Founded in 1803, Kanpur is a metropolitan city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Historically, Kanpur was one of the most important commercial and military stations of British India. Settled on the banks of the holy river Ganga, Kanpur is a major financial and industrial centre of North India and also the ninth-largest urban economy in the country.
Kanpur is regarded as the "Leather City of the World" and also nicknamed the "Manchester of the East", for its textile industries. The city is famous for its colonial architecture, parks, leather and textile industries which produce fine quality leather products that are mainly exported to the West.
Interestingly, Kanpur is home to the first woollen mill of India, commonly known as the ‘Lal Imli’ which was established in 1876 by Alexander MacRobert. The mill is reminiscent of the Palace of Westminster which highlights the city’s importance and prestige during British times.
The lifestyle in Kanpur is ordinary but the city offers you multi-cuisine food to pamper your taste buds. Also, Kanpur’s ‘Pan’ completes your meal in the city. In addition to this, Kanpur Memorial Church, Allen Forest Zoo, Kamla Retreat are some of the famous tourist attractions in the city. However, Dwarkadheesh temple is a magnificent temple in Kanpur which is adored with marvellous architectural style.
The Ganga Expressway faced severe waterlogging following heavy rainfall in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. Visuals from the expressway showed the exit toll plaza submerged under five to six feet of water, with several vehicles stranded and a truck breaking down on the service road after water entered its engine. The waterlogging impacted traffic movement significantly across the corridor. The incident also sparked political reactions, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticising the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over the expressway flooding. Ground reports highlighted engineering and drainage concerns, showing toll cabins inundated and operational staff forced to abandon their booths. Construction agencies deployed generators and excavators to dig trenches and pump out stagnant water.
In a major breakthrough in the murder case of Kanpur businessman Vineet Manocha, police investigations have revealed that his son, Subrat Manocha, was the mastermind behind the killing. Manocha was brutally stabbed to death at his residence by hired assailants. While his daughter-in-law, Shalu, was initially arrested after being named by the alleged killers, subsequent inquiries uncovered that Subrat orchestrated the crime and intentionally framed his wife. Subrat confessed to hiring goons and instructing an accomplice to name Shalu if apprehended. He cited severe financial constraints imposed by his father and concerns over property transfer as motives for the crime. Subrat expressed resentment over his father's lifestyle and claimed he intended the death to appear natural rather than a stabbing. Following sustained interrogation and cross-questioning, Kanpur Police apprehended Subrat Manocha, establishing his direct role in orchestrating the fatal conspiracy.
A debate on Talking Point examines the tragic death by suicide of undergraduate student Sahil Wakode at IIT Bombay and the allegations of caste discrimination on campus. Panellists discuss the filing of charges under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act against Professor Suryanarayan Dula following the incident. Alumnus Sudheendra Kulkarni argues against pre-judging guilt before an inquiry and warns against the misuse of legal provisions, stating 'the normal principle of justice is that you are innocent until proven guilty.' In response, Dr Suraj Yengde highlights systemic challenges and statistical data concerning Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students, alleging institutionalised caste discrimination within higher education institutions. Professor Raghu Murtugudde addresses campus pressure and emphasizes the need for an impartial fact-finding probe to restore trust between students and administration. The discussion raises critical questions regarding student mental health, academic pressure, fair investigation, and institutional accountability across Indian Institutes of Technology.
The India Today Pollution Ka Solution special report examines four technological innovations aimed at tackling severe air pollution in Delhi's hotspots.
A special report examines four technological innovations aimed at tackling severe air pollution in Delhi's hotspots. The first solution features Mann+Hummel's Filter Cube technology, brought to India by MRH Technologies, which claims a 60 to 70 percent reduction in particulate matter and harmful gases. The second innovation is Human Technologies' Ambient Purification System, an outdoor filterless wind-tunnel design built to settle heavier particulate matter without frequent maintenance. The third system, developed by Shudh Vayu Technology, is a vehicle-mounted retrofit air purifier that harnesses kinetic energy while driving to capture particulate matter without using electricity. Lastly, Aeroboz, in partnership with IIT Kanpur, presents a bus rooftop 'wind panel' combining electrostatic filtration with solar and wind energy generation. Together, these technologies offer scalable outdoor interventions to mitigate toxic air exposure across urban transport, schools, and crowded public zones.
