Home Blog Page 3655

Over Rs 240 crore scam unearthed in Maharashtra during Income Tax raids at multiple locations

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Over Rs 240 crore scam unearthed in Maharashtra during Income Tax raids at multiple locations

The Income Tax Department has unearthed a scam worth more than Rs 240 crores in Maharashtra. The department conducted multiple raids at 32 places in North Maharashtra, including Nashik, Dhule, and Nandurbar. The raids were conducted at the residences of traders, government contractors and builders associated with the contractors. The operation was started on December 22 and lasted for five days.

During the raids, the IT department confiscated Rs 6 crore in cash and Rs 5 crore worth of jewellery. The raids were also conducted at the offices, partners’ residents and the houses of relatives in Nandubar and other locations.

In Nashik, the IT Department raided the D’Souza colony located on College Road. It is considered one of the most posh localities in the city. The houses and officers of the traders in the colony were raided. The relatives of the concerned traders and businessmen etc., were also questioned during the raid by IT officials.

175 officers raided different locations simultaneously

A total of 175 IT Department officials were involved in the raids. A heavy Police force was deployed at the time of the raids. Officials were called from Pune, Nagpur, Thane and Kalyan for the operation. Different squads were created to conduct the raids simultaneously on all 32 locations. The officers reached the locations using different routes.

Cash and jewellery found during raid

TV9 Marathi reported that the officials revealed cash transactions worth 25 crores. Apart from the information on cash transactions, the officials also found Rs 6 crore in cash and jewellery worth Rs 5 crore. The officers spent around 12 hours counting the cash using cash counting machines.

Diamonds, gold biscuits and pearls were part of the jewellery the IT officials found during the raid. They also found that the concerned persons had initiated transactions using others’ names. They also hid money at their relatives’ houses.

IT raids in Uttar Pradesh

Just a few days ago, the IT department raided several locations linked to the Samajwadi leader, who was also the manufacturer of Samajwadi perfume in Uttar Pradesh, where they found cash worth Rs 150 crore. The photos of piles of cash went viral on social media. The IT department had to bring in SBI officials and cash counting machines to count the cash.

Kerala: Migrant workers attack police, set vans ablaze after Christmas party turns violent, 24 arrested

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Kerala: Migrant workers attack police, set vans ablaze after Christmas party turns violent, 24 arrested

Kerala police have arrested 24 migrant workers on Sunday, December 26, after several clashed and pelted stones at the police, set police vans ablaze as the police attempted to quell a riot among the workers during Christmas celebrations on Saturday, December 25. The incident took place at the labour camp of Kitex garments located in the Kizhakkambalam area in Kochi, Kerala.

Earlier in the day, the police had detained 150-odd migrant labourers to identify who amongst them attacked officers and torched police vehicles on the night of the incident.

Police sources said that at least five policemen including Kunnathunaadu CI VT Shajan sustained injuries in the incident of stone pelting. Initially, clashes broke out between the migrant labourers, who were in an inebriated state, over the conduct of a Christmas Carol in the area. The police, who went there to gain control of the situation, fell prey to the wrath of these labourers, who eventually started pelting stones and assaulting the police team with sticks and batons. The labourers also hurled stones at the locals who reached the spot.

Video clips emerged showing a mob smashing police vehicles. Some of the workers allegedly tried to lock the doors of a patrol car before setting fire to it, but the policemen inside managed to escape. The patrol car was destroyed.

According to the police, the rioting lasted several hours, with many of the employees flinging stones from inside their camps. The situation was eventually brought under control by a heavy number of riot police. 151 migrant workers were apprehended after six hours of violence.

According to police, the conflicts erupted after the labourers became drunk and got into a verbal brawl. To deal with the crisis, about 500 police officers led by Aluva Rural SP Karthik arrived on the scene. The accused were arrested by around 4 in the morning.

The labourers are among the 3,000 workers of Kitex Garments, one of the top exporters of Kochi, Kerala, who reside in camps surrounding the factory.

Speaking about the incident, labour minister V. Sivankutty told the media, “Two police vans have been completely damaged (one of them burnt), 151 workers have been taken into custody and 10 policemen have been injured in the incident.”

“Preliminary reports suggest the incident happened during Christmas celebrations,” he added.

