Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday (Oct 16) as he headed to Connaught Place for the party's 'Lehra Do Tiranga' event, scheduled for 5 pm today.&nbsp;A police official informed Dipke that restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force in the area and said he was being detained.&nbsp;Earlier in the day, Delhi Police had urged Dipke to call off the proposed gathering, citing concerns over traffic congestion, public safety and potential inconvenience to traders and commuters. The police also issued him a notice asking him to comply with the restrictions in force.&nbsp;Speaking to news agency ANI, New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma confirmed that a notice had been issued to Dipke under the Delhi Police Act. He appealed to people to abide by the district's restrictions.&nbsp;"See, as informed, Section 163 of the BNSS is imposed in the New Delhi district, under which whatever restrictions exist, they are in place. Therefore, everyone is appealed to follow the law," Sharma quoted as saying.&nbsp;Explaining the notice, the DCP said the police had informed Dipke about the restrictions and the possible impact of the gathering on Connaught Place, particularly during the festive season.&nbsp;He said the move was intended to ensure compliance with the law and prevent inconvenience in the busy commercial area.&nbsp;Neha Bora, a 29-year-old AISA leader, was also detained near Delhi's Jantar Mantar as authorities cracked down on protests led youth movement over the weekend.<h2>Security tightened at Connaught Place</h2>Delhi Police intensified security at Connaught Place ahead of the CJP's planned rally. Heavy security was deployed inside Central Park near Gate No. 1, while Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel were stationed near Gate No. 2 of Palika Bazaar.&nbsp;Separately, Delhi Police shared a post on X highlighting the importance of respecting the national flag. The police said the Tricolour deserved the highest respect and urged people to reflect patriotism through their actions.&nbsp;"Respect the Flag. Uphold the Pride," the post read.&nbsp;The proposed rally comes after CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were arrested and remanded to five days of judicial custody. Both are currently lodged in Tihar Jail in New Delhi.

Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke ahead of the party's 'Lehra Do Tiranga' rally at Connaught Place, citing restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS and concerns over public safety and traffic disruption.

Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday (Oct 16) as he headed to Connaught Place for the party's 'Lehra Do Tiranga' event, scheduled for 5 pm today. A police official informed Dipke that restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force in the area and said he was being detained. Earlier in the day, Delhi Police had urged Dipke to call off the proposed gathering, citing concerns over traffic congestion, public safety and potential inconvenience to traders and commuters. The police also issued him a notice asking him to comply with the restrictions in force. Speaking to news agency ANI, New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma confirmed that a notice had been issued to Dipke under the Delhi Police Act. He appealed to people to abide by the district's restrictions. "See, as informed, Section 163 of the BNSS is imposed in the New Delhi district, under which whatever restrictions exist, they are in place. Therefore, everyone is appealed to follow the law," Sharma quoted as saying. Explaining the notice, the DCP said the police had informed Dipke about the restrictions and the possible impact of the gathering on Connaught Place, particularly during the festive season. He said the move was intended to ensure compliance with the law and prevent inconvenience in the busy commercial area. Neha Bora, a 29-year-old AISA leader, was also detained near Delhi's Jantar Mantar as authorities cracked down on protests led youth movement over the weekend. Security tightened at Connaught Place Delhi Police intensified security at Connaught Place ahead of the CJP's planned rally. Heavy security was deployed inside Central Park near Gate No. 1, while Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel were stationed near Gate No. 2 of Palika Bazaar. Separately, Delhi Police shared a post on X highlighting the importance of respecting the national flag. The police said the Tricolour deserved the highest respect and urged people to reflect patriotism through their actions. "Respect the Flag. Uphold the Pride," the post read. The proposed rally comes after CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were arrested and remanded to five days of judicial custody. Both are currently lodged in Tihar Jail in New Delhi.

Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke ahead of the party's 'Lehra Do Tiranga' rally at Connaught Place, citing restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS and concerns over public safety and traffic disruption.

Abhijeet Dipke, Neha Bora detained as CJP protesters gather for Tiranga Yatra at Connaught Place

Delhi's Connaught Place—commonly referred to as CP—is often called the heart of Delhi. With its distinctive white colonial-style buildings arranged in a circular pattern, CP is one of India’s most iconic commercial hubs

Who owns Connaught Place? Know its history and what makes it iconic

A 45-year-old homeless&nbsp;man died after being hit by a car and dragged by it for at least&nbsp;10 metres in the Indian capital's&nbsp;Connaught Place, reported news agency PTI.&nbsp;

Shivam Dubey, 28, who was identified as the driver of the car, escaped after allegedly&nbsp;committing the murder. Police got hold of Dubey with the help of CCTV footage.

The homeless man, identified as Lekhraj was reportedly rushed to the&nbsp;hospital but&nbsp;was declared dead on arrival.&nbsp;

According to the police, Dubey is&nbsp;from the Indian state of&nbsp;Madhya Pradesh and&nbsp;borrowed the car from a friend in South Delhi’s Mahipalpur to pay a visit to an acquaintance in Connaught Place.

While returning around 3:25 pm (local time), the car hit Lekhraj, a homeless man, who was trying to cross the road near Barakhamba Radial Road.&nbsp;

The report by PTI citing an&nbsp;anonymous source said&nbsp;that the homeless man got stuck under the car’s wheels, but Dubey mercilessly kept driving.

Dubey's car allegedly dragged&nbsp;Lekhraj for around 10 metres, after which the accused&nbsp;took off. According to the police, Dubey returned the car to his friend.&nbsp;

The accused is currently in&nbsp;police custody under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Police also asserted that the car involved in the accident has been impounded, and an&nbsp;investigation is underway.

<h2>Road accidents&nbsp;in New&nbsp;Delhi</h2>

Car accidents are not&nbsp;an uncommon issue&nbsp;in the Indian capital. According to the&nbsp;‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2022’ report, New Delhi recorded the highest number of road accidents in the country.&nbsp;

As of May 15, 2024, 518&nbsp;people lost their lives in over 510&nbsp;fatal crashes in the Indian&nbsp;capital, according to data shared by the Delhi police.

(With inputs from agencies)

A 45-year-old homeless man died after being hit by a car and dragged by it for at least 10 metres in the Indian capital's Connaught Place, reported news agency PTI.

