NDRF teams evacuated seven people at Harsa Bela village in Ropar on Wednesday as the Sutlej flooded the area after the BBMB released water from the Bhakra Dam.
Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav is monitoring the evacuation operation near Harsa Bela village.
In Gurdaspur, Army, BSF and NDRF officials have been deployed as flood waters entered two dozen villages.
The town has been cut off from other parts as the Mukerian bridge has been closed to traffic. The Gurdasapur-Mukerian link road is badly damaged due to the overflowing water.
The irrigation department officials said 70,000 cusecs of water is being released from the Bhakra dam, where the water level is 1677.7 feet, against the danger mark of 1,680 feet.
The level of water in the Pong Dam is 1,398.68 feet now against the danger mark of 1,390 feet.
President Droupadi Murmu has approved 76 gallantry awards, including four Kirti Chakras posthumously and 11 Shaurya Chakras to personnel of the security forces, on the eve of the 77th Independence Day, officials said.
Of the 11 Shaurya Chakras, five have been named posthumously.
Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra are India’s second-highest and third-highest peacetime gallantry awards after the Ashok Chakra.
“President Droupadi Murmu has approved 76 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of Independence Day 2023. These include four Kirti Chakras (posthumous), 11 Shaurya Chakras, including five posthumous, two Bar to Sena Medals (gallantry), 52 Sena Medals (gallantry), three Nao Sena Medals (gallantry) and four Vayu Sena Medals (gallantry),” the defence ministry said in a statement.
The Kirti Chakra recipients who received it posthumously are — Dilip Kumar Das, Raj Kumar Yadava, Bablu Rabha and Sambha Roy, all of the Central Reserve Police Force, it said.
The Shaurya Chakra recipients include five personnel who have been named for it posthumously, including Maj Vikas Bhambhu and Maj Mustafa Bohara of Army Aviation Squadron; Hav Vivek Singh Tomar of the Rajputana Rifles, Rifleman Kulbhushan Manta of the Rashtriya Rifles.
“On October 21, 2022, Major Bhambhu, as a pilot and Major Bohara, as a co-pilot were on Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission in a RUDRA helicopter along the border in Arunachal Pradesh,” the ministry said in its citation.
“At 1028 hours post successful mission completion, 20 km to the border, the helicopter caught fire in a catastrophic manner. This was an unprecedented catastrophic failure. There was a rapid loss of altitude and variation in attitude with aircraft in extremities of limits,” it said.
Both the pilots being in “extreme physical and mental stress in a life-threatening situation maintained exemplary composure” and tried to regain control and fly away from the built-up area and ammunition point of mugging to save precious lives, it added.
Maj Bhambhu and Maj Bohara have been named for the award “in recognition of their unfathomable courage, fortitude and professionalism of exceptional order”.
Havildar Vivek Singh Tomar has been chosen for the award “for displaying distinctive raw courage and extreme bravery with utter disregard to personal safety leading for the safety of life of his comrades,” his citations read.
Besides, IAF’s Sqn Ldr G L Vineeth, a flying pilot, posted to the transport aircraft base, has been chosen for a Vayu Sena Medal, the statement said.
“The President has also approved 30 Mention-in-Despatches to the Army, including to Army dog Madhu (posthumous), and one to Air Force personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations,” it said.
The operations include Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Casualty Evacuation, Operation Mount Chomo, Operation Pangsau Pass, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Orchid, Operation Kalisham Valley, Rescue Operation and Operation Evacuation, the statement said.
LIST OF AWARDEES ON THE OCCASION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY 2023
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said despite having diverse identities all Indians are equal citizens with equal opportunities, rights and duties and urged the people to move forward with the spirit of harmony and brotherhood.
In her address to the nation on the eve of 77th Independence Day, the President said each Indian has many identities but apart from caste, creed, language, region, family and profession, “there is one identity” that is above all as the “citizen of India”.
“Each one of us is an equal citizen; each one of us has an equal opportunity, equal rights and equal duties in this land,” she said.
“But it was not always so. India is the mother of democracy and since ancient times we had democratic institutions functioning at the grassroots. But long years of colonial rule wiped them out. On 15th August 1947, the nation woke up to a new dawn. We not only won freedom from foreign rule but also the freedom to rewrite our destiny,” she said.
Underlining that the Constitution is the country’s guiding document, Murmu said its Preamble contains the ideals of the freedom struggle.
