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India, Russia sign protocol to deepen industrial and technological cooperation in shadow of US tariff threat

OpIndia Staff
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India, Russia sign protocol to deepen industrial and technological cooperation in shadow of US tariff threat

India and Russia on Wednesday convened the 11th Session of their Working Group on Modernisation and Industrial Cooperation at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, under the framework of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation.

Focus on industrial modernisation

The Indian delegation was led by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), while the Russian side was headed by Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade. The session reviewed progress since the 10th meeting and examined ways to boost cooperation across multiple sectors, including mining, fertilisers, modernisation, and railway transport.

Aerospace and advanced technologies

Among the most significant discussions were joint projects in aerospace science and technology. Plans include setting up a modernised wind tunnel facility, producing small aircraft piston engines, and developing carbon fibre technology. Both countries also explored collaborations in additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and rare earth and critical minerals extraction. Underground coal gasification and modern industrial infrastructure were identified as further areas of partnership.

Expanding sectoral engagement

The two sides welcomed opportunities for deeper engagement in aluminium, fertilisers, and railway transport. Technology transfer and capacity building in mining, along with industrial and domestic waste management, also featured prominently.

Protocol signed to reaffirm ties

The session concluded with the signing of the official Protocol, reaffirming India and Russia’s strategic commitment to strengthening economic and industrial ties. Around 80 delegates, including senior officials, experts, and industry representatives, participated in the session.

Defence cooperation in focus

In a parallel development, Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin met Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar in Moscow. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the meeting focused on bilateral defence cooperation and underscored the “particularly privileged strategic partnership” between the two nations. The Ministry described the talks as having taken place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, reflecting the longstanding nature of Russia-India relations.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra educates US President Donald Trump over his ‘dead economy’ remark, reminds him India is contributing more to global growth right now than US

Shraddha Pandey
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RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra educates US President Donald Trump over his ‘dead economy’ remark, reminds him India is contributing more to global growth right now than US

“The Indian economy is doing very well and is contributing more to global growth than the US,” said Sanjay Malhotra, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), hitting out against US President Donald Trump, who recently called the Indian economy ‘dead’. Addressing the media at the RBI’s headquarter in Delhi, Malhotra also said that India with its supposedly ‘dead’ economy contributing more to global growth at this point than the United States.

“We are contributing about 18%, which is more than the US where the contribution is expected to be much less – about 11% or something. We are doing very well and we will continue to improve further,” the RBI governor said.

He added India is expected to grow 6.5%, as against the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) estimate of about 3% global growth in 2025.

Malhotra noted that India has historically grown at an average annual growth rate of 7.8% and that the country’s aspirational growth rate should be higher than the 6.5% the RBI projected for FY25.

Addressing the tariff threats by Donald Trump over India buying Russian oil, the RBI governor said, “We don’t see a major impact of US tariffs on the Indian economy unless there is a retaliatory tariff. We are hopeful that we will have an amicable solution.”

The RBI governor’s strong statement schooling Trump over his skewed understanding of a ‘dead economy’, comes after the US President published a post on Truth Social on 1st August, , where he not only mocked India’s economy but also questioned its trade practices.

“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” Trump posted, taking a jibe at both New Delhi and Moscow. He complained about India imposing “the highest tariffs in the world” and blamed it for the low trade volume between the two countries.

Before this, Trump had announced new trade penalties on India, including a 25 per cent tariff on almost all Indian imports, effective from 1st August. Trump also expressed his frustration over India being a top buyer of Russian military equipment and energy.

Taking to Truth Social, Donald Trump posted on 30th July, “Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country. Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE – ALL THINGS NOT GOOD! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST 1st. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. MAGA!”

In addition to imposing a 25 per cent tariff and calling India’s economy ‘dead’, Trump has issued a fresh threat of imposing a ‘substantial tariff’ on India for “fuelling the Russian war machine.”

Rahul Gandhi endorsed Trump’s ‘dead economy’ jibe, even as numbers tell India’s economic game is strong

While Indian social media welcomed Trump’s tariffs with hilarious memes, market responded with strong NIFTY and SENSEX points, government reiterated that it will always prioritise national interest and not succumb to any pressure, PM Modi indirectly responded with giving the mantra of “Swadeshi” to Indian people, a section of the political opposition gleefully cheered when Trump made his irresponsible, outrageous and divorced-from-reality remarks.

In this vein, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP), shamelessly endorsed Trump’s unwarranted criticism of India’s economy. Days after provoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha to publicly refute Trump’s claim of brokering an India-Pakistan ceasefire during Operation Sindoor, Gandhi said he was “glad” the US President had “stated a fact” by calling the Indian economy “dead.”

“Yes, he is right. Everybody knows this except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. The Indian economy is dead. I’m glad President Trump has stated a fact… BJP has finished the economy to help Adani,” Gandhi told the media on 31st July.

Last month, Rahul Gandhi stood up in the Lok Sabha to speak on Operation Sindoor. Displaying sheer lack of respect for Indian sovereignty, and understanding for foreign policy and diplomacy, Gandhi dared PM Modi to call former U.S. President Donald Trump a “liar” on the floor of Parliament. Just to score political points against the BJP-led government, the Congress leader laid a trap to solicit an emotional, probably aggressive response from PM Modi against Trump and his ‘I stopped India-Pakistan war’ rhetoric.

Despite the backlash, the Congress leader is behaving like a foreign agent, more so a stooge, and is provoking Donald Trump to use the ‘Adani Card’ against India.

“India, please understand: The reason PM Modi cannot stand up to President Trump despite his repeated threats is the ongoing U.S. investigation into Adani. One threat is to expose the financial links between Modi, AA, and Russian oil deals. Modi’s hands are tied,” Gandhi wrote on X on 6th August.

