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‘These kinds of incidents happen in every state’, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot plays down death of Dalit boy in Jalore after being beaten by school teacher

OpIndia Staff
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‘These kinds of incidents happen in every state’, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot plays down death of Dalit boy in Jalore after being beaten by school teacher

While protests continue over the death of a nine-year-old Dalit boy Indra Meghwal, in Rajasthan’s Jalore district, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot seemed least perturbed by the heinous crime that occurred in his state. Reacting to the news that the Dalit boy was allegedly beaten up by a teacher for drinking water from a pot, Ashok Gehlot tried to play down the crime by asserting that such incidents occur in all states.

“These kinds of incidents happen in every state. If you watch TV or read the newspapers, you know that these incidents happen everywhere,” said the CM on Monday.

Accusing the BJP, which is in Opposition in the state, of politicising the incident, Gehlot further added, “We strongly condemn this. Be it in our state or in any other state. Whether it is the incident of Udaipur or Jalore, we have taken decisions that are convincing to the public. The BJP should make it an issue, being in opposition. However, our government has taken action and arrested the teacher. What more could be done? The whole state and country is watching,” Gehlot added.

Meanwhile, protests broke out in Rajasthan’s Jalore district on Sunday, a day after Indra Meghwal died allegedly after he was beaten up by a teacher for touching a drinking water pot in a private school, police said.

Dalit kid succumbs to injuries after being beaten by the teacher for touching drinking water pot

OpIndia reported on August 14 how the nine-year-old Dalit child succumbed to his injuries on Saturday (August 13) after reportedly being beaten up by a teacher in a private school in the Jalore district of Rajasthan for touching a drinking water pot. According to police, Chail Singh (40), the teacher who assaulted the child, has been detained and charged with murder and violating the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

According to authorities, the nine-year-old kid Indra Meghwal was apparently beaten up by the teacher on July 20 and died on Saturday in a hospital in Ahmedabad due to his injuries. Harsh Vardhan Agarwalla, the SP of Jalore, said that the youngster had been severely assaulted.

According to a complaint letter handed to the Saila police station on Saturday by the victim’s father, Devaram Meghwal, Singh beat up Indra while taunting him with casteist insults for drinking water from an earthen pot intended for upper caste people. Indra’s father also stated that he suffered damage to his right ear and eye as a result of Singh’s thrashing and eventually became unconscious.

Meanwhile, according to some locals, the claim that the child was killed for drinking water from the earthen pot meant for upper castes is false. According to these people, there is only one water tank in the school, and students and teachers used to drink water from the same tank. They denied the claims that there are separate water tanks for upper caste and lower caste students.

Rising crimes in Rajasthan under CM Ashok Gehlot

It’s remarkable how the Congress, which has a history of using fatalities for political gain, as in the Lakhimpur Kheri or Hathras incidents, the two unfortunate cases in UP, has today conveniently downplayed the murder of a 9-year-old Dalit child since it occurred in their own backyard. The fact, however, is that Rajasthan, the Congress-ruled state, has been steadily rising up the crime charts. The state has recorded the highest number of rape and attempts to rape cases, as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2020.

In fact, last year it was reported how, for the second year in a row, the Congress-ruled state of Rajasthan recorded the highest number of rape and attempt to rape cases.

The figures for crime against women peaked at 34,535 in 2020. The report further revealed that as many as 409 cases of rape were reported just in the capital city of Jaipur in 2020. 

From cold-blooded murder to gangrape, the law and order situation in Congress leader Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan is becoming worrisome. 

In official statistics released by the State police, a 28% increase in atrocities against Dalit women, 20% in burglary and 28% in cases of theft between January and July were reported this year.

As PM talked about nepotism in institutions beyond political parties, here is why Judiciary is one institution awaiting independence from this malaise

OpIndia Staff
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As PM talked about nepotism in institutions beyond political parties, here is why Judiciary is one institution awaiting independence from this malaise

On August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about the problem of nepotism in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. Speaking about nepotism is not just limited to politics, PM Modi mentioned sports as one of the institutions that promote nepotism. Though he did not mention nepotism in Judiciary and mentioned the deep-rooted problem of nepotism in all institutions, it is essential to talk about the recruitments in the Judiciary laced with nepotism and this could be one of the institutions that the Prime Minister was hinting at.