Sabu M Jacob, the managing director of Kitex Garments, agreed that the workers were under the influence of drugs, but said that they may have done so inadvertently.

“I feel someone delivered the drugs to them. Perhaps they consumed it inadvertently. They did this (rioting) under the influence of drugs.

I doubt they would even remember what they did if you ask them now. It’s an unexpected incident and not a planned criminal attack,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress and the CPI(M) party in the state blamed Kitex for the violence. Local CPI(M) legislator P V Sreenijin said the company management cannot evade responsibility for the incident.

Congress’ Lok Sabha member Benny Behanan described the rioters as “goons” nurtured by Twenty20, a Kitex-sponsored political party that runs the Kizhakkambalam panchayat.

Twenty20 began as a non-profit organisation in 2013 and was transformed into a political party two years later by Kitex Garments and its sister company, Anna Aluminium. It then swept 17 of the 19 seats in the local panchayat election. Twenty20 retained Kizhakkambalam and won three neighbouring panchayats in December of last year.

Delhi Police denies allegations of fining ISKCON volunteers for distributing copies of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita at Connaught Place

Anurag
-
0
Delhi Police denies allegations of fining ISKCON volunteers for distributing copies of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita at Connaught Place

On December 25, Delhi Police stopped allegedly International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) volunteers from doing Harinam Sankirtan and distributing copies of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita at Connaught Place, Delhi.

ISKCON volunteer, on condition of anonymity, told OpIndia that they had planned to organize Harinam Sankirtan at Connaught Place, Delhi, on December 25. The idea was to sing songs in praise of Bhagwan Krishna and distribute Shrimad Bhagavad Gita to the people to bring them closer to spirituality. While they were singing songs, Delhi Police personnel approached them and asked them to stop.

In a video that OpIndia accessed, a volunteer was seen talking to the Police personnel. The Police personnel asked him if he knew he could be fined for gathering a crowd at a public place [under the pretext of Covid-19 protocols]. The volunteer tried to tell him that they were not asking anyone to gather around them, to which the Police personnel said, “If you sing at a public place, the people will gather around you.”

The volunteer further told OpIndia that they were fined Rs 2,000 for allegedly breaking the law. After they were fined, the Police allegedly snatched copies of Gita from the volunteers. The volunteer alleged that the Police was called by someone who did not like the book distribution drive. At the beginning of the video, a man in a civil dress was seen showing Police a video on his phone. The same man was seen arguing with the volunteers in the video accessed by OpIndia.

The rule should be the same for everyone

The volunteer further said that if there was a rule against gathering at a public place or there was a ban on organizing a small event that may attract a crowd, then it should have been the same for everyone. He said, “The rule should be the same for all and not just us. It was painful to see that while we were stopped from singing bhajans at Connaught Place, other performers who attracted a lot of crowd were not stopped.”

Man performing at Connaught Place. (Screenshot from the video shared by ISKCON volunteer)

He shared a video from later that day in which a hip-hop dancer was performing at Connaught Place without any hindrance from the Police. He said, “Our volunteers are now scared that if we go to Connaught Place again, the Police will stop us from doing Harinam Sankirtan.”

The Delhi Police, however, has denied allegations of fining ISKCON volunteers for distributing copies of Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta.

Responding to the report by OpIndia, Delhi Police said that they have not challaned anyone for the same.

What is Harinam Sankirtan?

Harinam Sankirtan is the loud public and congregational chanting of the maha-mantra accompanied by musical instruments. It was introduced by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th Century Saint. 

Note: This report is updated with the statement issued by Delhi Police.

FIR filed against Sant Kalicharan Maharaj for criticising Mahatma Gandhi at Raipur Dharma Sansad

OpIndia Staff
-
0
FIR filed against Sant Kalicharan Maharaj for criticising Mahatma Gandhi at Raipur Dharma Sansad

An FIR has been registered against Sant Kalicharan Maharaj for using derogatory words against Mahatma Gandhi at the 2-day Dharma Sansad organized at Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Sant Kalicharan allegedly praised Nathuram Godse for killing Gandhi.