Not to forget, Rahul Gandhi has for long been pushing a baseless narrative linking PM Modi and businessman Gautam Adani, alleging a nexus of corruption. After the Hindenburg report came out in 2023, Rahul Gandhi used the report to attack Prime Minister Modi by alleging that he gave undue favours to the company. The now-defunct US-based short-seller had published another hit job against Adani Group; however, an expert committee constituted by the Supreme Court found no regulatory failure. The court refused to order an SIT probe on the allegations made by short-seller Hindenburg.

In March last year, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York decided to investigate whether the conglomerate, along with its founder Gautam Adani, may have engaged in bribery.

Now despite, there being no proven illegal activity on the part of Adani Group or there being any involvement of PM Modi in these matters, Rahul Gandhi has once again proved himself a useful idiot, by provoking Trump to use the Adani card. Gandhi is instigating Trump to ‘expose’ supposed financial links between Modi, Adani, and Russian oil, even as it essentially amounts inviting foreign interference in India’s domestic policy.

Apparently, the Gandhi scion is resorting to desperate, even near-treasonous measures to secure a political comeback after suffering back-to-back defeats in general and many state elections since 2014.

Rahul Gandhi is aiding Trump’s pressure tactics against India, which refused to bow down to sign a half-baked trade deal that heavily favours American interests and undermines Indian interests. Negotiations were ongoing, and a waiver could have been on the cards had India agreed to allow unrestricted access to U.S. agricultural products and dilute its protective framework for domestic industries. India, however, upholding its interests, did not.

Trump’s tirade against India comes at a time when the two countries are negotiating a major trade deal. A deal that Trump has repeatedly claimed to have been the reason why India halted Operation Sindoor in May in the aftermath of a Pakistan-backed jihadist terror attack in Pahalgam in April this year.

Ironically, Trump never forgets to call India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi his and the USA’s ‘friend’ every time he hyphenates India, the world’s fourth-largest economy, one of the fastest-growing economies and the failed state of Pakistan, the ‘Islamic republic, which literally breathes on an IMF loan ventilator. Trump makes tall claims of using trade deals as leverage to stop the India-Pakistan conflict; however, the loudmouth US President has failed to strike a deal with India till now.

Probably, India’s loud and clear statement that no foreign leader, not even the self-declared ‘ceasefire specialist’, mediated ceasefire between India and Pakistan, has irked Trump, reflecting in his sudden tariff and ‘penalty’ imposition against his ‘friend’ India.

In fact, a lack of a Indo-US trade deal to this day, not only confirms that no such offer by the US President played any role in India-Pakistan arriving at ceasefire understanding, but also that Trump had no say in India deciding to heed Pakistan’s desperate plea to halt Operation Sindoor.

While Trump boasts of being a decisive peacemaker in the Indo-Pak conflict and leveraging the prospect of a trade deal, if trade alone could stop wars, his trade offers would have ended the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Despite Trump’s earlier claims of ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict within hours, the two countries continue to fight, reducing his boastful statements to a joke.

Now, probably, to deflect attention from his own failure to halt the Russia-Ukraine war with ‘trade’, Trump is targeting India with his senseless rhetoric, tariffs and penalties.

Trump vilifies India for having trade ties with Russia, but claims to not even know that US continues to import non-essential items from Russia: Is India trading with ‘bad Putin’ and US with ‘good Putin’?

President Trump’s delusion and hypocrisy stretch beyond measure when he makes the audacious attempt at ‘punishing’ India with tariffs and penalties for trade ties with Russia, while the US itself continues to do trade with the country.

While the US may have cut its Russian crude oil imports from Russia due to sanctions, it continues to trade with Russia in various sectors. Even three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States has not fully cut off its trade ties with Moscow. The US has imported more than $24.5 billion worth of Russian goods since January 2022. This year alone, it bought $1.27 billion worth of fertilisers, $624 million in uranium and plutonium, and nearly $878 million in palladium.

Import of non-ferrous metals such as palladium and aluminium were valued at $876.5 million for the period January to November in 2024. Inorganic chemicals made up $683 million, followed by power-generating machinery at $79 million and cork and wood manufacturers at approximately $64 million.

Other commodities included nuclear reactors and machinery worth $80.81 million, prepared animal feed, iron and steel, and oil seeds, although these contributed smaller shares to the overall imports.

The US government’s own data indicates that U.S. exports in goods to Russia fell to $528.3 million in 2024, while imports were worth an amount phenomenally higher. In the year 2023,  the U.S. exports to Russia stood at around $598.8 million. Despite Russia enjoying a massive surplus and being involved in war with Ukraine, there was never really a hiatus in the Russia-US trade.

Ironically, while Trump is upset with India for its trade ties with Russia, he claims not to even be aware of the massive trade partnership the US continues to have with Russia. Trump said that he didn’t know the United States was still doing business with Russia, even as he criticised India for continuing to import oil from Russia.

“I don’t know anything about it. We will have to check it out, and we will get back to you,” he told an ANI reporter on 5th August during a media interaction.

Either Trump is actually unaware of the trading ties and the scale of the same his country has with Russia, or he is embarrassed to admit, while he accuses India of ‘fuelling’, what he calls Russian ‘war machine’, it is the US doing the same. In fact, the US, on one hand, is fuelling the Russian war on Ukraine by continuing trade with Kremlin, on the other, it is fuelling Ukrainian war on Russia, by providing military and financial aid to Kyiv.