“Let us move forward with the spirit of harmony and brotherhood to realise the dreams of our nation-builders,” she said.
Recalling the role of women freedom fighters Matangini Hazra, Kanaklata Baruah, Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, Ammu Swaminathan, Rama Devi, Aruna Asaf-Ali and Sucheta Kriplani, the President said women are contributing extensively in every field of development and service to the country and are enhancing the nation’s pride.
“Today our women have made their special place in many such fields in which their participation was unimaginable a few decades ago,” she said.
Murmu said the economic empowerment of women is being given special focus in the country.
“Economic empowerment strengthens the position of women in the family and society. I urge all fellow citizens to give priority to women empowerment.
“I would like our sisters and daughters to overcome challenges with courage and move ahead in life. Development of women was among the ideals of our freedom struggle,” she said.
The President also called for urgent attention of scientists and policymakers towards climate change and global warming which is resulting in frequent floods of drought situations, saying the “culture of greed” is taking the “world away from nature”.
Murmu highlighted India’s presidency at the G-20 summit this year and said the grouping represents two-thirds of the world and India can nudge decision-making in trade and finance towards equitable progress.
“Beyond trade and finance, matters of human development too are on the agenda. There are many global issues that concern all humanity and are not limited by geographical boundaries.
“I am confident that with India’s proven leadership in dealing with global issues, member nations will be able to advance effective action on these fronts,” the President said.
The President said she has observed a new confidence in the India story. India is playing a crucial role in promoting developmental and humanitarian goals around the world.
Murmu said the world economy is passing through a delicate stage, as the pandemic has been followed by international events that have added to the air of uncertainty.
“Yet, the government has been able to navigate the stormy waters very well. India has converted challenges into opportunities and has recorded high GDP growth. Our ‘annadata’ farmers have contributed significantly to our economic growth. The nation feels indebted to them,” she said.
The President said global inflation remains a cause for worry, but in India, the government and the Reserve Bank have managed to contain it.
“The government has succeeded in protecting the common people from high inflation while also providing a more extensive security cover to the poor. The world looks up to India for global economic growth,” she said.
The President lauded the two-pronged strategy of the government – sustained push to enterprise and proactive and expanded welfare initiatives for the needy – which is driving the economic progress of the country.
“Giving priority to the deprived remains the focus of our policies and actions that have lifted a large number of people out of poverty in the last decade,” she said.
Murmu, who is the first tribal woman to become the President, appealed to tribal “brothers and sisters to enrich their traditions while embracing modernity”.
She said there are specific programmes to improve the conditions of tribals that encourage them to join the journey of progress.
The President also highlighted that the National Education Policy of 2020 has started making a difference.
“From my interactions with students as well as educationists at various levels, I gather that the learning process has become more flexible.
“The visionary policy, which aims to merge ancient values with modern skills, will bring in unprecedented changes in the education sector over the years, leading to a great transformation of the nation,” she said.
Appreciating recent projects of India in space research, she referred to ISRO’s moon mission Chandrayaan-3, its lander ‘Vikram’ and rover ‘Pragyan’, which are slated to land on the moon in the next few days, and said the mission to the moon is only a stepping stone for our future space programmes.
“We have to go far ahead,” she said.
Murmu said to foster the spirit of research, innovation and entrepreneurship, the Government is setting up the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, with an amount of Rs 50,000 crore for the next five years.
Watch: National Anthem rendition with largest orchestra in UK will give you goosebumps
A few days ago, I conducted a 100-piece British orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform India’s National Anthem at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, London. This is the largest orchestra ever to record India's National Anthem and it is spectacular! The "Jaya He" at… pic.twitter.com/sqJGW8mTDu
On the eve of India’s 77th Independence Day, three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej on Monday released a rendition of the country’s National Anthem recorded with the largest orchestra ever at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London.
The recording of ‘Jana Gana Mana’ features a 100-piece British orchestra from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and was recorded a few days ago in time for India’s Independence Day on Tuesday. Kej and the Indian mission in London called on members of the diaspora to share the one-minute-long video as they mark the milestone.
“A few days ago, I conducted a 100-piece British orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, to perform India’s National Anthem at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, London,” Kej tweeted.
