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.
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 efforts to integrate women into leadership roles. Following a Supreme Court order in 2023, the Army assigned 108 women officers to command roles outside the medical stream for the first time. However, sources in the Army said Lt Gen Puri's observations were based on a small sample size of seven women COs in the 17 Corps, while the Army has over 100 women COs across its formations. Sources said that the views might reflect the personal observations of Lt Gen Puri. Interpersonal challenges Lt Gen Puri highlighted increased officer management issues in units led by women COs, citing a lack of tact and sensitivity towards the personal needs of officers and subordinates. The report noted an authoritative conflict resolution style rather than mutual resolution. Frequent complaints The letter pointed to an "exaggerated tendency to complain" among women COs, where minor grievances were escalated directly to senior commanders instead of being resolved internally. Subordinates linked this behaviour to human resource management challenges within such units. Centralised leadership style A centralised decision-making approach by women COs reportedly left junior officers and company commanders feeling excluded. The report mentioned that this "my way or highway" approach led to a lack of trust among officers. Entitlement and ego issues The report mentioned instances of women COs demanding personal privileges and prioritising comfort over units' needs. This behaviour, though rare among men COs, was observed disproportionately in units led by women officers, according to the letter. Lack of empathy Harsh decision-making and insensitivity towards compassionate requests from troops were also mentioned in the report as recurring issues. Lt Gen Puri suggested that it might stem from efforts to counter perceived gender stereotypes, leading to a lack of balanced leadership. Overcompensation in leadership The analysis mentioned that some women COs adopted overly rigid leadership styles, potentially to prove themselves in a traditionally male-dominated environment. Celebration of minor achievements The report also critiqued the tendency of women COs to over-celebrate minor accomplishments, suggesting it could skew leadership dynamics and foster a need for constant validation. To address these challenges, Lt Gen Puri proposed a gender-neutral policy for postings and selections, and enhanced training of instructors to ensure unbiased officer assessments. Revisiting spouse coordination policies to align them with compassionate grounds, and curtailing symbolic showcasing of women officers in empowerment roles to avoid tokenism were some of the other suggestions mentioned in the report.
Shimla, Jun 28 (PTI) India and Tibet are two ancient civilisations with interwoven roots that continue to shape a shared identity, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, said on Saturday. He was addressing a seminar on shared Indo-Tibetan heritage and linked understanding of national security organised by the Army's central command in Shimla. Also Read | 'Hearts of 140 Crore Indians Beat With You': PM Narendra Modi Talks to India's 'First Astronaut' Shubhanshu Shukla Onboard ISS (Watch Video). The event brought together scholars, strategists and senio ...Read More >
Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh emphasized the Indian Army's need to adapt to modern warfare challenges at a Jaipur seminar. He highlighted the importance of AI, advanced systems, and ISR capabilities, citing Operation Sindoor's success. A MoU with MNIT Jaipur aims to boost indigenous defense technology, focusing on integrating cutting-edge solutions and ethical AI development for future military operations. South Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh on Wednesday said tha ...Read More >
New Delhi: Kaun Banega Crorepati's Independence Day episode is drawing fire even before it airs. The upcoming show will see host Amitabh Bachchan welcoming three decorated women officers, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force and Commander Prerna Deosthalee of the Indian Navy. A promotional clip released by Sony Liv shows the officers walking onto the set to loud applause. The broadcast is scheduled for August 15. In the episode, they share accounts from Operation Sindoor, India's cross-border military offensive in response to that fol ...Read More >
Jammu: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited the headquarters of Strike One, also known as 1 Corps, in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura and was briefed on the operational preparedness of the formation, the Army said on Friday. He also visited a transit camp of the Northern Command in Jammu, Udhampur Air Force Station and Basantgarh in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army's Northern Command said on X. "Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander Northern Command, visited Strike One; The Army Commander was briefed on the operational preparedness of the ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised that women's empowerment is vital to India's growth, highlighting a shift in societal perspective where women are no longer limited to traditional roles. Instead, they are recognised as key drivers of progress, contributing significantly to the nation's development. The BJP-led NDA government at the centre released a book highlighting its achievements in empowering women over the last 11 years. As the NDA completes its 11 years in government, the book highlights various key schemes, such as Beti Bachao Beti Pa ...Read More >
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a special national integration camp organised by the Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh NCC Directorate here, Abdullah also lauded the sanctioning of several projects for the UT. "Let there be discussions, it is a good thing. But we would want the discussions to conclude soon and that we get what we are demanding," he said. Welcoming the sanctioning of several projects for Jammu and Kashmir, including tunnels, costing ₹10,600 crore, the CM said these projects wi ...Read More >