Trump’s hypocrisy has been called out by the Indian government as well. In a strong statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs pointed out that India started importing oil from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. At that time, the United States actively encouraged such imports from India for strengthening the stability of global energy markets. The MEA also gave the statistics of the trading ties the United States and the European Union continue to have with Russia, while NATO backs Ukraine.

India’s statement not only received global praise, but also backing from Russia, which called Trump’s tariff threats “illegal”.

In contrast to Donald Trump’s ‘dead economy’ rhetoric, global financial assessments paint a far more resilient picture of India’s economy. According to the latest report by Morgan Stanley’s Global Investment Committee, India is expected to remain the fastest-growing economy in its global coverage. The report forecasts India’s real GDP growth at 5.9% in 2025 and 6.4% in 2026, far ahead of the US (1.0%) and China (4.0%).

“India remains the fastest growing economy in our coverage,” the committee noted, highlighting the country’s robust domestic demand, structural reforms, and investment momentum. In fact, while the global economy is projected to slow down, from 3.5% in 2024 to just 2.5% in 2025, India is expected to outperform significantly.

While Trump may satisfy his ego by calling Indian economy ‘dead’, levy tariffs and penalties, receive indirect support from a section of India’s political opposition acting like the fifth column, Indian economy continues to grow, India continues to uphold its national interests, maintain ties with its allies, and not submit to the whims of a hypocrite and full of himself bully.

Karnataka: Born as Mohammad Nisar, Lingayat seer leaves Gurumalleshwara Shakha mutt after being exposed for hiding his Muslim past

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Born as Mohammad Nisar, Lingayat seer leaves Gurumalleshwara Shakha mutt after being exposed for hiding his Muslim past

A 22-year-old seer, who had been living in a mutt in Chamarajanagar in Karnataka, left the mutt on Monday (4th August), after locals found out about his Muslim identity. The seer named Nijalinga Swamy had arrived at the Gurumalleshwara Shakha mutt located in Gundulpet taluka six weeks ago. His Muslim identity was exposed last week after a devotee saw his photos wearing a skull cap and holding a beer in his hand.

The expose occurred after a local devotee requested the seer to lend him his spare mobile phone as his phone had stopped working. The seer, who had two mobile phones, gave the devotee his older phone. When the devotee went through the phone, he saw the seer’s pictures wearing a skull cap and holding a beer. The devotees swiftly informed the other devotees of the mutt, who were shocked to hear the information.

Soon the devotees confronted him about his Muslim identity, the seer admitted that he was a Muslim before joining the Lingayat sect. His Aadhaar Card also mentioned his birth name, Mohammad Nisar. He clarified that the pictures were from the time before he became a Lingayat. He said that he had not drunk beer since he converted. However, the devotees, who felt betrayed for keeping them in the dark, asked him to step down.

The seer claimed a became a Lingayat five years ago

Nijalinga Swamy was born a Muslim named Mohammad Nisar in Yadgir district. As per reports, he was influenced by the teachings of Lingayat social reformer Basavanna. He is said to have taken his vows five years ago, at the age of 17. Nisar said that he was inclined towards Basavanna since childhood, and this worried his Muslim parents, who sent him to a madrassa. “At a very young age, I was attracted towards Basavanna and his ideas. I used to perform puja just like any Lingayat. My parents were frightened, and they sent me to a madrassa to study. It gave me another dimension, and at the age of 17, I took deeksha (initiation) to become a Lingayat,” the seer told Indian Express.

Nisar expressed his resolution to continue to follow Basavanna’s ideology. Another Lingayat mutt in Rane Bennur (Haveri district) has reportedly given him shelter. “I left my parents and Islam only because I believe in Basavanna’s ideology. I will continue to do so, and nobody can stop me from doing that. A lot of seers and people from the Lingayat community have come to my support. In fact, another Lingayat mutt in Rane Bennur (Haveri district) has given me shelter now. I will continue to follow Basavanna and his ideas,” Swamy said. He said that some people have levelled false accusations of financial misappropriation against him after his past identity was revealed. “I will not give up, but will live the rest of my life to propagate Basavanna’s ideas,” he asserted.

Nisar said his well-wishers advised him to conceal his Muslim identity

After taking deeksha from his Guru, Nisar became a Lingayat. He started following Lingayat rituals at a mutt in Basavakalyan, Bidar. An Australia-based philanthropist named Mahadev Prasad had donated land to build a mutt in Chamarajanagar district’s Chowdahalli, on which the Gurumalleshwara Shakha mutt was established. Mohammad Nisar, who had become Nijalinga Swamy and was following Lingayat rituals at a mutt in Basavakalyan, Bidar, after taking diksha from his Guru, was appointed at the Gurumalleshwara Shakha mutt. He said that his Guru suggested his name for appointment at the mutt. He added that some well-wishers advised him not to reveal his past Muslim identity and work for the betterment of the mutt.

In a similar case in 2020, a 33-year-old former autorickshaw driver Diwan Sharief Rahimsab Mulla took deeksha and became the fourth Muslim to head a Lingayat mutt in 300 years.

Pakistan govt not left with enough money to fund its beloved terrorists? Jaish-e-Mohammad starts crowdfunding campaign to rebuild its HQ destroyed in Operation Sindoor

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan govt not left with enough money to fund its beloved terrorists? Jaish-e-Mohammad starts crowdfunding campaign to rebuild its HQ destroyed in Operation Sindoor

Terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), led by Maulana Masood Azhar, is now asking people to donate money to help rebuild its headquarters in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. This comes nearly three months after the Indian Air Force destroyed the building during Operation Sindoor – a major airstrike launched in response to the killing of Indian tourists in Kashmir.

