Indian Army on path of transformation, aspires to be Atmanirbhar: Gen Upendra Dwivedi

New Delhi, July 1 2024-

The Indian Army is on the path of transformation and aspires to be ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) as it is ready and capable of facing all current and future security challenges, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said on Monday, a day after he assumed charge.

General Dwivedi took over the charge as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on Sunday from General Pande, who retired on June 30 after more than four decades of service to the nation.

The new Army Chief received a Guard of Honour at the South Block here and later in his address to the media, emphasised his commitment to evolving the Indian Army’s war-fighting strategies and ensuring the well-being of all ranks, Veer Naris (war widows), and veterans.

He expressed immense pride and honour in leading the Indian Army, highlighting its legacy of valour and sacrifice.

“It is a moment of immense pride and honour for me to be assigned the responsibility to lead the Indian Army. The glorious traditions of the Indian Army are based on the legacy of valour and sacrifice of our soldiers. On this occasion, I pay solemn tributes to the bravehearts who made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty,” he said.

General Dwivedi acknowledged the rapidly changing political landscape and technological advancements, noting the unique operational challenges faced by the Indian Army. He stressed the importance of continuously equipping soldiers with state-of-the-art weapons and technology and evolving war-fighting strategies.

“The Indian Army is on the path of transformation, and we aspire to be ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant). To achieve this, we will encourage indigenous initiatives and induct maximum war system equipment that is manufactured in our country,” he stated.

General Dwivedi pledged to ensure the Indian Army’s readiness to operate across the full spectrum of conflict, maintaining synergy with the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and other stakeholders. He highlighted the importance of securing India’s interests and contributing to nation-building towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

“It will be my priority to ensure that the interests and welfare of all ranks and civilians of the Indian Army are looked after. My responsibilities to our veterans, Veer Naris, and their families are my sacred commitment, and I assure this extended family my full support. I am fully conscious of the responsibility assigned to me, and I ensure the country and fellow citizens that the Indian Army is fully capable and ready to face all current and future challenges,” he added.

General Upendra Dwivedi, an accomplished military leader, has served in the Armed Forces for 40 years. An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP), he was commissioned into the Regiment of Jammu & Kashmir Rifles in 1984. (Agency)

Team India still stuck in Barbados as Hurricane Beryl intensifies to category 4 storm

Bridgetown (Barbados), July 1 2024-

The Indian team is still stranded in the island nation of Barbados after their T20 World Cup 2024 triumph due to Hurricane Beryl, which is expected to make landfall by Monday morning ( as per local time).

The team’s planned itinerary included a flight to New York, followed by a connecting flight to Dubai, and finally a return to India.

The World Cup winning team, originally scheduled to depart from Barbados on Monday at 11 AM local time (8:30 PM IST), had to delay their departure due to the impending Beryl, a Category 3 hurricane which has now intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 4.

However, it is currently uncertain whether they will be able to board that flight, as the hurricane has prompted the Bridgetown airport to prepare for a shutdown.

Hurricane warnings are in effect for Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, Grenada and Tobago.

Beryl is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the Windward Islands on Monday morning (local time), according to National Hurricane Center.

It is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rain across Barbados and the Windward Islands through Monday.

Beryl is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane as its core moves through the Windward Islands into the eastern Caribbean, the weather center said. (Agency)

‘Committed to improving health infrastructure’, PM Modi greets doctors

New Delhi, July 1 2024-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the NDA government was committed to improving the health infrastructure in the country.

The PM said this while extending greetings on National Doctors Day.

The PM posted on X, “Greetings on #DoctorsDay. This is a day to honour the incredible dedication and compassion of our healthcare heroes. They can navigate the most challenging complexities with remarkable skill. Our Government is fully committed to improving the health infrastructure in India and ensuring doctors get the widespread respect they deserve.”

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda said the doctors continue to inspire people with their expertise and humanitarian spirit and called them saviours.

“Heartiest greetings to all doctors on National Doctors’ Day. It won’t be wrong to say that doctors are truly a reincarnation of God. Countless times, doctors have emerged as life saviors. The world has witnessed the caliber and excellence of Indian doctors and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. I extend my best wishes to all the doctors, who continue to inspire us with their expertise and humanitarian spirit.”

National Doctors’ Day is an occasion to express gratitude to medical professionals for their unwavering dedication and selfless service.