A 45-year-old homeless man died after being hit by a car and dragged by it for at least 10 metres in the Indian capital's Connaught Place, reported news agency PTI. Shivam Dubey, 28, who was identified as the driver of the car, escaped after allegedly committing the murder. Police got hold of Dubey with the help of CCTV footage. The homeless man, identified as Lekhraj was reportedly rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival. According to the police, Dubey is from the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and borrowed the car from a friend in South Delhi’s Mahipalpur to pay a visit to an acquaintance in Connaught Place. While returning around 3:25 pm (local time), the car hit Lekhraj, a homeless man, who was trying to cross the road near Barakhamba Radial Road. The report by PTI citing an anonymous source said that the homeless man got stuck under the car’s wheels, but Dubey mercilessly kept driving. Dubey's car allegedly dragged Lekhraj for around 10 metres, after which the accused took off. According to the police, Dubey returned the car to his friend. The accused is currently in police custody under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police also asserted that the car involved in the accident has been impounded, and an investigation is underway. Road accidents in New Delhi Car accidents are not an uncommon issue in the Indian capital. According to the ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2022’ report, New Delhi recorded the highest number of road accidents in the country. As of May 15, 2024, 518 people lost their lives in over 510 fatal crashes in the Indian capital, according to data shared by the Delhi police. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Homeless man dies after being hit and dragged by car for 10 metres

A massive fire broke out at the famous Gopaldas Building at Connaught Place in the Indian capital, Delhi. The fire broke out at 1 pm IST on Thursday on the 11th floor of Gopaldas Building, located on Barakhama Road.

A massive fire broke out at the famous Gopaldas Building at Connaught Place in the Indian capital, Delhi. The fire broke out at 1 pm IST on Thursday on the 11th floor of Gopaldas Building, located on Barakhama Road. At least 15 fire tenders were deployed at the site, reported PTC News. Till now, there have been no reports of injuries or casualties. However, videos on X showed a thick cloud of smoke originating from the building due to the fire. Fire broke out in Gopal Das Building located on Barakhamba Road, New Delhi. Fire engines and local police on the spot.#gopaldasbuilding #Delhi #BarakhambaRoad pic.twitter.com/Ch4w0pWG5y — Arshdeep Samar (@summerarshdeep) December 21, 2023 × The Delhi Fire Services Department received a phone call reporting a fire at the Gopaldas Bhagwan building between 12:56 and 12:57 pm IST on Thursday. The deployed fire tenders responded immediately upon receiving the information and rushed to the scene. Once they arrived, they began working to bring the situation under control. Fire official Rajinder Atwal told PTI, "No injury has been reported, except a fireman suffering a minor injury. The entire building has been searched and have found that everyone came out of the building safely." ANI posted a video of the operation on X. #WATCH | Fire fighting underway, occupants of Gopaldas building evacuated following a fire incident on the 8th floor of the building today The building is located on Barakhamba Road in Connaught Place, Delhi pic.twitter.com/B1s2ixGzwT — ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2023 × The operation is underway. Information about what started the fire is not known yet. More details are awaited. (With inputs from agencies)

VIDEO: Massive fire breaks out in Gopaldas Bhagwan building in Delhi

Remember, Oscar Wilde's famous quote 'Life imitates art far more than art imitates life'. Life is indeed a reflection of art, a conscious ongoing work to find expression through varied art forms. And what is life anyway? Where do we find it? Maybe while driving cars on roads, walking on pathways, sitting across a lake or sipping tea on a stall amid a bustling city. And what connects them? Perhaps, love which binds them all, dwelling amid humanity in myriad ways, simply unacknowledged. And what does a city full of life and love create? Turn the dusty pages of history, and every time what will emerge is Art.

India's capital, Delhi, has been a safe haven for artists for ages. What the city has produced through time is a plethora of poetry, paintings, books, dance and music. The city dwellers have been always seen dancing and swinging to the musical tunes of the artists.

Is the darkness engulfing the spotlight?

Sadly, the reality seems to have altered its way for the buskers of the city who struggle to showcase their art forms and are held responsible for creating menace in public places.

Buskers, who sing their original songs and dance in their own ways on streets accumulating love and applause from onlookers, have been victims of harassment and misconduct more often. A recent video of a busker being harassed by a police officer and being asked to empty the space went viral after it was shared by Bollywood actor Rajesh Tailang. The video not only brought the law enforcer's unruly behaviour in limelight but also highlighted the blurred laws regarding busking in India, home to the world's biggest entertainment industries.

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-no-sing-a-song-for-delhi-cops-police-shoo-away-a-musician-in-connaught-place-550114">WATCH| No sing a song for Delhi cops! Police shoo away a musician in Connaught Place</a>

When WION reached out to viral busker artist Anshul Riaji, who goes by the name 'Fakira', to understand how the event unfolded in F-block of Delhi's Connaught Place, he narrated, "As you can see in the video, I was singing and the audience had gathered to listen to me. I close my eyes when I perform, and I did not listen to the cop when he called me and didn't see him approaching me. And suddenly, he stopped me from playing the guitar, forcibly closed my guitar bag and asked me to leave. This is so inhuman. His words are still pinching me."

He lamented how the incident will remain etched in his heart like a scar throughout his life.

Humanity, respect, corner – is that too much to ask for??&nbsp;

This is not the first time such incidents of indecent and cruel behaviour against buskers have come in limelight. Another busker Varun Dagar had earlier shared videos of physical assault by police personnel in Delhi's Connaught Place. The video caught attention on social media and went viral as people called out the police officials to behave properly with the artists.

Talking to WION about how the video helped them survive in a better condition, Varun said, "When the incident happened and the video went viral, things changed. Before that, the police used to confiscate our personal belongings. However, after the viral video, they stopped such cruel acts. If my video had not gone viral, Anshul would have met a similar fate that day. However, at least our personal stuff is safe now. "

"Still, it feels oddly humiliating when the police suddenly interrupt us in between our act. The faces are known to us, as they keep coming regularly. A lot of times, I was taken to the police station for performing on the streets. They even call us "beggars" who are simply trying to beg and make easy money by dancing and singing. This is because of a lack of education and understanding among people about what we are doing," Varun sighed hopelessly.

He again dares to speak, "I have been harassed multiple times, mishandled. I have been hurt. I have cried. Not everything can be shared...I fear what if they don't allow me to perform if I reveal it all?"

Such mistreatment of buskers has stoked people to raise a crucial question, 'What do they seek from the city?' The viral busker Anshul says nothing but maybe a silent corner in Delhi's Connaught Place to perform and let the world see the art that hides within the soul.

WATCH| WION Fineprint | British artist burns paintings on camera

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-british-artist-burns-paintings-on-camera-524888/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The road ahead..... darker or brighter?

It is not just police officials who misbehave and demean such artists. Buskers have faced harassment at the hand of people themselves, who mock them, throw insulting words and laugh at their art. The number of such miscreants has indeed been very less compared to those people who have supported and revelled in the rhythm of buskers.

"Before 8:30 at night, we are likely to encounter people who tease us and mistreat us, for our art. They lack an understanding of what we are creating They try to demotivate us and start dancing in the middle of our performance. It is important that we relay the message that buskers are not beggars and that people give whatever they want purely out of love and not as a beg," Varun says, as he wonders if eyes that gawk at him as if he is a beggar would ever change their viewpoint.