The JeM headquarters, known as Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah, was not just a home for Maulana Masood. It was the main hub for planning terror attacks and training recruits. Established in 2015 and located in Bahawalpur, around 100 km inside Pakistan’s Punjab province, this compound also housed Azhar, his brother Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar (who is considered the group’s de facto chief), and other close family members.

Terror outfit now asking for “discreet donations” to rebuild the camp

In a recent post shared in Urdu on social media, JeM appealed for donations to “revive” the destroyed headquarters. The terror group said that the building played an important role in their movement and called upon followers to work together for the success of the campaign, which was launched last Wednesday (30th July).  

The post did not make a direct appeal like a usual fundraiser, but asked people to donate “quietly”. They don’t want to attract too much attention, knowing well that such funding activities could be tracked.

Given that the Pakistani establishment directly supports various terror groups including Jaish-e-Mohammad, the fundraising appeal has raised questioned whether the Pakistan government has run out of money to rebuild the JeM headquarters.

Target of Operation Sindoor

Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah was one of the main targets during Operation Sindoor, which was India’s response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists on 22nd April. Indian agencies had identified Bahawalpur as a key location where JeM’s top leaders were hiding and where weapons and recruits were being prepared for attacks in India.

The precision airstrikes carried out by India caused huge damage to the building. Satellite images released by Maxar and analysed by NDTV showed the destruction of several structures at the site.

Masood Azhar claims family members were killed

Masood Azhar, the 56-year-old UN-designated global terrorist and chief of JeM, later issued a statement claiming that ten members of his family and four close ones died in the strike. He named his elder sister, her husband, a nephew and his wife, a niece, and five children from the extended family as those who were “martyred”.

In his message, Azhar wrote, “Ten members of my family were blessed with this happiness together tonight… five are innocent children, my elder sister, and her honourable husband. My scholar Fazil Bhanje (nephew) and his wife, and my beloved scholar Fazilah (niece)… my dear brother Huzaifah and his mother. Two more dear companions,” he said, adding that those killed have become the guests of Allah.

Azhar’s long terror record of terrorist attacks

Masood Azhar was arrested in 1994 in India but let off in 1999 during the Indian Airlines flight IC 814 hijack. He established JeM and has been held responsible for multiple fatal attacks in India, such as the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot attack, and the 2019 Pulwama suicide attack, where 40 CRPF jawans were martyred.

In 2019, India legally designated Azhar as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He is listed as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council, too. But to date, even with all the evidence, Pakistan denies that Azhar is on its territory. It’s something no one believes.

From terror to charity drive, JeM now begging for money online

It’s almost ironic that a terror outfit like JeM, which once enjoyed full support and protection from the Pakistani establishment, is now begging for funds on X (formerly Twitter) like an online fundraiser. The same group that used to train fidayeen squads and carry out suicide bombings is now asking for money to rebuild a “headquarters” that was a front for terrorism.

This also shows how deep Pakistan’s financial crisis has become. For years, Pakistan pumped money, weapons, and intelligence support into groups like JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba to keep its proxy war against India alive. 

But now, it seems like the Pakistani government had no money left to fund its beloved terrorists. The country’s economy is in shambles. With an inflation rate of 12.04% in 2024, which is much higher than the average. The country is surviving on massive foreign debt and IMF bailouts, keeping the economy alive. 

And now, the same terrorists it nurtured are doing the same, instead of giving up arms and doing something productive with their lives.

Background of Operation Sindoor

On the night of 6th May, India launched a powerful retaliation after the Pahalgam terror attack killed 26 innocent tourists in Kashmir. Under Operation Sindoor, the Indian military fired 24 precision missiles at nine carefully chosen terrorist bases across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

The strikes targeted terror launchpads, training centres, and safe houses. According to Indian government sources, more than 70 terrorists were killed in the attacks, and at least 60 others were injured. 

The JeM camp in Bahawalpur was one of the worst-hit locations. This operation sent a clear message that India would not tolerate any attack on its civilians and would strike back with precision and power.

Teen hacker Vansh, who lost his father during Covid, makes NASA Hall of Fame: Read how his mother and his father’s employer Adani Cement powered the young prodigy to dizzying heights

OpIndia Staff
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Teen hacker Vansh, who lost his father during Covid, makes NASA Hall of Fame: Read how his mother and his father’s employer Adani Cement powered the young prodigy to dizzying heights

At the peak of the second wave of Covid in 2021, Vivek Kumar, who had served with Adani Cement for nearly 23 years as Head of Environment & Horticulture, succumbed to the pandemic. He left behind his wife Pooja Saxena and their teenage son Vansh.

Now, the young cybersecurity expert Vansh has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Vansh had discovered a significant vulnerability in a NASA web application—an achievement that earned him a spot on the Hall of Fame. Recalling the moment, he said, “I’d been testing for days, and then suddenly I found it. I just stared at the screen. I couldn’t believe it.”

Powered by the support of his single mother and with the backing of his father’s employer Adani Cement, the young man has reached dizzying heights in the field he chose to pursue.

Despite losing her husband at that time, Pooja Saxena kept backing her son’s dreams and supported him fully in his endeavors.

Adani Group, respecting the legacy left behind by her husband in the company, backed the mother-son duo all the way and honoured the trust the family had placed in the company through their loyalty over decades.

After suffering her husband’s loss, Pooja continued her work with Adani Group and found solace in her extended family as she let her son pursue his dreams.

Vansh’s mother said, “It felt surreal. Not just because it was NASA, but because I knew how hard he had worked—how focused, how ethical, how passionate he was.”

While Vansh continues to make responsible disclosures to global tech platforms and dives deeper into cybersecurity, Pooja continues her work with the Adani Group—a space that became an extension of family during their most vulnerable time.