A video from a government hospital in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has surfaced showing a driver examining patients and prescribing medicines in the absence of a doctor. The incident unfolded while the assigned government doctor was away, allegedly for court-related work. Footage shows the driver managing the outpatient department, inquiring about symptoms, and advising patients on medication without medical training. Following the viral clip, questions have been raised regarding the state healthcare system. The Chief Medical Officer has directed an investigation into the matter, while a formal clarification has been sought from the doctor concerned.
A businessman in Kanpur, Amit Gupta, died after being severely assaulted by local goons when he objected to men publicly urinating in front of his shop. The victim succumbed to his injuries in the hospital without regaining consciousness. His family alleged that despite submitting CCTV footage of the incident to the police, no arrests were made even 72 hours later. DCP Atul Srivastava stated that an FIR has been registered at Kakadev police station, about a dozen people were detained for questioning, four suspects have been identified from CCTV footage, and four dedicated police teams have been constituted to apprehend the accused.
A flood alert has been issued across North India following heavy rainfall that has caused rivers and reservoirs to swell. In Uttar Pradesh, overflowing dams in Lalitpur and rising levels of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers have inundated residential areas in Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Kanpur, affecting nearly 3.5 lakh people across 26 districts. In Bihar, eight districts remain on alert as the Ganga submerges areas in Patna's Danapur Dihra block, Begusarai, and Kosi, leaving villages isolated and residents waiting for essential relief. SDRF and local rescue teams remain on standby across both states as further rain is forecast.
A flood alert remains in force across North India following relentless rainfall that has caused rivers and reservoirs to swell. In Uttar Pradesh, nearly 3.5 lakh people across 26 districts have been affected, with twelve dams in Lalitpur opening gates to discharge excess water. Swelling waters of the Ganga and Yamuna have inundated colonies in Prayagraj and brought levels close to danger marks in Varanasi, while Kanpur closed a bridge over the Pandav River. In Bihar, eight districts are on alert as the Ganga submerged large areas of Danapur Diara in Patna, Begusarai, and parts of Kosi where hundreds of families remain cut off, prompting rescue operations by the State Disaster Response Force.
Kanpur Police have launched 'Operation Alert' under the Safe City Mission to bolster women's safety across public transport networks. Following an unfortunate incident involving a student in Delhi, the initiative mandates background verification for drivers and staff operating tourist buses, city buses, autos, and e-rickshaws. ADCP Crime Sneha Tiwari stated that transport operators must fill a 20-point character verification proforma and submit it to local police stations within seven days. Verified drivers must carry the approved document at all times. Women police personnel are actively conducting random bus inspections and ground drills across Kanpur to identify criminal antecedents and make transit secure for working women and students.
Continuous heavy rainfall in Kanpur has caused a newly constructed road to cave in at the Brahm Nagar area, creating a massive pothole measuring twenty-five feet long and ten feet deep. The collapse has been linked to underlying drainage issues beneath the road surface. Commuters face severe disruption, with vehicles forced to take U-turns or navigate footpaths amid exposed electricity wires posing safety hazards. The local administration deployed JCB machines for repair work and demolished an obstructing structure following High Court orders. The incident has raised questions regarding construction quality, compliance with safety standards, and monsoon preparedness by civic authorities.
The India Today Group has launched the 'Pollution Ka Solution' campaign to invite practical ideas from citizens to tackle vehicular pollution in Delhi. Within three days of launch, the initiative received around 350 ideas from across the country. Submitted proposals will be evaluated by a jury that includes the IIT Kanpur director, the head of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, a doctor, and Kalli Purie. Shortlisted solutions will be tested on the ground by the Delhi government and showcased on television. The Chief Minister will adopt the selected top ideas, and winners will receive a cash prize of 50 lakh rupees. Suggestions can be submitted via the designated website or QR code.
