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“One mission to watch Earth”: ISRO-NASA’s joint satellite Earth observation satellite NISAR set for July 30 launch from Sriharikota

ANI
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“One mission to watch Earth”: ISRO-NASA’s joint satellite Earth observation satellite NISAR set for July 30 launch from Sriharikota

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday stated that the upcoming launch of NISAR, the first joint Earth observation satellite by ISRO and NASA, will mark a key milestone in Earth observation technology.

NISAR will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on July 30 at 17:40 IST.

NISAR is the first mission of its kind, jointly developed by ISRO and NASA. It is an L- and S-band, global, microwave imaging mission, with the capability to acquire fully polarimetric and interferometric data, as per an official statement from ISRO.

The unique dual-band Synthetic Aperture Radar of NISAR employs the advanced, novel SweepSAR technique, which provides high-resolution and large-swath imagery. NISAR will image the global land and ice-covered surfaces, including islands, sea-ice and selected oceans, every 12 days.

The NISAR mission’s primary objectives are to study land & ice deformation, land ecosystems, and oceanic regions in areas of common interest to the US and Indian science communities.

The joint mission will accomplish multiple tasks, including measuring the woody biomass and its changes, tracking changes in the extent of active crops, understanding the changes in wetlands’ extent, and mapping Greenland & Antarctica’s ice sheets and the dynamics of sea ice and mountain glaciers.

As per the statement, it will also help characterise land surface deformation related to seismicity, volcanism, landslides, and subsidence & uplift associated with changes in subsurface aquifers, hydrocarbon reservoirs, etc.

“One mission to watch Earth. #ISRO #NASA builds, Earth benefits. This marks a key milestone in Earth observation technology. Stay tuned as we bring you closer to the mission that watches our world,” ISRO sais in a post on X.

“The Spacecraft is built around ISRO’s I-3K Structure. It carries two major Payloads viz., L & S- Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The S-band Radar system, data handling & high-speed downlink system, the spacecraft and the launch system are developed by ISRO. The L-band Radar system, the high-speed downlink system, the Solid-State Recorder, the GPS receiver, and the 9 m Boom hoisting the 12m reflector are delivered by NASA. Further, ISRO takes care of the satellite commanding and operations; NASA will provide the orbit manoeuvre plan and RADAR operations plan. NISAR mission will be aided with ground station support from both ISRO and NASA for downloading of the acquired images, which, after the necessary processing, will be disseminated to the user community,” the statement added.

The data acquired through S-band and L-band SAR from a single platform will help scientists understand the changes happening to Planet Earth.

The complex payloads and mainframe systems have been designed, developed, qualified and realised over a period of 8 to 10 years.

“The S- Band SAR and L- Band SAR were independently developed, integrated and tested at ISRO and JPL/NASA respectively. The Integrated Radar Instrument Structure (IRIS), consisting of S – Band and L – Band SAR and other payload elements were intergrated and tested at JPL/NASA and delivered to ISRO,” it stated.

Mainframe satellite elements and payloads were assembled, integrated and tested at URSC/ISRO.

The mission phases can be broadly classified into: Launch phase, Deployment Phase, Commissioning Phase and Science Phase.

NISAR will be launched onboard the GSLV-F16 launch vehicle on July 30, 2025 from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), also referred to as Sriharikota High Altitude Range (SHAR), located in Sriharikota on the southeast coast of the Indian peninsula.

It hosts a 12m dia large reflector which shall be deployed in-orbit 9m away from the satellite by a complex multistage deployable boom designed and developed by JPL/NASA.

The first 90 days after launch will be dedicated to commissioning, or In-Orbit Checkout (IOC), the objective of which is to prepare the observatory for science operations. Commissioning is divided into sub-phases of initial checks and calibrations of mainframe elements followed by JPL engineering payload and instrument checkout.

The science operations phase begins at the end of commissioning and extends till end of mission life. During this phase, the science orbit will be maintained via regular maneuvers, scheduled to avoid or minimize conflicts with science observations. Extensive calibration and validation (CalVal) activities will take place. The observation plan for both L and S-band instruments, along with engineering activities (e.g., maneuvers, parameter updates, etc.), will be generated pre-launch via frequent coordination between JPL and ISRO, the statement added.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Machete attack on Indian man in Melbourne and 5 similar recent cases reveal rising hate crimes against Indians worldwide

Shriti Sagar
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Machete attack on Indian man in Melbourne and 5 similar recent cases reveal rising hate crimes against Indians worldwide

Violence against Indians overseas and hate crimes have also registered a shocking surge in the past two years. Students, working professionals, and families alike from India living in countries like Australia, Canada, and Ireland are finding themselves victims of violence more and more, and most of the attacks appear to be racially driven. The recent machete attack on an Indian-origin man in Melbourne is the latest in a string of horrific attacks that have left the global Indian community in a state of shock.

