New Delhi, Oct 28: A cache of six AK-47 rifles, three pistols and 200 bullets was recovered by the Border Security Force Thursday night from along the India-Pakistan international border in Punjab, officials said.
The recovery was made around 7 pm from a bag that was found on the ground during a search conducted near the zero line of the border in Ferozepur sector of the state.
Three AK-47 rifles with six empty magazines, another set of three ‘mini’ AK-47 rifles with five empty magazines, three pistols with six empty magazines and 200 live bullets were recovered from the bag, a BSF spokesperson said.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has informed Punjab Police so that they can seize the weapons and ammunition cache and also conduct further investigation. (Agencies)
Punjab | AK-47 rifles, pistols, 200 bullets recovered by BSF from India-Pak border
Need for Indian model of localisation to achieve SDGs 2030: NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman
NEW DELHI, Oct 27: NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery emphasised the need for the Indian model of localisation to achieve Social Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 set by the United Nations.
No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation and affordable and clean energy are among the 17 SDGs.
Mr. Bery said the Indian model of SDG localisation has four pillars: creating institutional ownership, establishing a robust review and monitoring system, developing capacities for integrating SDGs in planning and monitoring and promoting a “whole society approach”.
Speaking at the ninth Dr. Verghese Kurien Memorial Oration at XLRI, Jamshedpur, he said, “In 2015, before the world became divided as it is now due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the world community came together to formulate a shared view of the future of our planet to make it a better place to live in.”
SDGs were formulated in 2015. Hailing students as the future leaders of India, he asked them to raise consciousness on why SDGs are important.
He also discussed how NITI Aayog monitors national progress every year based on the targets and indicators.
“We worked hard on the data to put together the SDG Index. SDGs are self-reinforcing and encompass economic, social and environmental aspects,” he said.
The official said the SDGs were adopted by the U.N. after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge.
XLRI Director Fr. S. George said Dr. Kurien was an ingenious thinker, revolutionary and social entrepreneur who ideated the world’s biggest agricultural development programme. (Agencies)
Sacred portals of Kedarnath closed for winter
DEHRADUN, Oct 27: The sacred portals of the Kedarnath Dham located in the high Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand were closed for winter on Thursday, October 27, 2022.
Sources in the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee said the doors of the temple were closed for the devotees at 8.30 am after offering prayers amid chanting of vedic hymns.
More than 3,000 devotees along with temple committee president Ajendra Ajay, teerth purohit and officials of the Rudraprayag district administration were present on the occasion, while the Indian Army’s 11th Maratha Regiment played devotional tunes.
Over 43 lakh pilgrims reached Chardham this year. In Kedarnath alone, 15,61,882 devotees paid obeisance at the temple.
The media in-charge of the temple committee, Harish Gaur said the Kedarnath temple opened its portals at 3 am and the process of closing the doors for the winter started at 4 am.
The sanctum sanctorum and the main gate of the temple were closed after temple priest T. Gangadhar Linga covered the jyotirlinga with Baghambar, Bhringraj flower, Bhasma, local dry flowers and leaves and the panchmukhi doli of Lord Shankar left for the Omkareshwar temple of Ukhimath.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami thanked the pilgrims and said a record number of pilgrims reached Chardham Yatra this time.
The new Kedarpuri has come into existence under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi where facilities are being provided to the pilgrims, he said.
Mr. Dhami said recently the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Gaurikund-Kedarnath Ropeway and its construction will make Kedarnath Yatra easier.
The doors of Gangotri Dham, one of the famous temples of the Garhwal Himalayas known as Chardham, were closed on Wednesday for the winter season on the occasion of Annakoot festival.
The doors of Yamunotri will also be closed on Thursday, while the doors of Badrinath will be closed on November 19.
The four Himalayan temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand are closed for six months every year for the winters when they remain snowbound.
Lakhs of devotees visit every year for the Chardham Yatra, which is considered to be the economic backbone of the Garhwal region. (Agencies)
Swasthavritta and Yoga Department GAMC Akhnoor conducted Guest Lecture.
Under the guidance of our Principal Dr Shashi Sudan, Nodal Officer Dr Narinder Sharma and Administrative officer Seema Rani, a Guest Lecture on Topic Role of Swasthavritta in Today’s life. The lecture was given by Dr Dheeraj Kumar Tyagi Assistant professor pantanjali Ayurvedic college Haridwar. The lecture was organised by Dr Abhishek Magotra Associate professor and Dr Sheetal Gupta Assistant professor.
Infantry Day: 75 years of historic Indian Army landing at Srinagar airfield
SRINAGAR, Oct 27: Exactly 75 years ago troops of the Army’s 1 Sikh Regiment had arrived at the old airfield of Srinagar, carried in Dakota aircraft, to protect Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistani forces.
It was the first military operation of Independent India, a move that changed the course of the 1947-48 War. The first of the Indian Army soldiers dispatched for the mission had landed at then dusty airfield on October 27, 1947 to repulse Pakistani forces.
This day is celebrated as Infantry Day by the Army to commemorate the historic event. To mark the landmark occasion, the Army is hosting ‘Shaurya Diwas’ at the old airfield of Srinagar (Budgam airfield).