Metallurgy research centre under central govt develops new laser technology to machine superalloys used in jet engines, nuclear reactors & space vehicles

OpIndia Staff
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Metallurgy research centre under central govt develops new laser technology to machine superalloys used in jet engines, nuclear reactors & space vehicles

A new technology promises to transform how we cut through some of the hardest materials known to engineering like Inconel 625 (IN625), which are used in areas ranging from aerospace and chemical to nuclear as well as in power production systems, such as boilers, heat exchanger tubes, and steam turbines.

The hybrid technique called Laser-Assisted Turning (LAT), that combines localized laser heating with mechanical cutting of such superalloys using tools coated with materials like tungsten carbide and CrAlSiN nanocomposite as well as the wear mechanisms of tungsten carbide cutting tools during the machining of IN625 superalloy, paves way for next-generation turbine blades, surgical tools, and high-performance automotive parts that are lighter, stronger, and more efficient.

Machining superalloys, the ultra-tough metals used in jet engines, nuclear reactors, and space vehicles, has always posed a challenge. Their exceptional strength and heat resistance — qualities that make them indispensable — also make them incredibly difficult to shape. Traditional cutting tools struggle, suffering rapid wear and producing inconsistent results. But now, ARCI researchers have cracked the code.

Under the Clean Coal Research Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), researchers at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of Laser-Assisted Turning (LAT) for machining high-performance materials such as Inconel 625 (IN625), a nickel-based superalloy.  

This breakthrough offers a scalable, high-precision solution for industries that require the machining of difficult-to-machine materials, particularly in aerospace, power generation, and marine sectors.

IN625 is renowned for its exceptional mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and ability to endure extreme temperatures. While ideal for demanding environments, its inherent toughness poses serious machining challenges, such as excessive tool wear, high cutting forces, and poor surface finish, when using traditional turning techniques.

To overcome these limitations, researchers of ARCI, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) developed Laser-Assisted Turning, a hybrid technique that combines localized laser heating with mechanical cutting. A high-power diode laser (up to 2500 W) precisely heats the workpiece just ahead of the cutting tool, inducing thermal softening in the material. This significantly reduces cutting resistance, improves chip formation, and enhances tool life and machining quality.

The study evaluated the turning of IN625 using both uncoated tungsten carbide tools and CrAlSiN nanocomposite-coated tools, known for their superior hardness, thermal stability, and oxidation resistance. When paired with LAT, these coated tools delivered outstanding performance such as, 69% reduction in cutting force, 46% lower tool wear, and 56% improvement in surface finish compared to conventional methods. The team has also investigated the wear mechanisms of tungsten carbide cutting tools during the machining of IN625 superalloy at elevated temperatures.

A key innovation was the integration of a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) turn-mill center with a fiber-coupled diode laser, custom-designed adapters, and real-time monitoring tools.

The novelty of the approach lies in the synergistic use of LAT with advanced tool coatings, a combination not widely explored earlier. These results underscore the effectiveness of thermal softening when paired with surface-engineered tools. The CrAlSiN-coated tools, in particular, demonstrated excellent resistance to wear mechanisms like abrasion and oxidation while maintaining cutting-edge sharpness and dimensional accuracy under high temperatures. Their study wear mechanism of tungsten carbide cutting tools during the machining of IN625 superalloy, revealed that it transitioned from fatigue and abrasion at room temperature to oxidation and adhesion-dominated behaviour at higher temperatures. These insights could help in understanding tool failure modes and estimating the thermal stability and service life of the cutting tool.

This technological advancement published in the journal of Process Mechanical Engineering and Materials Letters offer a significant leap in the machinability of superalloys, opening new avenues for high-strength, high-precision components.  It also aligns with India’s strategic goals of boosting domestic manufacturing, improving energy efficiency, and adopting cleaner industrial technologies.

Words of a foreign agent? Rahul Gandhi provokes Donald Trump to use the ‘Adani Card’ against India, Mossad had earlier tied Gandhi to Soros-backed Adani hit job

OpIndia Staff
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Words of a foreign agent? Rahul Gandhi provokes Donald Trump to use the ‘Adani Card’ against India, Mossad had earlier tied Gandhi to Soros-backed Adani hit job

In a deeply troubling move that raises grave questions about national loyalty and political opportunism, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again provoked global powers against India. This time, the Gandhi scion targeted PM Modi by invoking the ongoing U.S. investigation into the Adani Group.

Days after Gandhi echoed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s baseless allegation that “the Indian economy is dead,” the Congress leader went a step further by tweeting: “India, please understand: The reason PM Modi cannot stand up to President Trump despite his repeated threats is the ongoing U.S. investigation into Adani. One threat is to expose the financial links between Modi, AA, and Russian oil deals. Modi’s hands are tied.”

This shocking attempt to draw a foreign power into India’s internal affairs is not new for Rahul Gandhi. However, this time, he appears to be inciting the U.S. President to leverage a geopolitically motivated investigation against a leading Indian business group to arm-twist the Indian government into submission. What else can explain his glee in aligning with anti-India narratives, even if it means compromising national interest?

Israeli intelligence had already exposed Rahul Gandhi’s alleged role in Adani hit job

This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi’s name has come up in connection with attacks on the Adani Group. According to an unverified but explosive report by Sputnik India, Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad uncovered a covert nexus between Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda (head of Indian Overseas Congress), and U.S.-based short-seller Hindenburg Research.

Mossad reportedly hacked into Pitroda’s home servers and decrypted communications that pointed to an orchestrated campaign to use Hindenburg’s defamatory report against the Adani Group as a weapon to damage PM Modi and the Indian economy. Hindenburg’s 2023 report accused Adani Group of “pulling the largest con in corporate history”, allegations that were dismissed by the Indian Supreme Court in 2024.