Indian man assaulted with machete by teenagers in Melbourne

Saurabh Anand, a 33-year-old Indian-origin man, is recovering in a hospital in Melbourne after he was attacked brutally by a group of teenagers wielding a machete. The attack occurred on Saturday evening, July 19, at the Altona Meadows’ Central Square Shopping Centre, a suburban area in western Melbourne.

Anand had just collected some medicines from a pharmacy nearby and was on call when suddenly he felt someone moving behind him. Even before he could move, five of them fell upon him from the back. One of them dug into his pockets, another punched him several times so that he fell, and the third removed a machete. When Anand tried to defend himself by bringing his arm up, the machete cut through his wrist and hand and went deep into the bone.

“All I recall is the pain, and my hand was just suspended by a thread,” he recalled from his hospital bed.

The attack left him with stab wounds on the shoulder and back, a broken spine, several broken bones in his arm, and head injuries. People passing by heard him screaming and summoned help. He was taken in emergency to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where surgeons had planned to amputate. But following hours of gruelling surgery and screws being inserted into his wrist and hand, the surgeons were able to reattach his left hand.

Even today, Anand is in the intensive care unit. “I cannot move my hand… All I feel in it is pain,” he explained.

Four teenagers have been arrested to date. A Wyndham 14-year-old has been charged with reckless causing serious injury and robbery, and two 15-year-olds and another 14-year-old from Hobsons Bay are also in court facing charges. They will face court in August. It’s concerning that two of them have already been granted bail. “I’m seeking justice… I want this to be a catalyst for change,” Anand said.

Not the first time: A disturbing trend

Anand’s case is not an isolated incident. Over the past several months, there has been a marked increase in violent attacks on Indians abroad. Most of these seem to be racially inspired. Ranging from savage beatings in Australia to murders in Canada, these instances have instilled fear into Indian communities worldwide.

‘F* off, Indian’: Charanpreet Singh’s Adelaide nightmare

On the same day, 19th July, another Indian, Charanpreet Singh, was attacked in Adelaide, South Australia. Charanpreet and his wife were out seeing the light displays of the city when a gang of males set upon them in the middle of a parking argument.

According to him, without any warning, the group started hurling racial abuse. “They just said ‘f*** off, Indian,’ and started punching me,” Singh told 9News. “I tried to fight back, but they beat me until I was unconscious.”

Singh, a student in Adelaide, was attacked so brutally that he had serious injuries, including brain injuries and facial fractures. CCTV footage that emerged online revealed that five men had assaulted him with what appeared to be metal knuckles. A woman is seen filming the attack while pleading the attackers to leave him alone.

He was unconscious and taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital. Police have taken one into custody so far and are probing the others. The attack elicited sharp criticism from South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas, who stated, “Any suggestion of a racial attack is utterly unacceptable in our state.”

Beaten and stripped in Dublin: Ireland’s horrid case

Another harrowing incident was reported in Dublin, Ireland, on the same day, 19th July. A 40-year-old man of Indian origin was attacked and stripped by a mob of men in the Tallaght suburb.

The Indian man was rescued by locals and brought to Tallaght University Hospital with several injuries. Pictures from the scene depicted him bleeding from his face, arms, and legs. Far-right groups were reported to have spread false rumours on social media to justify the attack. Gardaí, the Irish national police, are investigating the assault as a possible hate crime.

According to the Garda (Irish National Police), the attackers falsely claimed the man was behaving inappropriately around children, which was also propagated by far-right and anti-immigrant accounts on social media. The police, however, said that those claims had no basis in reality.

Bullet kills Indian student in Canada

On 25th April this year, Mohawk College student Harsimrat Randhawa, 21 years old, was killed at a bus stop. She was an innocent bystander in a shoot-out between two cars, a black Mercedes SUV and a white car. She was shot in the chest by one of them, and she died on the spot despite attempts by paramedics.

Randhawa had arrived in Canada with hopes and aspirations. Her killing put the Indian student community in Canada in a state of shock and raised concerns about public safety.

Security guard shot Dead in Edmonton

Only a few months prior, in December 2024, 20-year-old Indian student Harshandeep Singh was gunned down and murdered while employed as a security guard in Edmonton, Canada. Singh was discovered dead in a stairwell after three persons attacked him and shot him, and the two suspects have since been charged with first-degree murder.

A CCTV video of the incident depicts three individuals harassing and pushing the 20-year-old student downstairs, with one of them shooting him from behind.

Immediately after shooting Singh with what seems to be a humongous weapon, the three culprits leave the scene.

Stabbed to death at own house: Gurasis Singh case

In another such instance, 22-year-old Gurasis Singh was stabbed to death in his rented apartment in Sarnia, Ontario, on 1st December 2024. Singh had been in Canada for four months, seeking higher education, when he was murdered.

The assault occurred during the early morning hours and was said to have begun as a fight with a neighbour. But Gurasis’ father is convinced his son was attacked in his sleep. The alleged perpetrator, 36-year-old Crossley Hunter, has been charged with second-degree murder. The Sarnia police say the stabbing occurred in the kitchen of the residence where Gurasis resided.

