The Indian Army's Northern Command commemorated Vijay Diwas, which marks India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, with wreath-laying ceremonies led by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar. The Tiger Division also held a ceremony at a war memorial in Jammu, while in Ladakh, the Army paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the 'Hall of Fame' with a solemn ceremony. The event served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Indian armed forces during the war, and a commitment to protect the sovereignty of the nation.
On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, India and Bangladesh commemorated the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force paid their respects at the Army Headquarters Eastern Command in Kolkata, along with their counterparts from the Bangladesh Army. To celebrate this joint victory, eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers have arrived in Dhaka while eight Bangladeshi freedom fighters and two serving officers are in Kolkata to participate in the annual exchange of war veterans and attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations.
Chennai airport was hit by strong winds and heavy rainfall as Cyclone Fengal made landfall on Saturday. A video of a flight struggling to land at the airport has gone viral on social media, causing concern among passengers. The Indian Army has stepped in to assist with rescue operations in Puducherry, where extreme weather conditions have led to flash floods and heavy rainfall. Flight operations have now resumed at Chennai airport, but disruptions and cancellations are expected to continue as the cyclone moves west-southwestward.
A video claiming to show Indian and Chinese armed forces chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ amid the recent disengagement at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh has been circulating on social media. However, the truth is that the video is not recent and has been on the internet since January 2024. It was originally shared as footage of Indian Army personnel chanting the slogan after the consecration of the idol of Hindu deity Ram at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir. A keyword search led to several news reports from January 2024, clarifying that the video is not recent and its authenticity has not been verified.
Indian para-athlete Hokato Hotozhe Sema won a bronze medal in the shot put F57 final at the ongoing Paris Paralympics on Saturday. Hotozhe’s coach, Rakesh Singh Rawat, commented that the athlete was highly motivated and performed brilliantly in practice sessions, leading to his stellar performance in the final. Hotozhe expressed his gratitude towards his supporters and the Indian Army, who have been a constant source of inspiration for him. Additionally, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced a reward of Rs. 1.5 Crore for the athlete’s outstanding performance.
Jasdeep Singh Gill, an esteemed doctorate graduate from Cambridge University, has been nominated to succeed Gurinder Singh Dhillon as the spiritual leader of Radha Soami Satsang Beas. Gill, who previously served as the chief strategy officer at Cipla, India, will also have the authority to give initiation and carry out service for the sect. He comes from a family closely tied to the sect, as his father was a colonel in the Indian Army who retired to join the Dera. This significant development has been met with love and support from the sect's followers as Gurinder Singh Dhillon's successor is announced.
As India celebrates its 78th Independence Day in 2024, the Indian Army hoisted the national flag on the Akshar cruise at Sabarmati Riverfront. This event was a significant display of national pride and unity, showcasing the country's progress and strength under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with this, the Indian Border Guarding Force also exchanged sweets with their counterparts from Border Guard Bangladesh at ICP Fulbari in West Bengal, highlighting the camaraderie between the two neighboring nations on this auspicious day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be celebrating India's 78th Independence Day at the Red Fort in Delhi in 2024. The theme for this year's celebrations will be 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047' which focuses on the government's efforts towards developing the country by 2047. Around 6,000 special guests have been invited to attend the event, including youth, farmers, tribal communities, and women who have excelled in various fields with the help of government initiatives. The Indian contingent from the recently-concluded Paris Olympics, traditional attired guests from different states and union territories, and winners of online competitions will also be a part of the grand ceremony. Near the end, the Prime Minister will be received by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, and Defense Secretary Giridhar Aramane and will be greeted by the Guard of Honour consisting of personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police.
The heavy rainfall causing landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district has resulted in at least 150 deaths and over 100 injuries. Experts are attributing the disaster to the fragile ecosystem, increasing population, and extreme weather patterns. Rescue operations are in full swing as the Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force have been mobilized, facing challenges due to a collapsed bridge. The tragedy is being compared to the 2018 flooding disaster in Kerala that claimed more than 500 lives.
The Indian Army has deployed a team of specially trained dogs, including Belgian Malinois, Labradors, and German Shepherds, to aid in the rescue efforts following the devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. The decision to bring in the Canine Squad was made after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan requested assistance from the army. The dogs, trained at the Remount Veterinary Corps Centre in Uttar Pradesh, are experts at finding human remains and locating survivors in disaster-struck areas. The death toll from the landslides has risen to 84, and rescue teams from the army and NDRF are working tirelessly to save any remaining survivors.