Speaking to WION about the plight of street artists, actor Adil Hussain said, "In India, the culture of busking is looked down upon because most of the street performers are from the lower economic run. We are a nation of performers, still, they have been facing mistreatment right from the beginning of independence because the governments never came up with a policy which would enable or make people aware of the art forms present in all the street performances. So, we failed to educate people to respect that kind of art."

"Anyways, art always gets the backseat in government policies. Only when we have to present something to foreign dignitaries, do we call performers, make them dance and forget them. That's what has been the general practise of consecutive governments since Independence," he adds.

Mistreatment, penury and debarment, artists have been always forced to walk through rough roads and not even cry or wail when pain seems to seep inside their hearts. Who should be held guilty? Why is art still the 'forbidden fruit' of our society? Perhaps, it is the lack of education, which builds the core of a human personality, that has given birth to such closed eyes and closed minds.

"So, there is anyways very low awareness about the importance of art in society and especially in India, though we come with the amazing richness of different and all kinds of art forms since the education system has completely wiped off any artistic practice from the childhood, so people think that is unimportant things that people do," the actor said.

WATCH| Art from marine rubbish – what these artists are making out of ropes, nets, plastic

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/art-from-marine-rubbish-what-these-artists-are-making-out-of-ropes-nets-plastic-492046/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Cementing the broken path&nbsp;

The question that honks the minds of art lovers and connoisseurs is how do we stop this misbehaviour? What should be done to make Delhi a better place for buskers?

"Buskers need to define and similarly the art of busking. Busking is all about originality. The art should be licensed but the art must be defined, only those performing original art should be included as buskers," Varun demands.

Talking about the steps needed to improve the life of buskers, Adil emphasises how consumerism has been propagated in society and humans have turned into mere consumers.

"The administration is okay with shopkeepers, hawkers and street sellers selling things on the street, so we are propagating consumerism. Imagine we have been reduced to the mere consumer, which is propagated, but an artistic activity which will console your soul and uplift your spirit is not being given an equal opportunity like the sellers are given," the actor explains.

"I think this should be taken up seriously by the government. So, the government should come up with a policy that buskers and artists and street performers should be treated with the utmost respect and should be given space to perform. They should be licensed but the procedure of license should be simple and not a complicated one," he further adds.

Whether buskers will get a defined license in future or not remain unknown, but what we can understand is that this is the society we live in and so do they, if not encourage them, we can allow them to breathe the way they want. 
&nbsp;

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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Remember, Oscar Wilde's famous quote 'Life imitates art far more than art imitates life'. Life is indeed a reflection of art, a conscious ongoing work to find expression through varied art forms.

Remember, Oscar Wilde's famous quote 'Life imitates art far more than art imitates life'. Life is indeed a reflection of art, a conscious ongoing work to find expression through varied art forms. And what is life anyway? Where do we find it? Maybe while driving cars on roads, walking on pathways, sitting across a lake or sipping tea on a stall amid a bustling city. And what connects them? Perhaps, love which binds them all, dwelling amid humanity in myriad ways, simply unacknowledged. And what does a city full of life and love create? Turn the dusty pages of history, and every time what will emerge is Art. India's capital, Delhi, has been a safe haven for artists for ages. What the city has produced through time is a plethora of poetry, paintings, books, dance and music. The city dwellers have been always seen dancing and swinging to the musical tunes of the artists. Is the darkness engulfing the spotlight? Sadly, the reality seems to have altered its way for the buskers of the city who struggle to showcase their art forms and are held responsible for creating menace in public places. Buskers, who sing their original songs and dance in their own ways on streets accumulating love and applause from onlookers, have been victims of harassment and misconduct more often. A recent video of a busker being harassed by a police officer and being asked to empty the space went viral after it was shared by Bollywood actor Rajesh Tailang. The video not only brought the law enforcer's unruly behaviour in limelight but also highlighted the blurred laws regarding busking in India, home to the world's biggest entertainment industries. ALSO READ| WATCH| No sing a song for Delhi cops! Police shoo away a musician in Connaught Place When WION reached out to viral busker artist Anshul Riaji, who goes by the name 'Fakira', to understand how the event unfolded in F-block of Delhi's Connaught Place, he narrated, "As you can see in the video, I was singing and the audience had gathered to listen to me. I close my eyes when I perform, and I did not listen to the cop when he called me and didn't see him approaching me. And suddenly, he stopped me from playing the guitar, forcibly closed my guitar bag and asked me to leave. This is so inhuman. His words are still pinching me." He lamented how the incident will remain etched in his heart like a scar throughout his life. Humanity, respect, corner – is that too much to ask for?? This is not the first time such incidents of indecent and cruel behaviour against buskers have come in limelight. Another busker Varun Dagar had earlier shared videos of physical assault by police personnel in Delhi's Connaught Place. The video caught attention on social media and went viral as people called out the police officials to behave properly with the artists. Talking to WION about how the video helped them survive in a better condition, Varun said, "When the incident happened and the video went viral, things changed. Before that, the police used to confiscate our personal belongings. However, after the viral video, they stopped such cruel acts. If my video had not gone viral, Anshul would have met a similar fate that day. However, at least our personal stuff is safe now. " "Still, it feels oddly humiliating when the police suddenly interrupt us in between our act. The faces are known to us, as they keep coming regularly. A lot of times, I was taken to the police station for performing on the streets. They even call us "beggars" who are simply trying to beg and make easy money by dancing and singing. This is because of a lack of education and understanding among people about what we are doing," Varun sighed hopelessly. He again dares to speak, "I have been harassed multiple times, mishandled. I have been hurt. I have cried. Not everything can be shared...I fear what if they don't allow me to perform if I reveal it all?" Such mistreatment of buskers has stoked people to raise a crucial question, 'What do they seek from the city?' The viral busker Anshul says nothing but maybe a silent corner in Delhi's Connaught Place to perform and let the world see the art that hides within the soul. WATCH| WION Fineprint | British artist burns paintings on camera The road ahead..... darker or brighter? It is not just police officials who misbehave and demean such artists. Buskers have faced harassment at the hand of people themselves, who mock them, throw insulting words and laugh at their art. The number of such miscreants has indeed been very less compared to those people who have supported and revelled in the rhythm of buskers. "Before 8:30 at night, we are likely to encounter people who tease us and mistreat us, for our art. They lack an understanding of what we are creating They try to demotivate us and start dancing in the middle of our performance. It is important that we relay the message that buskers are not beggars and that people give whatever they want purely out of love and not as a beg," Varun says, as he wonders if eyes that gawk at him as if he is a beggar would ever change their viewpoint. Speaking to WION about the plight of street artists, actor Adil Hussain said, "In India, the culture of busking is looked down upon because most of the street performers are from the lower economic run. We are a nation of performers, still, they have been facing mistreatment right from the beginning of independence because the governments never came up with a policy which would enable or make people aware of the art forms present in all the street performances. So, we failed to educate people to respect that kind of art." "Anyways, art always gets the backseat in government policies. Only when we have to present something to foreign dignitaries, do we call performers, make them dance and forget them. That's what has been the general practise of consecutive governments since Independence," he adds. Mistreatment, penury and debarment, artists have been always forced to walk through rough roads and not even cry or wail when pain seems to seep inside their hearts. Who should be held guilty? Why is art still the 'forbidden fruit' of our society? Perhaps, it is the lack of education, which builds the core of a human personality, that has given birth to such closed eyes and closed minds. "So, there is anyways very low awareness about the importance of art in society and especially in India, though we come with the amazing richness of different and all kinds of art forms since the education system has completely wiped off any artistic practice from the childhood, so people think that is unimportant things that people do," the actor said. WATCH| Art from marine rubbish – what these artists are making out of ropes, nets, plastic Cementing the broken path The question that honks the minds of art lovers and connoisseurs is how do we stop this misbehaviour? What should be done to make Delhi a better place for buskers? "Buskers need to define and similarly the art of busking. Busking is all about originality. The art should be licensed but the art must be defined, only those performing original art should be included as buskers," Varun demands. Talking about the steps needed to improve the life of buskers, Adil emphasises how consumerism has been propagated in society and humans have turned into mere consumers. "The administration is okay with shopkeepers, hawkers and street sellers selling things on the street, so we are propagating consumerism. Imagine we have been reduced to the mere consumer, which is propagated, but an artistic activity which will console your soul and uplift your spirit is not being given an equal opportunity like the sellers are given," the actor explains. "I think this should be taken up seriously by the government. So, the government should come up with a policy that buskers and artists and street performers should be treated with the utmost respect and should be given space to perform. They should be licensed but the procedure of license should be simple and not a complicated one," he further adds. Whether buskers will get a defined license in future or not remain unknown, but what we can understand is that this is the society we live in and so do they, if not encourage them, we can allow them to breathe the way they want. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

