Kargil (Ladakh), October 24: Highlighting the reforms in armed forces by the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the induction of women officers will boost the country’s strength.
Prime Minister landed in Kargil on Monday to celebrate Diwali with soldiers.
“For me, all of you have been my family for years now. It is a privilege to spend Diwali with our brave jawans in Kargil,” Prime Minister Modi saids.
“Over the last eight years, we have laid emphasis on implementing reforms in the armed forces. We have opened positions in the forces for women. Women’s power will strengthen our armed forces. The induction of women officers under ‘permanent commission’ will result in the growth of our power,” he said.
PM said the armed forces are the pillar of the country’s safety and security. “A nation is safe when the border is secure, the economy is strong and the society is full of confidence. India wishes this festival of lights paves way for global peace,”
He said it is because the armed forces are protecting borders that every citizen in India sleeps peacefully.
“From this victorious land of Kargil, I wish the countrymen and the world a very happy Diwali. There has not been a single war with Pakistan where Kargil has not hoisted the flag of victory. Diwali means ‘festival of end of terror’ and Kargil made it possible. Our Army in Kargil crushed the fountainhead of terror and people till date remember the Diwali of victory the country celebrated,” Prime Minister said.
He said while the jawans are protecting the borders, every citizen in the country is working towards strengthening the nation.
“Just like all of you are protecting us at the borders, we are working within the country to fight evils like terrorism, Naxalism, corruption. ‘Naxawad’ had taken a huge part of the nation in its grasp, but today that stretch is rapidly decreasing,” PM Modi said.
During the Ukraine war, he said. The Tricolour became a shield for Indian stranded there. “India’s respect has increased across the world. It is happening because India is standing successfully against its internal and external enemies,” he added.
Prime Minister said the Centre is developing hi-tech infrastructure in the border areas with seamless connectivity.
He said in the age of technology armed forces are ready, with new training, new reforms and new technology
“I commend all the three armed forces who have decided that over 400 types of defence equipment will not be imported but rather be built in India. When our jawans fight with made-in-India weapons, they will not only feel proud but also have an element of surprise to defeat the enemy,” he said.
PM Modi said when India’s strength rises, it is beneficial for global peace and prosperity. (Agencies)
Induction of women officers in armed forces will boost India’s strength: PM Modi in Kargil
CRPF commandant held for sexually harassing woman officer in J&K’s Udhampur, gets bail
JAMMU, Oct 24: A Commandant of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was arrested on the charge of sexually harassing a woman officer of the force in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, officials said on Monday.
A complaint was registered on Sunday in which an assistant commandant of a CRPF unit at Battal Ballian alleged that commandant Surinder Singh Rana was sexually and mentally harassing her, they said.
Based on the complaint, an FIR number was lodged against the commandant under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 354-A (making sexually coloured remarks -guilty of the offence of sexual harassment), 354-D (sexual favour shall mean and include any kind of unwanted sexual activity), 509 (intentional insult) at the Udhampur police station.
Udhampur Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Vinood Kumar said that the accused CRPF commandant was arrested by police and later court released him on bail.
The matter is being investigated, the SSP added. (Agencies)
Prez Murmu, PM Modi, cabinet ministers greet people on Diwali
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has greeted the people on Deepavali. He also wished that this festival of lights bring happiness and good health in everyone’s life.
Taking to microblogging site Twitter, the Prime Minister tweeted; “Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali. Diwali is associated with brightness and radiance. May this auspicious festival further the spirit of joy and well-being in our lives. I hope you have a wonderful Diwali with family and friends.”
In a message, the President said, “On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all the fellow citizens living in India and abroad. Diwali is a festival of happiness and joy. On the day of Diwali, people worship Goddess Lakshmi in their homes and pray for everyone’s happiness and prosperity.”
“The festival of Diwali is also an occasion to further strengthen the spirit of mutual cooperation and harmony. The light of Diwali symbolizes the knowledge that dispels all the darkness of our inner and outer ignorance. May energy and light spread in our lives like a Diya. May the spirit of helping the underprivileged grow deep in the minds of people and let us all continue our tradition of ‘Subh’ and ‘Labh,’” she added.
Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated all over India.
Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.” According to mythology, on this day Lord Ram returned to his kingdom Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after defeating Ravan in Lanka and serving 14 years of exile.
Arunachal helicopter crash: Mortal remains of jawan arrives at his native village in Assam’s Karimganj
The mortal remains of Havildar (Opr) Biresh Sinha, who died along with four other jawans in an Indian army chopper crash incident in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district, arrived at his native village in Ratabari in Assam’s Karimganj district on Sunday night.
The Indian Army Aviation Advance Light Helicopter (Weapon Systems Integrated) – ALH WSI based at Likabali (Assam), with five personnel on board had on Friday crashed at 10:43 am near Singging village, 25 kilometres away from the Tuting headquarters in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday. The chopper had taken off from Likabali in the Lower Siang district.
A joint search operation with teams from the Army and Air Force located the site of the crash situated in extremely challenging terrain with hills, steep gradients and thick jungle.
Subsequently, officials said that a court of inquiry constituted to probe the crash will focus on the ‘May Day’ call received by Air Traffic Control (ATC) suggesting a technical or mechanical failure on the chopper.
Earlier on October 5 this year, an Indian Army pilot lost his life in a Cheetah helicopter crash near the Tawang area of Arunachal Pradesh.
J&K | Suspicious Bag Found in Srinagar Outskirt, No IED: Police
SRINAGAR, October 24: On Monday morning Parimpora area of central Kashmir’s Srinagar district, officials said.
A senior police officer told that a joint team of police, 02 RR of army and CRPF found a suspicious Bag containing small cylinder and urea in orchards in Parimpora.
The officer further said that to remain on safer side, A small controlled blast was done to open the Bag.
However foul play cannot to ruled, officer added.(Agencies)
Ayodhya Deepotsav scripts new Guinness World Record by lighting over 15.76 lakh diyas
A new Guinness World Record for the ‘largest display of oil lamps’ was set when more than 15.76 lakh earthen lamps were lit at the ‘Ram ki Paidi’ during the Yogi government’s Deepotsav celebrations in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya on the eve of Diwali.
The record was created in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Thousands of devotees, the general public, and dignitaries witnessed this historic event.
The teachers and students of Awadh University, Ayodhya contributed largely to creating the record. Over 15.76 lakh earthen lamps were lit one by one with the chanting of ‘Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram’ as soon as the PM launched the festival.
As the representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records announced the establishment of the record, the entire city of Ayodhya echoed with the chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ The Chief Minister received the certificate, and the Prime Minister congratulated him on the achievement.
It is noteworthy that as many as 1.71 lakh lamps were lit in 2017, the year Deepotsav started in Uttar Pradesh under the Yogi Adityanath government.
Since then the number is continuously increasing to 3.01 lakh in 2018, 4.04 lakh in 2019, 6.06 lakh in 2020, and 9.41 lakh in 2021.
Kohli’s masterclass against Pakistan praised sky-high by Rohit
Punch-drunk is the word that comes to mind after witnessing the incredible turnaround by India, fashioned by Virat Kohi in the main and supported so well by Hardik Pandya, that lifted the team from the depths of despair to an incredible last-ball victory over arch-foes Pakistan in their opening ICC Men’s T20 World Cup game at the jam-packed Melbourne Cricket Ground here last night.
Kohli’s masterly 82 not out in 53 balls, which contained four sixes and six fours, and his back-to-the-wall stand of 113 with Pandya, who smacked a 37-ball 40 in trying conditions against a pumped-up Pakistani attack, mesmerized the large swathes of Indians in the crowd of 90,000-odd who had trooped into the massive stadium armed with bugles, placards and Indian flags three hours before its commencement.
They were all delirious as India surged to the fabulous four-wicket victory off the last ball with Ravichandran Ashwin calmly lifting the ball from Mohammed Nawaz over the in-field and setting off for the winning run with Kohli at the other end.
Kohli himself rated these innings as his personal best as he led India to the amazing victory in Group 2 of the Super 12 phase of the league and gave the countrymen and women, here and around the globe, the perfect Diwali gift.