“This is the largest orchestra ever to record India’s National Anthem, and it is spectacular! The ‘Jaya He’ at the end gave me goosebumps. Felt great as an Indian composer 🙂 I am sharing this historic recording with every one of you this Independence Day – use it, share it, watch it, but with respect 🙂 It is yours now. Jai Hind,” he said.
The RPO is recognised as the UK’s “most in-demand” orchestra, founded by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1946 – a year before India’s independence. Its stated mission is to place orchestral music at the heart of contemporary society and, through collaboration with creative partners, foster deeper engagement with communities to ensure that live orchestral music is accessible to as inclusive and diverse an audience as possible.
“Ricky Kej, three-time Grammy Award winner, always innovative, always at the cutting edge of doing something new in the world of music. This year, we congratulate and thank Ricky for putting together a unique project – celebrating India on its Independence Day with a recording and a performance of India’s National Anthem with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London; the largest-ever orchestra to record the Indian National Anthem and put out as a tribute to India,” said Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK.
The High Commission in London will mark the occasion with a customary flag-hoisting ceremony and its own rendition of the National Anthem on Tuesday morning.
Sikh recruit with turban, beard graduates from elite US Marine Corps
For the first time, a 21-year-old Sikh Marine has graduated from the elite US Marine Corps recruit training without having to shave his head or beard or give up the “articles of faith” that are considered sacred in Sikhism.
Private First Class Jaskirat Singh on Friday made history on completing his training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego after a federal judge ordered the military service in April to accommodate the recruit’s religious practices, The Washington Times reported.
The order came nearly a year after three Sikhs and Jewish and Muslim recruits sued the Marines seeking religious accommodations.
The Army and Air Force accommodate Sikh recruits, attorney Giselle Klapper with the Sikh Coalition said, while the Navy offers more limited accommodations. The Marines were the most restrictive of the services.
He is likely the first enlisted Marine to graduate from recruit training while wearing articles of faith intrinsic to the Sikh tradition, specifically a beard and turban, Military.com quoted the Sikh Coalition which, along with other advocates, has helped him and more than 50 Sikh-Americans secure military accommodations for religious wear.
Last year, a federal court of appeals granted a preliminary injunction allowing Singh to begin training without having to have his head and beard shaved, which is customary for recruits when they first arrive at the boot camp.
The injunction also allowed Singh to wear religious articles such as turbans and patkas.
“Making it through Recruit Training is an achievement I am deeply proud to share with all of my brothers and sisters in my battalion,” Singh was quoted as saying by the Messenger news website.
“The fact that I did it with my Sikh articles of faith, which posed no barrier to my achievement, is deeply meaningful to me personally,” he said.
Singh said his fellow recruits supported him and his religious beliefs, and that he had chosen the Marine Corps because of the services’ values of honour, courage and commitment overlapping with Sikh values.
The court order covered only Singh, but Klapper said the group hopes the Marine Corps will extend the accommodation to all Sikh recruits.
AS India celebrates 76 years of Independence today, it is an opportune moment to introspect on the state of the nation, looking dispassionately at the successes and challenges. There is much to be proud of as an Indian. Last year, we became the fifth-largest economy in the world and are expected to attain the number three rank in the next five years. The nation has assertively established its global geopolitical prominence, being wooed by the Global North while simultaneously advocating the interests of the Global South.
Among the crucial foundations of nation-building, national security plays a paramount role in creating a safe and stable environment that facilitates economic growth, social cohesion and the protection of sovereignty. India has significant security challenges, and it is important to evaluate how these have been handled when attempting to discern our future trajectory.
However, commencing this evaluation requires clarity of understanding on the ambit of national security. The traditional delineation of national security primarily involves safeguarding a nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against internal and external threats. Some scholars propose broadening the scope to include economic security, energy security, climate change, public health, etc. Without going into the merits of which definition is more accurate, this article will focus on the traditional and narrower areas of national security related to external and internal threats.
On the external security front, India faces two hostile neighbours — Pakistan and China. The threat from Pakistan has appreciably diminished, despite Islamabad’s efforts to sustain a low-intensity insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. The growing economic and military power differential between the two countries, New Delhi’s refusal to discuss the Kashmir issue, and India’s cross-border strikes have limited Pakistan’s options. The political, economic and internal security crisis in Pakistan also restrains the country from attempting any misadventure along the border.