Government data shows a disturbing scene

The recent surge in attacks is not anecdotal. Based on data published by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in December 2024, at least 91 Indian students have been brutally attacked outside India over the last five years, with 30 of them being killed.

Canada has the highest number of 16 Indian fatalities, and other countries such as Russia and the UK follow. The figures are rising at an alarming rate; there were four cases in 2022, but this increased to 28 in 2023, and 40 cases in 2024 alone, the MEA told Rajya Sabha in March 2025.

But it’s not only students who are targeted. Indians of various occupations have also suffered. In 2021, there were 29 such cases. This rose to 57 in 2022, and 86 in 2023 almost three times in two years.

Maulanas continue attacking Dimple Yadav for entering Delhi mosque without Burqa, Imam Association Chairman Sajid Rashidi claims she was naked because her back was visible

OpIndia Staff
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Maulanas continue attacking Dimple Yadav for entering Delhi mosque without Burqa, Imam Association Chairman Sajid Rashidi claims she was naked because her back was visible

After attacking Samajwadi Party MP and the wife of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav, for visiting a mosque wearing a saree, which he believed was an ‘indecent’ attire, All India Imam Association Chairman Maulana Sajid Rashidi continued to insult her using condemnable language.

Speaking on Republic TV on Saturday, Rashidi used extremely offensive language for MP Dimple Yadav, saying that she was sitting “naked” inside the mosque. He called her naked only because few inches of her back was visible as she was wearing a saree and not a burqa covering her entire body from head to toe.

The Maulana added that the other woman present in the mosque, SP MP Iqra Hasan, was appropriately dressed as her entire body was covered including her head.

Rashidi’s remarks came after Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav recently visited a mosque near Parliament on the invitation of SP MP Mohibbullah Nadvi. The visit caught public attention after the pictures of Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav in the mosque went viral on social media.

In the pictures, Dimple Yadav is seen dressed modestly in a saree, which is her usual style. However, her attire enraged the orthodox Islamic leaders, including Rashidi, who lashed out at her for not being covered head to toe inside the mosque. Rashidi also slammed the Nadvi for holding a political meeting inside a mosque.

“I can say from an Islamic perspective that holding such political meetings in any mosque is prohibited. The way a woman’s back and so on were visible there, sitting in an objectionable manner, is not appropriate. If Mohibullah Nadvi had to hold a meeting, he would have a very large room, which he has set up like a five-star hotel. He could have held the meeting there. Holding a meeting by sitting in this manner in a mosque is like destroying the sanctity of the mosque…” Rashidi said on Wednesday (23rd July).

All India Muslim Jamaat’s National President, Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, also joined Rashidi in criticising Nadvi for inviting Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav inside a mosque and holding a political meeting. Barelvi said that the meeting was against Sharia.

“What Rampur MP Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi did is an act that violates the sanctity of the mosque and destroys its purity. A mosque is the house of God, and no political party meeting can be held there. Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, who is the imam of the mosque located on Parliament Street in New Delhi, organised an SP meeting there, in which SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Dharmendra Yadav, Zia ur Rahman Barq, and several others were present. The presence of two women was also observed. This act is against Sharia. No worldly activity can be conducted in a mosque…” Barelvi said on Wednesday (23rd July).

In 14 years of Mamata’s rule, over 6600 companies left West Bengal, made their bases in states like UP and Delhi: How ‘Sonar Bangla’ is becoming a graveyard of industries

अर्पित त्रिपाठी
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In 14 years of Mamata’s rule, over 6600 companies left West Bengal, made their bases in states like UP and Delhi: How ‘Sonar Bangla’ is becoming a graveyard of industries

The central government has recently revealed that in the last one and a half decades, more than 6 thousand companies left West Bengal. Out of these, more than 2 thousand companies left the state in the last 5 years. Many of these companies moved to states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. 

This migration of industries from West Bengal happened during the rule of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). On one hand, companies are leaving West Bengal, and on the other hand, a few nominal investments are also being announced in the state. This situation is serious and worrying for the fourth most populous state of the country.

These statistics may be shocking, but West Bengal has a long-standing relationship with the migration of industries. From the country’s big business houses shifting their headquarters to big brands shutting down their factories, this has been the case for the past several years. Part of the reason for this is the anti-industry attitude of the Mamata Banerjee government topped by poor law and order situation in the state.

The script for the fall of Kolkata, which was once considered one of Asia’s biggest industrial powers, was written by the leftists before Mamata Banerjee came to power. But Mamata Banerjee gave the final touches to this script, and instead of increasing the number of industries, she put the last nail in their coffin.

How many companies bid adieu to West Bengal

During the monsoon session in the Rajya Sabha, BJP West Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya asked a question about the state. In its reply, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs of the Central Government informed that between the year 2011-12 and the year 2024-25, 6688 companies have left West Bengal.