City, life and love| Can Delhi, the capital of art fiestas, lend its corners to its buskers?

A video of a Delhi police official shooing away an artist from the streets of Connaught Place went viral on social media. In the viral video, the Delhi Police official is seen asking the street performer to get up and leave the place he was occupying in the corner of the imperial Connaught Place building after a crowd gathered to enjoy his music.

The police officer is seen approaching the musician and pulling his hand away from his guitar and asking him to get up. “Utho (get up). Jab awaaz de raha hun nahi sunoge to kya karein. (What else would I do if you don't listen to me),” the police officer is heard saying.&nbsp;

The musician is seen appealing to the officer to let him stay and sing for the crowd. However, he failed to convince the police officer as the latter insists that he must stop playing the guitar and clear the corner. The crowd, which had gathered to enjoy the music of the artist, is also asked by the cop to disappear.&nbsp;

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-priced-patta-gobi-looking-jacket-goes-viral-netizens-slam-luxury-brand-549868">Overpriced 'Patta Gobi' looking jacket goes viral, netizens slam luxury brand</a>

The video was shared by actor Rajesh Tailang who also wrote, &nbsp;“Watched this clip on Instagram. &nbsp;Delhi Police this is not done. These artists make our Delhi more aesthetical, musical. Shame!!!” Till now, the video has received 3.3 million views.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Watched this clip on Instagram. <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DelhiPolice</a> this is not done. These artists make our delhi more aesthetical, musical. Shame !!! <a href="https://t.co/FJhENQGkdV">pic.twitter.com/FJhENQGkdV</a>
— Rajesh Tailang (@rajeshtailang) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajeshtailang/status/1610702489220964353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The viral video also drew flak from celebrities who condemned the behaviour of the police officer.&nbsp;

WATCH| WION Fineprint | New "Shoe Theory" viral on TikTok

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Reacting to the tweet, Sona Mohapatra said, "This is truly truly wrong dear @DelhiPolice &amp; every other ‘authority’. #Music &amp; #Art brings a joy &amp; beauty into peoples tough lives &amp; your own lives are brutal enough! Let our streets have music like the rest of the world, we’ll have a happier bubble &amp; a jump in our weary steps?"&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is truly truly wrong dear <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DelhiPolice</a> &amp; every other ‘authority’. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Music?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Music</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Art?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Art</a> brings a joy &amp; beauty into peoples tough lives &amp; your own lives are brutal enough! Let our streets have music like the rest of the world, we’ll have a happier bubble &amp; a jump in our weary steps? <a href="https://t.co/Ilzkyk5I1W">https://t.co/Ilzkyk5I1W</a>
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) <a href="https://twitter.com/sonamohapatra/status/1610985733871001601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, actor Adil Hussain tweeted, “It is utterly important that @DelhiPolice allows the buskers to play on the streets... Practice of art must be encouraged and facilitated,” he tweeted, as he appreciated Tailang's effort to share the video.&nbsp;

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It is utterly important that <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DelhiPolice</a> allows the Buskers to play on the streets... Practice of art must be encouraged and Facilitated. Thank you for raising your concern dost. <a href="https://twitter.com/rajeshtailang?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rajeshtailang</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CPDelhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CPDelhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/qjk1tYs0mP">https://t.co/qjk1tYs0mP</a>
— Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) <a href="https://twitter.com/_AdilHussain/status/1610971367742255104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The musician in the viral video is Anshul Riaji who has been performing at different public places across the capital and uploads videos of the performance on his Instagram page.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A video of a Delhi police official shooing away an artist from the streets of Connaught Place went viral on social media. In the viral video, the Delhi Police official is seen asking the street performer to get up and leave the place he was occupying in the corner of the imperial Connaught Place building after a crowd gathered to enjoy his music.

