India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
Pune: Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth on Thursday said that the Indian Army's swift response and technical proficiency were crucial in saving lives during the critical early phase of the rescue operation at the Air India A-171 aircraft crash site in Ahmedabad on June 12.Within minutes, around 130 personnel from the military station, including engineers, medical staff, firefighting teams, and quick response teams were mobilised, he said and added that the General Officer Commanding of the 11th Infantry Division immediately reached the accident spot."A prompt decision to breach the wall between the Military Hospital of Ahmedabad and BJ Medical College, which was struck by the aircraft, proved decisive in saving the lives of those trapped in the medical college complex," the commander said while delivering a lecture at a day-long seminar -- 'Exercise Durg Vishwas' -- at the College of Military Engineering.He said this provided immediate access to the crash site, enabling army teams to deploy earth movers for debris clearance, carry out rescue and fire suppression operations, and work closely with civil authorities, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the State Disaster Relief Force.Moreover, the Indian Army is in the process of acquiring Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) bricks, which have been standardised into six categories and are being centrally procured, the commander said. "Southern Command will be getting five such bricks, each tailored to address specific requirements during disaster relief operations." According to the commander, disaster management is not just a humanitarian concern but a core national security issue; therefore, responding to disasters has become an operational imperative. "Southern Command, which covers 41% landmass, including states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It encompasses diverse and disaster-prone terrain, such as long coastlines, mountain regions, flood-prone rivers, and zones vulnerable to earthquakes, cyclones, and landslides.""Our 200 HADR columns are earmarked and kept ready to cater to the vast area of the command, and they are augmented with the Engineer Task Force. Last year, 30 HADR teams were deployed across various disaster relief operations, with the sappers playing a pivotal role in each," the general officer said.The commander said they take proactive steps to foster coordination with civil agencies. Therefore, the command decided to have a military-civil fusion training node at key stations where civil agencies will be trained with the army across its limit, he said.The Corps of Engineers emerged as a critical enabler, he said. "Their ability to restore mobility, build temporary infrastructure, assess structural damage, and support evacuation and shelter operations has proven invaluable. It demonstrated its versatility in Wayanad in Kerala, in Pune in flood relief, and even in Myanmar." Former Army chief General Manoj Pande, who delivered a special address, emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to handle any disaster. "It is essential to integrate AI and satellite imagery to provide granular geo-targeted alerts directly to the communities. Drones can be used for rapid damage assessment and delivering essential supplies to difficult terrains. Moreover, the army should train civil defence agencies to effectively handle disaster situations," he said.Experts from the National Disaster Management Authority, NDRF, State Disaster Management Authorities, and key institutions involved in the national disaster preparedness and response framework also participated in the seminar.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Karnataka government and the Centre should resolve the issue in connection with the release of financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to the state for drought management. The matter came up before a bench comprising justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan. Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, requested the bench that he needed some time to file an affidavit in the matter. "You should resolve it," the bench said. During the hearing, the bench queried, how much amount has been released so far? ...Read More >
Mumbai: The birth of three penguin chicks at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has sparked an unexpected row not over their care, but their names. BJP functionary Nitin Bankar from the Byculla Assembly constituency has objected to the chicks being given English names, insisting they be named in Marathi instead. The BMC is expected to respond by June 10, after which Bankar will decide his next move. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Bankar said, "When penguins were brought from abroad, we accepted that their names would be in English. But these chicks were born on the soil of M ...Read More >
Hyderabad, December 4: After an earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hit the Mulugu district of Telangana on Wednesday morning, Dr Prakash Kumar, Director of CSIR-NGRI said that the state capital is generally considered as a stable and low-risk area for seismic activity, making an earthquake of this magnitude rare for the region. The official said that since Hyderabad is not in a major seismic zone, such an event may not pose immediate cause for alarm, but it is still valuable to monitor the scientific background behind it. Earthquake in Telangana: Quake of Magnitude 5.3 on Richter Scale Hits Mulugu, ...Read More >