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha on Thursday arrived at the Air Force Station in Srinagar to attend the 75th anniversary of Infantry Day. Some of the key scenes of the historic landings are scheduled to be reenacted there to mark the landmark occasion.
At the venue, huge cut-outs of Brig Rajinder Singh, Brig Mohd Usman, Maj Somnath Sharma and Maqbool Sherwani were mounted, ‘Shaurya Diwas’ posters were put up. Usha Sharma, octogenarian daughter of Brig Rajinder Singh and family members of other martyrs are also attending the event.
The Army on Thursday morning in a tweet said, InfantryThe Ultimate’. General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of #IndianArmy convey best wishes to all ranks, #Veterans, #VeerNaris and families of the #Infantry on the occasion of 76th #InfantryDay. It also shared a small video clip showcasing the strength of the infantry, and also some archival footage.
Srinagar-based Chinar Corps also took to Twitter to convey it’s wishes on the landmark occasion. “#ChinarCorps extends greetings and best wishes to all ranks, veterans, veer naris and families of #Infantry on the occasion of 76th #InfantryDay. We salute the courage, valour and sacrifice of our infantrymen in line of duty for the Nation.” it tweeted.
During the Infantry Day celebrations last year, some of the major scenes from the historic event were reenacted.The Dakota, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft, which had carried the first forces personnel, was also displayed Douglas DC-3 aircraft, better known as the Dakota, carried the troops of the Army’s 1 Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on October 27, 1947, during the first India-Pak War, besides carrying supplies and refugees.
The Army had landed at the airfield after the ‘instrument of accession’ was signed on October 26, 1947, between the then Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir Hari Singh and the Union of India. The reenactment of the historic event to be organised at Old Air Field in Srinagar, is to pay obeisance to the brave soldiers and people of Jammu and Kashmir who laid down their lives, and also to honour the next of kin of war heroes who participated in the 1947-48 war, an official said on Wednesday.
Under command of Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai, who later laid down his life at Baramulla, changed the course of the war, wherein people and soldiers of State Forces of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Army fought alongside valiantly, to evict Pakistani forces, driving them out of most of Jammu and Kashmir till ceasefire on January 5, 1949, the Army had earlier said. (Agencies)
Rajnath Singh attends ‘Shaurya Diwas’ in J&K’s Budgam
Budgam, Oct 27: On the 76th Infantry Day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday attended the ‘Shaurya Diwas’ programme organized by the Indian Army in Budgam.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was also present at the programme. Singh also visited an exhibition by the Indian Army at the occassion.
Infantry Day is observed as a remembrance of the first military event of independent India, when the Indian Army repelled the first attack on Indian soil on October 27, 1947, in the Kashmir valley.
The victory was accomplished by the personnel of the First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment.
On the 76th Infantry Day, the Defence Minister also extended greetings and warm wishes to the courageous infantry personnel and their families.
“On the 76th Infantry Day, greetings and warm wishes to our courageous infantry personnel and their families. Indian infantry has been associated with utmost courage and professionalism. The nation salutes their bravery, sacrifice and service,” tweeted Singh.
Rajnath Singh ahs been the second top Union minister to visit Jammu and Kashmir this month.
Earlier, Union Home minister Amit Shah was on a three-day visit to the Union Territory from October 4.
Later in the day, the Defence Minister will reach Leh on a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The Indian Army celebrates October 27 every year as the ‘Infantry Day’, as it was on this day that the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment landed at Srinagar airbase and displayed resoluteness and extraordinary courage to thwart the evil designs of the Pakistan Army, who had invaded Kashmir with the help of tribal raiders in 1947.
That is why every year on October 27, the Indian Army celebrates it as ‘Infantry Day’.
This year both the Indian Army and the Air Force are going to celebrate this special day as “Shaurya Diwas” because Thursday is also the golden jubilee celebration of the Indian Air Force’s Kashmir Air Base. (Agencies)
CDS Anil Chauhan lays wreath at National War Memorial on Infantry Day
New Delhi, October 27: On the occasion of Infantry Day, Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in the national capital on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir to attend the ‘Shaurya Diwas’ program organized by the Indian Army. Later in the day, he will arrive in Leh on a two-day visit to Ladakh.
Infantry Day is observed as a remembrance of the first military event of independent India, when the Indian Army repelled the first attack on Indian soil on October 27, 1947, in the Kashmir valley.
The victory was accomplished by the personnel of the First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment.
On the 76th Infantry Day, the Defence Minister also extended greetings and warm wishes to the courageous infantry personnel and their families.
“On the 76th Infantry Day, greetings and warm wishes to our courageous infantry personnel and their families. Indian infantry has been associated with utmost courage and professionalism. The nation salutes their bravery, sacrifice, and service,” tweeted Singh.
The Indian Army celebrates October 27 every year as the ‘Infantry Day’, as it was on this day that the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment landed at Srinagar airbase and displayed resoluteness and extraordinary courage to thwart the evil designs of the Pakistan Army, who had invaded Kashmir with the help of tribal raiders in 1947.