PM talked about nepotism and its ill effects on India’s progress

During his address on Independence Day, PM Modi said when he talks about nepotism, people often think that he is talking about the political field, which is not true. He said, “Unfortunately, that evil in the political field has nurtured nepotism in every institution of India. Nepotism is engulfing many of our institutions. Because of this, the talent of my country suffers. The strength of my country suffers. Those who have the possibility of opportunity lose it because of nepotism. This also becomes the reason for corruption, so that he does not have any relatives to support them to get a job, they prefer to buy their space in the sector.” PM Modi emphasized the importance of creating strict intolerance towards nepotism and creating awareness in every institution so that they can be saved.

He also talked about the fact that earlier selection in sports was based on nepotism. The selected sportsperson used to reach the sporting events but failed to win medals. However, since there have been transparency in the selection process and nepotism got curbed in the sector, India has been winning medals and positioning itself on higher platforms in all major sporting events.

The nepotism in Judiciary

It is noteworthy that PM Modi specifically mentioned that nepotism had grabbed every institution of India, and while he did not mention the Judiciary, it is one of the institutions that is mired in nepotism far more than any other industry. First of all, let’s talk about the Honourable Supreme Court of India, where 38 percent of the incumbent judges have deep family connections in the Judiciary and Government, which means 12 of the 32 judges are either related to a former Judge or to a political leader.

Interestingly, two of the future Chief Justices of India are offsprings of Former Chief Justices of India. Prima Facie, it feels like Judiciary is being kept hostage by a few selected families, all because of the methodology of selecting the SC Judges that is an appointment by a collegium and not by merit or any examination. It is not just the SC judges, but the data of High Court judges also give rise to suspicions of nepotism. Looking at the judges, one is inclined to believe that the collegium system is fostering and advancing not only those with merit but also possibly those with family connections in the judiciary.

Here is the list of Supreme Court Judges who have familial connections in the Judiciary or politics:

  • U. U. Lalit – Next Chief Justice of India, Son of UR Lalit, former add. Judge of Bombay High Court and Senior Counsel in the Supreme Court
  • Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud – Son of  Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud, longest service Chief Justice of India. In line to be Chief Justice
  • Sanjay Kishan Kaul – Family of Dattatreya Kauls, with his brother, a Judge in the Delhi High Court
  • K. M. Joseph – Son of K. K. Mathew, a judge of the Supreme Court of India
  • Dinesh Maheshwari – Son of prominent Jodhpur advocate Ramesh Chandra Maheshwari
  • Sanjiv Khanna – Nephew of SC Judge Hans Raj Khanna
  • Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai – Son of R.S.Gavai, former MP and Governor
  • Krishna Murari – Nephew of GN Verma, a prominent lawyer and  president of the high court bar association
  • Vikram Nath – 4th Generation lawyer in the family
  • B. V. Nagarathna – Daughter of former Chief Justice of India, E. S. Venkataramiah. In line to be Chief Justice.
  • P. S. Narasimha – Son of a judge, Kodanda Ramayya
  • Sudhanshu Dhulia – Son of K. C. Dhulia, who was a judge of the Allahabad High Court

Has India ever tried to get rid of the collegium system? Yes, it did but it failed. Notably, in August 2014, the parliament got its act together and voted across party lines for a National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) that would replace the collegium system. In 2016, a constitution bench of the Supreme Court heard a case on the constitutionality of the NJAC and struck it down. Here was a situation where the Supreme Court heard a case about a new parliamentary approved procedure to appoint Judges to the Supreme Court and ruled that the current collegium system where the incumbent judges of the Supreme Court have the power to appoint new judges is the ONLY fair procedure.

This passes neither the rule against bias nor the right to a fair hearing – surely, there is a case for conflict of interest in the Judges hearing and deciding a matter which impacts their own discretionary power to appoint new judges? In fact, one of the Justices, Kurian Joseph, who gave the original verdict against NJAC, openly declared in 2019 (after his retirement) that he regrets the decision.