A video of a Delhi police official shooing away an artist from the streets of Connaught Place went viral on social media. In the viral video, the Delhi Police official is seen asking the street performer to get up and leave the place he was occupying in the corner of the imperial Connaught Place building after a crowd gathered to enjoy his music. The police officer is seen approaching the musician and pulling his hand away from his guitar and asking him to get up. “Utho (get up). Jab awaaz de raha hun nahi sunoge to kya karein. (What else would I do if you don't listen to me),” the police officer is heard saying. The musician is seen appealing to the officer to let him stay and sing for the crowd. However, he failed to convince the police officer as the latter insists that he must stop playing the guitar and clear the corner. The crowd, which had gathered to enjoy the music of the artist, is also asked by the cop to disappear. ALSO READ| Overpriced 'Patta Gobi' looking jacket goes viral, netizens slam luxury brand The video was shared by actor Rajesh Tailang who also wrote, “Watched this clip on Instagram. Delhi Police this is not done. These artists make our Delhi more aesthetical, musical. Shame!!!” Till now, the video has received 3.3 million views. Watched this clip on Instagram. @DelhiPolice this is not done. These artists make our delhi more aesthetical, musical. Shame !!! pic.twitter.com/FJhENQGkdV — Rajesh Tailang (@rajeshtailang) January 4, 2023 × The viral video also drew flak from celebrities who condemned the behaviour of the police officer. WATCH| WION Fineprint | New "Shoe Theory" viral on TikTok Reacting to the tweet, Sona Mohapatra said, "This is truly truly wrong dear @DelhiPolice & every other ‘authority’. #Music & #Art brings a joy & beauty into peoples tough lives & your own lives are brutal enough! Let our streets have music like the rest of the world, we’ll have a happier bubble & a jump in our weary steps?" This is truly truly wrong dear @DelhiPolice & every other ‘authority’. #Music & #Art brings a joy & beauty into peoples tough lives & your own lives are brutal enough! Let our streets have music like the rest of the world, we’ll have a happier bubble & a jump in our weary steps? https://t.co/Ilzkyk5I1W — Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) January 5, 2023 × Meanwhile, actor Adil Hussain tweeted, “It is utterly important that @DelhiPolice allows the buskers to play on the streets... Practice of art must be encouraged and facilitated,” he tweeted, as he appreciated Tailang's effort to share the video. It is utterly important that @DelhiPolice allows the Buskers to play on the streets... Practice of art must be encouraged and Facilitated. Thank you for raising your concern dost. @rajeshtailang @CPDelhi https://t.co/qjk1tYs0mP — Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) January 5, 2023 × The musician in the viral video is Anshul Riaji who has been performing at different public places across the capital and uploads videos of the performance on his Instagram page. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH| No sing a song for Delhi cops! Police shoo away a musician in Connaught Place

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lifeline-of-delhi-ncr-delhi-metro-completes-17-years-of-operations-270188">Delhi Metro Rail Corporation</a> (DMRC) on Monday said that the exit gates of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-metro-stations-resume-services-in-delhi-269436">Rajiv Chowk</a> metro station will be closed after 9 pm on New Year's Eve (December 31), in a bid to avoid overcrowding at the station. 
 
The DMRC, in its official release, however, said that the entry at the station will be allowed till the timing of the last train.

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New Year Eve Update 
 
To ease overcrowding on New Year's Eve (31 December 2019), exit from Rajiv Chowk metro station will not be allowed after 9 PM onwards. Entry of passengers will be allowed till the departure of last train. 
 
Please plan your journey accordingly.
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDMRC/status/1211605878740156417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"To ease overcrowding on New Year's Eve (December 31, 2019), exit from Rajiv Chowk Metro station will not be allowed after 9 PM onwards. However, the entry of passengers will be allowed until the departure of the last train. Commuters are requested to plan their journey accordingly," DMRC's press release read. 
 
The decision has been taken in mind considering a large number of people who arrive at Connaught Place for parties organised to welcome the new year. 
 
Rajiv Chowk is one of the busiest stations of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-a-smart-city-and-what-does-it-mean-for-urban-india-270444">Delhi Metro</a> as it serves as an interchange of the Blue and Yellow lines.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday said that the exit gates of Rajiv Chowk metro station will be closed after 9 pm on New Year's Eve (December 31), in a bid to avoid overcrowding at the station.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday said that the exit gates of Rajiv Chowk metro station will be closed after 9 pm on New Year's Eve (December 31), in a bid to avoid overcrowding at the station. The DMRC, in its official release, however, said that the entry at the station will be allowed till the timing of the last train. New Year Eve Update To ease overcrowding on New Year's Eve (31 December 2019), exit from Rajiv Chowk metro station will not be allowed after 9 PM onwards. Entry of passengers will be allowed till the departure of last train. Please plan your journey accordingly. — Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) December 30, 2019 × "To ease overcrowding on New Year's Eve (December 31, 2019), exit from Rajiv Chowk Metro station will not be allowed after 9 PM onwards. However, the entry of passengers will be allowed until the departure of the last train. Commuters are requested to plan their journey accordingly," DMRC's press release read. The decision has been taken in mind considering a large number of people who arrive at Connaught Place for parties organised to welcome the new year. Rajiv Chowk is one of the busiest stations of the Delhi Metro as it serves as an interchange of the Blue and Yellow lines.

DMRC announces restrictions for Rajiv Chowk metro station on December 31

My Books Publication hosted a book launch function at Oxford Books Auditorium, Connaught Place, on Thursday. The book titled 'The Drifting Rainbow'&nbsp;is about the trauma of Mother India's great divide - 1947. 
 
Authored by Delhi Based writer Naim Naqvi, the book is a painful journey into memory lane of partition. It is a travelogue from Delhi to Karachi to Lahore and finally to Amritsar, which delves deeper into the painful past of partition through the eyes, experiences, and anecdotes of the author's family on the other side of our border.&nbsp; 
 
His book dives into the reasons why people were leaving their birthplaces as late as 1964;&nbsp;and even after decades, they could never cut off from their roots.&nbsp;<img alt="book release" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="124d6676-f9c7-4b75-9a14-9341fc720182" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2826%29_3.jpg" /> 
 
The launch which saw a spectacular turnout by Delhiites, commenced with the author's one-on-one interview by RJ Saina Khan where he spoke about his extended family and friends being the inspiration for the book and how the curiosity about their lives took him to the other side of the border.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="The Drifting Rainbow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cd41af60-859d-4679-9af6-2d26d7000095" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2827%29_2.jpg" /> 
 
He further spoke about his experience of meeting that lost connection for the first time and of his travels to the historic places in each of the cities he visited. 
 
In the panel of speakers that followed, renowned journalist Saeed Naqvi spoke of the relevance of the book in today's times while Firdous Wani the Barrister at Supreme Court spoke about the delicate situation in Kashmir. Other speakers included Indian scientist and renowned Urdu poet Gauhar Raza and Dr. Harsh Rawat, the famous Yoga guru. 
 
At the start of the event, a musical performance by Delhi based musicians of the song 'Tu hindu banega na musalman banega'&nbsp;by yesteryears lyricist Sahil Ludhianvi held the audience enthralled.

My Books Publication hosted a book launch function at Oxford Books Auditorium, Connaught Place, on Thursday. The book titled 'The Drifting Rainbow' is about the trauma of Mother India's great divide - 1947.