The tradition of National Doctors’ Day in India began on this day in 1991 in honour of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, a distinguished physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal. (Agency)

Amarnath Yatra: 28,534 perform ‘darshan’ in two days

Jammu, July 1 2024-

Another batch of 6,461 Yatris left for Kashmir from here on Monday while 28,534 pilgrims performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra during the last two days.

Officials said that 28,534 devotees had ‘darshan’ inside the cave shrine during the last two days.

“Another batch of 6,461 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu today in two escorted convoys for the Valley. Of these, 2321 left in a convoy of 118 vehicles for the north Kashmir Baltal base camp at 3.15 a.m. today. Another escorted convoy of 147 vehicles carried 4,140 Yatris at 4.10 a.m. to the south Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base,” officials said.

Yatris take either the 48 km long traditional Pahalgam-cave shrine route or the shorter 14 km long Baltal-cave shrine route to perform the Yatra. Those using the Pahalgam route take four days to reach the cave shrine while those taking the Baltal route reach back to the base camp the same day after having ‘darshan’.

The cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva. Extensive arrangements for security have been made this year all along the nearly 300 km long Jammu-Srinagar highway, at the twin Yatra routes, two base camps and the cave shrine to ensure a smooth, incident-free Yatra.

Over 124 ‘langars’ (community kitchens) have been set up along both the routes and also at the transit camps and the cave shrine. Over 7,000 ‘Sevadars’ (volunteers) are serving the Yatris during this year’s Yatra. To manage the rush of the Yatris, the Railways have decided to add additional trains from July 3. Helicopter services are also available for the Yatris on both routes. (Agency)

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 37,877: Health authorities

Palestinian-death-toll in Israel Palestine War

Gaza, July 1 2024-

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 37,877, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement.

During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 43 people and wounded 111 others, bringing the total death toll to 37,877 and injuries to 86,969 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in October 2023, it added on Sunday.

Many victims’ bodies are still under rubble or on the roads, according to the statement as reported by Xinhua news agency.

In a separate statement on Sunday, the health authorities warned that the remaining hospitals, health centres and oxygen stations in the Strip would cease operations within 48 hours due to the depletion of the fuel needed to run the generators.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others were taken hostage. (Agency)

‘This victory is as much yours as it’s mine’, Virat pens down heartfelt note to Anushka after T20 World Cup win

New Delhi, June 30 2024-

Stylish Indian batter Virat Kohli shared a heartfelt note to his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma a day after beating South Africa in a last-over thriller by seven runs to win the T20 World Cup 2024 and ending the 11-year wait of ICC title at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

India went into Saturday’s title clash as one of the two unbeaten teams alongside South Africa. Player of the Match Virat Kohli stepped up when it mattered the most with a 59-ball 76 to help India post a competitive 176/7, the highest total in a Men’s T20 World Cup final. His 72-run stand for the fourth wicket with Axar Patel, who made 47 off 31 balls, and a 57-run partnership with Shivam Dube, who hit a 16-ball 27.

Sharing a post on ‘Instagram’ with a picture of his wife, Virat wrote, “None of this would remotely be possible without you my love. You keep me humble, grounded and you always say it how it is with absolute honesty. I couldn’t be more grateful for you. This victory is as much yours as it’s mine. Thank you and I love you for being YOU @anushkasharma.”

In reply, South Africa were very much in sight to chase down the total. But Hardik taking out Heinrich Klaasen propelled India to come back into the match and emerge victorious to end a long 11-year global trophy drought as they restricted South Africa to 169/8. While Pandya took 3-20, Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah shined with 2-18.

After delivering a match-winning knock for his team, Kohli also announced his retirement for the T20I format of the game ending his T20I career as India’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, through 4188 runs in 125 games at an average of 48.69 and strike rate of 137.04. (Agency)

‘So many words but can’t find the right ones’, Rohit shares heartfelt post after T20 World Cup win

New Delhi, June 30 2024-

The 2024 T20 World Cup-winning Indian captain, Rohit Sharma shared a heartfelt note to the fans a day after beating South Africa in a last-over thriller by seven runs at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

With the title-win, Rohit also announced retirement from the shortest format of the game. Rohit , finished his T20I career as the highest scorer in T20Is – 4231 runs in 159 matches – and also holds the record for the most centuries in men’s T20Is via fine tons, apart from being a two-time world champion in the shortest format.

Sharing a post on ‘X’ with his picture, Rohit wrote, “This picture epitomises how I’m feeling right now. So many words but can’t find the right ones to express what yesterday meant to me but I will, and I will share them, but right now I’m basking in a dream come true for a billion of us.”