Not only Supreme Court but High Courts also have the same problem. In May 2014, a Hindustan Times report suggested that 34 percent of 47 judges in Punjab and Haryana High Court had relatives practising law in the same place. For example, then-Judge Jasbir Singh had his son Navjot Singh practising law as an advocate on the same premises. Judge SK Mittal’s nephew Sanjay Mittal also practised as an advocate. Some of the judges had multiple relatives working as senior advocates and advocates. For example, Judge Sabina’s father, Sarjit Singh, was a senior advocate, husband Parminder Singh, brothers Navidran Singh and Vikas Singh, sister Rubina Singh and Uncle Jagdev Singh were also advocates.

While people are starting to speak up about the problem of nepotism in politics, sports, and even in the film industry in recent times, there hasn’t been much discussion about its presence in the judiciary. Since the judiciary is one of the most important pillars of our democracy and affects a common Indian directly, maybe the time has come to finally talk about its own problems with the prevalent nepotism.

After the Antilia bomb scare, Mukesh Ambani gets fresh death threats over phone, one suspect arrested

OpIndia Staff
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After the Antilia bomb scare, Mukesh Ambani gets fresh death threats over phone, one suspect arrested

According to reports, billionaire businessman and prominent industrialist Mukesh Ambani has received fresh death threats. Reliance Foundation hospital officials in Mumbai have reported to the DB Marg police station that an unknown individual has made eight threatening calls to the hospital’s display number, threatening Mukesh Ambani’s life.

The police have registered the case, and an investigation is ongoing. A man was detained in the western suburbs of Mumbai for connections to the threatening call. In a statement, the Mumbai Police said: “Reliance Foundation has filed a complaint about the threat calls to Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and his family. More than three calls were received at the hospital. A probe is underway.”

It is worth noting that this is not the first time Mukesh Ambani has faced such threats. A Scorpio sedan containing 20 explosive gelatin sticks and a threat letter was discovered outside Mukesh Ambani’s Mumbai home ‘Antilia’ last year. Once Antilia’s security crew notified police about the suspicious Scorpio, a police team arrived at the scene soon after, together with the bomb disposal and canine squads, to investigate the incident. The cops cordoned off the area and removed the vehicle.

Some number plates and a threatening letter were retrieved by Mumbai Police from the car. The letter claimed that the explosives were only a “trailer” and threatened to return later with further preparations to kill the entire family.

The political rhetoric against Ambani

It is worth noting that Mukesh Ambani has long been a target of India’s political opposition. For a long time, political parties like Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have used inflammatory language against industrialists like Mukesh Ambani. Although it cannot be stated that any threat against Ambani is a direct result of the speech, one has to question if it had a role in instilling hatred towards him.

Mukesh Ambani has been the target of malicious propaganda for several years. With the start of the ‘farmer protests,’ the propaganda reached a fever pitch. Opposition parties and farmer leaders claimed that the farm legislation was devised to favour ‘Ambani-Adani.’ Despite the fact that there was no evident way for the Ambani family to have anything to do with the law’s passing and no ostensible benefit for them in the laws themselves, the campaign against them proceeded uninterrupted.

Indians in America take out rally to celebrate Independence Day, ‘Baba ka bulldozer’ also makes an appearance leaving Islamists at IAMC fuming

OpIndia Staff
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Indians in America take out rally to celebrate Independence Day, ‘Baba ka bulldozer’ also makes an appearance leaving Islamists at IAMC fuming

On the occasion of the country’s 76th Independence Day, Indians living in New Jersey in the United States took to the streets to celebrate India’s liberation from British rule.

In the visuals shared on social media, Indians can be seen gathering in large numbers and waving the Tricolour with pride. Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, Craig J. Coughlin, also joined the Indian community on this occasion.

While speaking about his experience, he said, “Though India’s story happened many years after America, our shared ideas of freedom and democracy unite us. As I stand here at the heart of the business district, I am reminded of how the Indian Americans have contributed to the positive growth of New Jersey.”

Assemblyman for New Jersey District 18, Rob Karabinchak, also joined the Indians to celebrate Edison’s 18th India Day parade.

“The Indian American community in Edison & throughout New Jersey is so vibrant and vital to our district, I am proud to support for the local community and the growing number of Indian American,” he tweeted.

Twitter user Aruna Somanathan wrote, “Happy Independence Day. New Jersey celebration. Long live India and long live Modi ji. From all Indians all over the world.”

Another Twitter user named Gudumba Satti shared more visuals from the Indian Independence Day celebrations in New Jersey.