According to the ministry’s reply, one-third of these, i.e. more than 2200 companies, left the state since 2019. This trend has continued since the TMC came to power in 2011. According to the ministry, out of the 6688 companies that left West Bengal, 110 companies were listed on the stock market.

Ministry data shows that the highest number of companies, around 1027, left West Bengal during 2017-18. During 2015-16 and 2016-17, 869 and 918 companies, respectively, withdrew from West Bengal

Where did these companies go?

According to the reply of the Corporate Ministry, the companies leaving West Bengal are shifting to other states. They are migrating to the states where policies relating to industries are simple and they are encouraged. Between 2011 and 25, the maximum number of companies leaving West Bengal moved to Maharashtra.

Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are also on the list of these industries’ preferred locations. As per the reply of the Corporate Ministry, more than 1300 companies leaving West Bengal have gone to Maharashtra between 2011 and 25. Whereas 1297 have chosen Delhi. Apart from this, 879 companies have left West Bengal and gone to Uttar Pradesh.

Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Rajasthan have also been successful in snatching 1000+ companies from West Bengal. However, all this does not seem to have any effect on the Trinamool government. Instead of bringing industries to the state, it seems bent on further driving them out of the state.

The policy on industries also changed

While the companies have already been moving out of West Bengal for decades, the Mamata government’s recent decision may accelerate their migration. In April 2025, the Mamata government stopped all state government schemes benefiting industries.

The state government had abolished all the policies implemented from 1993 to 2021 to attract industries. As a result of this abolition, businesses will not get any concession on setting up industries in the state, whether in the form of land or electricity prices.

According to a report, the Mamata government abolished these schemes to save money, which could be used for ‘social work’. The Mamata government probably wants to make people more self-dependent by closing down industries.

According to the report, many cement companies will suffer a big blow due to the decision of the West Bengal government. These include the country’s oldest and biggest business houses, like Dalmia. The total losses are said to have amounted to ₹500 crores.

The decision of the West Bengal government to roll back the schemes benefitting industries has come at a time when other states are welcoming the industries with open arms. Some states are offering land at a nominal price of ₹1, while others are establishing new cities to attract industries.

Big announcements, no investments

While established companies are leaving West Bengal, announcements of new investments, which exist only on paper, are also being made simultaneously. State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has claimed that investment proposals worth more than ₹39 thousand crores came to West Bengal in January-November 2024. She also claimed that this is the third-highest in the country.

A report by the Central government’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) exposed the truth of this claim. Even though huge investments have been promised in the state, the reality does not match the promises. According to the Industrial Entrepreneurs Memorandum (IEM) report of DPIIT, only ₹3735 crores of investment was made in West Bengal till November 2024, while the promised amount was much more.

West Bengal stands nowhere in comparison with other states in terms of industrial investment. The same report shows that while more than ₹ 71 thousand crores were invested in Uttar Pradesh between 2020-24, West Bengal managed to attract an investment of only ₹ 15 thousand crores during the same period. It even lags behind Jharkhand in terms of attracting investment.

Big brands are leaving Bengal

The process of industries leaving West Bengal continues. In 2024, Britannia shut down its decades-old biscuit factory in the state. This factory was located near Kolkata. Similarly, many jute mills have also been closed in the state, or are on their last legs.

The trend of brands leaving Bengal is not new. In fact, this has been the biggest turning point in Mamata Banerjee’s political career. In 2008, Tata Motors left the state, as it was setting up a Nano factory in Singur. But due to Mamata Banerjee’s constant opposition, it had to dismantle an already set-up factory and flee to Gujarat.

It was only after the Singur movement that Mamata Banerjee got a landslide victory in the state and replaced the Communists, who had been in power for more than three decades. However, it is dishonest to expect a pro-industry policy from a leader who came to power by opposing an industry.

It is said that in West Bengal, Aditya Birla was once dragged out of his car, beaten on the road, stripped naked and humiliated. After this, he shut down his business. The same happened with other industrial houses.

Why the migration of industry from Bengal is a matter of concern

The migration of industries from West Bengal should be a matter of concern not only for the state but for the entire country. West Bengal is the fourth most populous state in the country, but it has a mere 3.5% share in the country’s industrial output. Due to a lack of industries, there is a huge unemployment problem in the state.

The influx of illegal immigrants in West Bengal makes this problem even more severe. The frequent riots and attacks on the majority population in the state have also become a reason for the decreasing trust of brands. Due to the pathetic law and order situation in the state, no big company wants to invest.

This is the reason that West Bengal, which contributed more than 10% to the country’s GDP in the 1960s, has now come down to just 5%. Smaller states will soon surpass it. If this attitude of the Mamata government towards industries continues, then the rest of the country will also be affected. Its slow economic growth rate will hold the country back.