The timing of the Hindenburg report also raised eyebrows, coming just days before Gautam Adani was to finalise a $1.2 billion deal to acquire the Haifa port in Israel. The Israeli government, viewing the report as a strategic attack, reportedly launched “Operation Zeppelin” to uncover the forces behind the smear campaign. Israeli sources found links to Chinese and Western lobbies, activist lawyers, hedge funds, and a “key face from India’s opposition dynasty.”

Soros-linked NGO network and Rahul Gandhi’s secret US visit

Adding fuel to the fire is Rahul Gandhi’s documented association with far-left and anti-India groups during his 2023 foreign tours. Notably, during a 10-day visit to the US, Gandhi met secretly with officials at the White House, a major breach of diplomatic protocol, as the trip was not coordinated through India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

At the Hudson Institute, Gandhi was seen seated beside Sunita Vishwanath, co-founder of “Hindus for Human Rights,” a Soros-funded outfit known for Hinduphobic rhetoric. George Soros himself has publicly called for regime change in India, and his Open Society Foundation has funded the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which also published reports against the Adani Group.

Further, Rahul Gandhi’s trip to Uzbekistan overlapped with USAID administrator Samantha Power’s visit, an operative known for liaising with Soros-backed networks. These overlaps, coupled with Pitroda’s NGO Global Knowledge Initiative’s funding from USAID, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the U.S. State Department, raise critical questions about foreign collusion.

Political treason or just bad judgment?

While the Mossad revelations await official confirmation, the circumstantial evidence paints a troubling picture of Rahul Gandhi’s politics. From meeting Soros-linked activists to egging on foreign powers to act against Indian interests, Gandhi has repeatedly crossed red lines that no responsible opposition leader in a democracy should.

His latest tweet calling on Donald Trump to “expose” financial links between Modi, Adani, and Russian oil is not only unsubstantiated but comes dangerously close to inviting foreign interference in India’s domestic policy. It could also be seen as a backdoor attempt to undermine India’s geopolitical standing, economic confidence, and global partnerships — all for scripting a political comeback after losing countless state elections and three Lok Sabha polls on the trot.

Washington’s growing pressure on India and the Adani card

However, it is important to understand the broader context in which Rahul Gandhi made his remarks. The United States has been actively pressuring India to sign a half-baked trade deal that heavily favors American interests. When India pushed back, Washington responded with threats of imposing up to 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. More recently, this pressure escalated further, with the US accusing India of “funding Russia’s war machine”, a charge riddled with hypocrisy, given that both the US and EU continue to import billions worth of essential goods from Russia.

By invoking the Adani probe at such a moment, Gandhi seems to be encouraging American strong-arming of India using flimsy pretexts. If successful, this manoeuvre could open the door for an imbalanced trade deal that undermines India’s economic sovereignty.

Whose side is Rahul Gandhi on?

In democracies, opposition parties play a vital role in holding governments accountable. But when political ambition leads to aligning with foreign actors, promoting hostile narratives, and potentially compromising national interests, the line between dissent and betrayal blurs.

Rahul Gandhi’s history of courting foreign intervention, colluding with shady lobbies, and now provoking Donald Trump to act against India using the ‘Adani card’ begs a serious question: Is this the voice of an Indian politician, or the script of a foreign agent?

Massive operation launched against spurious life-saving drugs racket operating in northern India, 2 factories in Haryana and Himachal busted

OpIndia Staff
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Massive operation launched against spurious life-saving drugs racket operating in northern India, 2 factories in Haryana and Himachal busted

The Anti-Gang Squad of the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has busted a major interstate racket involved in the manufacturing, selling, and supplying of counterfeit lifesaving medicines. Six people have been arrested, including the kingpin Rajesh Mishra.

Police said that the racket has a pan-India network across several states, including Moradabad, Deoria, Gorakhpur in UP, Panipat and Jind in Haryana, Baddi and Solan in Himachal Pradesh. Two factories involved in the manufacturing and packaging of these fake medicines were busted at Jind, Haryana and Baddi, HP.

Counterfeit/fake drugs of reputed companies were recovered in huge quantities, police said. The fake medicines were being sold under the names of reputed pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson & Johnson, GSK, and Alkem. The accused communicated through encrypted apps and managed money transactions via fictitious accounts and hawala channels.

The breakthrough came when Head Constable Jitendra received a tip-off from an informer about a large consignment of fake medicines arriving in Delhi. Baesd on this input, a trap was laid at the HP CNG Petrol Pump, Shyamnath Marg, Civil Lines, Delhi on 30 July. A car was intercepted, and two persons identified as Mohd. Alam and Mohd. Saleem from Moradabad, UP, were found to be transporting counterfeit medicines.

A large quantity of fake Ultracet and Augmentin tablets was recovered from the vehicle. Representatives of Johnson & Johnson and GSK, who were present at the spot, confirmed that the packaging and stamping were not in accordance with company standards. Lab tests further confirmed the drugs to be counterfeit.

This led to the unearthing of the entire counterfeit medicine racket, which expanded through subsequent raids and custodial interrogations across Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The racket had ordered packaging boxes, foil and blister packing materials from various sources, and manufactured the counterfeit drugs in factories located in Jind and Baddi. These were then distributed by road and rail across various regions.

Prem Shankar Prajapati from Deoria handled the movement of drugs from the manufacturing units to the distributors, while Rajesh Mishra from Gorakhpur was identified as the mastermind behind the entire operation, overseeing the production and network management. 