Besides, some Indians were seen leading the Independence Day parade in New Jersey with bulldozers. Interestingly, they were adorned with pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath.

“Baba ka Bulldozer,” read one such banner.

However, the celebrations did not go down well with everyone. Islamist organisation Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) took umbrage at the rally. Sharing the image of bulldozer from the rally, IAMC tweeted, “Hindu right-wing in Edison, New Jersey marched with bulldozers, which have become a weapon in the hands of the BJP government to destroy Muslim homes and livelihoods.”

The Indian American Muslim Council is a radical Islamist group that has alleged links with banned terror organizations such as the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and has a long history of lobbying against India. IAMC claims to be the “largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the US” and often advocates for Sharia courts and peddles misinformation against India. 

Rana Ayyub ‘corrects her mistake’ after fellow Muslims slam her for supporting Salman Rushdie, deletes tweet where she wished him recovery

Nirwa Mehta
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Rana Ayyub ‘corrects her mistake’ after fellow Muslims slam her for supporting Salman Rushdie, deletes tweet where she wished him recovery

Financial fraud accused Washington Post columnist Rana Ayyub has deleted her August 12 tweet praying for Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie’s recovery after he was stabbed on Friday evening in New York. The suspect Hadi Matar has been charged with attempt to murder and he has pled not guilty for the same. While motivation has not yet been concluded, it is believed it was owing to Rushdie’s allegedly blasphemous book The Satanic Verses which is believed to be a satire on life of Prophet Muhammad.

After the attack on Rushdie, Rana Ayyub tweeted how she was praying for his recovery.

Rana Ayyub tweet on Salman Rushdie

However, after the Muslim community on Twitter condemned her, she has since deleted her tweet. Many Islamists took to Twitter to school Ayyub that while they respect her, they cannot follow or support someone who wishes well upon someone who had ‘blasphemed’ about Prophet Muhammad. After that, he had unfollowed Ayyub.

Islamist saying he cannot follow someone who wishes well upon someone who ‘blasphemed’

Many Islamists had also voiced their views that Ayyub is speaking what the West would like to hear. Ayyub is now a ‘favourite’ amongst the Western elite liberals since she has been very vocally anti-Modi and plays the minority, Muslim under attack card quite well.

Muslim Twitter users condemning Rana Ayyub for wishing well on Salman Rushdie

One Muslim Twitter user also said how while he initially was drawn to Rana Ayyub for voicing Muslim issues, after seeing her pictures on Instagram, where Ayyub is often seen sporting clothes without non-Islamic outfits like hijab, he realised that she was just building her career.

Muslim Twitter user upset over Rana Ayyub’s Instagram pics

In fact, Rana had also ‘liked’ a tweet by another author Suketu Mehta, referring to Rushdie as ‘Lion of Bombay’, but eventually ‘unliked’ it too after it was pointed out in Muslim Twitter circles that Rana had ‘liked’ a tweet wishing well upon Salman Rushdie.

Tweet ‘liked’ by Rana Ayyub, now ‘unliked’

The Muslim Twitter users have since appreciated her move of her deleting her tweet wishing well upon Salman Rushdie, the ‘blasphemer’ and cheered that she has ‘corrected herself’.

Many Muslim Twitter users appreciated the Islamist for getting Rana to ‘correct herself’.

Muslim Twitter users appreciating Rana for deleting her tweets

After this, Rana only kept her ‘no words’ tweet which has zero reference to Salman Rushdie stabbing by Islamist.

In fact, to please the community and her fellow Islamist brethren, she also put up another tweet mocking the non-Islamists for condemning attack on Rushdie and reminded them of Rushdie being a Modi hater.

Rana fails to see that perhaps one can condemn Rushdie and also the attempt to murder on him by religious fanatics. That is basic decency. Especially in times when radical Islam is fast becoming a threat to humanity.

But then this is not the first time Rana has deleted her tweets to stand in solidarity with ummah. In July 2020 when Turkey converted the Hagia Sophia, a cathedral turned museum into a mosque, Rana had tweeted how this move by Turkey had ‘chilling’ parallels with India.