Baghpat: Relatives kill young Muslim girl in front of her parents for loving Hindu Dalit boy, family buries body saying she died of TB, killer uncle regrets for not killing Sagar too, now missing

OpIndia Staff
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Baghpat: Relatives kill young Muslim girl in front of her parents for loving Hindu Dalit boy, family buries body saying she died of TB, killer uncle regrets for not killing Sagar too, now missing

In a horrific case, a Muslim girl was brutally murdered by her own relatives because she loved a Hindu Dalit youth. The man was also badly assaulted by them. After the murder, the body of the girl was quietly buried in the village burial ground, but the matter came to light after the youth’s family lodged a complaint. Six people have been arrested in the case so far.

The incident is from Palda village of Baghpat district in Baghpat, where the girl Sania was strangled to death on 23rd July by her relatives. The 18-year-old girl loved Sagar, a Dalit Hindu youth from the same family. But, while Sania belonged to an influential family in the village, Sagar is from a poor family, and works in a brick kiln in Himachal’s Una district.

Sagar keeps visiting his native village from his workplace, and during these visits, he met Sania, which eventually grew to a romantic relationship. They used to meet secretly in the village, as their relation was not acceptable to Sania’s family. They were also planning to elope together.

On 15th of this month, Sania went to Himachal with Sagar. After she went missing, her families launched a search operation, and reached Himachal suspecting that she has gone with her lover. They located the couple in Himachal, where they badly assaulted Sagar. They brought Sania and Sagar back to the village with them on 16th July.

They tied the couple to a tube well in a jungle near the village and thrashed them badly. After that, Sagar was let go, and Sania was brought home. However, Sagar didn’t reached home, and has been missing since then.

Sania’s relatives were not satisfied with the assault, so they proceeded to kill the girl, despite the opposition of her parents. As per reports, Sania’s uncle Matloob, cousin Sadiq, and a minor boy from the family were involved in the murder on 23 July. Two relatives from Sunna village in Muzaffarnagar district and two relatives from Asara village were also involved in the crime.

The accused persons said that after Sania was brought back, they wanted to get ger married, but she was not ready to marry anyone else, and insisted on marrying Sagar only. This angered them so much that they killed her. On the day of the crime, the minor boy held her legs, while her uncle Matloob and cousin Sadiq pressed Sania’s mouth and throat to strangle her.

Sania’a father and mother were present at the spot, and were appealing to leave her, but they didn’t listen. After the girl died, the family told the villagers that she died of TB, and buried the body at the village graveyard.

In the meanwhile, Sagar’s family lodged a complaint with the police as he was missing, after which a probe was started and the crime was exposed. The police got the body exhumed on Saturday, and sent it for post-mortem examination.

Sania’s killers have no remorse for the murder. Instead, Matloob expressed disappointment that he didn’t kill Sagar. He said that he left Sagar alive by mistake and realised this ‘mistake’ later. It would have been better if he had killed Sagar as well, he said.

Baghpat Police issued a statement regarding the matter, and stated that six people have been arrested in connection with the case so far. They have been identified as the victim’s own brother Sahib, Sadiq, Arman, Shan, Matloob and Naseem. Sania’s father Balish has also been named as an accused. Others named in the case but not arrested yet are Matloob’s son Aarish and one Sonmohammed.

They have been booked under sections 191(2) / 115 (2) / 351 (2) / 103(1) / 61 (2) / 238 of BNS.

From mobilisation of forces to delivering equipment, seamless logistics management was a deciding factor in success of Operation Sindoor: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

OpIndia Staff
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From mobilisation of forces to delivering equipment, seamless logistics management was a deciding factor in success of Operation Sindoor: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence minister Rajnath Singh has said that seamless logistics management was a deciding factor in the success of Operation Sindoor. He asserted that in today’s era, wars are won not just with guns & bullets, but with their time-bound delivery, and Operation Sindoor was a vivid example of excellent logistics management.

While virtually addressing the convocation ceremony of Vadodara-based Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) on July 27, 2025, Rajnath Singh said, “Seamless logistics management by our agencies – from mobilisation of the Armed Forces to delivering the equipment at the right time and place – was a deciding factor in the success of Operation Sindoor.”

The minister emphasised that logistics should be seen through the prism of strategic importance and not just as a process of delivering goods. “Whether it’s the soldiers fighting on the border or personnel engaged in disaster management, without coordination or proper management of resources, even the strongest of intentions weaken. Logistics is the power that transforms chaos into control. Power is measured not only by weapons, but also by timely resource management. Be it war, disaster or global pandemic, the nation which keeps its logistics chain strong is the most stable, secure and capable,” he said, while underscoring the crucial role institutions like GSV play in providing impetus to India’s aspirations in the 21st century.

Rajnath Singh highlighted the importance of logistics in the economic progress of the country, terming it as one of the main pillars which connects every step – from pre-production to consumption. He termed the contribution of logistics in India’s GDP as important both directly and indirectly, while also underlining the crucial role it played during COVID, when lakhs of vaccines, oxygen cylinders and medical teams reached from one place to another in a time of need.