JAMMU, June 27: White Knight Corps General Officer Commanding (GOC) Lieutenant General P K Mishra today visited Rajouri district to review the operational preparedness and prevailing security situation in the sector. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp He impressed upon the troops to maintain high readiness and dominate the operational environment in the twin border districts. "GoC White Knight Corps visited the Headquarters of Romeo Force to review the operational preparedness and prevailing security dynamics in the sector," White Knight Corps said in a post on X. The GOC comme ...Read More >
New Delhi: In Indian politics, slogans often do the heavy lifting. 'Nari Shakti', the BJP's rallying cry for women's empowerment, has been a consistent part of its electoral pitch, development agenda, and cultural messaging. From schemes like Ujjwala Yojana to the push for the Women's Reservation Bill, the party has repeatedly projected itself as a champion of women's rights. However, despite years of promoting 'Nari Shakti' as a key electoral plank and cultural identity, the Bharatiya Janata Party today finds itself in an uncomfortable position, lacking a strong, popular pan-India woman face ...Read More >
Srinagar- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday lauded the role of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets during Operation Sindoor, calling their contributions a shining example of selfless service and commitment to the nation. Speaking at the Special National Integration Camp at Chinar Auditorium, Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar, the LG said the cadets "rose to the occasion during difficult times," referring to their active participation in relief efforts during Operation Sindoor. "Beyond their selfless service in relief camps across border districts, they also proactively organized blo ...Read More >
VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agri ...Read More >
Imphal, July 10: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Thursday highlighted the state's legacy as a powerhouse of sports and emphasised the importance of youth engagement through such tournaments. The Governor, while addressing the trophy showcase Ceremony of the 134th Edition Durand Cup 2025 held at City Convention Centre in Imphal, commended the Indian Army's consistent role in promoting sports and national integration. He expressed confidence that the Durand Cup would inspire a new generation of young athletes in the region. Bhalla, former Union Home Secretary, further stated that hosting ...Read More >
Jaipur: In a two - day technical seminar "Next Generation Combat - Shaping Tomorrow's Military Today" organized at the Military Station Jaipur, the defence experts have laid stress upon enhancing the focus on developing indigenous solar-powered drones for extended endurance and better stealth capabilities considering the rapid evolution of drone warfare. As per the release from the defence officials, the sessions delved deeper into the pivotal role of advanced science and technology in shaping a strong, future-ready Indian Army which is an essential instrument of comprehensive national power ...Read More >
Pune: The Indian Gig Workers' Front on Saturday evening suspended the ongoing strike of cabs and autorickshaws operating on applications till Tuesday, after leaving many commuters, including those arriving at the airport on Saturday morning, hassled. Keshav Kshirsagar, the president of the front, said, "We have a meeting on Tuesday with senior officials of the state transport department. If its decisions don't meet our expectations, the strike will resume." Several commuters had a harrowing experience on roads on Friday and in the early hours of Saturday. Cabs and autos were hard to come by. T ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: In an era when student safety has become an urgent concern, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's proactive launch of the 'Shaktishree' initiative on Saturday evening appears not only timely but also visionary. The programme, unveiled in response to the recent tragic incident involving a girl student at FM College, Balasore, aims at the physical and mental empowerment of girl students -- striking a delicate yet determined balance between compassion and structural reform. According to experts, at its heart, Shaktishree is a forward-thinking approach to nurturing both the phys ...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 >
Srinagar, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday visited the special national integration camp (SNIC) 2025 at the Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar and said that the strength of India lies in its unity in diversity and this unity in diversity is truly seen at camps like the SNIC 2025. A Defence Ministry statement said: "The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, visited the Special National Integration Camp (SNIC) 2025 at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar. "The camp, organised by JK&L Directorate under the leadership of ADG, Maj Gen Anupi ...Read More >
Kerala- Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that "Operation Sindoor" is another example of the government's decisive cross-border counter-terrorism action, adding it to the list of bold military responses following the Uri and Pulwama attacks. Addressing a public meeting in Kerala, Shah recalled the government's response to major terror incidents in the recent past. "We responded to the Uri attack with a surgical strike and to the Pulwama attack with air strikes," he said, referring to the 2016 and 2019 attacks, respectively. He cited Operation Sindoor as a fresh example of India' ...Read More >