Rana Ayyub’s deleted tweet

Ayyub’s tweet was with reference to Supreme Court judgement on the Ram Janmabhoomi case where the apex court ruled in favour of Ram Lalla and directed the mosque be constructed on a separate land. A disputed structure named ‘Babri Masjid’ once stood on the land where where Ram Mandir existed in Ayodhya, birth place of Lord Ram. On 6 December, 1992, the disputed structure was pulled down by Ram Bhakts as part of ‘karseva’ to build a Bhavya Ram Mandir where the original structure of Mandir once stood before being destroyed by the barbaric Mughals.

Rana Ayyub’s comparison to conversion of cathedral turned museum turned mosque to Supreme Court verdict favouring Ram Mandir had irked the ummah since the Islamists believed Turkey government was right. This would have compared the mosque to a Ram Mandir which would have drawn more ire. Rana deleted her tweet to likely not upset the Muslim community.

In fact, Ayyub likes to be so petty that when Indian athlete Neeraj Chopra won the gold at Olympics last year in javelin, she had posted an image of his to likely appreciate his achievement. However, she deleted it just moments later.

Rana’s tweet on Neeraj Chopra

However, since netizens had already taken screenshot of her tweet hailing Neeraj Chopra and it would have likely appeared way too petty for her to delete a tweet because Chopra thanked the government of India and PM Modi for helping him make India proud, Rana tweeted the image again a few hours later.

Rana Ayyub on Neeraj Chopra

In fact, she was even elated when in a great display of sportsman spirit Neeraj had reportedly said that having the Pakistani athlete Nadeem Arshad on podium would have been nice and proud moment for the Indian subcontinent.

Rana on Nadeem

Since Neeraj, along with thanking the ruling dispensation, also showed basic human decency to not pull down a fellow athlete, Rana was okay talking more about him.

And while her deletion of tweet on Neeraj Chopra shows her pettiness, her deleting her tweet on wishing full recovery for Salman Rushdie just shows how for Islamists and the apologists, even the ones without a gun, it is ummah above everything else including basic human decency.

As Owaisi attacks Jyotiraditya Scindia over ‘Mughals attacked India’ comment, here is a brief history of Razakars, perpetrators of Hindu genocide

OpIndia Staff
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As Owaisi attacks Jyotiraditya Scindia over ‘Mughals attacked India’ comment, here is a brief history of Razakars, perpetrators of Hindu genocide

Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), criticised Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday for stating that “Mughals attacked India,” saying it is shameful that Scindia does not name the British as foreign aggressors.

In a tweet, Owaisi cited Scindia’s statements and asserted that the Tricolor is a symbol of independence from British control and freedom from monarchy, himself omitting the allusion to Mughal oppression inflicted on native Indians. Owaisi went on to target Scindia, claiming that the RSS-Hindu Mahasabha was submissive to the British throughout the independence struggle.

Earlier on Sunday, during a speech at a gathering in Gwalior, Scindia said that despite repeated invasions of India by foreign invaders like the Mughals and Ahmad Shah Abdali, the people of India refused to give in to their demands. “Foreign aggressors like Mughal and Ahmad Shah Abdali attacked India many times but Indians didn’t allow them to fulfil their dreams. Tricolour is our identity and pride. It’s proof of our sacrifice. It’s a symbol of civilization,” Scindia said at the event.

Even though Asaduddin Owaisi criticises Scindia for excluding the British, it should be noted that the Majlis-e-Itihadul Muslimeen, the progenitor of the current AIMIM, was keen that Hyderabad be merged with Pakistan at the time of partition.

Ancestors of Asaduddin Owaisi, who ruled a Hindu majority state at the time, approved the inception of the Razakars, commanded by Kasim Razvi, as a paramilitary branch of the MIM. The Nizam empowered the Razakars to use all measures necessary to repress Hindu uprisings and activities. Owaisi now claims that the Tricolor is a symbol of Indian independence, although his forefathers were enthusiastic about splitting Hyderabad and integrating it with Pakistan.

The Razakars performed an ethnic genocide against Hindus in rural Telangana (which is predominantly Hindu). The Razakars were determined to convert a large number of Hindus to Islam in order to make Hyderabad a Muslim majority province. The Razakars moved from village to village, killing, raping, and kidnapping Hindu residents.