Reports suggest that around 20 spiritual leaders had gathered for the Dharma Sansad in Raipur. Demands of Hindu Rashtra were raised. They asked Hindus to arm themselves and stay prepared to defend themselves if the need arrives. Sant Kalicharan, who hails from Maharashtra, blamed Gandhi for the division of India. He also thanked Nathuram Godse for killing Gandhi. After his statement, there was an uproar at the Dharma Sansad.

A complaint was filed by Pramod Dubey of the State Congress Committee at Tikrapara Police Station and Civil Lines Police Station. Congress leader Mohan Makram, who was at Civil Lines Police Station, said, “Kalicharan Maharaj has used derogatory words against Mahatama Gandhi. He has insulted the whole nation. An FIR should be filed against him.”

Based on Dubey’s complaint, an FIR under Sections 505(2) and 294 have been registered against Sant Kalicharan.

Sant Kalicharan reminded of Owaisi’s speech

During his statement at Dharm Sansad, Sant Kalicharan mentioned Asaduddin Owaisi’s brother’s statement in which he claimed if Police were removed for 15 minutes, 20 crores Muslims would show what they could do. Sant Kalicharan said that Owaisi was not just making empty threats but Muslims are ready. He said, “It is hence important that you bring a hardline Hindu leader to rule the state.”

‘Tiger Zinda Hai, Saanp Bhi Zinda Hai’: Salman Khan narrates how the snake bit him at the farmhouse

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Tiger Zinda Hai, Saanp Bhi Zinda Hai’: Salman Khan narrates how the snake bit him at the farmhouse

Bollywood actor Salman Khan was in news recently for getting bitten by a snake. Speaking to the media, the star has narrated how he was bitten by a snake thrice on Saturday night.

While speaking to the media, Khan said, “A snake had entered the house. It was a farmhouse in the middle of the jungle. The sight of the snake had scared the children. I had asked for a stick but was given a short one. So, I had to get a long stick, with which I picked up the snake. I then took it out.”

He added, “It meanwhile wrangled around the stick and came up to my hand. At that point, I took the reptile onto my other hand. All my staff members, who are from the village area, yelled that it was a Kandari snake. Even the reptile understood that and it bit me once.”

Salman Khan claimed that the snake bite had caused an uproar in the farmhouse, following which the snake bit him twice. “It was a poisonous snake”, he had alleged. The Bollywood actor then dropped the snake and headed to the hospital, where he was told that it was not the venomous variant. “After returning home, I found that the snake was still there. We then left it in the jungle,” he said.

Salman Khan confirmed that he had been doing well since the incident. “I have taken the anti-venom of all the snake variants, be it krait or viper. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out whether a snake is venomous or not. This is why we had taken the snake to the hospital, as a child. The hospital had a concoction/anti-venom for all snakes. I was kept there for 6 hours,” the actor informed.

“I had forged a friendship with the snake. It had bit met under fear. I took photographs with it and then let it go into the jungle. The hospital was good and equipped with anit-venom for all snake types. Bipin Kumar, who is the Police Commissioner and MLA Sandip Naik had come to see me. When my father inquired about the snake, I said, Tiger zindai hai, Saanp bhi zinda hai,” Salman Khan concluded.

On December 25, actor Salman Khan was bitten by a non-venomous snake at his Panvel farmhouse in the wee hours. The actor was at the farmhouse to celebrate Christmas. He was rushed to the MGM hospital in Kamothe for treatment. He was kept under observation for a few hours and was later discharged at around 9 AM.

Exclusive interview with snake who bit Salman Khan in his Panvel farmhouse

Nirwa Mehta
-
0
Exclusive interview with snake who bit Salman Khan in his Panvel farmhouse

On wee hours of Sunday, the day after Christmas, a snake entered the farmhouse of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. The Khans had gathered to celebrate Christmas when a snake entered the house. Salman Khan said that the kids got afraid of snake and he decided to get rid of it. Except, when he did try to get rid of it, the snake bit him thrice. Khan was immediately taken to hospital and after keeping him under observation for a few hours, he was discharged.

OpIndia sent its special correspondent and a Salman Khan fangirl Nirwa Mehta to interview the Snake who wishes to remain anonymous.

Nirwa Mehta: What were you doing in a farmhouse?

Panvel Snake: Dude! I’m a bloody snake, who moves around in grass and shrubs and farms and jungle and all. A snake in a farm shouldn’t surprise you but a Salman in a farm should. I mean last time he was in a jungle he bloody got a police case against himself.