A bizarre scene unfolded in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, as a crowd rushed to collect discarded chocolates dumped in the garbage by a factory. Visuals show people filling their bags with the chocolates, which had expired in 2024. The incident has raised major food safety concerns over the potential health risks associated with collecting and consuming expired discarded food items.
Delhi Environment Minister Mahendra Singh Sirsa and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta outlined government initiatives to combat air pollution at the India Today Group's 'Pollution Ka Solution' event. Minister Sirsa detailed waste management efforts, reporting that Delhi processes up to 15,000 metric tons of daily waste and 35,000 metric tons of legacy waste, with over 70 acres of landfill reclaimed. Inspections of 12,000 industrial units led to the sealing of 2,200 non-compliant factories. Annual average PM2.5 levels decreased by 7.7 percent, while PM10 levels dropped by 7.1 percent. Chief Minister Gupta highlighted a 15,000 crore rupee EV policy targeting charging infrastructure, battery recycling, and a transition to 100 percent electric government vehicles. Construction dust monitoring relies on AI-enabled digital cameras for properties exceeding 500 square metres. Additional measures include a 70 lakh tree plantation drive, forest notification for the ridge area, and regional cooperation on stubble burning. Medical and innovation experts also addressed pediatric health risks and Gen Z solutions.
The India Today Group has launched its 'Solution for Pollution' initiative, introducing an expert jury panel dedicated to finding scalable, cost-effective, and practical solutions for Delhi's severe air pollution. India Today Group Vice Chairperson Kalli Purie highlighted the campaign's evolution from merely reporting on pollution every winter to becoming an active part of the solution, urging young minds and Gen Z to submit innovative ideas. She emphasized the ambition to reduce Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) to manageable levels and restore the city's winter charm. The panel includes IIT Kanpur Director Manendra Agarwal, who stressed that viable solutions must perform at scale and remain affordable to succeed outside laboratory settings. DPCC official Naresh Priyadarshini noted a significant shift from passive reporting to actionable ground solutions backed by active government drive. Additionally, Indian Academy of Pediatrics President Dr. Neela Mohan called for turning air quality awareness into a public movement while offering health guidance to parents.
Delhi's Environment Minister addressed the city's complex pollution challenges at an event hosted with India Today Group. Highlighting major sources including vehicular emissions, construction dust, and massive landfill sites, the Minister detailed waste management efforts, noting that over 70 acres of land have been reclaimed from landfill mountains. The Minister presented data indicating a 7.7 percent drop in annual average PM 2.5 levels, a 7.1 percent reduction in annual PM 10 levels, and a 3.87 percent decrease in average AQI. Addressing public questions, he explained that funds allocated for cloud seeding were provided to IIT Kanpur for research. Furthermore, authorities inspected 12,000 unauthorized industrial units in outer Delhi, sealing over 2,200 non-compliant factories. Emphasizing that long-term air quality improvement takes time, he highlighted inter-state coordination under the Union Environment Ministry and invited young innovators to submit solutions to help clean Delhi's air.
A serious food safety concern has emerged from Kanpur Dehat after a dead rat was reportedly discovered inside a sealed packet of Bikanervala Navratna mixture namkeen. The packet, purchased at a grocery store on Mughal Road, prompted immediate outrage and demands for a strict investigation regarding hygiene standards. Following a formal complaint and viral video of the incident, the Food and Safety Department in Uttar Pradesh issued a notice to the manufacturer. Officials sent a regional food safety inspection team to conduct an on-spot investigation, record witness statements, and question company representatives to enforce compliance with food safety laws.
The Parliament deadlock continues for a third consecutive week as opposition parties intensified efforts to corner the government over the recent crackdown on student protests, demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the July 20 police action.
Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udayanidhi Stalin was released on station bail in Sengipatti, Thanjavur.
The big focus of this episode of 5 Live is on India's first consumer court order on E20, which went in Chhattisgarh vehicle owner's favour.