The defence minister pointed out that India has witnessed unprecedented infrastructure development in the last 11 years, and the foundation of this transformation, which is being carried out with a holistic and integrated approach, has been laid through policy reforms & mission-mode projects. He added that its impact is not limited to physical connectivity, but it has also increased economic productivity, reduced logistics cost and improved service delivery.

“Under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, seven powerful pillars of development like Railways, Roads, Ports, Waterways, Airports, Mass Transport and Logistics Infrastructure are together giving a strong foundation to India’s economy. PM GatiShakti is not just a scheme, but a vision – which is making infrastructure futuristic through cutting-edge technology and data-based planning,” said Rajnath Singh.

On the National Logistics Policy, he said the initiative aims to create an integrated, efficient, and cost-effective logistics network that not only reduces logistics cost but also encourages data-driven decision-making. “The policy aims to bring down the current 13-14% logistics cost to the level of developed countries. This will increase the competitiveness of Indian products in domestic and global markets. Reduction in logistics cost will increase efficiency in all sectors and will boost value addition and enterprise growth,” he added.

On the crucial role played by GSV, Rajnath Singh stated the ‘gati’ with which the youth are providing ‘shakti’ to the country is commendable. “GSV, one of the most prestigious study centers in the country in terms of logistics, is not just an educational institution, it is an idea, a mission. It is giving concrete form to the national aspiration of taking India forward in a fast, organised and coordinated manner,” he said.

The union minister described digitisation, automation, real-time tracking, AI-enabled logistics forecasting, and sustainable freight systems as national necessities for India in today’s times. He appreciated the efforts of GSV and the students for making headway in these subjects.

Rajnath Singh exhorted the students to become problem-solvers and not limit their knowledge to just seeking jobs. “For India to become Viksit Bharat by 2047, one of the things we need is the smart logistics systems. No country can become developed until goods, services and people move fast and easily in the country,” he said.

GSV, established in 2022 as a central university under the Ministry of Railways, is dedicated to creating world-class talent in the logistics and transportation sectors. Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw is its first Chancellor. He was present during the event along with Vadodara MP Dr Hemang Joshi and Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Manoj Choudhary.

Israeli navy intercepts Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s vessel Handala before reaching Gaza, 21 people detained for breaching blockade

ANI
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Israeli navy intercepts Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s vessel Handala before reaching Gaza, 21 people detained for breaching blockade

Israeli naval forces intercepted the vessel Handala late Saturday night as it attempted to breach the maritime blockade on Gaza, towing it to the port of Ashdod and detaining the 21 people aboard. According to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the ship — registered as Navarn — was stopped “from illegally entering the maritime zone off the coast of Gaza” and all passengers were “safe.”

The Handala, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, had departed from Syracuse, Italy, on July 13, aiming to deliver humanitarian aid and symbolically challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza. The group said the vessel was carrying 19 activists and two journalists from Al Jazeera, representing 12 countries. Among the passengers were two French parliamentarians, Emma Fourreau and Gabrielle Cathala of the far-left France Unbowed party.

Named after a cartoon character representing Palestinian refugees, the Handala drew attention as the latest in a series of flotilla attempts to defy Israel’s naval blockade.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused Israel of intercepting the ship in international waters, an allegation Jerusalem rejected.

“Unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said, insisting that the blockade complies with international law due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas. It cited previous attacks launched from Gaza, including the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, as justification for maintaining the blockade.

An online tracking tool placed the Handala about 100 kilometers west of Gaza and 50 kilometers from Egypt when intercepted. Prior to the operation, activists said they had noticed Israeli drones overhead and decided to alter course southward along the Egyptian coast. “At this time, the Handala does not intend to enter Egyptian waters but plans to sail parallel to the coastline,” the coalition said. “Should the threat from Israeli authorities escalate, the crew will attempt to contact the Egyptian Coast Guard.”

As the Israeli Navy approached, communication with the ship was lost.

French politician Jean-Luc Melenchon condemned the seizure, calling it a “kidnapping” and demanding the French government respond. “Netanyahu’s thugs boarded Handala. They attack 21 unarmed people in territorial waters where they have no right,” he wrote on X.

Huwaida Arraf, one of the activists, had warned the group would initiate a hunger strike if intercepted. “We are not interested in receiving any food or water [from Israel…] and certainly not in the ways that they use it for propaganda, while at the same time they are starving to death Palestinian children,” she posted prior to the operation.

The passengers were unharmed and are expected to be deported. Israel says the limited aid aboard will be routed through official overland crossings into Gaza.

The Handala follows earlier flotilla attempts, including the Madleen, which carried climate activist Greta Thunberg, and the Mizfon, which sustained damage in May near Malta. Activists blamed Israel for an aerial attack on the Mizfon, though Jerusalem offered no comment.

