SOURCE: PTI

Stepping up its attack on the Union government over the “Agnipath” military recruitment scheme, the Congress alleged on Monday that “gross injustice” was done to youngsters and demanded that those who had cleared the old recruitment process but were not inducted be immediately given jobs.

The opposition party asserted that it would revert to the old recruitment system if voted to power at the Centre. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, highlighting the “gross injustice” done to the youngsters seeking regular employment in the armed forces due to the “Agnipath” scheme, and urged her to ensure justice for them.

SOURCE: PTI

Underling that the conflict in Gaza is of “great concern”, India on Monday said the humanitarian crisis arising from conflicts required a sustainable solution that gives immediate relief to those most affected.

Addressing the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that terrorism and hostage-taking are not acceptable and hoped that the conflict does not spread within or beyond the region.

SOURCE: IANS

In response to the ongoing maritime security situation in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy undertook airborne insertion by Special Forces. The Navy informed on Monday that this is also being done to ensure prompt action against any maritime threat.

The Indian Navy undertook airborne insertion by Special Forces by paradropping inflatable crafts and MARCOs from C-130 aircraft in the Arabian Sea for continued anti-piracy operations in the region. The Navy remains committed and poised towards safety and security of merchant shipping and seafarers in the region, an official said.

SOURCE: AFI

According to a report by Lenta.ru, Germany is in talks with India to purchase ammunition from the country and transfer it to the Ukrainian armed forces through intermediaries. The report cites Der Spiegel as saying that India is unwilling to openly sell its ammunition to Ukraine due to its friendly relations with Russia.

The German government has not commented on the report.

SOURCE: ANI

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Monday said that the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile will be the primary weapon of the Indian Navy, replacing the old missile system acquired from other countries.

“BrahMos will be our primary weapon now as the surface-to-surface missile weapon. Probably the Air Force and the air fighters also will have that as the primary air-to-surface weapon. This has evolved in range, in capabilities, in its lethality, and so on. So, this is going to be the mainstay for some time and that is why we are replacing all old missiles with this… and we are installing the BrahMos. Now, we have the expertise to install it in a very quick time,” Navy chief told ANI in an interview.

SOURCE: AFI

The Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo concluded on a high note, emphasizing the importance of indigenous production and collaboration with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, speaking at the closing ceremony, praised the expo for “bringing together several MSMEs” and highlighted the significance of “developing the ecosystem and environment for indigenisation.” He further stated that “Defence Expos facilitate this and encourage indigenous production,” underlining the crucial role such events play in fostering domestic defense capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

A group of students from JSS Mahavidyapeetha, collaborating across four institutes including JSS Science and Technology University, have developed a nanosatellite scheduled for launch in April 2024 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This 1.25 kg satellite, built at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore, embarks on a crucial mission to study the stability of drugs in microgravity conditions.

The experiment holds significant potential for the pharmaceutical and medical industries. By understanding how drug formulations react and behave in the unique environment of space, scientists can pave the way for advancements in drug development and space-based medical research.

SOURCE: AFI

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has taken action in response to delays and challenges faced in post-blast investigations across various states. These delays have hampered the work of the National Security Guard (NSG) and compromised the quality of investigations into blasts with national significance.

This communication, recently sent to all states, emphasizes the importance of immediate action and prompt reporting to central authorities. Previously, some states have been slow to inform the Centre, leading to delays in NSG intervention and the potential loss of crucial forensic evidence.

SOURCE: UNI

Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande on Monday said that as part of the Atmanirbharta pursuit, the Indian Army has been focusing on leveraging both the MSMEs and the Start Up ecosystem for meeting the capability development requirements. Delivering a keynote address at the Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo 2024 at Pune, Gen Pande said that under the Innovations in Defence Excellence (iDEX) procurement, all projects are mandated to be progressed through Start Ups, an official statement said here.

He said, “Currently under the iDEX route, 55 Indian Army projects, worth Rs 400 crore are being pursued, which encompass a total of 65 Start Ups. As many as four contracts worth Rs 70 crore have been concluded for procurement of equipment in limited quantity for field exploitation.

SOURCE: PTI

A nation has to become “industrially strong” and full spectrum self-sufficiency is required in defence, especially in the aerospace sector, Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said on Friday.

Delivering a keynote address at an international conference here, he also said it is being seen that ‘atmanirbharta’ (self-dependence) is becoming more and more important after the “two wars” happening around us in the world.

SOURCE: PTI

Several Indians who worked as support staff to the Russian army were discharged following India’s demand, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.

It said India remains committed, as a matter of “top priority”, to actively pursuing with the Russian authorities all the relevant cases of Indian nationals for an early discharge from the Russian army. According to media reports, several Indians have been working as security helpers in the Russian military and they were forced to even fight with Russian soldiers in certain areas along Russia’s border with Ukraine.

SOURCE: ANI

External Affairs Ministry on Monday rejected reports claiming that Indians with the Russian army are seeking help for discharge and said that “each and every case” has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities. “We have seen some inaccurate reports in the media regarding Indians with the Russian army seeking help for discharge,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement today.

“Each and every such case brought to the attention of the Indian Embassy in Moscow has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities, and those brought to the attention of the Ministry have been taken up with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi. Several Indians have already been discharged as a result,” it said. “Several Indians have already been discharged as a result,” the statement read.

SOURCE: PTI

A 47-year-old member of Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) who also allegedly edited a magazine of the banned organisation besides indoctrinating many gullible youths has been arrested by the Delhi Police, officials said on Sunday.

According to the police, Hanif Sheikh was declared a proclaimed offender in 2002 and has been absconding for the last 22 years. He was nabbed on February 22 from Bhusawal in Jalgaon district in Maharashtra where he was a teacher in an Urdu school under a different identity, they said.

SOURCE: ANI

Actor Yami Gautam’s action political thriller film Article 370 has been banned in the Gulf countries. While Article 370 has been riding high on success at the domestic and overseas box office, garnering praise from both audiences and critics alike, the ban in the Gulf is another dampener on the Hindi film industry, as it deprives audiences in the region of the opportunity to experience an Indian cinematic offering, which has been widely lauded.

The film primarily explores universal human experiences within the framework of a complex socio-political landscape. Themes of identity, struggle, and resilience resonate deeply throughout the narrative as it delves into the aspirations and challenges faced by individuals amidst turbulent times, fostering understanding and dialogue in the process.

SOURCE: PTI

A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror module was busted on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district with the arrest of four militant associates, police said. Security forces arrested four terrorist associates and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession in the south Kashmir district, a police spokesman said.

The arrests were made in connection with case FIR no. 14/2024 registered under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.