Though Owaisi once made the claim that the Razakars fled India at the time of partition, facts show that the Razakars continued their barbaric campaign until the Indian army routed their forces with Operation Polo in 1948, resulting in the liberation of Hyderabad from Nizam’s control and its accession to the Indian Union.

As Europe battles price rise and energy crisis, European Commission approves locusts, crickets and worms as ‘food’

OpIndia Staff
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As Europe battles price rise and energy crisis, European Commission approves locusts, crickets and worms as ‘food’

The Europian Union will soon see insects being sold and marketed as ‘officially approved’ food. The Europian Commission has recently allowed some specific kinds of insects to be sold as food and food ingredients.

Sharing the news that the ‘house cricket’, yellow mealworm and ‘migratory locusts’ can now be used in food and food ingredient throughout the EU, the Europian Commission announced that they have been categorised as ‘novel food’. The Europian Commission then shared a long thread of tweets to convince people that eating these insects is ‘safe’ because they contain high protein, fibres and vitamins.

It also added that eating insects is ‘good for the environment’ because there is less greenhouse gas emission, less use of water and arable lands and less food waste when crickets, worms and locusts are consumed by the population.

Tweet by Europian Commission

However, many Europeans seem unhappy about the decision.

Replies to EU commission’s tweet about eating insects

As per reports, the EU Commission had added migratory locusts to the list back in November 2021, saying that locusts, along with yellow mealworms, can be consumed as food. In February, there were reports that the EU might soon add a third insect, the house cricket, to the list too. It has finally been realised.

The European Commission which provides the approval had stated then that these insects can be sold, and marketed as snacks or food ingredients either in dried or frozen form with legs removed or in a powder form.

Pakistan minister had asked people to eat locust biriyani

In 2019 when large swarms of locusts were attacking crops in Pakistan, a minister of agriculture in Sindh province had asked people to start eating them. Ismail Rahu had suggested citizens of Karachi take advantage of the locusts by preparing delicious dishes such as biryani, Kadhai and barbecue. He said that the citizens should rather add these free-flying proteins to their biryanis, Kadhais and BBQs instead of getting scared of them.

In a video clip, the Sindh minister of agriculture was heard saying: “They have come all the way here so the residents should eat them.”

It is notable here that as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, a rough heat wave and the energy crisis created by Europe’s own sanctions against Russia, the region is currently facing a steep price rise in essential items and services like heating and electricity supply.

For the first time in India, the Tricolour was hoisted amid a 21-gun salute by Made-In-India Howitzer gun, ATAGS: All you need to know

OpIndia Staff
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For the first time in India, the Tricolour was hoisted amid a 21-gun salute by Made-In-India Howitzer gun, ATAGS: All you need to know

In a first, the hoisting of the Indian tricolour at Red Fort by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accompanied by a 21-gun-salute by two howitzer guns, which were made under the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative.

The development coincides with the Diamond Jubilee of India’s Independence. The guns were designed by a team of scientists and artillery officers led by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Until last year, the ceremonial 21-gun-salute was executed using 7 vintage ’25 pounder British guns.’ However, on the occasion of India’s 76th Independence Day, two homegrown howitzer guns were used alongside the 25-Pounders.

Also called the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System’ (ATAGS) prototype, the indigenous howitzer is reportedly the longest-range cannon in the world. It must be mentioned that the term ‘howitzer’ is used to describe long-range artillery guns.

While speaking about the matter, Sangam Sinha, DG (Resource & Management) of DRDO stated, “On the occasion of the elixir of freedom, a folding cannon is a great gift for India. This is the longest-range cannon in the world and is capable of hitting targets from 45 to 48 km.”

He further emphasised, “The biggest thing is that for the first time it is Made in India by Bharat Forge. It is an indigenous artillery gun being used for the 21-gun salute on Independence Day. The ATAGS is developed by DRDO and is currently at the Red Fort. This will be a big support to the Indian Army.”

The project began in 2013, with an aim to replace obsolete guns and induct 155mm artillery guns. For this purpose, DRDO joined hands with two private companies, namely, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited, for developing the howitzer guns.

Besides the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Instruments Research and Development Establishment, Proof and Experimental Establishment, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory and Vehicle Research and Development Establishment of the DRDO were also part of the development process.