Israel and Egypt have maintained restrictions on Gaza leading up today’s blockade to prevent weapons smuggling since Hamas seized control of the Strip in 2007. Since then, Palestinian activists have periodically sent flotillas trying to breach the blockade. In 2011, an independent UN inquiry into the Mavi Marmara affair of 2010 criticised Israeli forces for using excessive force but upheld the blockade’s legality.

At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 55 remaining hostages, 33 are believed to be dead.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Uttar Pradesh: Two Hindu men who filed complaint against Love Jihad stripped, thrashed and forced to drink urine by Shahabuddin, Anas and Zeeshan

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Two Hindu men who filed complaint against Love Jihad stripped, thrashed and forced to drink urine by Shahabuddin, Anas and Zeeshan

Two Hindu men were brutally thrashed by some Muslim men in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, for reporting a Love Jihad case to the police. The incident came to light after one of the victims, named Chandan Maurya, filed a complaint regarding the attack at the Ramgaon Police Station. Three accused have been arrested by the police, and a case has been registered. An investigation is underway.

As per reports, the incident happened on 23rd July, when Chandan Maurya and his cousin Mohit were intercepted by Shahabuddin at Barua ghat. Shahabuddin forced them into his car at gunpoint. He, later joined by Anas and Zeeshan, took the duo to a remote location, where the victims were stripped and brutally beaten with iron rods and sticks.

The attackers denied the victims water and forced them to drink urine. They also forced the victims to raise the slogans of ‘Islam Zindabad’ at gunpoint. Confirming the incident, Additional SP Durga Prasad Tiwari said that the victims were rescued near Matera, and the car used in their abduction has been seized.

Muslim men targeted Hindu girls using fake IDs

Chandan, in his complaint, said that the Muslim men attacked him and his cousin because of an old grudge. He said that the attackers even planned to kill them in Nepal.

According to Chandan, the attackers are part of an Instagram group called “Baba Guruup”. The members of the group used fake Hindu identities to trap Hindu girls via WhatsApp. Chandan said that the members of the group flaunt luxury cars and expensive gadgets, for which they get funding from abroad.

Image via India Today

He added that these Muslim men trap Hindu girls using fake identities. They find out the details of the Hindu girls, including their religion and caste and make fake social media IDs matching religion and caste of the girls. Then they trap the girls into relationships and force them to convert to Islam. They have been targeting the Hindu girls in Chandan’s village as well. He said that he tried to stop their activities by reporting about it to the police about two months ago. He even got into a fight with some members of the Instagram group. However, the police forced them to settle the matter and deleted all the evidence from his phone. “Instead of acting, the police deleted all the evidence from my phone and tried to mediate a compromise,” said Chandan accusing the police of not acting on his complaint.

“Initial probe indicates personal enmity between the groups. A case has been registered and three accused — Shahabuddin, Anas, and Zeeshan — have been arrested,” said Additional SP Tiwari. He said that the claims victims being forced to raise religious slogans were not part of the original complaint and were added later.

Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi hails 12 Maratha forts recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, says every stone has witnessed historical event

ANI
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Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi hails 12 Maratha forts recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, says every stone has witnessed historical event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) move to recognise 12 Maratha forts among the World Heritage Sites and highlighted that every fort was a part of a historical event.

“UNESCO has recognised 12 Maratha forts as World Heritage Sites. 11 forts are in Maharashtra, and one fort is in Tamil Nadu. Every fort has a page of history attached to it, and every stone has witnessed a historical event,” PM Modi said in the 124th episode of his monthly radio show, Mann Ki Baat.

Lauding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha forts, PM Modi added, “Salher Fort, where the Mughals faced defeat. Shivneri, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born. A fort so secure that the enemy could not breach it. Khanderi Fort, a marvellous fort built in the middle of the sea. The enemies tried to stop him, but Shivaji Maharaj made the impossible possible.”

He recalled visiting the Raigad fort and said that the experience will remain with him for a lifetime.

“Pratapgarh Fort, where Afzal Khan was trounced, the echo of that saga still resides in the walls of the fort. Vijaydurg, which had secret tunnels, is a testament to Shivaji Maharaj’s foresight. I visited Raigad a few years ago. I paid my respects before the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This experience will remain with me for the rest of my life,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi further noted that the forts across India have faced attacks and adverse weather conditions, but they have never let their self-respect bow down.

“There are such amazing forts in other parts of the country too, which have faced attacks, faced bad weather, but never let their self-respect bow down. Chittaurgarh Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranthambore Fort, Amer Fort, and Jaisalmer Fort of Rajasthan are world-famous. Gulbarga Fort in Karnataka is also very big. The vastness of the Chitradurga Fort will also fill you with curiosity as to how this fort would have been built in that era,” he said.

Hailing the forts in Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister added that they are symbols of our culture.

“Kalinjar Fort is in Banda, Uttar Pradesh. Mahmud Ghaznavi attacked this fort many times and failed every time. There are many such forts in Bundelkhand – Gwalior, Jhansi, Datia, Ajaygarh, Garhkundar, and Chanderi. These forts are not just bricks and stones; they are symbols of our culture. Culture and self-respect still peek from the high walls of these forts,” PM Modi added.