Nirwa: Well, animals are not covered under IPC, but technically you could have gotten a police case against yourself too for assaulting Salman bhai.

Snake Wait, are you doing journalism or dalaali for Salman Khan?

Nirwa: Rahul Gandhi, is that you?

Snake: This is bloody preposterous! First you accuse me of assaulting Salman and now you call me Rahul Gandhi? Is this how you interview people?

Nirwa: Sigh, now I know why I don’t get enough people to interview. I’m sorry. Let’s start again.

Snake: Okay, ask something sensible now.

Nirwa: So Salman says he was taking you out of the room because kids were scared and that’s when you bit him. Is that true?

Snake: That’s nonsense! Kids were not scared of me but they freaked out seeing Salman in that stupid mask he was wearing and weird gait he had while walking inside the room. And then they all blamed me for the fiasco.

Nirwa: So you are saying kids were not scared of you at all?

Snake: You tell me. You have kids? Would you rather leave them with non-venomous snakes or among Bollywood guys?

Nirwa: umm.. I don’t have kids. Let’s move to the next question. Granted that you didn’t scare the kids and it was all some sort of misunderstanding, you could still have not bitten Salman. He was just dropping you off outside, right?

Snake: yeah yeah, and we all know how good he is when he drops someone off. Go ask Aishwarya or Katrina.

Nirwa: Well, that’s a bit defamatory and you are getting into his personal life.

Snake: Whoa! And he bloody didn’t intervene in my personal life? What business he had to throw me out of the farmhouse? I could have gone out anyway after checking out the room as there was nothing interesting for me in the party. They were drinking, and I don’t drink. They were having non-veg but none of those I liked as I don’t think they had any Chinese friends. And the room was cleaned for his arrival so there were no lizards, rats or even bats that I could eat. I’d have moved out of the room in like 10 minutes like many people move out of the theater where his movies play.

Nirwa: Well, you are again getting personal.

Snake: I will! I get bloody thrown out in disrespectful way. I get maligned as having scared the children as if I am some priest at a church, and then among all of media just OpIndia comes to interview me, while that stupid bhai is all over media giving interviews and getting sympathy for having been bitten by a snake.

Nirwa: Firstly, he may be *your* bhai, he’s not my bhai. *cough* Secondly, why did you insult OpIndia in all this? Shouldn’t you be rather thankful? Everyone else is airing one-sided story.

Snake: I am sorry, I’m just pissed off. Thanks that at least you cared to interview me. Others don’t care. Not even my cousins writing at The Washington Post.

Nirwa: Oh wow, that venomous one writing for WaPo?

Snake: Yes. You are not dumb as you look.

Nirwa: Now you are again getting personal!

Snake: Sorry again. Anyway, I’m getting late for the new year cruise party. I have to crawl all the way from Panvel to Mumbai to be on that cruse where many star-kids will be there. And this time they bloody not accuse me of anything.

Nirwa: Oh man, there will be m*therf*cking snakes on a mo*therf*cking cruise! *cackles*

Snakes On A Plane GIFfrom Snakes On A Plane GIFs

Snake: Whatever, man. Happy new year to you. Maybe I’ll check out Wuhan this year.

Nirwa: Sure, all the best, and Happy New Year! And stay safe in China!

Snake: Hope you get a real guy to interview next. Happy New Year to you too.

Chinese State media dubs Subramanian Swamy as a ‘CIA agent’ over his tweet on Beijing Winter Olympics: Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Chinese State media dubs Subramanian Swamy as a ‘CIA agent’ over his tweet on Beijing Winter Olympics: Here is what happened

On Saturday (December 25), MP Subramanian Swamy was referred to as Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent by Chinese State media after the former alleged that PM Modi was being coerced by Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet Chinese Premier Xi Jinping in Beijing.

In a tweet, Swamy had claimed, “Putin as a junior partner of China has been summoned by Xi to be present in Beijing Winter Olympics. Putin is putting pressure on Modi to be in Beijing too so that the three can meet.”

While responding to his tweet, State media China Daily (EU Bureau) chief Chen Weihua slammed Swamy for spreading discontentment between India, Russia, and China. Weihua wrote, “What nonsense by a CIA agent trying to drive a wedge between 3 great nations.”