Indian Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar informed, “The initiative to use this indigenously developed gun will stand as a testament to India’s growing capacity of developing arms and ammunition indigenously. The gun has been specifically customised both in terms of blank firing and sound attributes so that it will be useful for ceremonial purposes.”

The key features of the howitzer gun include advanced communication system, automatic command and control system, auxiliary power mode, high mobility and quick deployability. It also fires the Bimodular charge system in Zone 7, which sets it apart from other ATAGS prototype.

The indigenous howitzer gun works easily with C4I systems and can aid in fire planning, technical fire control, deployment management, and the Indian army’s operational logistics management. It has been found effective in extreme weather conditions.

The major milestone in its development was achieved in July 2016 during the proof-firing of the howitzer gun in Balasore. In the following year, the ATAGS prototype achieved the target range of 48 km at the Pokhran Field Firing Range.

“During its September 2017 test at Pokhran, the maximum ranges of 38.5 km and 48 km, with boat tail and extended range full bore types of projectiles, were achieved. This, the DRDO officials say, are at least 20% more than ranges achieved by any contemporary gun system,” reported Indian Express.

It further added, “During the same trials, a minimum range of 4.7 km was achieved from the systems meeting the critical parameter of minimum range at high angle.” The prototype was also subject to several firing sessions, prior to the Independence Day celebrations.

It has undergone trials in the month of April and under current evaluation of the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA). The agency is responsible for the quality assurance of arms, ammunition, and equipment supplied to the Indian Armed Forces.

The development of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System by DRDO and Howitzer Dhanush for Advanced Weapons and Equipment India by now-defunct Ordnance Factory Board is set to modernise the Indian army.

5 resolutions, respect for women, climate change, decolonisation and more: Here are the key takeaways from PM Modi’s Independence day speech

OpIndia Staff
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5 resolutions, respect for women, climate change, decolonisation and more: Here are the key takeaways from PM Modi’s Independence day speech

On August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and congratulated the people of India on the occasion of 75 years of Independence. During his speech, PM Modi paid respect to those who have worked selflessly and tirelessly for the Independence of the country.

He said, “Today is the day to remember all the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of India.” He further added that without the power of women, Narishakti, it would not have been possible for India to gain Independence. PM Modi also praised the Tribal leaders for their role in the struggle for Independence. PM Modi gave five resolutions to the people of India for a better future. He talked about removing nepotism, competitive federalism, and more. Here are the key takeaways from PM Modi’s speech.

The Five Resolutions

Speaking of the ‘Panchpran’ or ‘The Five Resolutions,’ PM Modi said that in the coming 25 years, the people of India have to emphasize five resolutions that are to make India a developed nation, to erase the traces of servitude, to be proud of our legacy, to work on the strength and unity and to fulfil our duties.

In the first resolute, PM Modi urged the people of India to have bigger resolves and resolve for a developed India. He asked everyone to think about the struggle for Independence during the 1940s. He said the freedom fighters had resolved for Independence, and they achieved it. Similarly, Indians must resolve for developed India.

In the second resolute, he urged Indians to let go of all the traces of servitude. He called for decolonization and urged everyone to look for the traces of slavery within and around them so that India could completely eliminate the traces of servitude. He pointed out that because of the colonized mindset, talent in India often gets stuck in the shackles of language. He urged the people of India to be proud of the Indian languages, whether they know them or not. As our ancestors gave those languages to the world, we should be proud of it.

In the third resolute, he urged the Indians to be proud of our legacy. He mentioned how our ancestors gave us the knowledge of living with nature. He mentioned that while the world is looking for a solution for global warming and mental health issues, our ancestors had already worked on them and given holistic solutions.

In the fourth resolute, PM Modi talked about unity and urged everyone to work together for the betterment of the country.

In the fifth resolute, he urged everyone to fulfill their duties as citizens of India. He mentioned that when he talks about everyone, PMs and CMs are included, and they should also work on fulfilling their duties with complete devotion.

Respect the icons of Independence

Prime Minister said that as Indians, we must honour and respect the icons of Independence who have been ignored by history. He further added that without the contributions of women and Tribals, India’s Independence would not have been possible.

The women’s power

PM said that the women of India had shown their worth in the field of sports, defence, and more. He said, “The more opportunities we give to our daughters, they will return to it to the country in multifold,” which will help the country to progress much faster.