Six accused have been arrested, including Mohd. Alam (35), Mohd. Saleem (42), Prem Shankar Prajapati (25), and Parmanand (50). Investigations are ongoing to trace the full network, including the source of raw materials, financial transactions, and other co-accused.

Govt officials at Central Secretariat Service concerned over Kartavya Bhavan layout, claim ‘privacy and confidentiality will be affected’: Internet says ‘so privileged’

Shraddha Pandey
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Govt officials at Central Secretariat Service concerned over Kartavya Bhavan layout, claim ‘privacy and confidentiality will be affected’: Internet says ‘so privileged’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-3, the first of the many upcoming Common Central Secretariat buildings, on 6th August 2025. Ahead of the inauguration, the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Forum, a body representing government officials, reportedly wrote a letter to the Prime Minister’s office raising concern over open office space, compromised privacy and risk to confidentiality.

In a letter addressed to the PMO and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the CSS Forum, which represents 13,000 officials, claimed that the CSS officers are being allotted lesser spaces than mandated at the workspaces in Kartavya Bhavan, adding that this would negatively impact confidentiality and efficiency.

“The seating arrangement in Kartavya Bhawan-3 lacks the necessary spatial integrity and functional separation of sections. In addition, multiple sections are housed in a single work hall without clear demarcation. Assistant Section Officers (ASOs), who are central to file processing and examining, lack dedicated storage for both physical files and stationery, as well as partitions between their workspaces,” the CSS said in its letter.

According to the letter, low-height almirahs were used to create office spaces for Section Officer and Under Secretary level officers. The CSS Forum argues that this reduces privacy and creates sporadic distractions, which makes it difficult to handle important subjects discreetly.

“Under Secretaries, who are entrusted to handle highly sensitive and confidential matters like classified files, court cases, and vigilance issues, require a private workspace. However, they have been provided an open office space, wherein their telephonic and in-person discussions with senior authorities and other officials can easily be overheard, posing a serious risk to confidentiality. This is particularly problematic for sections dealing with sensitive matters, where premature disclosure could compromise outcomes,” the Forum’s letter reads.

The Central Secretariat Service Forum has demanded the ministries should be directed to review present seating arrangements. In addition, corrective measures which align with the prescribed norms, should be implemented.

“The seating arrangement in Kartavya Bhawan-3 lacks the necessary spatial integrity and functional separation of sections. In addition, multiple sections are housed in a single work hall without clear demarcation. Assistant Section Officers (ASOs), who are central to file processing and examining, lack dedicated storage… as well as partitions between their workspaces. Further, office space for Section Officer and Under Secretary level officers has been created by putting low height almirahs, which not only compromises privacy but also causes intermittent distractions, adversely affecting focus and critical thinking essential for analytical work, as well as the discreet handling of sensitive matters,” the CSS wrote.

The CSS Forum further sought allocation of adequate office spaces, including closed chambers for officials.

‘So privileged’ or legitimate demands? Netizens think ‘unwilling-to-change Babus’ are making excuses

The CSS letter, however, has sparked a debate on social media, with many suggesting that these demands by the government officials come across as angst against being deprived of the ‘privileges’ they previously enjoyed.

One X user Arihant wrote, “Everyone should read the letter written by Central Secretariat babus to the PM on their problems with shifting offices to the new Kartavya Bhavan. The phrases used. The language. What a masterclass in bullshitting.”

Another X user wrote, “This is a modern state of the art building. Babus must NOT be allowed to RUIN it by giving specious reasons. Winds of change are blowing. They must adapt to no nonsense no frills offices instead of the ‘Office Office’ across the table ones they are used to.”

Meanwhile, one X user wrote, “These insecure babus stuck with colonial overhang are the single biggest reason why our country is so slow at adopting modern ways. Appalling! They don’t deserve the swanky office.”

Another one had a rather hilarious take as he wrote, “The only ideal response from PMO should be “either it is Kartavya Bhavan or Kaziranga national park forest dept, make your choice.”

Meanwhile, NDTV journalist Akhilesh Sharma wrote, “Sitting in the open office of Kartavya Bhawan will cause difficulties for the clerks in performing their duties. They expressed their opposition through a letter, stating that in the new office, instead of separate sections, everyone is being made to sit together. This poses a risk of breaching confidentiality and concentration. By the way, it is true that the idea of an open office layout, borrowed from multinational companies, is nonsense. It adversely affects work efficiency, capability, and productivity. This creates a new system of discrimination in the office.”

The CSS forum argues that since Under Secretaries handle sensitive tasks like vigilance, court cases, and classified files etc, confidentiality is critical, and open-plan offices risk unintended disclosure. It is indeed a risk, given conversations can be overheard, compromising confidentiality of certain matters, which may also be linked to national security or legal processes.

Furthermore, a lack of functional separation, as claimed by the CSS, may cause distractions, reducing focus and hampering critical thinking, especially for Section Officers and Under Secretaries. This could overall impact productivity and that’s why the CSS has demanded enclosed spaces.

The MoHUA memorandum dated 16th March 2017, stipulates the minimum office space requirements, which are: Deputy Secretary/Director (Level 12/13): 240 sq. ft., Under Secretary (Level 11): 120 sq. ft., Section Officer (Levels 8–10): 60 sq. ft. Assistant Section Officer (Level 7): 40 sq. ft.

While the CSS forum says that it demands that workspaces meet functional needs, a section of netizens feels that such demands under the pretext of privacy and confidentiality reek of privilege, with many going as far as to claiming that open offices would not allow corruption, especially taking bribes.

Notably, the Kartavya Bhavan’s open-plan designs is in line with global trends toward collaborative workspaces. As the Central Vista project’s vision highlights, this plan is aimed at fostering innovation and inter-ministerial coordination. Thus, retrofitting for enclosed offices may not align with the aims of the new design.