That is why every year on October 27, the Indian Army celebrates it as ‘Infantry Day.’
This year both the Indian Army and the Air Force are going to celebrate this special day as “Shaurya Diwas” because Thursday is also the golden jubilee celebration of the Indian Air Force’s Kashmir Air Base. (Agencies)
Dry weather in J&K, sub-zero temperature in Ladakh areas: MeT
JAMMU, Oct 27: Dry weather continued in Jammu and Kashmir during the last 24 hours as the Meteorological (MeT) office said on Thursday that same weather is likely to continue.
“Dry weather with hazy morning is likely in J&K during the next 24 hours,” an official of the department said.
Jammu had 14.6, Katra 14, Batote 7.7, Banihal 4.6 and Bhaderwah 5.6 as the minimum temperature.
Srinagar had 4, Pahalgam 0.3 and Gulmarg 1 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass town in Ladakh region had minus 3.1, Kargil minus 1 and Leh minus 3 as the minimum temperature. (Agencies)
India reports 1,112 daily Covid infections, active cases in country dip to 20,821
NEW DELHI, Oct 27: India reported 1.112 fresh COVID cases taking the total caseload to 4,46,46,880 and the active tally came down to 20,821. according to the updated data on Thursday.
The recovery rate has risen to 98.77 per cent. Active cases now comprise 0.05 per cent of total infections.
The death toll due to the viral disease climbed to 5,28,987 with one new fatality, the data updated at 8 am stated.
A decrease of 786 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.77 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate stood at 1.06 per cent, the ministry said.
The number of people who have recuperated from COVID-19 surged to 4,40,97,072 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent, it said.
So far, 219.57 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive, according to the ministry.
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.
The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 last year and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year. (Agencies)
Indian-American Sikh police officer Sandeep Dhaliwal’s murderer sentenced to death
Houston, Oct 27: Robert Solis, the man convicted of murdering Sandeep Dhaliwal, the first turbaned Indian-American Sikh police officer in the US state of Texas while making a traffic stop in 2019, has been sentenced to death, according to a police official.
The verdict was handed down by the jury, a panel made up of citizens. Solis showed no emotion as the sentence was read on Wednesday. Jurors deliberated for just 35 minutes before recommending the death penalty in the punishment phase of the trial. They deliberated for 25 minutes in the guilt phase.
“Verdict is in: Jurors sentence Robert Solis to death. We are extremely grateful that justice has been served,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted.
Solis, 50, was convicted by the jury of the Harris County Criminal Court in Houston of the capital murder of 42-year-old Dhaliwal, a 10-year-veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Dhaliwal made national headlines when he was allowed to grow a beard and wear a turban on the job. He was gunned down in an ambush-style shooting while conducting a routine mid-day traffic stop in northwest Houston on September 27, 2019.
Authorities said Dhaliwal was shot multiple times from behind after he had stopped Solis in a residential neighbourhood and was walking back to his patrol car.
“…Basically just shot him in a very ruthless, cold-blooded way,” said Sheriff Gonzalez in 2019.
Jurors saw multiple angles of the shooting and heard from 65 prosecution witnesses, who testified about a criminal history that goes back more than 30 years.
During the trial, Solis testified in his own defense and told jurors he had accidentally shot Dhaliwal.
But prosecutors argued Solis deliberately shot Dhaliwal because he didn’t want to go back to jail. At the time of the traffic stop, Solis had a warrant for violating parole, CBS News reported.
During his closing argument, his last chance to address jurors, Solis merely said, “The only thing I have to say is that it’s your decision to make. My life is in your hands,” KTRK-TV Houston reported.
Solis asked for several delays during the trial. He told the judge he was sick, and also said he had not been given proper time to prepare.
His behaviour throughout the trial stands in direct contrast to the life and legacy of Dhaliwal, who leaves behind a wife and three children.
“Anybody I talked to, they say, ‘I wish we had a Dhaliwal at this time. How many people get justice today? How many families?” Dhaliwal’s older sister, Harpreet Rai was quoted as saying in the report.
“We should all aspire to be a Dhaliwal. He left such a legacy. He was a humanitarian and he helped so many beyond his work,” Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
Just moments after Solis received the death sentence, a teenager gave a victim’s impact statement, speaking directly to Solis.
“You’re a nobody, Robert. You’re the least powerful person in this room,” she told the court.
Dhaliwal worked with United Sikhs, a global humanitarian relief and advocacy nonprofit, to help organise the donation of truckloads of supplies for first responders after Hurricane Harvey.
A post office in west Houston has been renamed in his honour and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, who brought the renaming legislation to the US House of Representatives, had said at the dedication ceremony: “I am honoured to play a role in commemorating Deputy Dhaliwal’s remarkable life of selfless service”.
“He represented the very best of our community: he worked for equality, connection, and community through his life of service to others. I was glad to work with a bipartisan delegation, our community partners, and those in the Sikh community, to pass legislation to rename this building the Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office,” Fletcher added.
However, this wasn’t the first dedication for Deputy Dhaliwal. A year after his death, a portion of Beltway 8 near Highway 249 was renamed in his honour. (Agencies)