India went into Saturday’s title clash as one of the two unbeaten teams alongside South Africa. Player of the Match Virat Kohli stepped up when it mattered the most with a 59-ball 76 to help India post a competitive 176/7, the highest total in a Men’s T20 World Cup final. His 72-run stand for the fourth wicket with Axar Patel, who made 47 off 31 balls, and a 57-run partnership with Shivam Dube, who hit a 16-ball 27.

In reply, South Africa were very much in sight to chase down the total. But Hardik taking out Heinrich Klaasen propelled India to come back into the match and emerge victorious to end a long 11-year global trophy drought as they restricted South Africa to 169/8. While Pandya took 3-20, Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah shined with 2-18. (Agency)

Punjab’s luscious litchis hit Britain markets

Chandigarh, June 30 2024-

In a first, luscious litchis from Punjab’s sub-mountainous districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur have been exported to Britain, state Horticulture Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra said on Sunday.

He virtually flagged off the first shipment of litchi, exported by the Horticulture Department in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

He said the litchi cultivation in Punjab covers 3,250 hectares, with a production of approximately 13,000 metric tonnes.

“Due to the favorable climate in Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts, the litchi produced has a naturally deep red colour and sweetness superior to those from other states.”

Jouramajra said through the state government’s initiatives, litchi growers will be able to earn higher profits through exports.

“In the coming days, efforts will be made to export other horticultural crops as well, in collaboration with the Horticulture Department and APEDA,” said the Horticulture Minister.

He said the litchi produce of progressive farmer Rakesh Dadwal from village Muradpur in Pathankot has been sent for export to Britain from Amritsar.

“The day is not far away when Punjab’s fruits will put the state’s name on the map in important foreign markets, and litchi growers will gain recognition internationally,” he added. (Agency)

Ajj Da Hukamnama – Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar – July 1, 2024

From Colonial to Contemporary: India’s legal system set to enter a new era on Monday

New Delhi, June 30, 2024
India is now set to enforce new criminal laws, replacing colonial codes. The three new criminal laws — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — will be implemented nationwide on Monday (July 1).

They are set to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

The new laws aim to modernise the justice system by introducing features like Zero FIR, online police complaint registration, electronic summonses via SMS, and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all serious offences.

Following the notification of the three new criminal laws on December 25, 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) initiated several preparations to ensure their effective implementation and to raise awareness among all stakeholders, including police, prisons, prosecutors, judicial, forensic personnel, and the general public.

Here are the initiatives undertaken by the MHA to ensure effective and smooth implementation of the new laws.

Twenty-three functional updates were applied to the existing CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) application to align with the technological requirements of the new criminal laws, including FIR filing.

Technical support was provided to states/Union Territories (UTs) to facilitate a smooth transition to the new system.

Support teams and call centers were established to provide continuous monitoring and assistance to states/UTs in implementing the new criminal laws.

C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) is developing the CCTNS 2.0 application, which will incorporate secure cloud storage and features for crime scene videography and forensic evidence collection.

Significantly, the MHA launched a mobile and web application called NCRB Compendium of Criminal Laws.

It was made available on NCRB, Ministry of Home Affairs, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), iGot websites, as well as on Google Play Store and iOS.

The e-Sakshaya app was developed that enables videography, photography of crime scenes, and document onboarding.

It has been distributed to all police departments across states and Union Territories, with comprehensive testing completed.

The Nyayashruti App facilitates electronic judicial hearings and document onboarding, shared with all states/UTs and the e-Committee of the Supreme Court for court implementation. The e-Summon App facilitates electronic service of court summonses.

Additionally, necessary updates were made to CCTNS, e-Prison, e-Prosecution, and e-Forensic apps in accordance with the new laws.

The MHA implemented comprehensive training initiatives to build capacity among various stakeholders, including police, prisons, prosecutors, judicial officers, forensic experts, and central police organisations.

Several training modules were developed specifically for capacity building.

Over 250 training courses, webinars, and seminars were conducted, resulting in the training of a large number of officers and personnel.

Control rooms have been established with teams comprising law and police officers to manage and address queries and challenges raised by field personnel during the implementation of the new laws.

Extensive publicity campaigns on social media were carried out.

Ministries published advisories, press releases, and infographics on social media platforms to inform the public about the three new criminal laws.

Dialogue workshops held in state capitals, focused on regional media, to highlight the benefits of implementing the new laws.(Agency)