“Till today I have always said Mohali was my best innings, against Australia: I got 82 off 52 (in fact 51 on March 27, 2016). Today I got 82 off 53. So they are exactly the same innings, but I think today I will count this one higher because of the magnitude of the game and what the situation was,” Kohli told former India coach Ravi Shastri, now a commentator with the official broadcasters, after the match.
India looked down and out for the count when they had slumped to 31 for four just after power play – having lost K L Rahul, Rohit, Suryakumar Yadav and the promoted Axar Patel – before the innings was revived so brilliantly by Kohli and Pandya with their century partnership for the fifth wicket.
Kohli’s successive sixes off Pakistan’s best bowler of the day, speedster Haris Rauf in the penultimate over, was vintage stuff and reduced the required run rate steeply before he struck Nawaz for a leg side flicked six in the final over square leg, after summoning for a lighter willow, to put India on the doorsteps of a famous victory that will not be forgotten easily.
“When the situation was such that you had to hit the big ones, I changed my bat. I was playing with a lighter bat because all three (Shaheen Afridi, Rauf and Nazeem Shah) of them were bowling 145kph-plus. And I kept believing in myself. Those two shots to Haris Rauf was the time I was just talking to myself – ‘you have to hit those sixes here, otherwise, there’s no chance, we’re gonna (going to) win this game.”
Skipper Rohit Sharma was effusive in his praise of not in his post-match presser and said that the master batter was in his element ever since the Asia Cup held recently in the United Arab Emirates.
“Speaking about Virat, I honestly don’t think he was struggling with form or anything. He was batting as good as he was, but with him, the expectations are always so high that even if he gets a good 30 or 40, people tend to talk about it.
“From the team management perspective, I thought he was in good space right from the Asia Cup where he got a month off (total break from the game) and then he came back to the Asia Cup. He was fresh, got a brilliant hundred there (122 against Afghanistan), and got a couple of fifties leading up to the World Cup. We know the quality that he has and he’s done so well in these types of conditions in all three forms.
In fact, since the excellent 67 made in the UAE, for a lost cause, against Pakistan in the last World T20 Cup in UAE, Kohli has aggregated 635 runs in 18 innings – five of those unbeaten – from 20 matches at a fine average of 42.33.
Kohli, whose drought of centuries in all formats was more of an aberration considering the way he was timing the ball in this near three-year phase, benefited from his vast experience of having gone through such trying situations in his illustrious career, according to Rohit.
“Obviously, he used his experience today more than anything else, staying calm under pressure. And we know how good he is when the score is in front of him. He’s one of the best chasers in the world,” Rohit gushed by declaring the knock as easily not only Kohli’s best (in this format) but also among the best ever by an Indian.
“Yeah, he definitely best for sure, (judging) from the situation we were in and to come out with a victory, I think it has to be one of India’s best knocks, not just (only) his best knock, because until the 13th over we were so behind the game and the required rate was just climbing up and up. But to come out and chase that score was an extremely brilliant effort from Virat and then obviously Hardik played a role there, as well.
Rohit also hailed Pandya who in the course of his crucial knock, after taking 3 wickets in the Pakistan innings, became the first from the country to reach the 1000-run mark and the haul of 50 wickets in T20Is.
“Yeah, I thought that partnership between both of these guys, the hundred-run partnership, was a game-changing moment,” said Rohit about Pandya’s contribution.
“I thought that both of them, because these guys have played under pressure (in) so many games for us, so they knew exactly how to handle that kind of situation. And they did pretty well in that situation,” he remarked further.
Pandya, in the course of his crucial knock after taking 3 wickets in the Pakistan innings, became the first from the country to reach the 1000-run mark and the haul of 50 wickets in T20Is.
Not to be left behind, the Indian bowlers also came in for praise from the Indian captain.
”The first four or five overs were brilliant to watch, honestly. For a little while, it felt like a Test match because of the way the ball was moving around and the carry in the pitch, as well. It was a good cricketing pitch,” Rohit commented.
Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and left arm Arshdeep Singh, who packed off Pakistan captain Babar Azam and fellow-opener Mohammed Rizwan in his first two overs with just 14 on the board, utilized the seaming, cold conditions well by adjusting their lengths, felt Rohit.
“You’ve got to sometimes understand what the pitch is doing, as well. That back of a length, slightly back of a length, slightly full, was not easy to hit. And what happened in today’s game will tell you that. A lot of the guys got wickets bowling that back of length because, as I said at the toss, there was a little bit of grass on the pitch and the weather was quite nippy, as well.”
“You have been my family…”PM Modi’s Diwali message in Kargil to soldiers
Kargil (Ladakh), October 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed in Kargil on Monday to celebrate the festival of light with soldiers said Diwali means the “festival of end of terror” and that Kargil had made it possible.
Addressing soldiers Prime Minister said, “For me, all of you have been my family for years now. It is a privilege to spend Diwali with our brave jawans in Kargil.”
“The forces are the pillar of India’s security. From this victorious land of Kargil, I wish the countrymen and the world a very happy Diwali. There has not been a single war with Pakistan where Kargil has not hoisted the flag of victory. The meaning of Diwali is end of Atank (terror) and Kargil made it possible,” he said.
“In Kargil, our forces crushed terror. I was fortunate enough to be a witness. I was shown my old photos here, and I am grateful for that,” he added.
The Prime Minister has been celebrating the festival with soldiers for several years now.
In 2019, the Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with soldiers in the Rajouri district along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. He had called soldiers as his family and lauded them for guarding the borders even during festivals. He had exchanged Diwali greetings with the Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel at Pathankot Air Force Station.
In 2018, Prime Minister Modi had celebrated Diwali with jawans of the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), at Harsil in Uttarakhand. Following that he had offered prayers at the Kedarnath shrine. In 2017, the Prime Minister celebrated the festival of light with army soldiers and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in the Gurez Valley of Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora District.
In 2016, the PM went to Himachal Pradesh to celebrate the festival with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel at an outpost.
He visited the Punjab border to celebrate Diwali with soldiers in 2015. In 2014, Prime Minister Modi spent Diwali in Siachen with soldiers.
Notably, PM Modi has been visiting soldiers on Diwali, ever since he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. (AGENCIES)
COVID-19: India records 1,334 fresh cases
New Delhi, Oct 24: India has recorded 1,334 fresh coronavirus infections, the lowest in 188 days, which took the tally of cases to 4,46,44,076, while the number of active cases has declined to 23,193, the Union health ministry said on Monday.
The death toll has climbed to 5,28,977 with 16 fatalities, which include 12 deaths reconciled by Kerala, data updated by the ministry at 8 am stated.
The active cases comprise 0.05 per cent of the total infections, while the national recovery rate has increased to 98.76 per cent, it said.
The ministry said that a decrease of 239 cases has been recorded in active COVID-19 cases in a span of 24 hours.
While the daily positivity rate has been recorded at 1.52 per cent, the weekly positivity rate stands at 0.95 per cent, it said.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,40,91,906, while the case fatality rate has been recorded at 1.18 per cent.
According to the ministry, 219.56 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine has been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19, 2020.
India recorded two crore cases on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year, and four crore on January 25.
Of the four fatalities, recorded in the past 24 hours, one each was reported from Karnataka, Odisha, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh. (Agencies)
Dry weather with hazy mornings, evenings likely in J&K: MeT
JAMMU, Oct 24: The Meteorological (MeT) department on Monday forecast dry weather with hazy mornings and evenings during the next 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir.
Weather was dry in the union Territory during the last 24 hours.
“Dry weather with hazy mornings/evenings is likely in J&K during the next 24 hours”, an official of the MeT department said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded 3.7 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam zero and Gulmarg 0.5 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature this morning.
Drass town in Ladakh region had minus 4.1 degree, Kargil minus 1.2 and Leh minus 1.8, while
Jammu clocked 14.2, Katra 13.6, Batote 7.5, Banihal 5 and Bhaderwah 5.3 degrees. (Agencies)