Screengrab of the tweet

He further added, “It would be great for regional and world peace if they meet either in Beijing or New Delhi or Moscow. Those in Washington clearly doesn’t like this to happen.” Instead of responding to being labelled as ‘CIA agent’ by Chinese media, Subramanian Swamy continued his attack on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.\

Swamy, who often peddles wild conspiracy theories, was seen retweeting tweets, casting aspersions about PM Modi’s intentions for not boycotting the Winter Olympics that are scheduled to be held in Beijing.

Earlier this month, Swamy had peddled debunked fake news from 2020 to claim that India had helped China to create the Wuhan coronavirus.

Interestingly, Swamy, who passes himself as a China expert, has also been misquoting people and adding imaginary claims to peddle China incursion theories in Arunachal and elsewhere.

Swamy’s Twitter fights with Chinese media are nothing new. In May this year, Global Times editor Hu Xijin had accused Swamy of being ‘ungrateful’ after China’s ‘help to India’ to fight the Covid pandemic.

Amid a bitter trade war between Australia and China, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had announced earlier this month that his country would diplomatically boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics over ‘human rights abuses’ in China. The 24th Winter Olympics will take place from February 4 to 20 next year in Beijing in China under the shadow of Covid 19 pandemics.

Besides, USA and Australia, many other countries are considering boycotting and limited representation at the Winter Olympics on the issue of human rights violations and others. The China-Australia relations collapsed last year and Morrison said the decision of Australia was not surprising. He said that human rights abuses in Xinjiang were one of the factors behind the diplomatic boycott.

Switzerland allows legal gender change through ‘self-declaration’, without medical procedure or therapy

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Switzerland allows legal gender change through ‘self-declaration’, without medical procedure or therapy

People in Switzerland will witness simplification of the gender switch process from January 1st 2022 where people will be ensured of a legal gender change with just a formal visit to the civil registry office, according to reports. With it, Switzerland will join the league of those European countries which recognize gender change without any hormone therapy, medical diagnosis or bureaucratic measures.

Basically, a person can ‘become’ a man or woman or any gender as per individual wishes, and will be legally recognised so, without needing any medical procedure, therapy or vetting, by just registering themselves as per their gender of choice.

According to the new rules which are being introduced into Switzerland’s civil code, any Swiss citizen who have attained 16 years of age or above will have the right to change their gender status including their legal name through a simple self declaration at the civil registry office. Younger swiss people below the age of 16 will require the guardian consent.

The simplification of the gender change process will mean that people in Switzerland would no longer require certificates from medical professionals to confirm their gender identity. People in Switzerland will thus have the complete freedom to decide their gender without any regulation other than the registry. Other European countries with lesser regulations on gender change include Ireland, Belgium, Portugal and Norway.

Notably, Switzerland known as a socially conservative in the past had also legalized civil marriage of the same sex couples and adoption of children for such couples in September. Another south western country in Europe, Spain has been working on a bill that would allow anyone above 14 years to switch gender legally without the need of medical diagnosis or hormone therapy. 

In Scotland, the police have recently faced criticism after they declared that while documenting rape crimes they will use the ‘chosen gender’ of the perpetrator of the crime even when the rapist has male genitalia.

RBL Bank shares hit 52-week-low after RBI action: Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
-
0
RBL Bank shares hit 52-week-low after RBI action: Here is what happened

On Monday, December 27, 2021, the RBL Bank shares hit a 52-week-low by plunging 15% to Rs 146 per share on the opening deal on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), hitting the lower circuit. The share price fell after a series of developments over the weekend where the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sent a nominee to bank’s board a day after the sudden departure of Vishwavir Ahuja as the bank’s CEO.

On December 25, Reserve Bank of India appointed Yogesh Dayal, the chief general manager in-charge of the department of communication, as an additional director of RBL Bank’s board for a period of two years. Later on the same day, RBL Bank informed the exchanges that long-term MD and CEO Vishwavir Ahuja had gone on a leave with immediate effect.

Rajeev Ahuja, executive director of RBL Bank, was named as interim MD and CEO. The decision is still under the process of regulatory approval. Though it is unclear why the RBI took such drastic steps, there must be something extremely wrong in the functioning of the bank that such steps were taken.