The resolute to ‘developed nation’

PM Modi said that the Indians should work on turning India into a developed nation. Speaking about the power of strong resolution, he said, “We achieved Independence because the resolute of the freedom fighters was strong. In the next 25 years, we have to turn India into a developed nation, and we must have a strong resolute for the same.”

Gender equality and women empowerment

PM Modi said that unity should reflect inside the home as well. Speaking about gender equality, he said that we would treat sons and daughters equally only if we think about gender equality. He pitched for women’s empowerment and emphasis on the fact that to become a developed country, women must get respect in every sector. PM Modi asked the people of India to ensure no one disrespects women in any way.

Global warming and health challenges

Prime Minister Modi talked about the traditional and holistic lifestyle that Indians have followed for centuries. He said that our ancestors gave the solutions to global warming, and Indians can bring a notable change in the field. He further mentioned how the world is looking at Ayurveda, holistic lifestyle, and more than India can give.

Competitive federalism

Remembering his days as CM of Gujarat, PM Modi said, “When I was Chief Minister of Gujarat, my aim was to develop the state for the development of the country. We did not have a government at the center, but our aim was for the betterment of the nation.” He further called for competitive federalism anThe need of the hour is cooperative competitive federalism. Let there be a healthy spirit of competition among the states on progressing in different sectors.”

Nepotism and corruption

PM Modi talked extensively about nepotism and corruption. He said, “While some people in India do not have a place to live, others do not have enough space to store their stolen goods.” He mentioned how his government has been trying to recover the stolen money from some crooks. He pointed out how Direct Benefit Transfer saved over Rs 2 lakh crores and how it was then invested in nation-building.

PM Modi pointed out how a section of media and intellectuals praise even those who are convicted and jailed for corruption. PM added that India needs to get rid of such a mindset. Speaking of nepotism, PM said that talented people do not get the opportunities they deserve. He added that nepotism also leads to corruption. “We have to clean the politics and organizations of the country of nepotism. I want your assistance in doing this. This is a constitutional responsibility,” he added.

The milestones India has achieved

PM Modi pointed out how India managed to achieve several milestones in recent times, including over 200 crores of Covid-19 vaccines, tap water for lakhs of homes, an open defecation-free country, ethanol-blended fuel, and more.

Mumbra man Almatash Dalvi slits the throat of pregnant girlfriend to avoid marrying her, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbra man Almatash Dalvi slits the throat of pregnant girlfriend to avoid marrying her, arrested

In Mumbra, a 27-year-old man was arrested on accusations of killing his 22-year-old girlfriend because he did not want to marry her. Altamash Munewar Dalvi (23) was apprehended by police at Thane railway station on Saturday. He has been remanded in police custody till August 17.

Mumbra police received a call on Saturday night reporting the death of a woman in the vicinity of a quarry. When police and a forensics team arrived on the scene, they found the woman’s body lying in a pool of blood with a severe throat injury.

According to assistant police inspector Krupali Borse of the Mumbra police station, the victim, Muskan alias Nadia Mulla, was found dead on Saturday with her neck slashed in the Virani Estate neighbourhood. The deceased was also pregnant. The final postmortem report is being awaited by the police.

Senior police inspector, Mumbra police station, Ashok Kadlag said, “The woman was identified in two hours. We reached out to her family who cast doubts on her boyfriend with whom she had been in a relationship for three years. The accused was identified as Altamash Dalvi (27), a resident of Mumbra, working as a supervisor in a small company. The accused didn’t want to marry her and therefore he took her on his bike. Dalvi planned to go further but due to traffic he choose the quarry to murder her.”

“The accused brought a 13-inch knife two days ago and planned to kill her advance. He slit her throat, threw her body in the bushes and fled from the spot,” Kadlag further said.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the victim had been in a relationship with Dalvi and that there had been some disagreements in their relationship. Dalvi reportedly assaulted and killed the victim by slicing her neck in order to get rid of her.

The victim’s sister said that she was pregnant earlier too and Dalvi asked her to abort it. “Three days ago, we both came to know that his marriage was fixed to another girl. We got her address and went to her house to tell Dalvi’s truth. He got angry with my sister on the same day and therefore he might have planned her murder. She was pregnant,” she went on to say.

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