While the CSS forum demands enclosed offices, the open-plan design of the workspaces at Kartavya Bhavan are meant to be flexible, allowing reconfiguration in future, and permanent cabins might limit adaptability. Thus, making it difficult to accommodate changing ministry requirements.

However, the CSS forum’s concern about risk of undermining confidentiality, especially in ministries like Home Affairs cannot be outrightly dismissed. Promotion of transparency and collaboration cannot come at the cost of risking confidentiality in matters requiring the same. The concerned authorities must ensure that cost-cutting, modernisation and aesthetics don’t end up trumping smooth functionality public service.

Devbhoomi drowns, Islamists rejoice: How flash floods in Uttarakhand became a festival of hate against Hindus

Jinit Jain
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Devbhoomi drowns, Islamists rejoice: How flash floods in Uttarakhand became a festival of hate against Hindus

On Tuesday, August 5, devastating flash floods triggered by a cloudburst swept through parts of Uttarakhand, leaving death and destruction in their wake. Among the worst-hit regions was the serene village of Dharali, near Gangotri, where homes, people, and livelihoods were mercilessly washed away. The tragedy, captured in a viral video, evoked grief and sympathy from most quarters, except, disturbingly, from a certain section of India’s Islamist-leaning social media users.

Instead of prayers or solidarity, what emerged from some corners of the internet was a chilling spectacle of celebration. Figures like Ali Sohrab, Karishma Aziz, and their echo chamber of like-minded users responded to the footage not with empathy, but with unvarnished glee. Their posts gleefully dubbed the floods as “कुदरत का बुलडोज़र” (nature’s bulldozer), mocking the natural disaster as a form of divine retribution against the Hindu-majority state.

Source: X

The term “bulldozer” is no accident. Uttarakhand, also known as Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods), has recently become symbolic of a government-led campaign to root out illegal encroachments, many of which involved unauthorized Islamic structures. The Dhami government, with public support, has employed bulldozers to reclaim public land, a move that has drawn ire from Islamist quarters. And now, in an act of grotesque poeticism, the flash floods are being painted by these elements as ‘Allah’s vengeance’ for the bulldozing of illegal mosques.

One tweet mockingly asks, “Ye aapda hai ya bulldozer chal raha hai?” (Is this a disaster or a bulldozer at work?), while another suggests that this is divine punishment for the supposed mistreatment of Muslims in Uttarakhand. A user even rejoiced in how “Khuda ki laathi mein awaaz nahi hoti”, a vile justification of human tragedy as godly wrath. These reactions are not just distasteful, they reveal a deeper, festering moral rot that thrives in ideological echo chambers insulated from humanity.

This moral rot stems from decades of political conditioning that treated Muslims not as equal citizens, but as a pampered political bloc. The Modi-led Centre and the Dhami-led Uttarakhand government have systematically dismantled the UPA-era model of minority appeasement, where encroachments were ignored, conversions were brushed under the carpet, and political correctness ensured silence even in the face of lawlessness. The bulldozer, symbolic of governance without fear or favour, has disrupted this long-standing ecosystem of entitlement.

And it is this disruption, this end of unearned privilege, that has enraged a section of the Muslim community, particularly those with Islamist leanings. To them, equal treatment feels like oppression. Being held to the same legal standards is perceived as persecution. They are not angry because they are being targeted; they are angry because they are no longer above the law.

This explains the venomous reactions to the Uttarakhand floods. The fact that the affected region is popularly known as Devbhoomi—home to sacred Hindu shrines like Kedarnath and Badrinath, only fuels their ideological resentment. So when a cloudburst causes devastation in a Hindu-majority hill state, it is grotesquely recast by Islamists as “divine punishment,” a so-called “nature’s bulldozer” taking revenge for the state’s crackdown on illegal Islamic structures.

This is not political protest. This is a manifestation of hate so visceral that it dehumanises an entire population based on their religion. It’s the same mindset that justified the partition, cheered during communal violence, and continues to sympathize with terrorists and radicals so long as they serve an Islamist cause.

Even more disturbing is the silence from so-called liberal secularists and moderate Muslim voices. If Hindus had celebrated a disaster in a Muslim area, the outrage would have echoed from every media outlet and activist pulpit. But when the hate is directed at Hindus, it is conveniently ignored, if not quietly approved. This selective morality has become a shield for Islamist supremacism masquerading as victimhood.

Make no mistake, this isn’t about religious identity; it’s about ideological poison. These Islamists aren’t opposing state policies on principle. They’re opposing them because those policies dare to treat them equally. Their grievance is not about justice; it is about the loss of their historic immunity from accountability. The bulldozer is not the enemy, equality is.

The tragedy in Uttarakhand should have united people across religious lines in shared sorrow. Instead, it has been weaponised by a segment of bigoted ideologues to push a narrative of retribution and divine punishment. The glee with which they celebrate death is a mirror to their ideological bankruptcy and a warning sign for the rest of the nation.

No one, regardless of their religion or political beliefs, should find joy in the suffering of others. What we are witnessing is not just a digital provocation, it is a spiritual catastrophe. A nation cannot survive if a section of its people are taught to laugh when others bleed.

In times of tragedy, silence is not neutrality. It is complicity. The path to national integrity lies not just in infrastructure and reforms, but in moral clarity. India must call out this sickness firmly, unapologetically, and without compromise. Because when death becomes a joke, and nature’s fury is weaponised as communal vengeance, we are not dealing with political dissent. We are dealing with a toxic ideology that seeks to destroy the very soul of the Indian Republic.

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