In 2020, India faced a serious situation when the Chinese PLA carried out large-scale incursions across the LAC in Ladakh. After three years, the standoff continues at Depsang and Demchok, and there are some reports that the buffer zones created to separate the military forces are territorially disadvantageous to India. However, what is also true is that after the initial surprise, India’s political and military response has been steadfast.
The Indian Army has carried out a major realignment of forces along the LAC, and infrastructure development is happening at a great speed. India still remains at a disadvantage in terms of roads leading to the LAC, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, but the hardening of the LAC has greatly improved the Army’s response to the PLA’s attempted incursions, as witnesses at Yangtse in December 2022.
India has made it clear that the Chinese actions of 2020 have “eroded strategic trust and the public and political basis of the relationship.” There is a breakdown of confidence-building measures, and both sides have deployed thousands of additional soldiers along the LAC. There is, therefore, a great deal of unpredictability on the border, but the Indian military is at a higher level of preparedness than it was three years ago.
Internal security threats primarily derive from challenges to the authority of the state. These could be classified as traditional and non-traditional threats. Traditional threats emerge when armed factions such as insurgents and terrorists attack the state to undermine the government’s legitimacy and force a change in the existing political order. This is being witnessed in the Maoist areas, J&K, and to some extent in the North-East.
India has been largely successful in controlling the activities of insurgent/terrorist groups through a combination of kinetic actions, ceasefire arrangements and promises of greater autonomy. Violence levels have dropped significantly, and there is little challenge to the state’s authority. A criticism that could be levelled is that there is inadequate focus on finding long-term solutions that can bring permanence to peace by addressing the aspirations of the population. The Naga Accord remains elusive, Manipur is an ethnic flashpoint, and J&K has been without elected representatives since November 2018.
Non-traditional internal threats occur when a state’s authority is challenged by radicalised sections of society who decide to deliver their own brand of justice based on their religious, ethnic or ideological affiliations. A surcharged atmosphere is created with a narrative that religious sentiments have been hurt or that their identity is in peril. In this polarisation, vigilante groups commit violence targeted at the ‘other’. The situation is exacerbated when the political elite and influential members of society are seen as tacitly supporting these actions.
If vigilante groups remain unchecked, their power and influence over society increases, even as the state’s authority weakens. We are seeing this play out in Manipur. Different explanations are given for the outbreak of violence in Manipur, but the reasons for the delay in controlling the situation are clear. Vigilante groups from the Meitei and Kuki communities have taken over the streets, looting weapons from police armouries, indulging in mass violence and driving people out of their homes. The state appears helpless to exercise its authority as there is little confidence in the local police, and the Central forces are prevented by women protesters from carrying out their tasks.
It could be argued that what is happening in Manipur is primarily a law and order situation, and there is no national security angle. However, it must be understood that the state’s monopoly over the use of force is a cardinal tenet of national security. Any dilution of this principle can lead to societal destabilisation and, by extension, weaken national security.
Looking at India’s security landscape, the government has done well in tackling traditional external and internal security threats. It needs to demonstrate a similar resolve in combating radical groups. This will require an approach that clamps down on extremism, disinformation, fake news and vigilante justice. Another critical element in the government’s strategy must be to empower the local police and free it from the burden of politicisation.
Eastern Ladakh row: India, China hold fresh military talks
India and China on Monday held a fresh round of military talks with a focus on disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh and ease overall tensions in the region.
The 19th round of Corps Commander level dialogue took place at the Chushul-Moldo border point on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the region, military sources said.
The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.
The talks began at around 9:30 am and they are continuing, the sources said.
The Indian delegation is headed by Lt Gen Rashim Bali, the Commander of the Leh-headquartered 14 Corps. The Chinese team was to be led by the commander of the South Xinjiang military district.
In the 18th round of the military dialogue that was held on April 23, the Indian side strongly pressed for resolving the lingering issues at Depsang and Demchok.
Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on the need to stabilise bilateral relations at a dinner during the G-20 summit in Bali last year.
On July 24, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on the sidelines of a meeting of the five-nation grouping BRICS in Johannesburg.
In its statement on the meeting, the MEA said Doval conveyed that the situation along the LAC in the western sector of the India-China boundary since 2020 had “eroded strategic trust” and the public and political basis of the relationship.
It said the NSA emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to fully resolve the situation and restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas so as to remove impediments to normalcy in bilateral ties.
India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas.
The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area.
The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.
As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in 2021 on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.
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