My Books Publication hosted a book launch function at Oxford Books Auditorium, Connaught Place, on Thursday. The book titled 'The Drifting Rainbow' is about the trauma of Mother India's great divide - 1947. Authored by Delhi Based writer Naim Naqvi, the book is a painful journey into memory lane of partition. It is a travelogue from Delhi to Karachi to Lahore and finally to Amritsar, which delves deeper into the painful past of partition through the eyes, experiences, and anecdotes of the author's family on the other side of our border. His book dives into the reasons why people were leaving their birthplaces as late as 1964; and even after decades, they could never cut off from their roots. The launch which saw a spectacular turnout by Delhiites, commenced with the author's one-on-one interview by RJ Saina Khan where he spoke about his extended family and friends being the inspiration for the book and how the curiosity about their lives took him to the other side of the border. He further spoke about his experience of meeting that lost connection for the first time and of his travels to the historic places in each of the cities he visited. In the panel of speakers that followed, renowned journalist Saeed Naqvi spoke of the relevance of the book in today's times while Firdous Wani the Barrister at Supreme Court spoke about the delicate situation in Kashmir. Other speakers included Indian scientist and renowned Urdu poet Gauhar Raza and Dr. Harsh Rawat, the famous Yoga guru. At the start of the event, a musical performance by Delhi based musicians of the song 'Tu hindu banega na musalman banega' by yesteryears lyricist Sahil Ludhianvi held the audience enthralled.

Book launch: 'The Drifting Rainbow' narrates the painfull journey of partition

Around 15,000 police personnel have been deployed across the national capital to ensure celebrations go off smoothly on New Year's Eve, with special traffic arrangements made to regulate movement of revellers, police said.

A special focus has been given to Connaught Place and the areas around it.&nbsp;

All vehicular movement will be restricted from 8 pm onwards to the posh commercial hub till the celebrations conclude, they said.

Also, in view of security measures, exit facility at the Rajiv Chowk metro station will not be available for commuters from 9 pm onwards.

Rajiv Chowk, located adjacent to Connaught Place and one of the busiest&nbsp;stations of the Delhi Metro, caters to both the Blue Line and the Yellow Line.

A large number of revellers converge at Connaught Place to ring in the new year with celebrations every year.

"Vehicular traffic in the inner, middle or outer circle of Connaught Place will not be allowed," BK Singh, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said.

To ensure that women safety is not compromised, women police personnel will also be deployed in plain clothes at various strategic locations across the city, Madhur Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) said.

"We have deployed around 15,000 police personnel across Delhi to maintain the law and order situation on the eve of New Year to ensure that the celebrations go smoothly," Verma said.

Any incident of hooliganism and drunk driving will be dealt strictly, he added.

Special picket team including traffic police, PCR and woman personal will be deployed at various locations to ensure that no untoward incident happens, he said.

Maximum police personnel will be deployed at crowded places like malls, markets and metro stations, the officer said.

Senior officers will closely monitor the situation at district-level. Fire tenders will be on patrolling duty around popular party hubs to ensure that there is no delay in helping people in case of any incident, police said.

"As advised by Delhi Police authorities, exit of passengers from the Rajiv Chowk metro station will not be permitted from 9 PM onwards on New Year's Eve, i.E., December 31. This is to enable the authorities to maintain peace, and law and order during New Year Eve's celebrations in New Delhi district area," Delhi Metro said in a statement.

However, passengers will be allowed to enter the Rajiv Chowk metro station after 9 pm to board trains, it said.

"Interchange facility between Line-2 (HUDA City Centre - Samaypur Badli) and Line-3/4 (Dwarka Sec-21 - NOIDA City Centre/Vaishali) will continue as usual at the Rajiv Chowk metro station till the end of services. Services at all other metro corridors and stations will continue normally," it said.

Hotels and restaurants where parties will be organised have also been briefed about the preventive measures to be taken, officials said.

Officials said a special drive against drunk driving, jumping signals and dangerous driving will be undertaken by the traffic police.

According to the traffic advisory, vehicles will not be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place beyond roundabout of Mandi House, roundabout of Bengali Market, north foot of Ranjit Singh Flyover, Minto Road, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg crossing, Chelmsford Road near Munje Chowk (New Delhi Railway Station), RK Ashram Marg-Chitragupta, roundabout of Gole Market, roundabout of GPO, Patel Chowk, Kasturba Gandhi Road-Ferozshah Road Crossing, Jai Singh Road-Bangla Sahib Lane and the roundabout of Windsor Place.

Motorists can park their vehicles at only specific places in the vicinity of Connaught Place, which includes certain locations near Gole Dak Khana, Patel Chowk on Rakab Ganj Road behind AIR, near Mandi House on Copernicus Marg up to Baroda house, near Minto Road on DD Upadhaya Marg and Press Road area, Panchkuian Road on RK Ashram Marg, Chitragupta Road and Basant Road towards Paharganj, KG Marg near Ferozshah Road or KG Marg to 'C' Hexagon and near Windsor Place.

Alternative routes have been arranged for commuters travelling to New Delhi railway station. However, routes to Old Delhi railway station will not be affected, officials said.

Special traffic arrangements have also been made at Saket, Greater Kailash, Lajpat Nagar, New Friends Colony, Hauz Khas, Defence Colony, Vasant Vihar, RK Puram, Nehru Place, Dwarka, Palam Airport, Rajouri Garden, Ashok Vihar, Model Town and Mayur Vihar.

The police has advised motorists to use alternative routes available for North-South directions which includes Ring Road from ISBT to Ashram or via Delhi Gate, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Mathura Road to reach Ashram and via vice-versa or via ISBT, Rani Jhansi Marg, Punchkuyan Road, Mandir Marg, Park Street, Mother Teresa Crescent Road and beyond or via Rani Jhansi Marg, Punchkuyan Road, Hanuman Murti and Ring Road.

"For East-West Movement - Ring Road, Bhairon Road, 'C' Hexagon-India Gate, Akbar Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, roundabout of RML, Park Street and Shankar Road have been suggested," officials said.&nbsp;

Around 15,000 police personnel have been deployed across the national capital to ensure celebrations go off smoothly on New Year's Eve, with special traffic arrangements made to regulate movement of revellers, police said.

