays with you forever.

 

(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)

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