Patna, Aug 1 (PTI) Healthcare services were affected at AIIMS-Patna on Friday as resident doctors went on an "indefinite strike" in protest against the alleged high-handedness of Sheohar MLA Chetan Anand. According to a press statement issued by the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), AIIMS-Patna, on Friday, "The RDA expresses deep disappointment and anguish over the lack of action by the administration following the violent and traumatic incident that occurred on Wednesday, when MLA Chetan Anand, his wife and their armed guards breached hospital security, physically assaulted staff, and thr ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha interacted with National Cadet Corps (NCC) Cadets at the Special National Integration Camp, today at Badami Bagh Cantonment here. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO In his address, Sinha commended the NCC Directorate, J&K and Ladakh, Headquarters 15 Corps and Headquarters 31 Sub Area for organising Special National Integration Camp to provide an opportunity to expose youth from various parts of the country to the rich culture and traditions of J&K and present inspiring example of unity in diversity. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp "N ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 27: The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General PK Mishra, at a high-level security review, visited the Headquarters of Romeo Force to assess operational preparedness and evaluate the prevailing security dynamics in the sensitive Poonch-Rajouri sector. The GOC commended Romeo Force for its sustained and proactive counter-terrorism operations in the region, underlining the need to maintain relentless pressure on infiltrating groups and preserv ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): Retired Major General GD Bakshi on Friday emphasised the need for strategic preparedness amid regional threats, particularly from China after Indian Army's recent comments on Operation Sindoor. The operation highlighted the changing nature of warfare and the necessity of technological readiness. 'China is testing their weapons for free against advanced weapons; hence, we need to be prepared well,' said Bakshi. This comes after Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh's statement that China share ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) has condemned the 'reckless and unfounded insinuation' that pilot suicide might be the cause of the tragic crash of the Air India 171 flight in Ahmedabad on June 12, following the preliminary investigation report on the accident. Until the official investigation is concluded and the final report is published, 'any speculation, especially of such a grave nature, is unacceptable and must be condemned,' the ICPA said in a statement. According to the preliminary report submitted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation ...Read More >
Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 7.5 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.96 lakh crore in July (for sales in June), data released by the government on Friday showed. Even though the pace of growth in gross GST collections picked up to 7.5 per cent in July from 6.2 per cent, this is the second consecutive month wherein the growth rate has been in single digits and much lower after posting double-digit growth in the first two months of the ongoing financial year. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO Net GST collections, after accounting for refunds, took a hit by growing by just 1.7 per ...Read More >
In India - the world's largest film-producing country, only 31% of films and series meet key gender equality metrics. The fact that women hold just 12% of the analyzed leadership roles in top 25 entertainment firms is a real eye-opener. These numbers are from the O Womaniya!2024 Report - the most definitive study on female representation in Indian entertainment, championed by Prime Video, researched by Ormax Media, and produced by Film Companion Studios. The report reveals a harsh truth about Indian entertainment: the industry is known for shaping narratives and influencing societal norms, ye ...Read More >
JAMMU: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited the headquarters of Strike One, also known as 1 Corps, in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura and was briefed on the operational preparedness of the formation, the Army said on Friday. He also visited a transit camp of the Northern Command in Jammu, Udhampur Air Force Station and Basantgarh in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army's Northern Command said on X. "Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander Northern Command, visited Strike One; The Army Commander was briefed on the operational preparedness of the ...Read More >
Shimla, Jun 28 (PTI) India and Tibet are two ancient civilisations with interwoven roots that continue to shape a shared identity, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, said on Saturday. He was addressing a seminar on shared Indo-Tibetan heritage and linked understanding of national security organised by the Army's central command in Shimla. The event brought together scholars, strategists and senior military leaders to examine the deep civilisational ties between India and Tibet and assess their relevance to contemporary border management and regiona ...Read More >
NEW DELHI - India's Deputy Army Chief, Lieutenant General Rahul Singh admitted tactical setbacks in May 2025 escalation as Pakistan's forces displayed textbook-style strategic readiness which Indian forces did not expect. Lt Gen Singh said Pakistan's intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities during the recent standoff had taken Indian forces by surprise. Referring to sensitive military engagements during the crisis dubbed Operation Sindoor, he said Pakistan demonstrated real-time tracking of Indian military movements. According to him, Pakistan had the capability to monitor Indian stri ...Read More >
Kolkata: The 134th Durand Cup Organizing Committee announced that the total cash prize money pool of this year's tournament will increase three times to Rs 3 crore. This year IndianOil Durand cup, oldest in Asia, will kick off on July 23 and will be played in five states-Assam, Meghalaya, Shillong, Bengal and Jharkhand. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be present at the grand finale on August 23. Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra AVSM, SM, Chief of Staff HQ Eastern Command and Chairman Durand Cup Organising Committee, said, "I am delighted to announce that this year the tournament has sign ...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 >
Thiruvananthapuram: A new Coast Guard jetty, designed to enable safe berthing and swift deployment of surface assets, was inaugurated at Vizhinjam on Saturday. The facility was opened by Indian Coast Guard Director General S Paramesh, AVSM, PTM, TM, in the presence of Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, PTM, TM, Commander of the Coast Guard Region (West), during an official ceremony, according to a Defence release. Describing the jetty as a "cutting-edge" addition, the release said the berth -- with a length of 76.7 metres, breadth of 8 metres, and depth ranging from 4 to 6 metres -- can accomm ...Read More >