Around 15,000 police personnel have been deployed across the national capital to ensure celebrations go off smoothly on New Year's Eve, with special traffic arrangements made to regulate movement of revellers, police said. A special focus has been given to Connaught Place and the areas around it. All vehicular movement will be restricted from 8 pm onwards to the posh commercial hub till the celebrations conclude, they said. Also, in view of security measures, exit facility at the Rajiv Chowk metro station will not be available for commuters from 9 pm onwards. Rajiv Chowk, located adjacent to Connaught Place and one of the busiest stations of the Delhi Metro, caters to both the Blue Line and the Yellow Line. A large number of revellers converge at Connaught Place to ring in the new year with celebrations every year. "Vehicular traffic in the inner, middle or outer circle of Connaught Place will not be allowed," BK Singh, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said. To ensure that women safety is not compromised, women police personnel will also be deployed in plain clothes at various strategic locations across the city, Madhur Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) said. "We have deployed around 15,000 police personnel across Delhi to maintain the law and order situation on the eve of New Year to ensure that the celebrations go smoothly," Verma said. Any incident of hooliganism and drunk driving will be dealt strictly, he added. Special picket team including traffic police, PCR and woman personal will be deployed at various locations to ensure that no untoward incident happens, he said. Maximum police personnel will be deployed at crowded places like malls, markets and metro stations, the officer said. Senior officers will closely monitor the situation at district-level. Fire tenders will be on patrolling duty around popular party hubs to ensure that there is no delay in helping people in case of any incident, police said. "As advised by Delhi Police authorities, exit of passengers from the Rajiv Chowk metro station will not be permitted from 9 PM onwards on New Year's Eve, i.E., December 31. This is to enable the authorities to maintain peace, and law and order during New Year Eve's celebrations in New Delhi district area," Delhi Metro said in a statement. However, passengers will be allowed to enter the Rajiv Chowk metro station after 9 pm to board trains, it said. "Interchange facility between Line-2 (HUDA City Centre - Samaypur Badli) and Line-3/4 (Dwarka Sec-21 - NOIDA City Centre/Vaishali) will continue as usual at the Rajiv Chowk metro station till the end of services. Services at all other metro corridors and stations will continue normally," it said. Hotels and restaurants where parties will be organised have also been briefed about the preventive measures to be taken, officials said. Officials said a special drive against drunk driving, jumping signals and dangerous driving will be undertaken by the traffic police. According to the traffic advisory, vehicles will not be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place beyond roundabout of Mandi House, roundabout of Bengali Market, north foot of Ranjit Singh Flyover, Minto Road, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg crossing, Chelmsford Road near Munje Chowk (New Delhi Railway Station), RK Ashram Marg-Chitragupta, roundabout of Gole Market, roundabout of GPO, Patel Chowk, Kasturba Gandhi Road-Ferozshah Road Crossing, Jai Singh Road-Bangla Sahib Lane and the roundabout of Windsor Place. Motorists can park their vehicles at only specific places in the vicinity of Connaught Place, which includes certain locations near Gole Dak Khana, Patel Chowk on Rakab Ganj Road behind AIR, near Mandi House on Copernicus Marg up to Baroda house, near Minto Road on DD Upadhaya Marg and Press Road area, Panchkuian Road on RK Ashram Marg, Chitragupta Road and Basant Road towards Paharganj, KG Marg near Ferozshah Road or KG Marg to 'C' Hexagon and near Windsor Place. Alternative routes have been arranged for commuters travelling to New Delhi railway station. However, routes to Old Delhi railway station will not be affected, officials said. Special traffic arrangements have also been made at Saket, Greater Kailash, Lajpat Nagar, New Friends Colony, Hauz Khas, Defence Colony, Vasant Vihar, RK Puram, Nehru Place, Dwarka, Palam Airport, Rajouri Garden, Ashok Vihar, Model Town and Mayur Vihar. The police has advised motorists to use alternative routes available for North-South directions which includes Ring Road from ISBT to Ashram or via Delhi Gate, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Mathura Road to reach Ashram and via vice-versa or via ISBT, Rani Jhansi Marg, Punchkuyan Road, Mandir Marg, Park Street, Mother Teresa Crescent Road and beyond or via Rani Jhansi Marg, Punchkuyan Road, Hanuman Murti and Ring Road. "For East-West Movement - Ring Road, Bhairon Road, 'C' Hexagon-India Gate, Akbar Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, roundabout of RML, Park Street and Shankar Road have been suggested," officials said.

New Year's Eve: 15,000 cops deployed across Delhi, no exit at Rajiv Chowk metro from 9 pm

By Gulzar Ahmad & Rajat Tripathi

In a warm afternoon at Central Park in Connaught Place, New Delhi, a group of people gather around a man with snowy hair and eyes.

Fifty-eight-year-old Abdul Samad Nawabi, or "Chess chacha" as he is affectionately called, left his native town in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, and came to Delhi over three years ago.

He has become a well-known face for the people who visit Palika Bazar in central Delhi. Abdul Samad reaches Connaught Place every morning around 11am and sets his chess board. In a matter of minutes, a crowd of chess enthusiasts - most of whom is known to Samad - gathers at the spot.

Palika Bazar is a busy spot of New Delhi, where a major metro station exists and a large number of people visit the city's beautiful park. Samad travels from his residence in Ashram to Palika Bazaar. He carries three chessboards in a black box and attracts his fans whenever he arrives at this market place.

<img alt="chess 3.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="433" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/sports/chess%203.jpg" width="770" />

After travelling to and fro between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Samad arrived in India in 2014. Since his arrival in India, he has been living in a rented room in Ashram and has been playing chess across Delhi. He picked up chess while in college and the chequerboard has been his companion ever since.

From the fall of pro-Soviet 'Democratic Republic of Afghanistan' (DRA) and the rise of Mujahideen rule in Afghanistan in 1989, Samad fled with some of his family members to Pakistan. Samad's sons are in Afghanistan, whereas his daughter, sister and mother are now in the US. He claims he spent three years, from 1985-88, in a jail in Afghanistan, where he even played chess with the jailor.

Deepak Pokhrial, an advertising professional and a chess enthusiast, make it a point to visit Palika Bazar whenever he gets time. The regular game of chess in Palika Bazar has brought fame to Samad and a long list of friends. The spectators are always welcome to challenge him. He has some regular opponents too, who sometimes come for multiple bouts of the game during the course of the day. Before Palika Bazar, Samad used to play chess near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi and in Malviya Nagar. But now he visits Palika Bazar only.

<img alt="chess2.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/sports/chess2.jpg" width="770" />

A number of print and online media outlets in India last week published reports about Samad describing the Afghan man as "Chacha (uncle) of Love".

His personality and a sharp understanding of the game attracts hundreds of people who watch, and even join him.

The huge gathering of people every day soon caught the attention of Delhi Police and this has become a problem for Samad. He says the police doesn't want him to play chess with such huge gathering. The crowd in Palika Bazar can create problems, mainly traffic jams, pickpocketing and sometimes brawls too, the cops say. Samad is now forced to play chess only when there is no gathering of people. He is even planning to move to Hauz Khas or India Gate.

He misses the throng of spectators now, be it Indians or foreigners.

This year in May, his refugee card expires. If he does not get permission to stay on in India, he will have to return to Afghanistan.

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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A number of print and online media outlets in India last week published reports about Abdul Samad describing the Afghan man as "Chacha (uncle) of Love".