As per the reports, the regulator appoints its officials on a bank’s board only if it feels there is a need for a closer look into the bank’s functioning. The reason could be anything from government issues to financial problems. It is noteworthy that early this year, RBL had sought approval from the regulator to extend Ahuja’s tenure for three more years, but it got approval for one year only.

There is a possibility that the asset quality of the bank could be a matter of concern. According to Money Control’s report, “the gross non-performing assets (Gross NPA), net non-performing assets (Net NPA) ratios rose by 41bps/13bps (one basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point) on-quarter to 5.4 per cent/2.14 per cent. In Q2 of FY21, the Gross NPA and Net NPAs stood at 3.34 per cent and 1.38 per cent.”

Rajeev Ahuja, while talking to Economic Times, said, “I am not changing the financials of the bank one wee bit. RBI has extended its full support, and in our conversations with it, the regulator has had no issues.” He further added that the bank has Rs 15,000 crores of excess liquidity, and it would be more than enough if there is any sudden deposit outflow.

Economic Times quoted Ajay Bodke, an independent market analyst saying, “After facing withering criticism for their ham-handed approach in not spotting trouble brewing at Yes Bank, Lakshmi Vilas Bank, DHFL, PMC, Reliance Capital etc. over the last few years, RBI must have felt the need to crack the whip before panic sets in among small depositors.”

In a statement, RBL Bank tried to calm investors. They informed the exchange that the bank’s business would run as usual. It further added that the business and financial trajectory would continue to see improvement. The bank said, “The financials of the bank remain robust with a healthy capital adequacy of 16.3 per cent, high levels of liquidity as reflected through liquidity coverage ratio of 155 per cent, stable net NPA of 2.14 per cent, credit deposit ratio of 74.1 per cent and a leverage ratio of 10 per cent, for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.”

Union writes to FM

Though the bank says its financials are strong and there is nothing to worry about, the trade unions have written to Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister. In the letter, the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) said, “We are worried and concerned about the developments that are taking place in the affairs of RBL Bank Ltd, the Kolhapur-based private Bank.”

It further added, “The sequence of events leading to the sudden exit of Mr Vishwavir Ahuja along with the induction of Dayal from the RBI on the Board as additional member indicates that everything is not ok with the bank.”

In conversation with CNBC-TV18, Ahuja said that RBI had given him the assurance that the regulator was comfortable with the performance of the bank.

He further said that the transition of the leadership at the bank was already underway, and the bank would see a much better third quarter.

BrahMos missile is not to attack others but to ensure no country has the audacity to cast an evil eye on India: Rajnath Singh

OpIndia Staff
-
0
BrahMos missile is not to attack others but to ensure no country has the audacity to cast an evil eye on India: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh while addressing the public gathered in Lucknow on Sunday stated that India wanted to manufacture the BrahMos missiles not for attacking any country but to prevent the enemy forces from casting an evil eye on the safety and security of the country.

Rajnath Singh confirmed that the manufacture of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles was to protect India from external threats. The Defence Minister laid the foundation of a BrahMos missile manufacturing unit in Lucknow and stated that the BrahMos project was the proof of the defence cooperation existing between India and Russia.

Singh said, “The BrahMos missile and other weapons and defence equipment we are manufacturing are not to attack any other country. It has never been the character of India to attack any other country or grab even an inch of land of any country,” adding, “We want to manufacture BrahMos on Indian soil so that no country has the audacity to cast an evil eye on India,”

Rajnath Singh further mentioned the acts of terrorism committed by Pakistan against the nation. He said, “There is a neighbouring country. It got separated from India sometime back. I don’t know why its intentions vis-a-vis India are always bad. It committed acts of terrorism in Uri and Pulwama,”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also present at the event and announced the acquisition of 200 acres of land by the government for the project.

Notably, BrahMos is an Indo-Russian joint project that formed out of the association between the DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya resulting in the formation of the multinational defence corporation known as the Brahmos Aerospace. Brahmos missile got its name from the names of two rivers, that is the Brahmaputra in India and the Moskva from Russia. 

Recently, India successfully conducted the test-fire of the air version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile which marked a ‘major milestone’ in BrahMos development.

1...3,6543,6553,656...7,647Page 3,655 of 7,647