A top Army officer has raised significant concerns in his review of women Commanding Officers (COs), flagging "ego issues", "frequent complaints", and "lack of empathy". The feedback letter was written by Lieutenant General Rajeev Puri, the outgoing Corps Commander of the 17 Corps, to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command. The letter, dated October 1, 2024, provides an analysis of challenges observed in units led by women COs within the 17 Corps over the past year. The letter has sparked discussions within the military and among defence analysts about the Army's effor ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
The churning waters of the 21 Century maritime domain are no longer defined solely by steel-hulled might and firepower. Today, the true battleground lies in the unseen realms of algorithms, data streams and quantum states. The Indian Navy, a sentinel of the vast Indian Ocean Region (IOR), stands at the cusp of this technological revolution, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to secure its maritime sovereignty and amplify its geopolitical influence. India's journey into this brave new world is both a strategic necessity and an audacious leap. With China's growing nav ...Read More >
Itanagar, Dec 5 (PTI) The Arunachal Pradesh government has inked a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Indian Army for the maintenance and upkeep of the Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing Museum of Valour in Tawang district. The memorandum was signed by Tawang Deputy Commissioner Kangki Darang and Brigadier VS Rajput of the 190 Mountain Brigade on Wednesday in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. With this agreement, the museum will be effectively managed solely by the Indian Army, an official statement said here on Thursday. On the occasion, Khandu paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai P ...Read More >
Heavy rains across Tamil Nadu have led to school closures in several districts, including Chennai, on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, predicting moderate rains and light thunderstorms in parts of the state. Rainfall figures show significant precipitation in multiple areas. Meanwhile, Northern India braces for a cold wave beginning December 9, with the IMD forecasting plunging temperatures in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.Schools acros ...Read More >
New Delhi: Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Sunday (Dec 15) left on a four-day official visit to Indonesia to further consolidate the bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. His visit, which will conclude on December 18, is in line with the deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a focus on enhancing Naval Cooperation. During the visit, Admiral Tripathi will engage in bilateral discussions with top Indonesian Government and defence officials, including Lt Gen Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (retd), Defence Minister of Indonesia, General Agus Subiyanto, Commander ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: In his budget for 2025-26, Finance Minister K N Balagopal emphasised on technology, research, jobs, and education, positioning the state as a knowledge powerhouse. Here are key allocations and initiatives that could fuel the state's knowledge economy vision. Technology & AI * Rs 10 crore for establishing a world-class GPU cluster in Thiruvananthapuram to develop AI and AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) industries. Unlike a CPU (Central Processing Unit), optimised for sequential tasks, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) excels at parallel processing, maki ...Read More >
Guwahati: Rescue operations in rain-ravaged North Sikkim resumed on Thursday after a crucial break in the weather, successfully bringing 59 stranded tourists back to Gangtok. Severe weather and landslides trapped a group of 109 tourists in Lachung for nearly a week, and these individuals were among them. Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge! According to the official reports, two MI-17V5 helicopters departed from Pakyong airport near Gangtok early Thursday morning. One helicopter rescued 39 tourists, while the other brought back 20, including two fo ...Read More >
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that the army has shifted Jammu and Kashmir's focus from "terrorism to tourism" while working towards 'Viksit Bharat 2047.' He emphasized the army's contribution to national security, development, and disaster relief, highlighting its role in achieving a "Progressive" and "Peaceful" India.Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi said that while moving towards the goal of 'Viksit Bharat 2047,' the army has been able to transform the idea of Jammu and Kashmir from "terrorism to tourism." While addressing an event at Savitribai Phule Pu ...Read More >
Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 11 (ANI): The Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC)-151 for NCC girl cadets of the 60 Assam Girls Battalion and other units under NCC Group Headquarters, Guwahati, commenced on December 9 and will continue until December 18. According to the Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO), the camp aims to promote leadership, discipline, and national pride. The PRO's statement read: "The Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC)-151 of NCC cadets of 60 Assam Girls Bn NCC, Guwahati, and other units of NCC Group Headquarters, Guwahati, under NCC Directorate NER, Shillong, b ...Read More >
India's Indigenous Light Tank: A Key Weapon System For High-Altitude Combat Friday, December 13, 2024 by Indian Defence News India's indigenous light tank, Zorawar, represents a significant advancement in the country's defence capabilities, particularly for operations in high-altitude regions. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and supported by various Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Zorawar is designed to meet the operational demands highlighted during the 2020 standoff with China in Eastern Lada ...Read More >
Guwahati, June 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The flood situation in Assam marginally improved on Thursday, while the situation further improved in other northeastern states, an official said. With two more fresh deaths in Assam, the death toll in seven states, excluding Sikkim, of the region increased to 48. According to the disaster management officials of different northeastern states, out of 48 deaths during the current spell of rain and floods since May 29, at least 21 people died in Assam, followed by 12 in Arunachal Pradesh, six in Meghalaya, five in Mizoram, two in Tripura and one each in Nagalan ...Read More >
PUDUCHERRY: With the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) heavy rain forecast for Puducherry, the UT government has ramped up its preparedness to mitigate the impact, including uninterrupted electricity and drinking water supplies, evacuating residents from low-lying areas, and setting up relief camps. Puducherry experienced 7.69 cm of rainfall Karaikal received 9.6 cm of rainfall in the past 24 hours. After visiting several areas in the UT to assess the situation, Chief Minister N Rangasamy convened an emergency meeting with Public Works Minister Lakshminarayanan, Collector A Kulothungan ...Read More >
Imphal, Dec 3 (VOICE) Amidst the hectic search operation by the Army and other security forces and continued agitation by various organisations, the 56-year-old man of the Meitei community remained untraced for the ninth day on Tuesday.A police official said that the Army has deployed over 2,000 soldiers including Assam Rifles personnel and is conducting hectic searches in Kangpokpi and adjoining districts to locate Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, who has been missing since November 25. The Army as part of their search operation deployed tracker dogs, drones and other devices. Several Civil Societ ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Dec 4 (VOICE) The earthquake that hit Telangana on Wednesday morning was the second earthquake of over 5 magnitude on the Richter Scale in the region in the last 55 years.According to the National Center for Seismology, an earthquake of 5.3 magnitude was felt at 7.27 a.m. on Wednesday with Medaram in Mulugu district of Telangana as the epicentre. The region experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 on April 13, 1969, with Bhadrachalam as the epicentre. According to scientists, both earthquakes were linked to the Godavari rift valley, which is a fault zone. The tremors on ...Read More >
Kochi: The High Court has directed the Kerala state government to convince the central government that the state deserves more assistance for the Wayanad landslide disaster. The division bench also expressed its readiness to mediate between the central and state governments in this regard. According to the latest figures, the state disaster relief fund holds around Rs 700 crore, but only Rs 61 crore is available for expenditure, as reported by the amicus curiae. Kerala: Court orders inclusion of abetment charges against police officers in Dalit youth suicide case The Kerala state government ...Read More >
Sikandar ka Muqaddar Controversy: A scene capturing the flamingos in the recently released Netflix movie has stirred a new row among environmentalists. As per a Free Press Journal report, the greens have alleged that the flamingo shot was captured from a close angle purportedly via a drone. The complaint was made to the Mangrove Cell with a request to take the issue in cognizance legally with the Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner, NRI Coastal police station and CIDCO. A part of the NatConnect Foundation's complaint stated that during the timeline 1:03:44 to 1:03:54 in the movie, a shot captured ...Read More >
Aryan Meena, who lived in the Dausa district of Rajasthan state, was trapped in the narrow well for three days after falling into it while playing on Monday afternoon. The boy, wearing pants and a t-shirt, had to endure plummeting winter temperatures inside the well as well as hunger and thirst. Children and even adult people dying from falling into open borewells is not uncommon in rural India where they are dug to pump water for irrigation and drinking and left abandoned after they run dry. ...Read More >
Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 26 (VOICE) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Thursday, paid his final respects to the mortal remains of the soldiers in Belagavi who died in an accident in Jammu and Kashmir. At the War Memorial in Belagavi, the CM offered floral tributes to the mortal remains of Subedar Dayanand Tirukannavar and Mahesh Marigond. Speaking to the media afterwards, the Chief Minister said, "The lives and careers of soldiers are of the highest honour. It is deeply saddening that soldiers from our state have been martyred in an accident. I pray for the peace of the souls of the f ...Read More >
New Delhi, November 27, 2024: The Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD), SIST, Jamia Hamdard, organized a thought-provoking lecture on "Climate Change and Green Transition: Global Impact on Natural Disasters and their Management" on 25 November 2024. The event was part of CESD's ongoing initiatives to promote awareness and action on critical environmental issues. Professor (Dr.) M. Z. Abdin, Director of CESD, delivered the welcome address and introductory remarks, setting the stage for the session. He emphasized the urgency of transitioning to green energy and sustainable ...Read More >
CUDDALORE: Cyclone Fengal has led to heavy rainfall and disrupted normal life in Cuddalore, with rough seas and waves rising over 10 feet on the coast, significantly higher than the usual 2 feet. Coastal areas, including Thazhanguda, Devanampattinam, Singarathoppu, and Sothikuppam, are affected. The district recorded an average rainfall of 5.23 cm from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning, and the downpour continued on Wednesday. Educational institutions remained closed following an order by Collector Sibi Aditya Senthil Kumar. Following the warning issued by the Fisheries Department not to ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday expressed her sorrow over the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Fengal in south India including Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Offering her condolences to those who lost their loved ones, Vadra appealed to the Congress workers to work with the administration in relief work amid the crisis. "Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Cyclone Fengal in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. My prayers are with those who have lost loved ones and those facing immense loss and hardship. I appeal to all Congress workers to join hands with ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 4 (PTI) Aviation watchdog DGCA will soon come out with streamlined regulations for wet-leasing of planes by Indian airlines that will also entail enhanced oversight of the aircraft, amid airlines looking to operate more planes to meet rising travel demand. With persisting supply chain woes, there is a delay in aircraft deliveries and to meet the near-term needs, carriers are opting for planes on dry and wet leases. Also Read | ISRO PROBA-3 Mission Launch Delayed: Indian Space Agency Reschedules Launch of PSLV-C59 After Detecting 'Anomaly'. A senior official in the know told P ...Read More >
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is visiting Indonesia from December 15-18 to bolster bilateral defense relations. He will meet with Indonesian defense officials to discuss maritime security, joint training, and enhanced operational collaboration. The visit coincides with the ongoing 43rd India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol, highlighting the growing maritime partnership between the two nations.The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is set to embark on a four-day o ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) India's offensive and defensive responses need to be further strengthened in view of turmoil in the rules-based global order, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday. In an address at an event, he also said that the Indian Navy is working towards increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean region. Also Read | Indian Army's 'Sambhav' Smart Phone Used During China Border Talks for Secure Communication. The Indian Ocean is witnessing increasing Chinese presence triggering concern among India's national security planners. India's economic prosperity is linked to m ...Read More >
Chaten (Sikkim) [India], June 3 (ANI): In a successful rescue operation, a group of 34 stranded individuals, including injured Army personnel, their family members, and tourists, were air evacuated from Chaten and safely landed at Pakyong Greenfield Airport. The evacuation mission was carried out by two MI-17 V5 helicopters, marking a crucial step in providing relief to those affected, as per the Government of Sikkim. Meanwhile, on June 2, Stranded tourists in Lachung were actively evacuated through a coordinated effort involving the police, residents, forest personnel, and the Lachung Hotel ...Read More >
Shillong, June 5 (UNI) The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local villagers continue searching for Sonam Raghuvanshi, wife of murdered Madhya Pradesh tourist Raja Raghuvanshi, even as Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma says perpetrators would be booked and punished. "The government will leave no stone unturned in uncovering what exactly happened to the couple. Those responsible for the murder will be brought to book and punished," Sangma said. "We are working overtime to get to the fact of what exactly happened. Nothing is clear about the ...Read More >