By Gulzar Ahmad & Rajat Tripathi In a warm afternoon at Central Park in Connaught Place, New Delhi, a group of people gather around a man with snowy hair and eyes. Fifty-eight-year-old Abdul Samad Nawabi, or "Chess chacha" as he is affectionately called, left his native town in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, and came to Delhi over three years ago. He has become a well-known face for the people who visit Palika Bazar in central Delhi. Abdul Samad reaches Connaught Place every morning around 11am and sets his chess board. In a matter of minutes, a crowd of chess enthusiasts - most of whom is known to Samad - gathers at the spot. Palika Bazar is a busy spot of New Delhi, where a major metro station exists and a large number of people visit the city's beautiful park. Samad travels from his residence in Ashram to Palika Bazaar. He carries three chessboards in a black box and attracts his fans whenever he arrives at this market place. After travelling to and fro between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Samad arrived in India in 2014. Since his arrival in India, he has been living in a rented room in Ashram and has been playing chess across Delhi. He picked up chess while in college and the chequerboard has been his companion ever since. From the fall of pro-Soviet 'Democratic Republic of Afghanistan' (DRA) and the rise of Mujahideen rule in Afghanistan in 1989, Samad fled with some of his family members to Pakistan. Samad's sons are in Afghanistan, whereas his daughter, sister and mother are now in the US. He claims he spent three years, from 1985-88, in a jail in Afghanistan, where he even played chess with the jailor. Deepak Pokhrial, an advertising professional and a chess enthusiast, make it a point to visit Palika Bazar whenever he gets time. The regular game of chess in Palika Bazar has brought fame to Samad and a long list of friends. The spectators are always welcome to challenge him. He has some regular opponents too, who sometimes come for multiple bouts of the game during the course of the day. Before Palika Bazar, Samad used to play chess near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi and in Malviya Nagar. But now he visits Palika Bazar only. A number of print and online media outlets in India last week published reports about Samad describing the Afghan man as "Chacha (uncle) of Love". His personality and a sharp understanding of the game attracts hundreds of people who watch, and even join him. The huge gathering of people every day soon caught the attention of Delhi Police and this has become a problem for Samad. He says the police doesn't want him to play chess with such huge gathering. The crowd in Palika Bazar can create problems, mainly traffic jams, pickpocketing and sometimes brawls too, the cops say. Samad is now forced to play chess only when there is no gathering of people. He is even planning to move to Hauz Khas or India Gate. He misses the throng of spectators now, be it Indians or foreigners. This year in May, his refugee card expires. If he does not get permission to stay on in India, he will have to return to Afghanistan. ×

Checkmate: When there is more to the story than game of 'Chess'

Connaught Place (CP) in the national capital has emerged as the third most expensive office market in the Asia Pacific region with a rental of $88.8 per square metre (sqm) per month, according to a report.

Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in the megapolis emerged as the fifth most costly business district among the list of 20 international cities, with a rental of $80.1 sqm per month, an improvement of two places over Q4 2016, the report titled &#39;Asia-Pacific Prime Office Rental Index Q4 2017&#39; by property consultant Knight Frank said on Wednesday.

The prime office pocket in Hong Kong topped the list with a rental of $212 per sqm.

In terms of rental appreciation, Bengaluru&#39;s central business district (CBD) recorded the third highest growth with a year-on-year increase of 5.40 per cent in the December quarter last year.

Connaught Place stood at the fifth spot, with a rental growth of 5 per cent, while BKC was ranked 10th with a 4 per cent growth.

The report expects rentals to grow in BKC and Bengaluru&#39;s CBD for the subsequent 12-month period, but hints at the growth to plateau in Connaught Place.

According to Samantak Das, chief economist and national director - research, Knight Frank India, the rental growth continues to be strong across prime office markets in India on account of an ongoing supply crunch in the country.

&quot;This, coupled with strong occupier demand is expected to drive the rentals up in the next 12 months in the prime office markets of Mumbai and Bengaluru. However, we expect rental growth to remain stable in CP,&quot; he said.

Overall the index recorded 1.1 per cent year-on-year growth in the last quarter of 2017, propelled by solid economic performances across the Asia Pacific region, which was primarily driven by rising rents in 12 out of the 20 markets tracked over the quarter.

The report further said that rentals across at least 16 markets are either set to appreciate or stay stable.

Das believes demand in co-working and technology-related spaces are expected a play a major part in pushing rents up.

Connaught Place (CP) in the national capital has emerged as the third most expensive office market in the Asia Pacific region with a rental of $88.8 per square metre (sqm) per month, according to a report

Connaught Place (CP) in the national capital has emerged as the third most expensive office market in the Asia Pacific region with a rental of $88.8 per square metre (sqm) per month, according to a report. Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in the megapolis emerged as the fifth most costly business district among the list of 20 international cities, with a rental of $80.1 sqm per month, an improvement of two places over Q4 2016, the report titled 'Asia-Pacific Prime Office Rental Index Q4 2017' by property consultant Knight Frank said on Wednesday. The prime office pocket in Hong Kong topped the list with a rental of $212 per sqm. In terms of rental appreciation, Bengaluru's central business district (CBD) recorded the third highest growth with a year-on-year increase of 5.40 per cent in the December quarter last year. Connaught Place stood at the fifth spot, with a rental growth of 5 per cent, while BKC was ranked 10th with a 4 per cent growth. The report expects rentals to grow in BKC and Bengaluru's CBD for the subsequent 12-month period, but hints at the growth to plateau in Connaught Place. According to Samantak Das, chief economist and national director - research, Knight Frank India, the rental growth continues to be strong across prime office markets in India on account of an ongoing supply crunch in the country. "This, coupled with strong occupier demand is expected to drive the rentals up in the next 12 months in the prime office markets of Mumbai and Bengaluru. However, we expect rental growth to remain stable in CP," he said. Overall the index recorded 1.1 per cent year-on-year growth in the last quarter of 2017, propelled by solid economic performances across the Asia Pacific region, which was primarily driven by rising rents in 12 out of the 20 markets tracked over the quarter. The report further said that rentals across at least 16 markets are either set to appreciate or stay stable. Das believes demand in co-working and technology-related spaces are expected a play a major part in pushing rents up.

Delhi: Connaught Place 3rd most expensive Asia-pacific office market after Hong Kong

A snatcher allegedly shot at a man for resisting a snatching bid in Connaught Place in central Delhi on Wednesday.

The incident happened in A-Block before noon. Police said the victim was rushed to the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital and is out of danger.

As per the PIL, 37,557 snatching cases were reported in Delhi between 2013 and 2017. Delhi Police records revealed that cases of snatching had increased by almost 413% in the last five years.&nbsp;

Incident of firing reported after a robbery call in Connaught Place's A-block

A snatcher allegedly shot at a man for resisting a snatching bid in Connaught Place in central Delhi on Wednesday. The incident happened in A-Block before noon. Police said the victim was rushed to the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital and is out of danger. As per the PIL, 37,557 snatching cases were reported in Delhi between 2013 and 2017. Delhi Police records revealed that cases of snatching had increased by almost 413% in the last five years.

Robber shoots at man in Delhi's Connaught Place

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