Earlier this month, in a remarkable decision taken at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India’s official nomination for 2024-25 cycle, ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India’s 44th property to receive this recognition. This global accolade celebrates India’s enduring cultural legacy, showcasing its diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity, the Ministry of Culture said in an official statement.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Uttar Pradesh: Mohammad Shabbir Ahmed forces Hindu man to convert to Islam, forges documents in the name of victim, Congress and Bhim Army extend support to accused

केशव मालान
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Uttar Pradesh: Mohammad Shabbir Ahmed forces Hindu man to convert to Islam, forges documents in the name of victim, Congress and Bhim Army extend support to accused

In yet another case of forced Islamic conversion in Uttar Pradesh, police have arrested a Muslim man named Mohammad Shabbir Ahmed. Shabbir, who is the manager of Al Farooq Inter College, Itwa, in the Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, is accused of forcing Akhand Pratap Singh to convert to Islam.

Police are probing Shabbir Ahmed’s links with Jalaluddin alias Chhangur, the mastermind of the Balrampur Islamic conversion racket.

The incident happened when Akhand Pratap Singh was temporarily employed at the college as a clerk. He came to know about a vacancy in Al Farooq Inter College during 2020-21. He went to college and met manager Mohammad Shabbir Ahmed, who offered him ₹15,000 monthly for the job. Nearly 8-10 days after Singh joined the job, Shabbir called him to his office and took his signature on a blank affidavit of ₹100 in the name of a duty agreement.

Shabbir forged an affidavit in the name of Singh

Some time later, Shabbir Ahmed showed Akhand Pratap Singh the affidavit bearing his signature. To Singh’s absolute shock, the affidavit stated that he willingly converted to Islam and changed his name. “I declare that I am a Hindu by religion. I am deeply influenced by the teachings of Islam. I believe in the religious beliefs of Islam. I have accepted Islam out of my own free will and without anyone’s pressure. My new Islamic name is Imran Khan,” the affidavit stated.

Later on, Shabbir Ahmed condemned the Hindu ways of worship and rituals before Singh and advised him to accept Islam. Shabbir kept forcing Singh despite his refusal to accept Islam. Subsequently, he received a WhatsApp call from a Maulana from abroad who offered him ₹20 lakh, a house in Gujarat and a car in exchange for converting to Islam, but Singh rejected his offer. After learning about the affidavit, Singh quit his job. But Shabbir Ahmed kept pestering him to convert to Islam. Singh managed to obtain the affidavit from the college somehow. OpIndia has a copy of it.

Singh submitted a complaint to the police and CM Yogi

Speaking to OpIndia, Akhand Pratap Singh said Shabbir Ahmed has converted around 15-16 Hindus to Islam in the last few years in a similar manner. He said that in 2018, Shabbir Ahmed converted a Hindu man belonging to the Yadav community in the Golhaura police station area, who has been missing ever since. Singh suspected that Shabbir might also have converted other Hindus working in the college.

The victim has submitted a written complaint to the police and CM Yogi Adityanath detailing the entire incident.

Police did not register Singh’s complaint earlier

Akhand Pratap Singh said that he tried to file a complaint against Shabbir earlier, but the police did not register a case and asked him to send his complaint to the SSP and the Chief Minister. According to Singh, Shabbir Ahmed is a wealthy and influential person; therefore, he could not muster the courage to speak up against him. However, after the police busted the Balrampur Islamic conversion racket, Singh grew confident that his complaint would now be heard.

According to Singh, Shabbir Ahmed has been running an Islamic conversion racket in the garb of the inter-college and receiving funds from the Gulf countries. Shabbir used these funds to carry out conversion activities and run businesses in the name of others. Singh added that up to about 15-16 years ago, Shabbir used to work as a driver, but he accumulated considerable wealth over the last few years. Singh has urged the police to investigate his properties and bank accounts.
Police post in charge Anil Ojha told OpIndia that the police are examining some documents seized from the college.

Congress to fight Shabbir case in the court

After the arrest of Shabbir Ahmed, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (Legal Department) released a letter claiming that Shabbir had been arrested in a false case. Advocates Ravindra Singh, Imran Asim Khan, and Sahodar Tripathi would be arguing his case in the Allahabad High Court.

Bhim Army Chief Chandra Shekhar Azad supports Shabbir

Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad has come out in support of the accused Shabbir Ahmed. Describing Shabbir as “a symbol of religious education, social harmony, and goodwill”, Azad said that the allegations against him are false and are levelled at the behest of the BJP.

“In 2020, a complainant who applied for a job at the college was not appointed. Now, in 2025, the same individual is suddenly accusing Maulana of religious conversion—without any new evidence or incident. At the behest of BJP leaders, this person has leveled false and baseless allegations, harassing Maulana Sahib by implicating him in a fabricated case, ” he wrote on X.

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